Meet Reader’s Paradise Book Club
By APOOO • Sep 3rd, 2008 • Category: APOOO Features, Head of the Class •
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Name FIVE authors whose books your book club enjoys reading together.
DJ McLaurin
Rome Electa Parks
Michelle Larks
Brenda Taylor
Donna Hill
List the FOUR BEST books that your book club has read this year.
Ladies Night Out by Rome Electa Parks
What If It Feels Good by DJ McLaurin
The Sisterhood of Blackberry Corner by Andrea Smith
Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns by J.California Cooper
List THREE books—the last book your club read, the current book your club is reading, the book your club plans to read next.
Passin by Karen E. Quinones Miller
Lookin For A Lover By Zaria
Casanegra by Blair Underwood
Offer TWO things to consider before starting a book club.
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What is the vision for the book club
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Is this vision the same for ALL members
If your group could have dinner with ONE author, who would be your group’s choice and why? –We couldn’t pick just one author because we have diverse taste. However we have been kissed by the Lord in our two years to have shared a meal with 6 authors.
GOTTA RUN…BUT BEFORE WE DEPART:
What makes your book club unique and different from any other book club?–Our uniqueness is in how we interact with one another. All eight of us believe the Lord is the nucleus of our life and this book club and we are strving to be all God intended us to be one book of month at a time.
Is your group currently accepting membership? If so, whom should we contact? Unforuntately we are not accepting new membership; however if anyone is local (Chicagoland) and would like to visit with us on a temporary basis please contact us at readersparadise4u@yahoo.com
Our domain is being built as I type this and should be available by the end of September.
Thank you for chatting with APOOO, and it was our pleasure to host and spotlight your group today.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
With eight months of the year down, what has been your book club’s favorite read for this year?
What about you, what is your favorite book for this year?
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APOOO is an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
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Comment from author DJ Larin:
What friends and club members said about Reader’s Paradise Book Club:
Tange said:
Ernestine said:
Cassandra said:
**waving** Hey Tange! Congrats on the feature, ladies. And thank you to Yasmin for spotlighting book clubs.
I know you asked for 2008 but I want to talk a little about 2007. Our 2007 Book of the Year was Ladies Night Out by Electa Rome Parks. This book was about friendships and how 4 women make it through the good the bad and the personal. We enjoyed this book because it reminds us about our circle of sisters in this book club.
Now being obedient to Yas (Ms APOOO)I will list my personal favorites for 2008 & the members of the book club will respond as a BOOK CLUB:
Sweet Georgia Brown by Ceryl Robinson
Crisis Mode by Michelle Larks
Beauty for Ashes by Brenda Taylor
I met readers paradise in 2007, they are cool people. All I have to say is “Look at GOD”. Look at the marvelous things he is doing with your Book Club.
Awww DJ you know i love you sis!!!
When I say READER’S, you say PARADISE —
READER’S PARADISE . . . . READER’S PARADISE!
When I say HEAD OF, you say THE CLASS –
HEAD OF, THE CLASS . . . . HEAD OF, THE CLASS!
I am hyena happy and peacock proud of Missy and the spiritual sisters of Reader’s Paradise Book Club. Ladies it is WONDERFUL to see you a head of the class here at APOOO Book Club today. Thank you for all that you do to support good books and talented writers!
Yasmin thank you for allowing friends and fans of book clubs to come and cheer (as in my case) and support them on their featured day.
Reader’s Paradise — YOU ROCK!
Thank you for the kind words DJ, Reader’s Paradise love you…..
Hey Ms. Toni, thanks for stopping by and representing
Thus far my experience with Reader’s Paradise has been with two of the members; Missy, who has been of great support to me through the years starting all the way back with When I Get Free (wow) and Tangerine who posted a review of my latest novel on several book sites, which is very helpful to readers in making a decision on what book to purchase. I will be coming to Chicago in 2009 and I hope to meet all of the ladies in person. I am sure that the rest of the ladies are just as wonderful as the two of you. Take care and God Bless.
Greetings from B’more.
Congratulation Reader’s Paradise on being featured in APOOO.. you all look like a very lively and Fun bunch of sistahs to hang out with… Hope to hear more about ya…
Happy Reading
Hey Reader’s Paradise,
Your doing good things in the book world. Tangerine was my neighbor until she moved
We still stay in touch quite often. She is very dedicated to reading her books and to her bookclub. I see big things happening for this book club in the future.
Stay focus and blessed ladies
Tangie, I am so inspired by your bookc club! The books that you’ve recommended have all been capitvating,,, started Never Enough this morning…
Keep up the good work…
Be Blessed!
Readers’s paradise
is what the name means this is a group that’s out standing
A group that reads together and pray’s together will stay together.
Love Readers Paradise….
Way to go Readers Paradise you ladies look good keep reading and keep growing…
I am so proud to be a member of Reader’s Paradise. Hey sisters:)
I met Readers Paradise this year and what a blessing.
A group of smart and intelligant women that reads and bond together.
I enjoyed each time I have been in the present of this group of readers.
Read Read Read and keep bonding.
Cong ladies it’s all about Readers Paradise shine ladies…..
Kat
Thank you for the kind words DJ, Reader’s Paradise love you…..
thanks for stopping by and representing
Meme
Reader’s Paradise
I love what Readers Paradise is doing
I’ve been a member of Reader’s Paradise since last August, which make it a year and a few weeks. I met the ladies at the Soul Expression Book Tour 2007, not knowing that I would be apart of these sisters lives in the future. It really has been a very good year for our sister circle, and looking for more good things to come. Since being apart of Reader’s Paradise I’ve met authors DJ McClaurin, Darrin Lowery, Michelle Larks, Brenda Taylor, Donna Hill, Wahida Clark, Vicki Stringer, Geneva Holliday, Teri Woods, Brenda Jackson, Naleighna Kai, Mary B. Morrison, E. Lynn Harris and the list goes on. I am so proud of what we are contributing in the literary world.
I commend you ladies on such an awesome website. I’m a friend of Tangerine and she is a wonderful person and has been an avid reader every since I’ve known her. Now that she is apart of Reader’s Paradise she is dedicated member and love her sisters. Continue success for the future ladies.
I’m just getting acquainted with Reader’s Paradise, but if Missy is involved then I know it’s a group with substance. Love the site!!!
Readers Paradise,
Congratulations on being featured on today.
Hey Reader’s Paradise,
You ladies are making moves in the literary world. Its good to see a group of positive ladies doing great things. Much continued success:-)
Hello Readers’ Paradise,
My name is Nardsbaby. I live in Chi-City on the WESTSIDE! Good to meet readers in my area!!! Being from Chi-city also, I wanted to let you know about some talented authors we have right here in our own backyard… Trista Russell, Margie Gosa Shivers, Darrin Lowery, Y. Blak Moore, Nichelle Walker and Mia A. Moore.
With eight months of the year down, what has been your book club’s favorite read for this year? In My Hood 2, Block Party III: Brick City Massacre, Thug Politics, Hell Razor Honeys, Can I Get A Witness?, Gutter, Possession, Nan: The Game of Trife, Lookin’ For A Lover, Street Legends, Hungry For It, The Blues for Annie Mae, Visions, The Trouble Wit’ Luv, Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right, Death, Deceit and Some Smooth Jazz, Unexpected Interruptions, Donna’s Dilemma, Consequences: When Love Is Blind, Love, Lust and A Whole Lotta Distrust (just to name a few)
What about you, what is your favorite book for this year? WOW… Gutter, In My Hood 2, Block Party III, Hell Razor Honeys, The Series by Claudia Mair Burney and The teen series by Paula Chase.
DANG…. can you tell I’m a book-a-holic???
Hi Nardsbaby,
Chi-City neighbor, I enjoyed Street Legends, Hell Razor Honeys, Thug Politics as well. I haven’t gotten to the other reads that you have on your list, but they’re on my list also to be read.
Darrin Lowery graced Reader’s Paradise with his presence back in December BOM, with his book Congratulations. Very good read by the way.
Tangie,
Hey Neighbor!!!
I love Darrin Lowery. Girl each book he writes I end up making a CD from it. Have you read his book Still Crazy and Still Crazy II? I loved them! I love that he reps for Chicago.
IM GLAD THERE ARE WOMEN OUT THERE DOING SOMETHING CREATIVE WITH THERE TIME AND SHARING WITH OTHERS. ALSO IT’S A GREAT WAY TO SEE OTHERS THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE SEEN WHEN EVERYONE IS READING THE SAME BOOK. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO SEE HOW OTHERS PERSIVE THINGS DIFFERENT.
I would like to say Cong to Reader’s Paradise for imbrancing the world with there presence.
I love this group because I no my mom loves each and everyone of these ladies there not just readers there family to on another!
Like it was stated early on in blog a group that reads together and prays together will stay together.
I know my mother has head the pleasure of meeting great writer/suthors such as DJ McClaurin, Darrin Lowery, Michelle Larks, Brenda Taylor, Donna Hill, Wahida Clark, Vicki Stringer, Geneva Holliday, Teri Woods, Brenda Jackson, Naleighna Kai, Mary B. Morrison, E. Lynn Harris and many more to come.
I pray that this list will grow but knowing these ladies it will.
I’m so proud to be a part of the family.
Dee
{{Scooter & Kat}} you both know you are my favorite 5′s
Cilla – thanks for stopping by and representing RP.
Cheryl – we have a date in 2009, we will prepare dinner for you or take you out for an hour or so. Whatever you have time for please let’s make it happy!!! How’s Sweet Georgia?
I MUST say Yas what you are doing for the literary world and book clubs around the globe not just those participating in HOTC is phenomenal…..This is definitely exposure for the book club, your site, the authors and the best part an opportunity to fellowship.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Missy at the Harlem Book Festival in 2003 and this sister certainly loves Reader’s Paradise and her focus is ALWAYS on the group. She has a passion for books and a love for reading them.
As a writer she has also edited a few of my manuscripts and I am grateful….God bless Readers Paradise and keep God the central focus of your group.
I’m not trying to win a book Yas just wanted to stop by God bless you for doing this….
Nardsbaby how’s it going neighbor I would love for you to stop by my email readersparadise4u@yahoo.com and read a monthly read with us. We have great BOM discussions…Girl thanks for the author update we’ve met with Darrin, DJ McLaurin, Michelle Larks, Brenda Taylor, Darrin Lowery and many more, but sis we also have Tony Lindsay, Naleighna Kai, Phylydia Hudson and many many more……
aNN you know I love you girl
and I miss u 
Hey Tricia -
I’m glad folks now c and they don’t believe the hype about us AA not reading and moving progressively forward…..I like HOTC also ecause we get to meet typed faces such as yours
Yas,
I wondered at first how all of this would kick off, but like someone else posted, the fellowshipping is PHENOMENAL!! Getting to know people with a love for reading who inspire, as well as welcome!!! I can’t give you enough KUDOS!!!!
Missy,
My bad, I’ve forgotten a few Chi-city authors, but it’s all love!!!!
I would love an opportunity to participate with you ladies. I’ll email you.
Toni–U R welcome and looking forward to hosting your group.
MISSY/Readers Paradise–thanks so part for participating…today it’s all about YOU ALL and Missy Sweet GA Brown is a favorite for me as well. Missy, I’m enjoying the fellowship and getting to know what makes other book clubs tick…hopefully we can all meet up one day at the NBCC (National Book Club Conference)…APOOO plans to be in the house next year!
Tange, Breeze,Meme–You already know that you belong to one of the best bookclubs ever!
Scooter, Cilla,Laritha, Poochie, Kat, Mary, Harold, Aaron, Tatyanna, Tricia –Thanks for stopping by…please come again!
Dee–what a beautiful note…thanks for stopping by and come again!
Cheryl–Good to see you stopping by APOOO’.
Marlive–HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY and yes RP ROCKS!
aNN–HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY and glad you stopped by!
Asiamme –Harlem 2003…I think I was there…wish I could have met you…maybe another time.
Tange/Nards–APOOO is currently reviewing the following books: Hell Razor Honeys, Thug Politics…will let you know what we think.
Nardsbaby–THANKS FOR THAT GRACIOUS, WARM AND AFFIRMING COMPLIMENT REGARDING HOTC! And yes you need a 12-step program…lol…you are a book-a-holic! But, of course, there’s lots of talent right there in Ch-town so it’s easy to get hooked on reading.
Hey ladies of Reader’s Paradise,
I love your photo. . . lovely, smiling face:}
Thanks so much for naming my novel, Ladies’ Night Out, as your Book of the Year (2007)! Your support is greatly sincerely appreciated. Now, where is your review on Amazon.com (LOL)?
Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to check you guys out in the Windy City. . . maybe when the sequel to Ladies’ Night Out drops. . .
Love ya,
Electa
Electa my review posted on April 20, 2007 – here;s the link:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0451220250/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Yes we must meet the next time you are in the windy city!
SEQUEL …..Ohmigash I miss my girls Electa and thanks for giving us the idea of what a sistahood should look like for us.
Nardsbaby,
U most definitely will have to come to our BOM’s.It will be a pleasure to have you.
I wanted to go to National Book Club Conference this year to hear Terry Mac read from her newest novel for the first time but the unemployment bug bit. I will be there 2009 NBCC, July 31-Aug. 2 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
C u there sweetie!!
Hello Everyone:
I’m a member of Readers Paradise. I love our book club, we come together from diverse backgrounds, but always for the same reason the love of reading. Luv you ladies,
DJ: Thank you so much for your wonderful comments about Readers Paradise, we appreciate them and you also.
I’d have to say the groups favorite books so far this year has been:
Crisis Mode
Beauty for Ashes
Sweet Georgia Brown
My personal favorite, is actually a tie between Beauty for Ashes, and Sweet Georgia Brown
My personal favorite book is Sweet Georgia Brown by Cheryl Robinson, you go Cheryl.
Hats Off to you TANGE and to Readers Paradise!! Reading is one of the great ESSENTIAL
ARTS and you have managed to “Keep it Alive “. May you and your sisters continue to lead
by example!
Following the LEADERS, KEV
Thanks for the kind words Kevin.
From the bottom of my heart Missy is awesome. I love my sisters in Reader’s Paradise and we will make it do what it do.
Hello Ladies, Keep up the good work. Tange Love you guys and is a deicated reader. Wish i was able to keep reading like that, keep getting side tracked. LOV U
Yas thanks for featuring us, it was a pleasure to comment on our love for reading….and of course Reader’s Paradise is one of the best book clubs ever, YEAH!!!!!!
Hello all I wanted to send some thank you out!!!!
Thanks All for all of the wonderful comments and love you have for Reader’s Paradise book club we feel you….
Thanks to the Author for stopping by to show your love, caring enough to take time for us!
Yas thanks for featuring us, it was a pleasure to comment and read what is being thought about our group and the fact that we show our love for reading…
Thank you Missy, Tang, Mel, Dionne, me Meme Mia, Step , just Reader’s Paradise paradise all of us for doing what we do ladies. I’m BLESSED to a part of such book club.
It’s good to see a group of ladies bond together intellectually as well as spiritually. Congrats ladies.
Tangie!!! Congrat!!! Looking forward to the next book that you recommend to me. W clark was off the chain!!
Kimmie
The ladies of Reader’s Paradise is a ray of sunshine. These ladies will do great things in the literary world. Wishing you great success.
Hey ladies,
Can’t wait for your website, I’m sure its gonna be off the chain.
I am so glad that there are women out there that are doing more than just having male bashing hen parties! These women are actually having a good time relaxing and reading books that are written by other African Americans! I have read so of the books just because one of the members of the group suggest that I read it! Keep up the good work ladies and before you know it instead of 8 women it will 20!!!!! Keep reading and sending out suggestions!
I know if any of the other women in the club reads like Tangela, U all are a forced 2b reckond with!! I’d say she read a book, a day!! Good luck on your website Sista’s!! I’m proud.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to meet Readers Paradise Book Club and left a comment!
Day 4 WINNER is MEME/BrownSugar and she won a copy Living, Breathing Lies by Gloria Mallette.
Stay tuned…Day5 WINNER will be announced shortly and it could be you.
In the meantime, I encourage you to meet Day Five’s club, Motown Review Book Club.
Great interview ladies! You sound like an enthusiastic group. Keep up the good work.
Dera’s last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged
Thank you Yas for your kind words and featuring our group. We appreciate all the kudos that have come our way. Congrats to Reader’s Paradise winners (u go girls). Thank you to all of the members of Readers Paradise (Laverne(Missy), Melody, Mary, Mia, Tange, and Dionne. I love you ladies. I thank GOD that I’ve been blessed to have you in my life, as well as being part of yours. Keep on reading!
Congrats mary on winning Living Breathing Lies i am looking for a review young lady!!!
Hey also I just got this book from and I would love to read it with someone…
Yeah Mary for winning!!!!!!!!
Laverne,
I love this. I am so proud of you and the other members of the club. One day, I want to join you all at one of your meetings. Continue to enjoy life. This is wonderful. Take Care!
MO
Thank Q so much we are only doing what we love in hope that others will do the same. Enjoy life and ALWAYS be a bright light…
Keep God first in all you do. God Bless Reader’s Paradise
Favorite book we read this year would have been in Jan. when we read “The sacred Place” by Daniel Black. Mr. Black graciously accepted our offer and joined us for discussion as well. Although, a work of fiction it is based on the life and death of Emmet Louis Till the spark that lead to the civil rights movement.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Reader’s Paradise for opening up the cyber doors and giving us a glimpse into your book world. Book clubs make the world go ‘round. Congratulations on the success of your book club.
OOSA Online Book Club´s last blog post..OOSA Online Book Club gave 4 stars to: Preacherman Blues
Okay this group is the bomb! And I love all the members. They are the sweetest group of women that you would want to meet. And they encourage each other and praise each other which is so important and very vital in having a sucessful melting pot of a book club. I thank God for a chance to check those divas out and I had a ball!! Thanks APOOO for allowing book clubs in the surrounding areas to network;) You are a master mind Yas!!!
Thanks Keyonda…I’m so happy to hear that HEAD OF THE CLASS helped you to meet another group in your area…and I know that Missy and company will take care of you well.
Hello my sister -
Yes we did have a wonderful time and I feel blessed to have been in the company of Kreative Readers. Thanks a bunch Keyonda but when a connection is made it takes all sisters in the circle to make it compliment and you, Anita and Tonya completed us yesterday.