A Cupboard Full of Coats by Yvette Edwards – One World Publications – 288 pages $15.95. Set in London (UK) the novel tells the story of a woman coming to terms with the murder of her mother when she was 14 years old. The story is set entirely within the Caribbean community in London’s East End. A Cupboard Full of Coats was long listed for the Man Booker literary prize and is the author’s debut novel. It has been said of Edwards that she possesses a “stunning talent with a deep insight into the dark and powerful corners of human desire” (Laura Eggertson – Ottawa-based freelance writer) Toronto Star Dec. 8.)
No High Honor: by Condoleezza Rice – Crown – 766 pages – $39.95. A chronological account of the former U.S. Secretary of State’s eight years in the Bush Administration.
Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko – Penguin Canada – 304 pages $24.00
A first novel by Nigerian-born Yejide Kilanko, who is now a resident of St. Catharines, Ontario, The author relates stores of the emotional strength and the travails that affect many women in Nigeria. The story revolves around the dramatic coming of age of Morayua and her ascent into womanhood in modern day Ibadan, Nigeria.
Home: by Toni Morrison – Knopf – 160 pages
A short but deeply moving novel from Novel-Prize winning author Toni Morrison. Set in Georgia, the story revolves around a brother and sister as they struggle to find their place in a world defined by poverty, racism and fear and how they overcame tortured childhood memories to rediscover their sense of self and their “Home”.
When I Left Home: My Story by Buddy Guy with David Ritz: -Da Capo Press
An account of the life of Blues guitarist Buddy Guy. Born poor in Louisiana, he began playing on an old 2-string guitar at 13. By the age of 21 he was in Chicago where over the years he honed his craft to become one of the greatest blues guitarists ever.
Olive Senior’s “Dancing Lessons” has been short listed for this year’s Commonwealth Book Prize. Senior, who was born in Jamaica, is now based in Toronto. The Commonwealth Book Prize annually honors debut novels and awards approximately $4,000. (Cdn) to a regional winner and approximately $16,000 to an overall winner. Regional winners are announced May 22nd – Overall winners announced June 8th in London, UK.