Urban Fiction Series

Urban fiction is a genre of literature that features life on the streets, typical in American inner cities. These stories are often centered around African American characters and highlight the hardships of living in an urban environment. As a heads up, they often include violence, profanity, gang activity, and poverty.

Below is a list of some of the urban fiction series and stand-alone novels in the TBP collection. This list is not exhaustive, so if you don’t see one of your favorite books or authors on this list, give us a call at 1-800-252-9605.

Series

Banks Sisters Series
BANKS SISTERS by Nikki Turner (DB 92967)
Best Frenemies Forever Series
BFF’S by Brenda Hampton (DBC 27135)
Butterfly Series
BUTTERFLY by Ashley Antoinette (DB 98149)
Cartel Series
CARTEL by Ashley (DB 90898)
Deeply Rooted Series
DEEPLY ROOTED by Ice Mike (DB 81350)
Dirty Red Series
DIRTY RED by Vickie M. Stringer (DB 116218)
Divas Series
DIVAS SERIES. BOOKS 1-3 by De’nesha Diamond (DB 84582)
Dopeman Series
DOPEMAN’S WIFE by JaQuavis (DBC 27085)
Dutch Series
DUTCH by Teri Woods (DB 101130)
Family Business Series
FAMILY BUSINESS by Carl Weber (DB 93583)
Full Figured Series
FULL FIGURED by Brenda Hampton (DB 117839)
Game Series
GAMES WOMEN PLAY by Zaire Crown (DB 118149)
Girls from da Hood Series
GIRLS FROM DA HOOD by Nikki Turner (DB 118143)
Hoodlum Series
HOODLUM by K’wan (DB 117526)
Kenyatta Series
CRIME PARTNERS by Donald Goines (DB 118030)
Madam Series
MADAM, MAY I by Niobia Bryant (DB 117855)
Material Girl Series
MATERIAL GIRL by Keisha Ervin (DB 107456)
Misadventures of Mink LaRue Series
NATURAL BORN LIAR by Noire (DB 117531)
Payback Series
PAYBACK IS A MUTHA by Wahida Clark (DB 81661)
Prada Plan Series
PRADA PLAN by Ashley Antoinette (DBC 27068)
Purple City Series
PURPLE CITY. VOLUMES 1-3 by K’wan (DBC 27118)
Rescued by the Love of a Real One Series
RESCUED BY THE LOVE OF A REAL ONE by Toy (DB 106392)
Seven Deadly Sins Series
LUST by Victoria Christopher Murray (DB 89154)
Too Hood for You Series
TOO HOOD FOR YOU, BOOKS 1 & 2 by K. C. Mills (DB 114418)
True to the Game Series
TRUE TO THE GAME by Teri Woods (DB 97167)

Stand-Alone Novels

B-MORE CAREFUL by Shannon Holmes (DB 107004)
BLACK BUCK by Mateo Askaripour (DB 102521)
BLACK GIRL LOST by Donald Goines (DB 104184)
DAUGHTER OF A QUEEN PIN by Treasure Hernandez (DB 113797)
EVERYWHERE YOU DON’T BELONG by Gabriel Bump (DB 98891)
FROM HARLEM WITH LOVE by K’wan (DBC 27119)
LAST STREET NOVEL by Omar Tyree (DB 99445)
PUBLIC ENEMY #1 by Kiki Swinson (DB 108659)
REPLACEMENT HUSBAND by Tiffany L. Warren (DB 117745)

IT ENDS WITH US

Perhaps you’ve heard all the drama surrounding the new movie It Ends with Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and released in US theaters on August 9. Did you know it was based on a bestselling book by author Colleen Hoover under the same title? Well, it was AND there’s a sequel too. So, if you want to compare the movie to the book, we have your back.

IT ENDS WITH US (DB 86517)
IT STARTS WITH US (DB 110817)

Contemporary Southern Gothic Literature

Do you just love the creepy, atmospheric novels set in the south? Where clinging wisteria vines smother moldering plantation houses and hide the rotting wood beneath. Where the characters are trying to keep up appearances but beneath the surface, secrets and corruption lurk.

What if you’ve already read all of the classics by Faulkner, McCullers, O’Connor, and their ilk, and you’d like to read some books with a new spin on an old, classic subgenre? Well, you’re in luck. Below are some of the contemporary southern gothic novels in the NLS collection.

BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA by Dorothy Allison (DB 39353)
CHILD OF GOD by Cormac McCarthy (DB 61930, BR 10633)
DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver (DB 110786, LB 14284)
DEVIL ALL THE TIME by Donald Ray Pollock (DB 74278)
FAY by Larry Brown (DB 51786)
HACIENDA by Isabel Cañas (DB 107997)
HEAVEN OF MERCURY by Brad Watson (DB 57135)
IF THE CREEK DON’T RISE by Leah Weiss (DB 91901)
LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME by Wiley Cash (DB 102621)
LITTLE FRIEND by Donna Tartt (DB 55856)
LOST COUNTRY by William Gay (DB 97646)
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (DB 99404, BR 23483)
MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL: A SAVANNAH STORY by John Berendt (DB 38077, BR 11463, LB 04494)
RUBY by Cynthia Bond (DB 81110, BRG 03613)
SERENA by Ron Rash (DB 68405, BRG 03689)
SING, UNBURIED, SING: A NOVEL by Jesmyn Ward (DB 89552, BR 22096)
SWAMPLANDIA by Karen Russell (DB 72823, LB 06768)
THOUSAND FALLING CROWS by Larry D. Sweazy (DBC 26472)
VINE THAT ATE THE SOUTH: A NOVEL by J. D. Wilkes (DB 94173)
WEIGHT OF BLOOD by Laura McHugh (DB 79247)
WHEN WE WERE ANIMALS by Joshua A. Gaylord (DB 81361)

In His Own Words: Phil Donahue

Popular television talk-show host Phil Donahue died last Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the age of 88. Known for being the first host to interact with a studio audience, he rose to fame in the late 1960s. The Talking Book Program has his autobiography in our collection. We hope this gives you a chance to learn about his experiences in his own words.

Contact us if you’d like to borrow his book. 1-800-252-9605.

DONAHUE: MY OWN STORY (DB 14910, BR 04366, LB 02800)

TBP Book Club Title Announced for September 2024!

Please join us on Tuesday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. (Central) for our Book Club discussion of LIAR’S DICTIONARY by Eley Williams. DB 1073312. LB 13379.

We host our Book Club discussions via Zoom. However, all you need to participate is a telephone!

If you have a land line, we will provide a telephone number for accessing the Book Club. If you have a smart phone, we will email an easy “one click ” number you can use to join the discussion. We will also email a Zoom invitation to those who prefer to use a computer.

Patrons who register for the discussion will receive this information a week before the book club meeting.

To RSVP call us at 1-800-252-9605 or email tbp.ral@tsl.texas.gov

LIAR’S DICTIONARY is available by mail as a digital cartridge or in large print and is also available to download on BARD.

LIAR’S DICTIONARY by Eley Williams (DB 103312, LB 13379)
Peter Winceworth, Victorian lexicographer, is toiling away on Swansby’s multivolume Encyclopaedic Dictionary, but boredom leads him to insert fictitious entries. In the present day, Mallory, a young intern employed by the publisher, is tasked with uncovering these fake words before the work is digitized. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

We’re looking forward to having you join us on Tuesday, September 24!

Cyberpunk Classics

Do you prefer your science fiction set in a gritty, urban, dystopian future? Are you a fan of punk subculture and early hacker culture? Then cyberpunk may be a sub-genre you enjoy! From Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, the novel upon which the movie Bladerunner was based, to ALTERED CARBON, which was made into a Netflix series in 2018, we have lots of cyberpunk classics to choose from.

Series

Centenal Series
INFOMOCRACY by Malka Older (DB 84733)
Maddaddam Series
MADDADDAM by Margaret Atwood (DB 77487, BR 20284)
Sprawl Series
NEUROMANCER by William Gibson (DB 34589, BR 09062)
Takeshi Kovacs Series
ALTERED CARBON by Richard K. Morgan (DB 75061, BR 22417)
Warcross Series
WARCROSS by Marie Lu (DB 89192)
Zer0es Series
ZEROES by Chuck Wendig (DB 83598)

Stand-Alone Novels

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? by Philip K. Dick (DB 54649, BR 14247)
FUTURE HOME OF THE LIVING GOD by Louise Erdrich (DB 87990, BR 22380, en español DB 102396)
HOPELAND by Ian McDonald (DB 119547)
NOOR by Nnedi Okorafor (DBC 24787)
SLEEPLESS by Victor Manibo (DB 111238)
SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson (DB 57673)
TECHNOGENESIS by Syne Mitchell (DBC 17063)
TROUBLE AND HER FRIENDS by Melissa Scott (DB 39645)
WASTE TIDE by Qiufan Chen (DB 95246)

College: Take Your Talking Book Service with You!

How exciting! You’re going off to college. It’s really your first true step into adulthood. So, it can be a little daunting too. But remember, you’re not alone; your talking book service can be there with you for this big transition.

If you’re going to a college in Texas, just call us to let us know your new contact information so we don’t lose touch!

But if you’re moving to a college out of state, don’t worry! No matter which state you move to, there is a talking book program service. And we can transfer your service to that state since you’ll be there for the majority of the year.  Once you’ve obtained your new address, give us a call about a week prior to your move at 1-800-252-9605 or send an email to tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.

Textbooks

Unfortunately, the Talking Book Program does not have textbooks in our collection. But we do often have supplementary materials. For example, you’re taking a course on African American literature. We won’t have your textbook in our collection, BUT we have a lot of books written by and about African American authors. We also have general books about the Harlem Renaissance. Once you get your syllabus, feel free to contact us and see which books are in our collection. Or, better yet, search BARD.

Organizations with Accessible-Format Materials for Students

APH: Accessible Textbooks: An accessible textbook locator service.
Learning Ally: Learning Ally is a national nonprofit that provides reading materials in a variety of accessible formats for people with a wide range of reading disabilities, including blindness, visual impairment, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Students can browse the library, order and download audiobooks, and listen/study on PCs and Mac computers, smartphones and tablets running Android or Apple iOS, as well as on specialized assistive technology devices.
Bookshare® is a FREE, federally-funded library of ebooks designed for students with learning differences. Students who struggle to read traditional books are empowered to read in ways that work for them with specialized ebooks in audio, audio with highlighted text, large font, and braille.
Sight into Sound: An audio production service.

Other Helpful Resources

Let us know if there is other information you need. For example, if you’re writing a paper and need some research pointers, give us a call. Remember, even though you’re an adult, we are still your public library.

Jimmy Fallon’s Summer 2024 Book Recommendations

On Thursday, July 25, Jimmy Fallon revealed his summer 2024 book club pick. The title selected was GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore. Fallon announced the final round of voting for the book earlier in the week and viewers voted online from a selection of books. We’ve listed the six books below. Which one do you think should have been the ultimate winner?

For more information check out the website: https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/jimmy-fallon-book-club-summer-2024-winner

GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore (DB IN PROCESS, LB 0000606)
MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES by Rufi Thorpe (DB 122178 IN PROCESS)
LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton (DB 122011 IN PROCESS)
YOU ARE HERE by David Nicholls (DB 122159 IN PROCESS)
I WAS A TEENAGE SLASHER by Stephen Graham-Jones (DB IN PROCESS)
PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl (DB 120876, LB 0000350)

Summer Reading Program Presents: Mountain Climbing

Adventure is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program. This week we’re featuring books about mountaineering.

Adult Nonfiction

ALONE AT THE TOP: CLIMBING DENALI IN THE DEAD OF WINTER by Lonnie Dupre (DBC 16029)
CALLING: A LIFE ROCKED BY MOUNTAINS by Barry Blanchard (DBC 02626)
DEAD LUCKY: LIFE AFTER DEATH ON MOUNT EVEREST by Lincoln Hall (DBG 08121)
EIGER DREAMS: VENTURES AMONG MEN AND MOUNTAINS by Jon Krakauer (DB 55906)
FOREVER ON THE MOUNTAIN: THE TRUTH BEHIND ONE OF MOUNTAINEERING’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL AND MYSTERIOUS DISASTERS by James M. Tabor (DB 67223)
GHOSTS OF K2: THE EPIC SAGA OF THE FIRST ASCENT by Mick Conefrey (DB 82748)
HIGH CRIMES: THE FATE OF EVEREST IN AN AGE OF GREED by Michael Kodas (DB 67804)
KILLING DRAGONS: THE CONQUEST OF THE ALPS by Fergus Fleming (DB 53702)
LEFT FOR DEAD: MY JOURNEY HOME FROM EVEREST by Beck Weathers (DB 92591)
MOUNTAIN: MY TIME ON EVEREST by Ed Viesturs (DB 78694)
NANDA DEVI: THE TRAGIC EXPEDITION by John Roskelley (BR 07444)
TOUCH THE TOP OF THE WORLD: A BLIND MAN’S JOURNEY TO CLIMB FARTHER THAN THE EYE CAN SEE by Erik Weihenmayer (DB 51505, BR 14512)
TWO SHADOWS: THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF ONE MAN’S TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY by Charlie Winger (DBC 03296)

Adult Fiction

ABOMINABLE by Dan Simmons (DB 77604)
ABOVE ALL THINGS by Tanis Rideout (DB 76263)
EDGE OF JUSTICE by Clinton McKinzie (DBC 02926)
MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD by Jeremy Bates (DB 111004)
PATHS OF GLORY by Jeffrey Archer (DB 68935)
SEVENTEEN by Hideo Yokoyama (DB 92989)
STORMS OF DENALI by Nicholas O’Connell (DBC 00221)
THIS COURAGEOUS JOURNEY by Misty M. Beller (DB 109156)
THIS WRETCHED VALLEY by Jenny Kiefer (DB 118975) IN PROCESS
VIEW MOST GLORIOUS by Regina Scott (DB 106556)
WAY OF THE BRAVE by Susan May Warren (DB 98178)

Young Adult Fiction

EVEN THE DARKEST STARS by Heather Fawcett (DB 89269)

Juvenile Nonfiction

BODIES FROM THE ICE: MELTING GLACIERS AND THE RECOVERY OF THE PAST by James M. Deem Grades 5-8
EVEREST: THE REMARKABLE STORY OF EDMUND HILLARY AND TENZING NORGAY by Alexandra Stewart (DB 106544) IN PROCESS
Grades 3-6
RESCUES! by Sandra Markle (DB 62920)
Grades 4-7
TO THE TOP! CLIMBING THE WORLD’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN by S. A. Kramer (DB 40184, BR 10059)
TOP OF THE WORLD: CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST by Steve Jenkins (BR 13015)
Grades 2-4

Juvenile Fiction

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH by Eric Walters (BRG 03241)
Grades 6-12
CLIMB OR DIE by Edward Myers (DB 47312, BR 10476)
Grades 6-9
PEAK by Roland Smith (DB 64746, BR 17994)
Grades 6-9

Steampunk Classics

Do you like a little science fiction in your Victorian era historical fiction? Then you just might like steampunk. Here are some classics in this science fiction sub-genre that you may enjoy, including Jules Verne’s TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, which is often considered the first steampunk novel. We have both stand-alone and series in the list below, and  we’ve even included a nonfiction title for those who want to learn more about this phenomenon. As always when listing a series, we have started you off with the first title. So, strap on those goggles, don your top hat, and enter into the strange and fantastic world of steampunk.

Series

Burton and Swinburne Series
STRANGE AFFAIR OF SPRING HEELED JACK by Mark Hodder (DB 73822)
Cinder Spires Series
AERONAUT’S WINDLASS by Jim Butcher (DB 82604)
Clockwork Century Series
BONESHAKER by Cherie Priest (DB 70887)
Hungry City Chronicles Series
MORTAL ENGINES by Philip Reeve (DB 58198)
Infernal Devices Series
CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare (DB 72530)
Iron Seas Series
IRON SEAS SERIES, BOOKS 1-4 by Meljean Brook (DB 84388)
Leviathan Series
LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld (DB 70906)
Matt Cruse Series
AIRBORN by Kenneth Oppel (DB 59792, BRG 00708)
New Crobuzon Series
PERDIDO STREET STATION by China Mieville (DB 58795)
Parasol Protectorate Series
SOULLESS by Gail Carriger (DB 81166)
Stoker and Holmes Series
CLOCKWORK SCARAB by Colleen Gleason (DB 79548)
Tales of Ketty Jay Series
RETRIBUTION FALLS by Chris Wooding (DB 89160)

Stand-Alone Novels

AGAINST THE DAY by Thomas Pynchon (DB 63890)
DIAMOND AGE by Neal Stephenson (DB 41956)
DIFFERENCE ENGINE by William Gibson (DB 36050)
TIME MACHINE by H. G. Wells (DB 33367, BR 08652, LB 06039)
TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA by Jules Verne (DB 57020, BR 09469)

Nonfiction

STEAMPUNK BIBLE: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF IMAGINARY AIRSHIPS, CORSETS AND GOGGLES, MAD SCIENTISTS, AND STRANGE LITERATURE by Jeff Vandermeer (DBG 09391)