Books by Philadelphia Area Authors
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
For A Book by a Philadelphia Area Author category of the 2020 Adult Summer Reading Challenge, I read Long Bright River by Liz Moore. I read a lot of mysteries and was impressed by this one. There was a point where I thought the story was over and most authors would have wrapped it up there in a formulaic manner, but a few more twists and turns awaited. Long Bright River mostly takes place in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia and follows a police officer whose sister is missing during a time when a mysterious string of murders is happening. Full of suspense and twists, it is also a gut wrenching story about addiction, family, and fate. There are a lot of difficult subjects - drug addiction, homelessness, abuse, babies born addicted to drugs, police misconduct, absentee parents. The book is a little bit long at 480 pages, but I found it engaging. If you like mysteries, be sure to read Long Bright River.
Other Summer Reading Challenge categories Long Bright River meets: Published in 2020, A book you heard about online.
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid
I read Such A Fun Age earlier this year and it is perfect for this category. It’s Kiley Reid’s first book about a young Black babysitter who juggles multiple jobs as she struggles to keep her health insurance, date, and figure out what she wants to do with her life. The main themes of the book are 1) the racism the babysitter faces and how she chooses to deal with it, and 2) the relationship between the babysitter and the mother of the family and how the mother’s obsession, white savior actions, and unchecked self-involvement impact the babysitter and others. The book is a sort of coming of age story that happens in a very short amount of time.
Other Summer Reading Challenge categories Such A Fun Age meets: By a BIPOC author, A book you heard about online.
Other suggestions for the books by a Philadelphia Area Author category:
1. Mo Meta Blues, Creative Quest, or Something to Food About by Questlove.
Questlove’s books explore different facets of creativity, music, and food.
2. Philadelphia Jazz Stories Illustrated
A wonderful compilation of different authors, comics, and illustrations recounting memories and historical accounts presented by the Philadelphia Jazz Project.
3. Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on the Vulnerable, from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond by Marc Lamont Hill
A string of high-profile deaths in America and incidents of gross negligence by government, such as the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, are examined to uncover patterns and policies that allow some citizens to become disempowered, disenfranchised, poor, uneducated, exploited, vulnerable, and disposable.
4. A Prayer for the City by Buzz Bisinger
A snapshot of Philadelphia in the mid-1990’s. The book follows Ed Rendell’s first term as mayor, interviews key staff members, and others in the Philadelphia community. Many parts are difficult to read, but the book offers insight into the modern history of Philadelphia.
5. The Price of a Child - Lorene Cary
This novel is the story of a young enslaved woman who escapes while traveling through Philadelphia. She uses the Underground Railroad to find freedom, but had to leave her child behind.
Join the 2020 Summer Reading Challenge - https://www.phillybookshelf.org/2020-summer-reading-challenge
Find suggestions for other categories on our Facebook or Instagram accounts.