Views From an Urban Novel Reader
Written By Kiana Harris
Circulation Library Assistant
Growing up in an urban community I was not much of a book girl. I always had the chance to go outside, play with my friends and cousins. Don’t get me wrong I have always read a lot during school hours and was always book smart when I did decide to read. I became a heavy urban novel reader when I got hired at the public library in Trenton. The urban collection turned out to be my favorite, well It’s actually the most circulated collection in the building. Have you ever read a book so good and when you get to the last page it says To Be Continued?! Those are the kind of books I love to read. I call them ‘Page Turners’ lol. Each book tells you a different story however the majority of them take place in an urban community. Some of the novels I have read are based on a true story and then you have some novels that seem so real it has you on the edge of your seat. If you have not read an urban novel yet you should try one. Keep in mind that some of these recommendations are a part of a series collection. Here are a few recommendations that I think you should read!
1. Thugs and The Women Who Love Them By Wahida Clark (Thug Series Pt 1)
This book is based on three friends Angel, Jaz, and Kyra who live in a dangerous neighborhood defined by violence and crime. Trying to navigate through life while dealing with lying, pimping, drug-dealing lovers who just can’t seem to let go. Praying to build better lives and escape the ghetto they find themselves trapped by their toxic thuggish boyfriends who rule the streets. From rage fueled vendettas to jealous rampages nothing seems to change until they are ready to walk a different path. But nothing is that simple, especially for women addicted to life on the edge.
A few other books by this author:
2. Who Do I Run To Now? By Anna Black
Have you ever heard of the 5 page rule? Neither have I, I made that up lol. I’ve always said if the book is boring within the first 5 pages skip to the next one in the collection. This story is about a girl named Janice who finds herself in a love triangle. K.P. the man of her dreams sweeps her off her feet, long before he tells her he is married with two kids. Now too deep in love she has no problem playing the role as K.P.’s other women. That’s until she meets Isaiah who is ready to go all in for Janice, meanwhile she’s stuck on K.P. Will Janice lose her love for K.P. or will Isaiah end up being the love of her life?! Find out in part 2 called Who can I run to now? I will not spoil the rest of the story lol.
A few other books by this author:
3. Everybody Ain’t Your Friend By Tanisha Stewart
When I first chose this book I thought it would be a boring pick. Not even sure if I would even get past the first two pages, however it turned out there was a little suspense to it. This story is about a girl named Mia who was living a regular life, everything seemed to be going normal until one day she was almost run over by a car. Thinking that it probably was a mistake, she never thought anything of it. But not long after a heartbreaking secret was revealed to Mia. That’s when she realized someone was out to get her. That saying is true “Everybody Ain’t Your Friend.”
A few other books by this author:
4. The Coldest Secret Ever By N’Dia Rae
This novel was actually recommended to me by one of my friends. The coldest secret ever is a suspense thriller about identical twins. Logan a mother, beauty queen turned wife and social media influencer with thousands of fans. So when her husband receives a sex-tape of her in a bizarre freak off everyone is disgusted and confused. Logan swears to her husband that it isn’t her but he doesn’t believe her. Lola, her twin sister, does everything in her power to destroy Logan’s life starting with a sex-tape. However, there is a huge secret between the both of them. She discovers the woman in the video is her identical twin, Lola, who seeks to take over her life.
A few other books by this author:
5. First Summer Out With My ‘Prison Bae’ By Elijah R. Freeman
Newly released from prison Ramello is focused on rewriting his life and loving the women who never stopped believing in him while he was incarcerated. Ramello fights to stay ten toes down all while dealing with jealous friends, post-prison paranoia and quiet wounds that still ache in the dark. Dominique, who is his girlfriend, learns to trust real love, they find out starting over would be beautiful but won’t be easy. Sierra, one of Dominique’s close friends, is now having problems after an argument about their friendship is tested. Anxious for a new beginning, Ramello isn’t wasting a single second writing his new chapter. Will Sierra and Dominique’s friendship survive after the release of her Prison Bae?!
A few other books by this author:
MORE RECOMMENDATIONS
Happy Birthday Kiana!!!!
I love this, Kiana!! <3