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Articles by Anissa Gray
Books for Fans of Brandon Taylor
This month the reading world is getting excited about a new Brandon Taylor release. The bestselling author and Book Prize finalist of Real Life has been a can’t-miss author for fans of literary fiction. In his most recent release, The Late Americans, Taylor focuses on four friends fumbling through the early days of adulthood. This Iowa City-set story explores themes of found family, sex and love in, yet another, unforgettable tale.
Shelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, April 14, 2023
Tell Me What You Want: A Therapist and Her Clients Explore Our 12 Deepest Desires by Charlotte Fox Weber In her first book, Tell Me What You Want: A Therapist and Her Clients Explore Our 12 Deepest Desires, Charlotte Fox Weber delves headfirst into what she describes as the central mission of therapy: to uncover hidden longings and the deep desires that frighten and excite us.
Win A Copy Of The Book 'Life And Other Love Songs: A Novel' By Anissa Gray
It’s a warm, bright October afternoon, and Ozro Armstead walks out into the brilliant sunshine on his thirty-seventh birthday. At home, his wife Deborah and daughter Trinity prepare a surprise celebration; down the street, his brother waves as Oz heads back to his office after having lunch together. But he won’t make it to the party or even to his briefcase back at his desk. He’s about to disappear.
Her Father Vanished. Years Later, Her Family Is Figuring Out How to Mourn.
Book Review|Her Father Vanished. Years Later, Her Family Is Figuring Out How to Mourn. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/books/review/life-and-other-love-songs-anissa-gray.html Fiction In her second novel, “Life and Other Love Songs,” Anissa Gray explores memory and inheritance through a family that suffers an inexplicable loss. Send any friend a story As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.
LIFE AND OTHER LOVE SONGS
by Anissa Gray ‧ A Black family in suburban Detroit is torn apart by long-held secrets. In her sophomore novel, following The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls (2019), Gray again braids the narrative perspectives of three family members—here Daniel Ozro Armstead Jr.; his wife, Deborah; and his daughter, Trinity.
‘Life and Other Love Songs’ weighs generational impact of trauma
“Life and Other Love Songs” by Atlanta author Anissa Gray is a heartfelt family saga centered around a Detroit family that excavates multiple layers of trauma — and the generational impact of abuse — as they struggle to claim their piece of the American Dream. Spanning from the 1960s to the early ‘90s, with a dip back to Jim Crow Alabama, “Life and Other Love Songs” begins with a missing father and explores his family’s journey to reconcile his disappearance when they’re left grasping at secrets.
Book Review: 'Life And Other Love Songs: A Novel' By Anissa Gray
Home > Books > Book Review: ‘Life And Other Love Songs: A Novel’ By Anissa Gray March 19, 20232023-03-19T03:51:52-05:00 Deborah and Oz marry young, after meeting as teens at a party in 1962. She’s an aspiring singer, and looking to hit it big. Oz is a bit of a shut-in, with a brother and mother he loves very much. He had a rough childhood (which we learn about over the course of the book), and is haunted by every day, and the abusive father he had.
18 Books About Sisters and Sisterhood by Black Authors — Bad Form
Bad Form is committed to uplifting Black writers’ voices all year round. Christina Vassell has contributed three brilliant lists this month that highlight and honour the contributions of Black writers around the world, whose work has redefined, challenged and elevated literary culture.
May Reading List: Pick Up These 9 Books by Michigan Women Authors — SEEN Magazine
Take a break from Netflix and pick up one of these must-read books by female Michigan authors By Zoe Makhool Featured photo by Nick Fewings Marlena By Julie Buntin Julie Buntin teaches creative writing at the University of Michigan. Her debut novel, “Marlena,” follows a 15-year-old who moves to a rural town in Michigan following her mom’s divorce. Everything about her new town is lonely — until she meets her eccentric neighbor Marlena.
Nancy Johnson's 'The Kindest Lie' is a layered, complex exploration of race and class
By Anissa Gray Special To The Washington Post What is the cost of secrets and lies? That is the question at the heart of Nancy Johnson’s debut novel, “The Kindest Lie.” It is the story of a woman preparing to have her first child with the husband she adores; but first, she must confront the fact that she already has a son – a baby she was forced to give up when she was a teenager. We first meet Ruth Tuttle, a young Black woman, on election night in 2008.
Review | Nancy Johnson’s ‘The Kindest Lie’ is a layered, complex exploration of race and class
What is the cost of secrets and lies? That is the question at the heart of Nancy Johnson’s debut novel, “The Kindest Lie.” It is the story of a woman preparing to have her first child with the husband she adores; but first, she must confront the fact that she already has a son — a baby she was forced to give up when she was a teenager. We first meet Ruth Tuttle, a young Black woman, on election night in 2008. It is a night brimming with hope and expectation.
Writing Historical Fiction As History Repeats Itself
Photo-Illustration: by Preeti Kinha; Photos: Getty Images You can’t write a novel that doesn’t, in some way, deal with time. It’s one of the textural elements in storytelling. It gives us a sense of perspective and place. We can measure how much things have changed. How much they have stayed the same. When I’m trying to figure out how I want to use time — linear, circular — it helps for me to live for a time in those moments I’m trying to create.
22 Black Authors Share Their Favorite Books by Black Authors
By RIF Editorial Team • 13 hours ago Read it Forward asked 22 Black authors to tell us their favorite book by Black authors—the books they return to again and again, the ones that never fail to provide inspiration. Here are the books they love, which are perfect for adding to your own TBR pile. Jasmine Guillory, author of Party of Two: “Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, is brilliantly written, and deeply researched, but I love it so much because of everything it made me feel.
Books to Read With Mom This Mother's Day
There’s a good chance that many of us will not be able to spend time with our mothers in person this Mother’s Day, due to the coronavirus. There are lots of creative ways to show your mom that you care without actually being in the same room. You could video chat, or mail her a nice card or gift. If you live close enough, you could drop by her home just to wave through the window. If you and your mom are both readers, buddy-reading a book together could be a great way to bond, even from afar.
Library of Michigan Announces 2020 Michigan Notable Book Awards
LANSING, Mich. — The celebrated literature on this year’s list of Michigan Notable Books encompasses the entire Great Lakes basin from the far reaches of the Upper Peninsula to stories about Detroit; and even cookery from the west side of Michigan. The Library of Michigan shared that this year’s list of 20 titles reflects the rich stories and culture of our state.
These Are Michigan's 'Notable Books' of 2020
Looking for something new to read? Check out these 20 books that are about or set in Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Library of Michigan has released their annual list of Michigan Notable Books published during the previous year. The Library of Michigan says they review 250 to 400 submissions each year.
These Are Michigan's 'Notable Books' of 2020
Looking for something new to read? Check out these 20 books that are about or set in Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Library of Michigan has released their annual list of Michigan Notable Books published during the previous year. The Library of Michigan says they review 250 to 400 submissions each year.
These Are Michigan's 'Notable Books' of 2020
Looking for something new to read? Check out these 20 books that are about or set in Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Library of Michigan has released their annual list of Michigan Notable Books published during the previous year. The Library of Michigan says they review 250 to 400 submissions each year.
These Are Michigan's 'Notable Books' of 2020
Looking for something new to read? Check out these 20 books that are about or set in Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Library of Michigan has released their annual list of Michigan Notable Books published during the previous year. The Library of Michigan says they review 250 to 400 submissions each year.
Win A Copy Of The Paperback 'The Care And Feeding Of Ravenously Hungry Girls' By Anissa Gray
Home > Free Books > Free Giveways > Win A Copy Of The Paperback ‘The Care And Feeding Of Ravenously Hungry Girls’ By Anissa Gray RedCarpetCrash January 7, 20202020-01-07T03:03:59-06:002020-01-07T23:29:23-06:00 The Butler family has had their share of trials—as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest—but nothing prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives.
Yes, Black Girls Get Eating Disorders
I sat down to write my novel, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, about four years ago, having spent much of my career as a journalist in cable news. What I love about being a novelist is that there is the space to create new and exciting worlds or explore the world as you know it in a much more personal and closely observed way.
The 21 Best Novels of 2019
During the past year, we've had plenty of genre-busting, conversation-setting, and era-defining fiction to cherish and discuss. From late-period le Carré espionage thriller to cult Instagram read, for every kind of reader, here are the novels we loved in 2019. The End of Loneliness by Benedict Wells (Penguin Books, January) In an age when the double tap is so often the fastest path to fame, there is something appealingly old-fashioned about a literary success story.
2019 Books You Might've Missed
By RIF Editorial Team • 3 weeks ago With so many great reads coming out each year, it’s hard to keep track of every book that people have loved. 2019 is no exception—there have been a multitude of books released, fiction and nonfiction, that are emotional, thrilling, diverse, and absolutely wonderful. We’ve rounded up some of the best 2019 books you might’ve missed to help you learn more about them and hopefully add them to your ever-growing TBR pile. Trust us, they’re worth it.
Spell Binding: Anissa Gray Discusses Family, Process and Her Absorbing Debut Novel
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls reveals sibling bonds Oct 10, 2019 5 AM Tweet Share Anissa Gray’s debut novel, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, opens in a Michigan jail, where Althea Butler-Cochran is locked up. Her teenage daughters are staying with her youngest sister, Lillian, and the middle sister, Viola, is on her way home from Chicago for the trial. Though it has a gripping plot, Care and Feeding is, more than anything, a character study.
Mothers behind bars: Their children's needs are a growing priority
It's just before sunrise on a Saturday morning, and the first few children are slowly trickling in. They've arrived at an office space that could easily be mistaken for a cheerful elementary school classroom, with its bright primary colors and cubbies along the wall. The teenagers slump onto couches, while the littlest ones mostly stand, rubbing sleepy eyes.
More mothers are ending up behind bars. Meeting the needs of their children is becoming a bigger priority
News By Anissa Gray, CNN It's just before sunrise on a Saturday morning, and the first few children are slowly trickling in. They've arrived at an office space that could easily be mistaken for a cheerful elementary... Sunday, April 21st 2019, 3:48 PM EDT Updated: Sunday, April 21st 2019, 3:48 PM EDT It's just before sunrise on a Saturday morning, and the first few children are slowly trickling in.
Using Fiction to Show How Self-Control Becomes Self-Destructive
Fiction March 21, 2019 THE GIRLS AT 17 SWANN STREET By Yara Zgheib THE CARE AND FEEDING OF RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY GIRLS By Anissa Gray No one seems to diet anymore. People may go on a “cleanse” or attempt to “eat clean,” but their goal is grander than mere weight loss — they’re seeking a vague sense of equanimity that’s become known as “wellness.” The modern woman aspires to be “strong” and “healthy”; she does not care (or not explicitly) about fitting into a smaller dress size.
More mothers are ending up behind bars. Meeting the needs of their children is becoming a bigger priority
It's just before sunrise on a Saturday morning, and the first few children are slowly trickling in. They've arrived at an office space that could easily be mistaken for a cheerful elementary school classroom, with its bright primary colors and cubbies along the wall. The teenagers slump onto couches, while the littlest ones mostly stand, rubbing sleepy eyes.
More mothers are ending up behind bars. Meeting the needs of their children is becoming a bigger priority
Atlanta (CNN)It's just before sunrise on a Saturday morning, and the first few children are slowly trickling in. They've arrived at an office space that could easily be mistaken for a cheerful elementary school classroom, with its bright primary colors and cubbies along the wall. The teenagers slump onto couches, while the littlest ones mostly stand, rubbing sleepy eyes.
More mothers are ending up behind bars. Meeting the needs of their children is becoming a bigger priority
It's just before sunrise on a Saturday morning, and the first few children are slowly trickling in. They've arrived at an office space that could easily be mistaken for a cheerful elementary school classroom, with its bright primary colors and cubbies along the wall. The teenagers slump onto couches, while the littlest ones mostly stand, rubbing sleepy eyes.
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
THE CARE AND FEEDING OF RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY GIRLS is the story of the four Butler siblings --- Althea, who is the oldest; middle children Viola and Joe; and Lillian, the youngest. After a sad and turbulent childhood that left them with some deep scars, they are forced to meet again. The reason for this unwanted get-together is the trial of Althea and her husband, Proctor. The two have committed a fraud, and when the novel opens, they are awaiting the verdict.
Debut novel explores how crime affects innocent bystanders
Living By Anjali Enjeti, For the AJC ‘The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls’ chronicles the ripple effects of incarceration When the matriarch of the Butler family dies, her oldest child, Althea Marie, age 12, inherits the enormous burden of raising her younger siblings, Viola, Joe and infant Lillian, while their father, an itinerant minister, prioritizes his job over parenting.
6 Anticipated Book Releases of February 2019
Added on January 22, 2019 Rebecca Bernard angie thomas , anissa gray , audible , audiobooks , car entertainment , ebooks , Esme Weijun Wang , james patterson , Kate Quinn , marlon James , max delallo , overdrive No Comments Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page Send by Email February, the month of love and paper hearts, is quickly on its way to us.
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
An Indie Next, Library Reads, Barnes & Noble Discover, and Marie Claire’s #ReadwithMC March Book Club Pick! “The inequities of the justice system, the fortitude of women of color, and the bittersweet struggle to connect are rendered ravishly in this bighearted novel.”—Oprah Magazine “Gray’s nuanced, lyrical debut is a moving examination of the ties that bind and—nearly as often—bless.”—People “[An] intimate family saga sure to appeal to fans of Tayari Jones and Celeste Ng.”—Entertainment...
Shelf Awareness for Tuesday, May 29, 2018
In the first quarter of 2018, total net book sales in the U.S. rose 6.2%, to $2.468 billion, compared to the same period in 2017, representing sales of 1,076 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. The quarter started off strongly, with sales gains of 3.7% in January, to $1.112 billion, and 17.2% in February, to $750.8 million. Total net book sales in March, however, slipped 1.1%, to $604.4 million.
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