It would appear that the man who gave us culturally ubiquitous terms "Cyberspace" and "The Matrix" (both from his landscape-shattering breakout novel "Neuromancer") has been blown over by Google, the iPod and locative art. "Spook Country" is an accidental sequel to William Gibson’s post-911 requiem "Pattern Recognition," according to a video on his website. It [...]

From Todd Boyd comes The New H.N.I.C., a clearheaded voice about the direction of black music today. Boyd talks about Lauryn Hill, receiving her fifth Grammy Award in 1999 stopping to say “This is crazy, ’cause this is hip hop music,” surprised that her sounds, previously discarded as insignificant tripe were receiving national acclaim. Hip [...]

Riding in Boxcars, Glenn K. Currie’s second collection of poetry since 2004′s Daydreams, offers an array of fascinating work spanning styles, jumping genres and bridging the gap between art and the artist. Comfortably warm, Currie’s work provides poetry that doesn’t smack of The Pretentious, but instead wraps the reader in beautiful imagery and charisma like [...]

Especially in today’s world, the words used to describe women of color are under increased scrutiny. With cases like Imus taking over front pages one must really think about the words they use to describe someone, especially if those words are public. However one growing aspect of entertainment seems to not have such limits or [...]

When I was handed “The 10 Minute Coach,” I thought, oh my god, another self help book. But I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. This book is 154 pages long. I am impressed by all the information that Dan Lier was able to assemble properly into such a short book. It’s a must [...]

Believe it or not, there was a time before TomKat, Bennifer and Brangelina. There was a time when Hollywood’s scandal-clad celebrity couples were forbidden, and not celebrated or indulged. And if you think Ben Affleck’s relationship hurt his career, meet Nelson Eddy: the first half of a purported love affair-slash-scandal in the 1930s and 40s. [...]

Joellen Cook’s first book is a series of short stories inspired by her life in South Carolina. Natural southern traits combined with life experiences are shared in "Sardines, Cheese and Soda Crackers: Reflections From a Country Girl." The book includes memories from Cook’s childhood and trails through present events. There are humorous stories, such as [...]

Laurel-Rain Snow’s “An Accidental Life” tells a familiar story: Four teenage girls have a ‘coming-of-age’ summer during which they experiment with alcohol, drugs and sex. (Think “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” meets “Trainspotting.”) But in her debut novel, the 64-year-old author manages a unique feat by detailing how the girls’ behavior affects not only them, [...]