Rank #1: EPISODE SEVEN: New Classics

We begin with revisiting Eric Jerome Dickey's Cheaters and whether or not it held up for us many years later. We also discuss reading slumps and how we deal with getting back in the groove after being caught in one. This bulk of this week's episode finds us discussing contemporary books that we feel should be considered classics in the years to come.
Mar 10 2015
1hr 17mins
Rank #2: EPISODE SEVENTY: burn it down

This week we're discussing Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere, but first...the news! Articles discussed below:
Prize for Thrillers with No Violence Against Women?
How to Make Money Self-Publishing Short Romance Novels on Amazon: https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2018/02/make-money-writing-romance-novels.html
15 New Theatre-Related Reads Out This Spring: http://www.playbill.com/article/15-new-theatre-related-reads-out-this-spring
Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira are adapting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah for TV: https://www.avclub.com/lupita-nyongo-and-danai-gurira-are-adapting-chimamanda-1823405299
Thread bout there being more black book reviewers: https://twitter.com/brownbookworm/status/968614017790021635
Mar 14 2018
Similar Podcasts
Rank #3: EPISODE SIXTY-SEVEN: Singing in the Background

This week we’re discussion Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward, but first the news! Links to stories discussed below:
Updated: Did This Book Buy Its Way Onto The New York Times Bestseller List?
Sep 26 2017
Rank #4: EPISODE FIVE: Tales of a Childhood Bookworm

In this week's episode, we discuss the launch of the Better Than the Movie book club. We pick our first selection, Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat. We also talk about our nostalgic favorites looks from childhood. From Ann M. Martin to Lois Lowry, we discuss some of our our faves that shaped our literary trajectory.
Feb 24 2015
1hr 11mins
Most Popular Podcasts
Rank #5: EPISODE FOUR: FOH [Fiction Outta the Hood]

In this week's episode we tackle the genre of urban fiction aka hood lit. From the origins of Iceberg Slim novels to its stronghold on the Amazon Top 100 African American fiction list, we discuss our gripes with it as well as its...unique traits. We also spend a bit of time reminiscing for authors of days of yore, specifically Trisha R. Thomas, Sheneska Jackson and Lolita Files and we finally get to the root of Jeanette's Zane issues.
Intro/Outro music courtesy of Chief waKil. Song: "Good Things"
Feb 17 2015
1hr 20mins
Rank #6: EPISODE TWO: Conversing with Mrs. Jones

We have a special guest! Christina Jones is a writer of contemporary romance and romantic suspense who speaks with us regarding her writing career, diversity in publishing, romance stereotypes/tropes, and her Serendipitous Love book series.
If you're looking to read more contemporary romance from indie writers of color, check out some authors that Christina recommends: Love Belvin, Nia Forrester, Te Russ, Danielle Allen, Jacinta Howard, Candace Shaw, Perri Forrest, Chicki Brown, Delaney Diamond, Chelle Ramsey, Britni Danielle and Adrienne Thompson.
Intro/outro music courtesy of chief waKiL (Song title: "Love").
Feb 04 2015
1hr 18mins
Rank #7: EPISODE SIXTY-EIGHT: Back Like We Never Left

Oh hai. It us. We back. Kickin' mad shit in ya ear for the new year. (I'm sorry for that.) We're talking reading, writing, and podcasting goals for 2018 in addition to the news stories below...
No more library fines for most young readers in L.A. County
WHAT TO READ WHEN 2018 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Fred Bass, Who Made the Strand Bookstore a Mecca, Dies at 89
Jacqueline Woodson has been named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
Jan 16 2018
Rank #8: EPISODE SIXTY-THREE: My Book, Yo Book. Everybody Book

This week Jeanette and Tahmeka are discussing the world of indie publishing and highlighting some folks for y’all to check out.
Articles Discussed in News:
Books for Girls, About Girls
Big Little LIes
http://www.avclub.com/article/murder-only-one-big-little-lies-many-mysteries-252304
Kerry Washington, Warner Bros. to Adapt 'The Mothers': http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-kerry-washington-adapt-mothers-984828?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
Chimamanda and the Trans Community
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-adichie-transgender-20170313-story.html
Her New Book:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/books/chimamanda-ngozi-adiche-dear-ijeawele.html
Books N Bros’ 11-year-old founder wants to help boys love reading at an age when they often don’t: http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/books-n-bros-11-year-old-founder-wants-help-boys-love-reading-age-when-they-often-don-t#stream/0
Authors Highlighted:
Constance Burris: https://www.amazon.com/Constance-Burris/e/B00P42MYIU
Renaldo Christopher: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Renaldo+Christopher&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Renaldo+Christopher&sort=relevancerank
DL White: https://www.amazon.com/DL-White/e/B00RM4Q3J4
Alexandra Warren: https://www.amazon.com/Alexandra-Warren/e/B00U6XWUYA
Love Belvin: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Belvin/e/B00CZDLZO0
Té Russ: https://www.amazon.com/T%C3%A9-Russ/e/B008HSBE34
Danielle Allen: https://www.amazon.com/Danielle-Allen/e/B00JT0JUZS
Indie Love in the A Event Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/indie-love-in-the-atl-2017-tickets-28541142325
Mar 21 2017
Rank #9: EPISODE SIXTY-FOUR: We Live, Baby!

After a lengthy hiatus we're back talkin' books. Join us as we discuss Kimani coming to an end and what's currently on our TBR lists.
May 23 2017
Rank #10: EPISODE SIXTY-FIVE: Wesssssiiiiidddddeeeee!

We're discussing books set out West!
Articles discussed in news:
Tahmeka’s Literary Heart and Literary Brain Have A Conversation
http://www.documentjournal.com/article/junot-diaz-and-toni-morrison
A Joy Luck Club TV Show
http://blog.angryasianman.com/2017/05/a-joy-luck-club-television-series-is-in.html
Well Read Black Girl Conference Kickstarter
http://www.themillions.com/2017/06/well-read-well-written.html
Why Literary Journals Don’t Pay
http://www.themillions.com/2017/05/why-literary-journals-dont-pay.html
Jul 12 2017
Rank #11: EPISODE SIX: Funny Girls

This week's episodes finds us discussing humorous books written by women writers from all walks of life, but mainly comediennes. We discuss books from Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Issa Rae, Helena Andrews, and a host of others. We also briefly speak about whom we would like to see a book of this ilk from in the future.
Mar 03 2015
1hr 10mins
Rank #12: EPISODE SIXTY-SIX: Who's Bad

It’s been a minute, but we back with the jumpoff. This week we’re talking villains. But first…the news! Links to articles discussed below:
New Books in August 2017: http://blog.mahoganybooks.com/new-books-in-august-2017/
LeVar Burton Sued for Using His Reading Rainbow Catchphrase on His Podcast
Ava DuVernay, Charles D. King’s Macro & Victoria Mahoney To Adapt Octavia E. Butler’s Sci-Fi Novel ‘Dawn’ For TV
The Toxic Drama on YA Twitter
Aug 16 2017
Rank #13: EPISODE SIXTY-NINE: sometimes we rant

In this episode we talk about a hodgepodge of items, culminating in a little rant about piracy & An American Marriage. Items discussed in this week's show:
Tayari Jones' BIG news: http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/an-american-marriage-by-tayari-jones-oprahs-book-club-2018
Feb 20 2018
Rank #14: EPISODE SIXTY-TWO: Muthas

This week we’re discussing The Mothers by Brit Bennett.
Mar 07 2017
Rank #15: EPISODE SIXTY-ONE: No Sephora

It’s Jeanette & Tahmeka, talking’ books.
News discussed this episode:
Hilary Banks- Sweet Blackberry: http://www.sweetblackberry.org/
Author of An Untamed State Pulls Book From S&S: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jarrylee/roxane-gay-pulls-book-from-simon-schuster-in-response-to-mil?utm_term=.euQj3qgm2#.ogOaJ2RNp
Paul Beatty Is Not New to This: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jan/22/paul-beatty-trumps-america-has-always-existed?CMP=share_btn_fb
Silent Book Club https://www.pw.org/content/dear_readers_you_are_not_alone
Marley Dias: 12-Year-Old Founder Of #1000BlackGirlBooks Gets A Scholastic Book Deal: https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/stories/marley-dias-12-year-old-founder-of-1000blackgirlbooks-gets-a-scholastic-book-deal
Feb 21 2017
Rank #16: EPISODE SIXTY: A Swing and a Miss

This week we’re talking Zadie Smith’s Swing Time.
Articles discussed in news section:
John Lewis Book Sales: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bookmark/trump-tweet-sends-john-lewis-book-sales-soaring-964415?utm_source=twitter
Obama’s Secret to Surviving The White House: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/books/obamas-secret-to-surviving-the-white-house-years-books.html
White Lady Anger: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jan/12/the-secret-lives-of-the-amir-sisters-by-nadiya-hussain-review-what-the-bake-off-winner-did-next
National Book Critics Circle Awards: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/arts/zadie-smith-and-michael-chabon-among-national-book-critics-circle-finalists.html?smid=tw-nytbooks&smtyp=cur&_r=0
Jan 24 2017
Rank #17: EPISODE FIFTY-NINE: #bttmpodbestof16

We're back! And talkin' books...
Articles discussed in news section below:
Simon & Schuster + That Milo Dudeguy: http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-yiannopoulos-book-deal-20170104-story.html
The Millions Most Anticipated of 2017:
http://www.themillions.com/2017/01/most-anticipated-the-great-2017-book-preview.html
In 2017, publishing really needs a blockbuster:
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-publishing-2017-story.html
Jan 10 2017
Rank #18: EPISODE FIFTY-EIGHT: Recommendations Vol. 4 ft. Ashley

Friend of the show Ashley stops by to give us some recommendations on (mostly) nonfiction titles regarding race relations.
White Rage - Carol Anderson: http://amzn.to/2fznsAg
More Beautiful and More Terrible - Imani Perry: http://amzn.to/2fNrIRQ
The New Jim Crow - Michelle Alexander: http://amzn.to/2fNoLk2
Southern Horrors and Other Writings; The Anti-Lynching Campaign of Ida B. Wells - Ida B. Wells & Jacqueline Jones Royster : http://amzn.to/2fVAxbB
Sara Baartman and the Hottentot Venus: A Ghost Story and a Biography - Clifton Crais and Pamela Scully: http://amzn.to/2ePOseO
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration - isabel Wilkerson: http://amzn.to/2ftZyY8
Men We Reaped - Jesmyn Ward: http://amzn.to/2eH6Zww
Passing - Nella Larsen: http://amzn.to/2ey2eC4
Stories discussed in news:
Claudia Rankine using MacArthur Genius grant to create an institute to study whiteness & its influence on culture: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/oct/19/claudia-rankine-macarthur-genius-grant-exploring-whiteness
Paul Beatty Wins Man Booker Prize With ‘The Sellout’: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/business/media/paul-beatty-wins-man-booker-prize-with-the-sellout.html?_r=0
Take a look: A 'Reading Rainbow' in the digital age: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/80774b3a6e1a4f058cc8e2c7f98a397a/take-look-reading-rainbow-digital-age
Papercuts: A Party Game for the Rude and Well-Read: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/electriclit/papercuts-a-party-game-for-the-rude-and-well-read
Nov 08 2016
Rank #19: EPISODE FIFTY-SEVEN: We just be talkin' & talkin'...

This is a new episode of Better Than the Movie.
Stories discussed in news:
Lil Wayne Memoir: http://www.vulture.com/2016/09/lil-wayne-rikers-island-journal.html?mid=twitter_vulture
There’s a Word for Buying Books and Not Reading Them: http://www.ozy.com/acumen/theres-a-word-for-buying-books-and-not-reading-them/71898?utm_source=MF&utm_medium=pp&utm_campaign=pp
Amazon Prime Members Can Read All They Want For Free: http://www.brit.co/score-amazon-prime-members-can-read-all-they-want-for-free/?utm_content=buffer3d909&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Sarah Jessica Parker and Ta-Nehisi Coates, on New Literary Paths:
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Says Her Feminism Is Different Than Beyoncé's Feminism, But Both Women Are Doing It Right: https://www.bustle.com/articles/188446-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-says-her-feminism-is-different-than-beyoncs-feminism-but-both-women-are-doing
Read a chilling excerpt from the Black Lives Matter-inspired YA novel The Hate U Give:
Oct 18 2016
Rank #20: EPISODE FIFTY-FIVE: Can you not?!

This week we’re reading an idiot & discussing “diversity”.
Stories Discussed in News Section:
Claudia Rankine Leads This Year’s Class of MacArthur Genius Grant Recipients: http://www.vulture.com/2016/09/heres-2016s-macarthur-genius-grant-recipients.html?mid=twitter_vulture
What I Pledge Allegiance To (Kiese Laymon essay): http://www.thefader.com/2016/09/19/my-mississippi-pledge-kiese-laymon
Who gets to write what: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/opinion/sunday/who-gets-to-write-what.html?_r=2
Sep 27 2016