Black Sci-Fi & Fantasy + BOOK RECOMMENDS [BHM VID #4]

CLICK TO READ FOR LINKS! SO MANY LINKS!
If i were to ask you to name a popular black science fiction or fantasy author most people can think of two names, if that, Octavia E Butler and Samuel R. Delany. So this video is about giving you both a brief history of black authors in the genre and some books that you may not have read and should check out. So that the next time you think “well if you want diversity you should write your own stuff” you will know just how full of it you are.
Black History Month Playlist 2016:
Parable of the Sower/Kindred by Octavia Butler
en.wikipedia.o...
Dhalgren/A.B.C: Three Short Novels: The Jewels of Aptor, The Ballad of Beta-2, They Fly at Ciron
The Vampire Huntress Legend Series #1--13 by L.A. Banks
en.wikipedia.o...
Who Fears Death/Binti/Akita Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
en.wikipedia.o...
The Inheritance Trilogy/The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
en.wikipedia.o...
Ghost Summer/ African Immortals Series by Tananarive Due
en.wikipedia.o...
Inside a Silver Box by Walter Mosley
en.wikipedia.o...
The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
/ 7022361.kai_ashante_wi...
Shadow Blade (Shadowchasers Series) by Seressia Glass
www.goodreads....
Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
www.goodreads....
Lion’s Blood by Steven Barnes
www.goodreads....
Saturn's Child by Nichelle Nichols & Margaret Wander Bonanno
www.goodreads....
Falling in Love with Hominids/ The Chaos/Brown Girl in the Ring/ by Nalo Hopkinson
www.goodreads....
Moses Man of The Mountain by Zora Neale Hurston
www.goodreads....
Octavia's Brood Anthology
www.goodreads....
The Cambion Chronicles by Jaime Reed
www.goodreads....
Great black heroes/books by non-black authors
Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older
www.goodreads....
Ben Aaronovitch's River's of London
/ peter-grant
Libba Bray's Beauty Queens/The Diviners
www.goodreads....
Jacqueline Koyanago's Ascension--Tangles Axon Series
www.goodreads....
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...)

[@outofhere2534]

I was so happy when you got to Fifth Season! I first read it for a college course and watching the class connected the POV twist was so much fun. But it was just a thoughtful, extensive, comprehensive exploration of the institution of slavery, systemic racism, as well as intersectionality. Like I wasn’t expecting to get a bisexual polyamorous pirate, but we did, and it was so GOOD. Since I’m 4 years in the future from this video, the rest of the trilogy was fantastic too. Stone Sky had some elements that my teacher and I questioned, but this whole series was like a life-changing, career-changing step for me. They’re fr vital for any sci-fi fan (or scholar).

[@Majesticon]

plus: Nisi Shawl, Victor Lavelle, Elwin Cotman, Alex Jennings, Rasheedah Phillips, Milton Davis, Balagun Ojetade, Minister Faust, Valjeanne Jeffers, Bill Campbell, Dja-Dja N-Medjay, Jennifer Marie Brissette

[@thelazystitcher]

So happy for these recommendations. I've been trying to diversify my reading and was really disappointed when I realized how little my selection of books by authors of color was. This will really help with continuing my new trend :)

[@PirateQueen1720]

Great list - definitely want to check some of those out. 'Who fears death' was quite good. I agree that 'Fledgling' is uncomfortable - for the kind of inherent addictive/coercive elements of the vampire human relationship (which also show up in alien-human relationships in that trilogy that includes 'Imago') as well as the apparent age of the main character. I don't know that it was necessary for the story for her to appear that young, although she was supposed to be physically more vulnerable than other vampires. Still, Octavia Butler still managed to make it a very compelling and readable story regardless, so kudos to her for that!

[@RoryMajule]

I 100% agree that we need to not only accept but welcome a spectrum of quality when it comes to BIPOC SFF authors. There have been countless white SSF authors who turned out, at best, cheesy rambling schlock with little to no emphasis on deeper theme but are still touted as “classic” authors in their fields. If the qualitative bar for white SFF authors was set at the same level it is for black SFF authors, there probably wouldn’t be enough authors left for Sci-Fi and Fantasy to even be considered their own genres

[@Kumikoete]

I feel validated as a self taught blerd with with a great grandmother for a parent whose read about half of these books😊😊

[@jmpresco]

I am so happy I watched this video. I recently watched a caucasian KZbinr talk about how she came across a fantasy novel written by a black author and how she was excited to read it cause she had never read anything by a black female author in this genre. That author was N.K. Jemsin and she was talking about the Hundred Thousand Kingdom. I immediately went to my library to get this book as well cause I was intrigued about reading this book and so I got it and started it right away. I loved that book so much I went out an bought the whole series but the thing I was now coming too was that I didn't know anymore black authors who write for this genre until now. Thank you so much for your recommendations. I will be hitting these books up cause I am totally excited. I really would like to read Kindred. I am also shocked to know that L.A. Banks , Tomora Pierce and Libba Bray are all black authors. That's astonishing to me. I know I shouldn't be but I am. Please excuse my ignorance as I try my best to become more well rounded in my reading life.

[@ONYXPages]

Keep reading! There is so much out there and more and more Booktubers are talking about these books!

[@ShiranuiReborn]

You say thanks for taking the time to watch your videos... Girl thanks for taking the time to make them! I always look forward to more Melina :)

[@izzyd.9864]

Great video and a lot of things to discuss. I'm really happy to be discovering more and more in this genre OMG I read all V.C. Andrew's books in my early teens that I could get my hands on, I will check that video out

[@4Tom4lepus4]

I'm always happy to see you uploading a new video! They're always educational and always enjoyable!

[@zareenatheasimone3945]

Thanks so much for posting this. I'm mostly white but my grandfather was half Xhosa. I'm currently getting into black literature and want to write about it for my Master's thesis. Just read Kindred and The Parable of the Sower, loved them. Very taken with the philosophy of Earthseed.

[@eastgapeach]

I love this list! There are a few authors you listed that I knew of but I need them all in my life!

[@ONYXPages]

Hey! I'm SO glad I found this video! I read almost exclusively Afrofuturism and review it on my channel and I'm so glad to hear what you have to say here!

[@demario0708]

This was a fantastic series of videos. So insightful and fun. I'm really interested in reading Kindred.

[@jkseraphim4]

It's a really good book. I read it in high school many years ago. I had read many more of her books but some of them I didn't really like, to me it got kinda creepy or I just couldn't stand how the books ended. I still enjoy Kindred it's a fantastic book. Give it a go.

[@hdbtftsg]

Thanks so much for making this video! So many recommendations that I am excited about. I think I will give N. K. Jemisin a try first. I'm a slow reader, so it may take a while to tackle her books though bc the one you displayed looked kind of thick...

[@J1J7W]

'literary orgasm' haha I need to start using that phrase! Great video again, well done to you. Keep up the good work and I look forward to next February for more of these videos :)

[@gryranfelt5473]

+J.J. Wray It'll be part of the new rating system on goodreads. "Didn't like it, okay, liked it, really liked it, amazing, literary orgasm"

[@J1J7W]

Definitely!!

[@jayreed93]

i recommed a comic book series saga it's feature a black female character named alana.

[@ArtichokeHunter]

I'd love to see an update or a vid that focuses on contemporary Black sf/f/h writers or a more specific vid on a category of books or particular favorites of yours. (I was gonna say Rivers Solomon was an oversight here but I looked it up and their debut came out in 2017.)

[@justniquol8972]

29:42-29:50 I am so glad you said that :) Drama High Vols. 1-10 by L. Divine (or just the first one if you don't have the time) Keysha's Drama by Earl Sewell Rain by V.C. Andrews My Own Worst Frenemy by Kimberly Reid Not A Good Look by Nikki Carter Boy Shopping by Nia Stephens (would really like to hear your view on multiple endings) Shrink to Fit by Dona Sarkar Pushing Pause by Celeste O. Norfleet Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass November Blues by Sharon M. Draper When the Black Girl Sings by Bil Wright Blue Blood by Melissa de la Cruz

[@Norther56]

Very enjoyable video (I especially like the voice changes). This comment is provided by an old white lady who's been reading SF/F for 45 years. I encountered Octavia E. Butler very early on, via Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions short fiction collections (read in college), and have been a fan of her writing ever since. Kindred is brilliant, I agree. My favorites are still the two Parable books. As for Fledgling, yes, it's a disturbing read, but I really would have liked to see where she took that whole world; sadly, she died too soon. Minor note: Nnedi Okorafor is pronounced neh-di oh-KOR-a-for. K. Tempest Bledsoe has posted several videos on books she's read (google her name if it isn't familiar), including one on Okorafor, and I believe she's met the writer in person at least once. Do please continue your vid series, as and when you're able. It's very refreshing (for old pharts like me).

[@blaquesable5081]

Great video. As a person of color who enjoys writing sci fantasy, this video relates to me in so many ways. Thanks for sharing

[@spookygirl2861]

I love all of your videos and have for a long time . My old phone wouldn't let me comment but now I finally can so yay !

[@darelljackson4132]

In the Middle Ages there definitely a concentration of Blacks. The Black Knights wasn't only the color of their armor but also the color of their skin color.

[@westartedhouse]

great topic, love your commentary Sis,..Nice personality, Very well read..

[@artillujas]

Thank you thank you! I love your reviews! and thank you for these suggestions!!!!!!!

[@thewordsmith5440]

I also read a book called DUSU it's the first of three other books. It's a another black fantasy novel.

[@sbtb1883a15]

Yes!! I can't wait for the V.C. Andrews videos!!

[@SpeakWritePlayinEnglish]

I really liked the historical background in your video. :)

[@indigoace261]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@thekarret2066]

Thank you so much for the book recommendations!

[@asharastark6776]

This video is excellent. Thank you for making it.

[@dupaul5429]

Thank you for making this video!

[@jasminepearls1047]

Have you read Under The Cover of Darkness? Its written by a black female author named A.K. Barr. It's on Amazon.

[@DsMediaWorld]

MelinaPendulum, I'm not sure about everyone else but the Anime Couples video that you released today says that it's available "not in my country (the U.S.) because it contains content from Victor Entertainment." Any way that you could post that video on another platform?

[@source92]

Thanks for sharing! Horror & Suspense Guy Here!

[@gryranfelt5473]

Wait? Tamora Pierce is black? Huh. (Unless I misunderstood that your recommendations were only black authors)Lots of great recommendations here. I put Foxglove Summers down as a soon-to-be read(but really I noted all the books) since my main complaint about the magicians was Quinten being such a pain (also, such a white cast. When blonde french girl is the most diverse it gets, there's a problem.) I wasn't a big fan of Akata Witch, but I put that down as me being too old for that genre. Will have to read "who fears death" soon. Melina, how do you avoid becoming too jaded? You say at the end those books are the whitest books you've read in a long time. Do you ever go through phases when you just give up on white authors altogether?

[@kimberlyrobinson3992]

I'm just warning you: I am totally stealing the term "White-man-landia". I laughed so hard, I nearly choked.

[@Air0Sparks]

Did you make the vc Andrews vids?

[@bartellkeithley4991]

Thank you so much for this, I am a parent of 3 girls They are 7 years 09 years-old and 11 years-old when the year ends. I am going to get them back into reading I got so busy with my job that a culture of our house changed. What recommendations do you have the key were that you mentioned over and over was chewy so I'm looking for novels that are chewy for them I believe I will start off reading out loud to them again while incorporating books that they will read on their own this is a serious very serious request please assist.

[@ahkeem0]

have you read the third eye by sophia stewert she is the origimal creator of the matrix and terminator

[@samantha739]

I noticed you have the Feast of All Saints by Ann Rice, and that's a book that I picked up but never got around to reading. I did watch the movie back in the day. That's the one that had James Earl Jones and Pam Grier etc. I would really like it if you would do a video pretty much critiquing either the movie or the book itself. Both preferably. If you've already done this, would you link it below. Thanks and sidenote, I really appreciate the fact that you are doing Flowers in the Attic series. Again, I bought the books but haven't read it yet. I did see that lifetime movie. I actually all of them it was kind of bad but interesting. It's the incest part of it that has people probably intrigued. It's almost like a huge curse on the family was for real.

[@RETROGEMS]

Great vid!

[@jkseraphim4]

I will admit the reason why I am afraid of some books with African American character was because they were mostly in urban novels, or I as I call them ghetto books. As an African American myself most the main characters I had read were white, so when I read a book with an main character is African American it was shocking but it was a eye opener for me, and I couldn't wait to find books like that but half that did find with black characters were portrayed very poorly or "rachet" it made me cringe. I'm walking on egg shells when I'm looking for a new book, but as for African American characters in stories it's a jolt of shock.

[@nopedone6331]

I love your videos and I'll definitely check out these recommendations. Do you take requests for videos? Because if you do, I have one: Can you review "How Starbucks Saved My Life"? I can't be the only one who thinks that book is ridiculous.

[@HotaruKara]

0:43 You're very pretty

[@theastrobuddhist4348]

I appreciate your thoughts. I dont trip over white people being biased they put their own money in to putting out books to appeal to their own likes and market. Is it racist? Yes. Is it biased? of course. But if we want to see beautiful and interesting black, latino and asian characters we are the ones who are going to have to write those stories. We've all seen how they portray us and they are not creative or informed about the many intricacies and nuances of black culture by black I mean african american, latinos, Caribbean and mixed people. They always mess up the charactors. The black readership and market is there its huge and its up to us to fund and put these books out.

[@HotaruKara]

4:00 How is Firefly "steeped in" Asian influence? You mean sci-fi anime like Cowboy Bebop? Cowboy Bebop itself was inspired from American Westerns and sci-fi movies. I see Firefly as a sci-fi show, not inspired from anime like Pacific Rim for example.

[@Norther56]

Part of the background story for Firefly is that the Chinese are running the government in that timeframe, and the scripts are liberally scattered with what one is led to believe are Chinese swear words and phrases, Firefly is definitely science fiction. I don't know how much, if any, influence came from Asian anime. It remains one of my favorite shows; I have the entire series on DVD. :-)

[@dinahwestallen]

Yes, as well Mandarin and English are the only surviving languages and the Firefly crew consider Mandarin to be their mother tongue hence the swearing in that language.

[@joakimmogren1727]

Have you seen Brendan Easton's Brave New Souls?

[@Kalydosos]

The solution is to write your own stuff read it, then give it to friends and family see what think; don't think too much about getting it published if your focused on making money your going to write shit.

[@darelljackson4132]

Hello beautiful Queen. Subscribed.

[@vintageincolor]

btw you need to come out with s video in time for halloween

[@santanagonsalves6461]

Thank you.

[@arianacrowley9217]

what i dont get it

[@inotaishu1]

I would disagree with your statement regarding fantasy being based on European middle ages. It is not entirely wrong what you said, but it shows the Anglocentrism that is so common in the english speaking countries including the USA. Fantasy is usually based on the English middle ages, not any other ones. Sure there are exceptions but England is clearly the dominant cultural influence, after all how many have you seen based on Central and Eastern Europe? Or Moorish Spain or Italy? Sure there are Vikings and all but that is an exception and lets be honest here, fantasy Vikings do not even look like real Vikings. So some European regions from parts other than Great Britain do pop up here and there but they are clearly in a minority and even within Great Britain, England is clearly the dominant source of fantasy.

[@inotaishu1]

Yeah´, but I don't think they notice as they don't seem to have diversity inside Europe on their radar.

[@C1ouDN1n3]

It’s Schuyler (sch like school not Schumer ) it’s not Semitic it’s Dutch.

[@AsofohenMalik]

You had me until you bashed LA Banks vampire huntress series which I felt was a great series

[@Princess_Weekes]

+AsofohenMalik i need to reread it but I remember the series losing its steam towards the end :/