We came up with our list of books that kept us glued to the pages, and yearn more from these authors.

In no particular order, these are the hottest books of 2011 that everyone should have on their shelves, and consider passing along as great Christmas stocking stuffers.

All books are available on Amazon or at your local book seller.

MOGUL: A Novel by Terrance Dean

Dean writes a fascinating fast-paced un-put-down-able book that gives reader’s an insiders a look into the down low world of the “Family” that makes up the music industry. And, they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their family at the top at all costs.

A Silken Thread by Brenda Jackson

As secrets old and new are revealed, a couple finds themselves caught between the bonds of the past and an uncertain future, each making painful discoveries about who to believe and trust.

Allure of the Game: A Novel by Danielle Santiago

Sexy, suspenseful, and unflinching, Allure of the Game gives fans exactly what they’ve been hoping for—a deeply satisfying conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy, packed with insight into the mean streets she knows so well.

Big Girls Do Cry by Carl Weber

The Big Girls Book Club, where members have to be at least a size 14; Sibling rivalry can escalate to open hostility, especially if your sister has married your rich ex-fiance.

Football Widows: A Novel by Pat Tucker

During football season, when NFL coaches gear up for war on the gridiron, their wives are left to fend for themselves. And what better way to exact that revenge than to air everyone’s dirty laundry in a juicy tell-all book!

Justify My Thug by Wahida Clark

Following the action of Thug Lovin’, the story rejoins the saga’s favorite couple, Tasha and Trae, as they try to overcome their troubles and make their marriage work.

Murderville: First Of A Trilogy by Ashley & JaQuavis

This is a story of love and redemption that will leave you breathless from the unpredictable and mind-blowing ending.

My Soul To Take: A Novel by Tananarive Due

Tananarive Due weaves a tangled web in this novel, including beloved characters from her bestselling Joplin’s Ghost, in a war of good against evil, making My Soul to Take a chilling and thrilling experience.

No One In The World: A Novel by E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson

E. Lynn Harris and RM Johnson— two powerful voices of a generation—unite with an insightful and emotional project that tackles themes of family, loyalty and identity.

Say Amen, Again by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

The spirited Houston congregation featured in ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s Let the Church Say Amen and Everybody Say Amen has a major scandal unfolding—and, as always, the outspoken Rachel Jackson Adams is at the heart of the drama.

Silver Sparrow: A Novel by Tayari Jones

Tayari Jones unveils a breathtaking story about a man’s deception, a family’s complicity, and two teenage girls caught in the middle.

Snitch: A Novel by Booker T. Mattison

In Jersey City the code of the streets is simple. No matter what, you don’t talk to the cops. You don’t snitch. But when young bus driver Andre Bolden witnesses a murder on his route, the code gets personal and every decision leads him deeper into worlds that he never intended to enter.

The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil: A Novel by Victoria Christopher Murray

The recession hits and rips apart a family’s financial stability. Unable to support their three children and other relatives, Adam and Evia find themselves drowning in financial trouble and teetering on the brink of complete disaster. With nowhere to turn, the Langstons have no idea what to do. Until Shay-Shaunté, Evia’s multimillionaire boss, comes to the Langstons with a five-million-dollar offer that seems so hard to refuse.

The Goat Woman of Largo Bay: A Novel by Gillian Royes

The Goat Woman of Largo Bay begins the detective series featuring Shad, a bartender in a fishing village in Jamaica, who is the community problem solver and right hand of Eric, an American who owns the bar and a hotel left in ruins by a hurricane.

The VIPs: A Novel

On a steamy June day in New York City, mega-star rapper TNT gathers a group of four successful men together, childhood friends who called themselves “the VIPs,” signaling the big dreams they all once had. The VIPs, who haven’t seen one another in years, are greeted at the Hotel Gansevoort by an openly hostile TNT, who asks them the bombshell question: “Which one of you bastards is my father?”

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Great Gifts For “The Girl Who Has Everything”

Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Gifts For The Girl Who Likes To Entertain

Singledom. It is what is is. But does being single mean that you’re at a disadvantage, inclined to by miserable and unhealthy for the rest of your life? There are many myths (some of them down right insulting) about the quality of life for single people – but thankfully, the actual facts paint a much brighter, happier picture!

Singles Aren’t As Happy As Married People

Many people, even friends and family, sometimes think of single people as being sad, even miserable. But actually, on the average, single people are almost always on the happier end of the scale, according to many major studies. Also, it’s a well known fact that getting married hardly changes someone’s overall happiness – yes, married people experience a great deal of happiness, especially in the beginning (the honeymoon effect), but then they go back to being as happy or as unhappy as they were when they were single. Furthermore, only some married people enjoy the honeymoon effect at all.

Single People Prefer To Be All Alone

Sometimes people believe that single people are “alone,” that they “don’t have anyone.” But this is a myth. Research shows that single people often have many people in their lives who are important to them. Often, they have a whole network of friends and relatives, and they stay connected with them for decades. Perhaps this is because they have the time to forge many diverse relationships — which married people often don’t.

READ THE REST AT BLACKDOCTOR.ORG

RELATED LINKS:

“If They Say I’m A Good Woman, Then Why Can’t I Find A Man!”

How To Make A Long Distance Relationship Work

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In a recent survey 54 percent of respondents reported having less than $25,000 in total savings and investments, excluding their home or workplace pension, if any. Some 27 percent said they don’t have even $1,000.

Take a look:

RELATED LINKS:

3 Signs You’re A Financially Healthy Woman

Money Tips For Your 20’s, 30’s & 40’s

The Hottest Celeb Pics

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Enter HelloBeautiful’s “Beautiful Friendship” Contest!

Recently President Obama came under fire because of comments in regards to Blacks and race. Obama was a guest on “The View” recently and when asked about his background, which includes a Black father and White mother, Obama said of African-Americans: “We are sort of a mongrel people.  I mean we’re all kinds of mixed up,” Obama went on to say “That’s actually true of white people as well, but we just know more about it.”

Barack Obama Shares Ups And Downs With The Ladies Of “The View” [VIDEO]

It did not appear that Obama meant the remarks in a derogatory fashion but rather was making a point about the ethnic diversity of many African Americans.  A mongrel is defined as being of mixed breed, nature or origin.  At the time the audience did not respond to it negatively. It seems like the slightest comment he makes is immediately doomed negative in nature by someone.  With that being said, are people being too hard on Obama?

I would say yes. Overall everything he says is picked apart and dissected to a minute size in the search of finding something vicious or even slanderous in his words. This man obviously has to be very cautious about the words that he speaks in order to make his argument.  On another note, one could argue that Obama should be aware of the scrutiny he is constantly under and use that as the reason to filter his words.

5 Reasons Why The Little Things Can Make A Big Difference

Once you achieve a certain level of success or a  position of power, you no longer belong to yourself. You have to conduct yourself in a certain way even in the most casual situations because you are being watched. On the other hand, are the expectations of Obama unachievable? The general public expects for him to be absolutely perfect and never miss a step. I often joke that Obama is presently getting blamed for everything that is negative in our economy. Including the issues that he has no control over and that were already in play before he took office.

Is the general public too hard on President Obama?

Via: The Hill

For More LJ Knight Visit YeahSheSaidIt

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Tracy Reese, one of the few African-American designers who showed at this year’s Fashion Week, makes clothes that make us smile. She’s not afraid to be a girlie girl, and goes over the top in doing so. Floral prints, flowy skirts, and feminine silhouettes have been front runners in her fashion collections for years, but for her Fall 2010 Ready-To-Wear line, Reese attempted to make “an eclectic mix of urban and rural style.” To be concise, she succeeded.

Think black lace, cocktail dresses with arm-warmers, and overwhelming, but delicate wraps. Every ensemble conveys a feeling of warmth without heaviness. Reese explained the line further, “distressed faux fur and stretch suede styles are softened by cosmetic toned lingerie and made cozy by soft alpaca sweaters.”

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GALLERY: African Designers Shine At Fashion Week

WTF? Terrell Owens Walks The Runway…In A Wig?

But if this line is still too “hard” for you, don’t worry. Reese made sure her Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear line was full of bright, brilliant hues,”fierce optimism and edgy romance.” The paint-box colors and loose hemlines were nothing short of joyful.

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African-American Authors & Writers: Join a creative atmosphere of writers, published authors and enthusiastic readers. Whether you are a published author wanting to network and connect with other skilled writers and get ideas, or exchanging comments and posting feedback, participating in the active forum, or promoting your books, or a reader looking for your next good story from some of today’s freshest minds, The African-American Authors & Writers Group encourages you to take charge of your writing career as an author and break the mold of traditional bookstores as a reader.

My hopes for this group is for it to be a place where published authors as well as those aspiring to be authors are encouraged to share their writing tips and works for positive critique. Maybe this group can help to promote literacy amongst the African-American Community and encourage our authors to continue following their dreams and to encourage the open exchange of literary information.

Alright BP, we know we’ve been comin’ at ya with a lot of light skin and blonde hair recently. Here’s a tribute to all the dark-skinned sistas out there to make things a little more equal opportunity.

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BP Member yourOUTLANDER

BP Member yourOUTLANDER says, “In the United States, lupus is more common in African Americans than in Caucasians.”

In the shared news article “Introduction to Lupus” The symptoms and the various types of Lupus are discussed in great detail. The fact there is little funding or awareness of this condition is also touched on. Get informed here.

To find out what else you may have missed on BlackPlanet click this link. HB Community. For other health related HB articles check here.

Last week I shared with you all my challenges in discussing race with my six-year-old, and I just wanted to share what’s happened since.

After the MLK assignment, which required him to color in Dr. King, Justin was given an assignment on Abraham Lincoln. As with the MLK homework, Justin was instructed to color in the president, or he would actually lose points onhis assignment. With no instruction from us we left him to color in the picture of Abraham Lincoln. The image above is what he created.

Yeah So we asked him why he colored in Abraham Lincoln brown. He could have said a number of things, like “he’s on a penny, and a penny is brown,” or he “looked brown in the picture.” And it’s unlikely he’s read Leroy Vaughn¹s book, Black People and Their Place In World History, which asserts that Lincoln indeed had African ancestry. So why did he do it?

“He was a president and the President is brown.”

Wow. Wherever you stand on the debate of Barack¹s race and its relevance to us, the impact has been made and it is undeniable. Of course we corrected him and told him that not every president is brown by default, but dangit if I didn¹t smile on the inside. His mind is open to possibilities that we never imagined at his age, and that is change I can believe in.

According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association and its subsequent CNN Health news report, those with diabetes have a greater risk of dying from cancer than those who do not. 

After a meta-analysis of 23 studies, the following was determined:

“The researchers found that people with diabetes had about a 1.4 times greater risk of dying of cancer than patients without blood-sugar problems. Mortality seemed to be higher for many types of cancer, but it was only statistically significant for three types: breast, endometrial, and colorectal.”

So what does this mean for us, especially the African American community, where diabetes is rampant? To read the rest of the article and find out what some of the researchers have concluded, click here.