By Nikkya Hargrove
Nikkya Hargrove is the owner of Obodo Serendipity Books, an independent bookstore in Paradise Green. She is also the author of Mama: A Queer Black Woman’s Story of a Family Lost and Found, a memoir published last fall by Algonquin Books.
Our History Books, Live and in Concert
“History has a way of repeating itself.” This is what my grandmother shared with me as a young child. This month, our book club pick at Obodo Serendipity Books was Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen. It’s a quick read, with strategically placed historical offerings along the way that beg us to pause, each one, and consider them in their context.
History repeats itself.
The subtitle is a bit…misleading. The author, Bob the Drag Queen, does a fabulous job of throwing us right into the music world, introducing us to Harriet’s band ‘The Freemans’, and sharing their first rap with the main character, Darnell. The band is made up of freed slaves—some house slaves, some field slaves, and the complexion of their skin and stature of their build all give color to a “history” not so far behind us.
Darnell gives us all a front row seat as he spends time getting to know each member of The Freemans, and their individual journeys toward freedom.
Often, the most intimate of scenes are punctuated by a reference from the present day, like smoking a blunt with Quakes or eating at Sylvia’s in Harlem with Odessa. Faith, the idea of God, or ‘the Lawd’, came up over and over again throughout the novel. Towards the end of the book, when Darnell and band member Quakes are having a heart to heart, Quakes says: “I know that the law says we are not supposed to treat the Negro as an equal, but may I remind you that the law does not dictate who is and who is not equal. The Lord dictates that.”
Early in the book, Harriet Tubman reminds us, too, how ‘the Lawd’ is the one who carried her, who ensured the freedom of the enslaved, and who stands by her side always. Throughout this book I asked myself, Could I have been a superhero like Harriet? I’m not sure I have an answer, but probably not.
I hope you can join us at the bookshop this Sunday for an author talk and book signing with Connecticut author, Cindy House, author of the memoir, Mother Noise. Cindy is an essayist, short story writer, artist, and a regular opener for David Sedaris on his tours. The New York Times said Mother Noise is a “raw and tender” memoir that wrestles with the question of how much we tell our children of our difficult past. In Cindy’s case, that past included heroin addiction. Publishers Weekly’s starred review said Mother Noise is “a full-throated anthem of hope [that] lends light [and humor] to a dark issue.”
The event begins at 2pm, and light refreshments will be served.
Obodo Serendipity Books
3588 Main Street, Stratford
203-209-9036
Click here to see what’s happening at the store for the month of June:
Nikkya Hargrove and daughter Aviah De Silva
Kid’s Book Report
By Aviah De Silva
Book Title: Odder, By Katherine Applegate
Odder is a book of poetry about an otter who is different from the rest. It is about an otter who is playful and doesn’t care for the rules. It is an emotional roller coaster, with sadness and joy. It taught me about cherishing your close friends and family while also being brave. The author of the book is Katherine Applegate. I may choose this for our next book club meetup in the fall.
Bio: Aviah is a 9-year-old fourth grader at Wilcoxson Elementary School. She enjoys playing soccer, creating artwork, reading, writing stories, and coding. She has two puppies, Oliver and Evelyn, whom she loves. Aviah looks forward to publishing more articles.
