Black Coffee discussion

Here is where we'll discuss: The Wake of the Wind by J. California Cooper.


Synopsis: A dramatic and thought-provoking novel of one family's triumph in the face of the hardships and challenges of the post-Civil War South.

The Wake of the Wind , J. California Cooper's third novel, is her most penetrating look yet at the challenges that generations of African Americans have had to overcome in order to carve out a home for themselves and their families. Set in Texas in the waning years of the Civil War, the novel tells the dramatic story of a remarkable heroine, Lifee, and her husband, Mor. When Emancipation finally comes to Texas, Mor, Lifee, and the extended family they create from other slaves who are also looking for a home and a future, set out in search of a piece of land they can call their own. In the face of constant threats, they manage not only to survive but to succeed--their crops grow, their children thrive, they educate themselves and others. Lifee and Mor pass their intelligence, determination, and talents along to their children, the next generation to surge forward. At once tragic and triumphant, this is an epic story that captures with extraordinary authenticity the most important struggle of the last hundred years.

Will you join us?

None of my local libraries carry this book so I'm going to have to purchase it.

Is anyone else having this issue with their library?

I purchased it. I was told it was worth it.

Surprisingly, I was able to find a copy at the library.

Because there is no ebook, you'll probably have to look on the shelves of your local library or purchase a copy. If you do purchase a copy, I suggest getting a hardcover copy. I purchased a paperback from Amazon and was so disappointed. It looks like a copy of a PDF. Check out eBay or ThriftBooks.

I loved this book!! If I have time, I'm gonna try to go back and read it again this month. I just saw the post about Gone with the Wind (I finally read in May) in the other thread and remember thinking this was some type of response. I don't remember the Author's note at the beginning of Wake.

it's not at my libraries either, but I found it online for less than $5.

AbeBooks has it
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...

Thanks for the recommendations!

My library doesn’t have copies either. I had to submit an ILL to get it. Sound great

Should we wait until everyone has the book before we begin reading?

I will add it to my want to read list. My reading is waning this summer. I’m working more.

How about we start the official read on the 21st and we can have this as our August read as well? That will give people time to get the book and read without a rush.

Sounds like a perfect plan to me Lulu. I am reading the traditional paperback book and that always takes longer than listening to an audiobook.

The delay would be great. I have to buy it since the library loan doesn’t know when it will be in.

I will order it tonight.

Hey sorry y’all. I’m not sure if y’all heard about Hurricane beryl in the Houston area or not but that’s where I am and we got hit pretty bad. Our power has been out for days and we were just able to get some where to charge our devices. They’re not sure when power will be restored so I’m going to be absent until the power is back. I agree with Lulu about August. I still haven’t gotten the book, I’ll get it once everything is back to normal. Be safe y’all!!

Shaylah wrote: "Hey sorry y’all. I’m not sure if y’all heard about Hurricane beryl in the Houston area or not but that’s where I am and we got hit pretty bad. Our power has been out for days and we were just able ..."

Glad you are alright.

Shaylah, I am sorry you are going through this. I hope no one you know was injured. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏾🌹

Praying for you Shayla! Please let me know if you need anything.

Shaylah, I pray you stay safe!

Hey y’all!! Thanks so much for the prayers and well wishes, I really appreciate it. Our power was out from Monday until Friday, we live in an apartment and fortunately there was no damage to the complex. The worst part for us is that everything in the fridge went bad (I’d just gone grocery shopping the Thursday before the storm😩) so we’re obviously upset about that.

So between the storm, finishing these summer classes AND moving to a new house, I was finally able to purchase the book. It should be here tomorrow. I took Lulu’s advice and bought the hardcover. I’m glad we decided to extend it through August because I would not have been able to start the book this month just too much going on. Did any of you finish the book? For you all that started it, how are you feeling about it??

Congratulations on your new home! Wishing you the best Shaylah.

I am Loving this book. I am happy to be able to read it nice and slow. Life be lifing and with all the funerals, classes, workshops, puppy training, and housework - well you get it. I have a hard time finding the time to settle down and open a book. But this one! Wowza. The part before chapter 1 sets the tone very nicely and it just flows along from there. I am nervous for the main characters though. Each time something good happens, it draws me closer to the edge of my seat. I cannot help but be afraid for them. Shaylah, you will know what Inmean once you start it.

Okay, I have a confession to make. I never look here. I have always relied on the inbox messages. I thought the group was inactive until I reached out to an admin who in turn referred me here so I have some catching up to do‍‍.

This is probably not the right link but if you go to penguin house books and search for TWW they have a great discussion question section. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...

Thanks for the link! Those questions are great. I haven’t started the book yet, I just haven’t had the time since I’m in the process of moving. I’m hoping to start it next week though.

The last few months have been hectic for me but I’m really hoping to get back to reading regularly, I need my stories lol.

How’s everyone doing so far??

Hello all,

Has anyone started reading TWOTW yet?

Just trying to gage what is happening here.

Don't have the book, but added it to my TBR list. Meanwhile I might try another book of hers, Family. I am just finishing North and South by John Jakes.

We were supposed to start on the 21st, I’m not sure if everyone has a copy by now or not.

Either way, let’s go ahead and make today the start day.


This will be a re-read for me. How is everyone doing?

I haven’t started yet. Plan to start this week.

Hey Y'all!!

I'm soooo sorry for being MIA these past several months. I'm finally settled into my new house and just about done scouring the net for furniture. I appreciate y'alls patience with me ☺️.

Right now, mentally I can't pick up a physical book and read it because my mind is just all over the place. I intend to read the book but I'm not sure when.

I thought we were reading this in July and August but if y'all want to continue into September instead of choosing something else, that's perfect. I'll change the discussion title so it aligns with the timeline.

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "Just trying to gage what is happening here."

Hey Dosha,
I'm sorry I've been MIA, the group read for this book will continue this month so the discussion should pick up. Thank you for being so patient.

Wishing you well Shaylah. I hope things are falling into place nicely for you.

I am perfectly fine with continuing through the month of September with this one. It is a physical book, I go through that a slow pace, so please understand I am not trying to rush anyone. I am almost halfway through it so I might be able to finish it by the end of September. Just glad to know where other folks are with their reading pace.

I haven’t been able to get the book yet. I am reading two books that I borrowed from Libby. So I am tied up with those at the moment.

Are we still going to discuss this one, or will we move on to another book?

Dani wrote: "Are we still going to discuss this one, or will we move on to another book?"
Any word? I've moved onto other group selections but I am still interested in discussing this book!

I gave up on this book as a group read. Not sure what happened and I am still reading the book - very slowly - since there has been no discussion for three months. I would love to buddy read if anyone is interested. I am still halfway through it. It is written so powerfully that every time I open it, I pick right up without the need for a refresher.

I agree that the book is well written. I finished it in three days because I had a hard time putting it down.

I am starting it today.

One of my favorite authors. This selection will remind me to go back and reread some of her works.

I have ordered this book and will be getting it sometime next week. I am reading several other books also. I decided to reread 1984 by George Orwell. I read that back in highschool and it just feels like we are in Orwellian times. I’m also reading a play called With Their Eyes by Annie Thoms. It’s a collection of monologues as told by the students of Stuyvesant High School on the day of Sept 11, 2001.

I have finally received this book. I have not yet started it but it is in my stack of to be read books.

I just started it.

I just finished Dr. King's Refrigerator, by Charles Johnson. I don't know if anyone has read that before- it only has about 200 reviews. But it was wonderful. I would highly recommend it. Most of us could read it in less than three hours.