Best New Books by African American Authors
32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter
Ernessa T. Carter’s debut novel is both hilarious and poignant. The story follows Davie Jones a Black girl who grows up in a small town in Mississippi. Derided by her own mother as well as her classmates, Davie stops talking and takes comfort in Molly Ringwald movies like 16 Candles . She hopes that someday she’ll have a happy ending like in the movies. She is in love with the most popular, handsome boy in school who barely knows she exists. After a particularly traumatic incident concerning her crush, Davie runs off to Los Angeles and reinvents herself as a nightclub singer. However, when her high school crush turns up in her life, old demons arise. This novel is refreshing, romantic, hilarious and heart-breaking all at once. 32 Candles a perfect gift for a friend, but make sure you pick up a copy for yourself as well.