Shelf Sabotage™

In Part 1, we discuss Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. Join us as we get into the complicated relationship between Jessie Redmon Fauset and W.E.B. Du Bois—from the affair, grief, and power dynamics to race relations and more. The conversation continues in Part 2, where we speak with Victoria about her writing process, what in the story is real and what's not, and her latest nove...

The real question: would you have covered for Dimple? This week, we're unpacking the siblings' decision, the predicament they find themselves in, and the audacity of Cyril.

In this episode, we discuss Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez—a multigenerational historical fiction rooted in land, legacy, family secrets, and the history behind the Kingdom of the Happy Land.

This week on Shelf Sabotage, we’re joined by Vanessa Walters, author of Lagos Wife, to talk about the inspiration behind the book, the real-life experiences that shaped the story, and the layers beneath the drama. 👀✨ If you’ve read Lagos Wife (or are looking for your next read), this conversation is one you don’t want to miss!

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. This week's episode unpacks The Lagos Wife : a mystery featuring complex history, layered characters, and an unexpected twist. We discuss the back-and-forth timeline featuring two main perspectives, and how much of the main character comes through other people’s voices. Ch...

On this episode of Shelf Sabotage ™, we get into With Love from Harlem by ReShonda Tate, and… whew! Join us as we follow the life of Hazel Scott, a Black woman and musical prodigy navigating fame, love, and power in 1940s Harlem, alongside Adam Clayton Powell Jr., whose ambition and ego complicate it all. From the outside, Hazel’s life looks glamorous but up close “it’s complicated,” as life and l...

In this episode of Shelf Sabotage , we’re breaking down Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. We follow Ifemelu and Obinze across Nigeria, the United States, and the U.K., and use their story to open up a wider conversation. We talked about “the American dream,” Black hair, identity, unlearning respectability, and the tension between who you were, who you are, and who you’re becoming. We also ge...

In Episode 2 of Shelf Sabotage™, we sit down with P. Djèlí Clark to discuss his award winning novella, Ring Shout , and the cultural traditions that resonate with themes explored in the movie Sinners . From the spiritual roots of ring shouts to Black folklore, resistance, and the role of media in shaping history, we unpack the deeper connections between the book, the film, and the cultural traditi...

Welcome to the very first episode of Shelf Sabotage™. In our premiere, we’re diving into P. Djèlí Clark’s Ring Shout : a genre-bending story that definitely had us thinking (and slightly confused at times 😅). As we discuss, some powerful through lines begin to emerge that make the story hit even deeper. If you’ve read it, drop your thoughts below. We want to hear your take!