Kazi 88.7 Fm Book Review

This is the final of three episodes in the Diverse Voices Book Review Limited Podcast Series: Secret Lives of Fairy Tales.  Created and hosted by fairy-tale scholar and professor Kimberly J. Lau, the third episode features Kay Turner, a fairy tales scholar and editor of Transgressive Tales: Queering the Grimms. In the episode, Turner shares how she uses queer theory and the legacy of liberation movements to inform a reimagining of Grimm’s fairy tales, highlighting queerness, alternative relationships, and exploring how these tales offer new ways of being and thinking beyond traditional norms.Be sure to check out the wrap-up episode where Hopeton Hay interviews Kimberly J. Lau about the series.Kimberly J. Lau is a Professor of Literature at University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of Specters of the Marvelous: Race and the Development of the European Fairy Tale.

This is the second of three episodes in the Diverse Voices Book Review Limited Podcast Series: Secret Lives of Fairy Tales.  Created and hosted by fairy-tale scholar and professor Kimberly J. Lau, the second episode features Ruth Bottigheimer, a fairy tales scholar and author of Grimms' Bad Girls and Bold Boys: The Moral and Social Vision of the Tales. In the episode, they discuss the hidden gender biases and historical evolution of European fairy tales, especially the silencing of women in the Grimm Brothers’ tales, and how these stories continue to shape cultural attitudes..Kimberly J. Lau is a Professor of Literature at University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of Specters of the Marvelous: Race and the Development of the European Fairy Tale.

This is the first of three episodes in the Diverse Voices Book Review Limited Podcast Series: Secret Lives of Fairy Tales.  Created and hosted by fairy-tale scholar and professor Kimberly J. Lau, the first episode features Sarah Hines, a scholar of children's literature and the history of book publishing, with a special focus on Andrew Lang's Colored Fairy Book series and its illustrations. In the interview, they discuss how Andrew Lang’s Colored Fairy Book series and its illustrations reflect and reinforce Victorian ideas about race, empire, and cultural ownership, often presenting whiteness as beauty and othering non-European characters. Hines is also co-owner of Eight Cousins Bookstore in Falmouth, Massachusetts.  Kimberly J. Lau is a Professor of Literature at University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of Specters of the Marvelous: Race and the Development of the European Fairy Tale.

Diverse Voices Book Review has produced a new three-episode podcast limited series, Ever Wonder...the Secret Lives of Fairy Tales.  The creator and host is Kimberly J. Lau, a Professor of Literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she teaches courses on fairy tales, monster studies, popular culture, and twentieth- and twenty-first-century women’s fiction, all within the context feminist theory, critical race studies, and gender and sexuality studies. She is the author of numerous books and articles on similar topics, including Specters of the Marvelous: Race and the Development of the European Fairy Tale (December 2024) and Erotic Infidelities: Love and Desire in Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber (2015).  In this introduction to the series, Lau explains why she chose each of the fairy tale scholars featured in the series: Sara Hines, Ruth Bottigheimer, and Kay Turner. Click on Kimberly J. Lau to explore her web site.

Diverse Voices Book Review guest host Amran Gowani interviewed Dennard Dayle, author of the Civil War satire HOW TO DODGE A CANNONBALL. The story follows Anders, a White teenage flag twirler whose madcap journey finds him fighting for both armies, claiming to be an octoroon, escaping certain death far too many times, and examining the unresolved hypocrisies at the heart of America’s foundation. During the interview, Dayle discussed why he chose to satirize the Civil War, the historical parallels between the 1860s and present-day America, and his love for CATCH-22, a novel which has heavily influenced his creative work. Dennard Dayle is a Jamaican American novelist, satirist, and prankster who lives in Brooklyn, New York. His short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, Clarkesworld, and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and his short story collection EVERYTHING ABRIDGED was published in 2022. Dennard is a graduate of Princeton University and received his MFA at Columbia University, where he teaches as an adjunc

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Chuck Collins, author of BURNED BY BILLIONAIRES: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives And Planet. The interview explored the impact of extreme wealth concentration on society, covering topics such as the racial wealth divide, climate disruption, affordable housing, and the influence of billionaire dynasties. Collins also addressed tax avoidance by billionaires, the effects of private equity on communities, and practical steps individuals and governments can take to counteract these trends.Chuck Collins  is the Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies where he co-edits Inequality.org.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay interviewed Jarvis R. Givens, author of AMERICAN GRAMMAR: Race, Education, and the Building of a Nation.  Jarvis reframes the origin story of U.S. education by centering Black and Native experiences. He explains how early schooling was directly tied to land dispossession, slavery, and laws restricting literacy, showing education as a tool of empire-building rather than pure democratic inclusion. Givens also highlights Indigenous and Black resistance, the role of Christianity, and figures like Booker T. Washington to illustrate the complex intersections of race, education, and nationhood.  To visit his website, click on Jarvis R. Givens.Jarvis R. Givens is a Professor of Education and African and African American Studies and the co-founding faculty director of the Black Teacher Archive at Harvard University.  His new book, I'LL MAKE A WORLD: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month, is set to be published on February 3, 2026.Diverse Voices Book

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviews history professor Marc Egnal about his book CHALLENGING THE MYTHS OF US HISTORY: Seven Short Essays on the Past and the Present.  In this conversation, Egnal challenges the idea that American history is driven by lofty ideals. Instead, he argues that the demands of the upper class for growth and expansion have shaped the nation’s trajectory — from the Revolution to today’s tech oligarchs.Marc is Professor of History Emeritus at York University and author of CLASH OF EXTREMES: The Economic Origins of the Civil War. Author's bio: About the Author | Marc Egnal Book description: Challenging the Myths of US History by Marc Egnal - Paper - University of California Press Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviews Amran Gowani, author of the financial thriller and satire LEVERAGE.  Gowani, a former organic chemist and financial analyst, draws from his personal experiences to create a social satire set in high finance.  The protagonist, Ali “Al” Jafar is a rising star at notorious hedge fund Prism Capital, but fortunes change fast on Wall Street. When his biggest investment goes up in smoke, Al loses $300 million—and his fragile sense of self-worth—in a single afternoon.  The book's chapters are named after 90s rap songs, reflecting Gowani's love for hip hop and its relevance to his character's identity.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, Hopeton Hay welcomes back Aaron Philip Clark to discuss THE BLUEST NIGHT, the third installment in his Trevor Finnegan crime series. Set in the seemingly idyllic yet shadowy enclave of Malibu, the novel explores themes of justice, race, and fractured family ties as Trevor and his estranged father, Sean, are forced into an uneasy partnership to investigate a murder that hits close to home. Clark delves into the evolving dynamics of policing, the haunting realities of missing persons cases, and the personal costs of justice, all while continuing to develop Trevor’s complex journey as a detective, father, and son.Aaron Philip Clark is a USA Today bestselling author, screenwriter, professor, and host of The Culture Point podcast. Known for his neo-noir crime fiction set in Los Angeles, Clark explores race, justice, and identity with literary depth. He’s also collaborated with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and civil rights attorney Ben Crump.Diverse Voices Book Review Soci

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed David Wright Faladé, author of the novel, THE NEW INTERNATIONALS. Set in post–World War II Paris, Faladé’s novel explores a love triangle between Cécile, a young French Jewish woman; Seb, an ambitious Black student from a French West African colony; and Mack, an African American GI navigating the city’s vibrant yet fractured landscape. Faladé discussed how the  novel was inspired by his personal family history.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Southwestern Law School professor Andrea Freeman about her book, RUIN THEIR CROPS ON THE GROUND: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch. With thoughtful analysis and a careful examination of historical events, Professor Freeman reveals how the U.S. government’s destruction of food resources and the dismantling of cultural norms of minority communities contributed to the mistreatment and systemic oppression of individuals that can still be observed in our society today. You can learn more about her book at afreelawprof on Instagram.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomes back Rudy Ruiz, the author of THE BORDER BETWEEN US, which was just released in paperback. In the interview, Ruiz delves into his Mexican American roots and how they have profoundly influenced his writing. He discusses how his personal experiences growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border have shaped the themes and characters in his novels.Rudy Ruiz is the author of The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez and Valley of Shadows. He is a winner of the Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction, the Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction, and multiple International Latino Book Awards. Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomes back the acclaimed author Walter Mosley for an insightful discussion about his latest novel, GRAY DAWN, the 17th installment in the Easy Rawlins series. In the interview, Walter Mosley discusses the origins and development of his character Easy Rawlins, emphasizing the importance of representing the struggles and resilience of Black Americans through his novels. Additionally, Mosley reflects on writing about characters who strive to live their best lives despite the obstacles they face.Walter Mosley is one of America’s most celebrated writers. He was given the 2020 National Book Award’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, named a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America, and honored with a Grammy, a PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award, and several NAACP Image Awards. As an executive producer, he adapted his novel, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, for AppleTV+ and serves as a writer and executive producer for FX’s

On the latest episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomed Texas Book Festival’s Literary Director Hannah Gabel and Chief Operations Officer Dalia Azim for an inside look at the upcoming festival, set to take place November 8–9 in downtown Austin. With more than 300 authors slated to appear, the Texas Book Festival 2025 Authors include acclaimed voices such as Ada Limon, Imani Perry, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Brian Washington.Gabel and Azim also shared insights into how the festival curates its author selections, highlighted TBF’s year-round literary programming, and discussed the organization’s ongoing efforts to champion public libraries across Texas. Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Joe Lansdale, author of HATCHET GIRLS, his 14th Hap and Leonard mystery novel. In this podcast episode, Joe Lansdale discusses his prolific writing career, the inspiration behind the Hap and Leonard series, and how his personal experiences and the unique setting of East Texas shape his storytelling.Joe R. Lansdale is the author of nearly four dozen novels, including Rusty Puppy, the Edgar-award winning The Bottoms, Sunset and Sawdust, and Leather Maiden. He has received nine Bram Stoker Awards, the American Mystery Award, the British Fantasy Award, and the Grinzane Cavour Prize for Literature. He lives with his family in Nacogdoches, Texas.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewX - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Nathalie Etoke, author of BLACK EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM.  Published in 2022, BLACK EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM explores how Black freedom transcends political and economic success and lies in affirming one's humanity in the face of systemic dehumanization. Etoke draws on historical experiences, Black cultural expressions, and philosophical traditions to highlight the inner and collective struggles of people of African descent across the diaspora. She emphasizes that existential agency—making choices even under oppressive conditions—is a form of resistance and a testament to enduring hope. Nathalie Etoke is a Professor of Francophone and Africana Studies at the Graduate Center, CUNY. She specializes in literature and cinema of Francophone sub-Saharan Africa, Black French studies, queer studies in Africa and the Caribbean, and Africana existential thought.

Diverse Voices Book Review host interviewed Robert Justice, author of the novel A DREAM IN THE DARK. Published in 2024, A DREAM IN THE DARK is his second novel in a planned trilogy focused on wrongful convictions. Justice shared how his novel incorporates themes of deferred dreams, systemic injustice, and jazz motifs, drawing on real-life wrongful conviction cases and literary influences like Ralph Ellison and Langston Hughes. We also discussed his involvement with the Crime Writers of Color organization and how it was founded by Walter Mosley and Kellye Garrett.  Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media: Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreview Instagram - @diverse_voices_book_review X - @diversebookshay Email: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com 

In October 2018, Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Kyle Longley, author of LBJ's 1968: Power, Politics, and the Presidency in America's Year of Upheaval.  1968 was an unprecedented year in terms of upheaval on numerous scales: political, military, economic, social, cultural. In the United States, perhaps no one was more undone by the events of 1968 than President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Kyle Longley is a Professor of History at Chapman University and the director of the M.A. in War and Society program. He served as the director of the LBJ Presidential Library from 2018 to 2019 before happily returning to academia. 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed  Naa Oyo Kwate, author of  WHITE BURGERS, BLACK CASH: Food from Black Exclusion to Exploitation.In the interview, they discussed the fast-food industry and its impact on health disparities in the Black community.  They also explored the complex relationship between Black communities and fast food and the industry history.Naa Oyo A. Kwate is a nonfiction writer and interdisciplinary scholar focused on African American urban life. She has previously served on the faculties of Columbia and Rutgers University.