Opinionated Ladies Book Club in Gainesville celebrates its 16th anniversary at library
Local Black female authors were honored as the Opinionated Ladies Book Club celebrated its 16th anniversary on Saturday at the Alachua County Library District Headquarters in downtown Gainesville.
“I was an avid reader and I found myself discussing topics and books with friends and decided we needed an outlet to discuss in a formal manner,” said Cynthia Chestnut, who founded the club on Jan. 27, 2007, with 11 other women. “Reading is important because it takes someone on voyages. You can learn. It can enhance what you do, and it can take you to a different world.”
The book club reads a variety of books such as fiction, non-fiction, social mysteries and other genres.
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“I love reading mystery books," Chestnut said. "One of my favorite authors to read is Walter Mosley."
Ora White, president of the club, presided over the club's anniversary celebration.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate our own,” White said. “We are celebrating greatness that we have right here in our community.”
Bessie Jackson, immediate past president of the book club, welcomed those in attendance and briefly talked about the club's history.
“What makes book club friends so special is that we are all different and from various walks of life,” Jackson said. “Life is a thread that brings us together. Reading has never been so much fun. Every one of our gatherings is a vibrant and warm affair.”
The local authors who spoke during the showcase were Pamela Denise Marshall, Brenda Jackson Darling, Chanae Jackson, Carrie Parker-Warren, Romona Jackson, Lizzie Jenkins and Candace White-Jackson.
Author’s Stephanie Mickle and Nona Jones were not present, but their books were still recognized.
Mickle’s book is titled “Follow The Leader,” and Jones has published three books titled “Killing Comparison: Reject the Lie You Aren't Good Enough and Live Confident in Who God Made You to Be,” “Success from the Inside Out” and “From Social Media to Social Ministry.”
Marshall’s book is titled “The Art of Forgiveness,” which is a faith-based self-help book about the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of letting go of the past.
Darling’s book is titled, “The Prayers of Black and Brown Mothers,” which is a book where nine co-authors wrote a biography about their lives and how prayer helped them overcome difficulties in life.
Chanae Jackson’s book is titled, “Yeah I Said It, I Don’t Give a D.A.M.N.,” which educates readers about the pursuit of justice, equity and creating permanent power shifts in their communities
Parker-Warren’s book is titled “Spotted Fish and Striped Fish,” which is a children’s book describing the journey of two fish learning to share, help and care for one another.
The book was illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger and Parker-Warren said the children’s book can help parents teach their children about social and racial equity.
Romona Jackson’s book is titled “Crazy Faith, Unexplainable Peace: A Lesson My Mother Taught Me,” in which she writes her journey of losing her mother and providing lessons her mother taught her throughout life.
Jenkins’ book is titled “Lizzie’s Rosewood Race,” which is a children's book describing Jenkins’ historical accounts based on her life and how she started the mission of preserving the history of the Rosewood Massacre of Jan. 1, 1923. The book was illustrated by Robert A. Murphy.
White-Jackson’s book is titled “Born Into a Pandemic: A Mother’s Precious Gift,” which depicts a mother’s journey giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides insight on how she turned her fears into faith and encourages readers to stay hopeful while celebrating the precious gift of life.
One attendee asked the authors about their marketing strategies to promote their books, and the answers included creating websites, focus groups and hiring a publishing and marketing company.
Chanae Jackson advised people to buy directly from the author’s website as opposed to the popular way of purchasing through Amazon because of the large commission that goes to the e-commerce company.
Eula Williams attended the event with her daughter, Sharon Jackson, and both said they enjoyed what the club's anniversary celebration.
“I love the viewpoints of where people came from,” Williams said. “They celebrated each other and did not forget where they are today.”
The event ended with final remarks by Chestnut that included a quote from George R. R. Martin, an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer, who once said “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Book club in Gainesville honors Black authors at its 16th anniversary
