Black Feminist Book Club

4.9•157 ratings

Oakland, CA, US

About us

We are a community formed around the celebration and uplifting of black women. We enjoy reading, but we enjoy following that reading up with an awesome in-depth discussion and sharing of ideas and opinions (preferably over snacks and tea) *even more*. We cover it all, from dismantling the master's house with Audre Lorde to exploring Afrofuturism and black women in sci-fi/fantasy with Octavia Butler and Nnedi Okorafor to dissecting the works of Wangechi Mutu and Kara Walker, and everything in between, to the left and the right, above and below. This group is for black readers who seek and want to connect with other equally dope black readers. All ages and genders welcome.

Upcoming events

See all

Discussion: Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara
Sat, May 16 · 1:00 PM PDT
OAKLAND LOCATION- Given to Fully Registered Participants ONLY, OAKLAND- Lake Merritt Area Location Given via Email to Registered Night Before, Oakland, CA, US
Hey y'all! So pleased to announce that we're revisiting Toni Cade Bambara's Salt Eaters for our May book club. This past weekend a few of us went to see a new documentary about Bambara, a seminal Black feminist and cultural worker who sought to "make the revolution irresistible." To say we were inspired would be an understatement. Hoping to organize another screening of the documentary for us (so stay tuned!) but in the interim I'd love to dive into Bambara's work together. Salt Eaters is not a long book but I hear it's an experimental style that might not be the easiest read, so start early and take your time. And of course you don't have to finish the text to join us, 'cause you already know the text is only a starting point and we gon' go all over.

(in the words of Toni Cade Bambara) Black Blessings,
Jillian

Book description:
Set in a town somewhere in the South, here is the story of a community of Black people searching for the healing properties of salt who witness an event that will change their lives forever. Some of them are centered, some are off-balance; some are frightened, and some are daring. From the men who live off welfare women to the mud mothers who carry their children in their hides, the novel brilliantly explores the narcissistic aspect of despair and the tremendous responsibility that comes with physical, spiritual, and mental well-being.

Getting the Book:
If you'd like to shop local and Black-owned there’s the beloved Marcus Books. You can give them a call to reserve a copy and visit them at:

Marcus Books - 1 (510) 652-2344
3900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA 94609

This book is also available at the Oakland Public library and the San Francisco Public Library, both in its physical and e-copy form, and as an audiobook. I'm told it's also free on Spotify right now.

Alternatively you can support Independent Bookstores via Bookshop.org

Wanna suggest a book for our reading list? Fill out this Book Recommendation Form.
10 attendees