Are you looking for reads that will entertain, inspire or uplift your spirits? Check out Compulsive's must-haves for your book collection.
Reading is good for you because it improves your focus, memory, empathy, and communication skills. Especially when the books are as good as these!
The Fame Game
An Insider's Playbook for Earning Your 15 Minutes
By Ramon Hervey II (Amistad)
The Fame Game is superstar publicist Ramon Hervey's front row invitation into our insatiable obsession and fascination with anything connected to celebrity culture. Over the past four decades, Hervey has been playing the "fame game" as a publicist and manager for some of Hollywood's biggest stars. He helped to mine, mold, manage, and mop up messes, and mounted major comebacks for some of the most celebrated superstars in pursuit of their 15 minutes of fame.
In The Fame Game, he takes readers on an uncensored behind-the-scenes journey into moments that are sometimes entertaining, hilarious, absurd, and disappointing. He also shares how he became a trusted confidant to Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Don Cornelius, The Bee Gees, Herb Alpert, Andrae Crouch, Vanessa Williams, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Luther Vandross, Rick James, Paul McCartney and Muhammad Ali.
Black Oak (Harper Design)
By Harold Green III
"Black men don't have the language to express themselves," Harold Green III says over a Zoom call. "We aren't taught how and because of that, we have trouble making and sustaining friendships." And that's what his new poetry collection does —gives men the language to love each other. It's a noble undertaking, and Harold executes it flawlessly. Complemented by full-color portraits by artist Melissa Koby, Black Oak follows in the footsteps of Harold's tribute to Black women released earlier in the year.
This new book honors the groundbreaking Black men that he admires most: Tyler Perry, Barry Jenkins and Billy Porter, to LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, and John Legend. Born from the desire to commit his viral Instagram poems, like those about and shared by celebrities like Dwayne Wade and Chance the Rapper, to a permanent form, this collection of poetry also expands upon them. All in an effort to serve as a mirror for men, their struggles and their triumphs.
Love Me As I Am (Amistad)
By Garcelle Beauvais written with Nicole E. Smith
Love Me As I Am is a candid look at the unforgettable emotional rollercoaster ride of Garcelle Beauvais' life. It covers such aspects as he early childhood in Haiti to her adolescence in Boston, from her heady days as a young model in New York. It's a deep dive into her three-decade acting career, including her fame as an actress and as the first Black castmate of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills franchise.
The Words I Didn't Say (Delphine Publications)
By Tamika Newhouse
Author Tamika Newhouse has romance down pat, and she puts her unique stamp on this fictional tale about a couple who finds love. She explores the theme, "How do you mend a broken heart?". The Words I Didn't Say centers around successful record producer Denim is charming and different. Janet intends to explore this relationship even though Denim has been a womanizer. Will she be able to turn him into a one-man woman? She's willing to take the risk—we think!
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted (Harper Perennial)
By Jayne Allen
This cutting-edge, enjoyable novel "explores modern womanhood, in which a young Black woman must rely on courage, laughter, and love—and the support of her two long-time friends —to overcome an unexpected setback that turns her entire world upside down." The characters in Black Girls Must Die Exhausted will become your best sister-friends.
