Clara Villarosa Hue-Man Experience Denver, Colo

American Visions, June, 1999 by Clara Villarosa

I have been hooked on reading since I was in elementary school. Reading allowed me to know a world beyond my neighborhood. Since I have become a bookseller and since I read as part of the business, I have increased my fund of knowledge. I also read for entertainment and relaxation.

It helps customer service when you can respond to the perennial questions: What's new? Have you read it? What's it about?

The summer releases generating the most interest are by male authors, and they have an entertaining, contemporary feel. In Cup of Love (Simon & Schuster, 1999), a novel by Franklin White (author of Fed Up With the Fanny [Simon & Schuster, 1999]), scheduled for release in July, a BMW (black man working) must deal with the women in his life.

In Cheaters (Dutton, 1999), by best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey, six African-American urbanites look for love. This entertaining and sexy novel covers friendship, betrayal, adultery, secrets and lust. Among Dickey's previous novels are Sister Sister (Dutton, 1997), Friends and Lovers (Dutton, 1998) and Milk in My Coffee (Dutton, 1999).

The late Ralph Ellison's long-awaited novel Juneteenth (Random House, 1999) celebrates the bringing of the news of emancipation. The story takes place in the 1950s, with reminiscing between a dying white senator (who was shot by a young black man) and an elderly black minister revealing shared secrets and tragedy.

In Connie Briscoe's A Long Way From Home (HarperCollins, 1999), the author switches from her contemporary style into the multigenerational approach of historical novels. This story of slavery emphasizes the indestructible bonds of love and family.

Please, Please, Please (Dial, 1999), by first-time author Renee Swindle, promises a host of well-defined characters, a good plot, and enough creative writing to keep the reader turning the pages.

Cookie Cutter (Ballantine, 1999), by Sterling Anthony, is a psychological thriller, my favorite genre, with an African-American experience. A serial killer plots the murders of racial sellouts with cool precision. I will be reading an advance copy, because the book is not due for release until October 1999.

Clara Villarosa is the owner of Hue-Man Experience. Before opening the bookstore, she worked as a psychotherapist, an assistant hospital administrator and a bank vice president.