Victoria Christopher Murray Discusses Harlem Rhapsody

Join MahoganyBooks for an exciting journey back in time with New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray as we celebrate and discuss her book Harlem Rhapsody! You won't want to miss this amazing event, highlighting the extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the start the of the Harlem Renaisaance. We're very excited to announce that Victoria will be in conversation with store friend Morgan Menzies aka @prettylittlebookshelf!

A big thank you to the Prince George's County Memorial Library System - Oxon Hill Branch for partnering with us for this event.

About the book: Harlem Rhapsody

She found the literary voices that would inspire the world.... The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.

In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all.

W. E. B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, is not only Jessie's boss, he's her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Amidst rumors of their tumultuous affair, Jessie is determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenge of discovering young writers with fervor, finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie's leadership, The Crisis thrives...every African American writer in the country wants their work published there.

When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it's clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she'll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.

About the author: Victoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target's 2023 Book of the Year, both of which she coauthored with Marie Benedict. She is a NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

About the moderator: Morgan Menzies is a literary enthusiast, community builder, and founder of Pretty Little Bookshelf sharing all things books. She loves connecting with fellow book lovers both online and in person through book club discussions, book swaps, DIY workshops and more. When she’s not reading, you can find Morgan exploring independent bookstores and trying new recipes.

Event guidelines are subject to change.

• 6:30 PM - Doors Open | 7 PM Conversation Begins | 8:30 PM End
• Non-refundable tickets, however transfers made be made.
• Face masks optional throughout event.
• Please email us at at least 14 days in advance at [email protected] should you need any accommodations to attend this event.
• Please note, books not picked up at the event can be retrieved at our National Harbor location for two weeks after event day. Afterwhich, they will be donated to a local organization.
• Photographs may be taken during the event WITHOUT FLASH.
• Note: By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any photographs or videos taken.
• Please tag us and use #mahoganybooks, #blackbooksmatter #pgcmls & #harlemrhapsody on social media.

--Let's have an amazing evening,

Derrick, Ramunda & The MahoganyBooks Team

Host or Publisher MahoganyBooks