EVENT: "The Writer's Table" - Writing Workshop #4 - July 13 - 6 PM CST
Join us for a community-centered writing workshop that blends craft, creativity, and conversation. Led by Dr. La-Toya Scott, professor and founder of In House Scholar, this series brings the structure and depth of a college-level writing class into an accessible and supportive public space. Each session includes a short craft lecture, guided discussion of a sample text, dedicated writing time, and space to share work with fellow writers. Whether you’re new to writing or returning to the page, The Writer’s Table offers tools, prompts, and encouragement to help you develop your voice, sharpen your craft, and write with intention.
Workshop 4: “Structure and Flow: Building the Arc”
EVENT DEETS
When: Monday, July 13 @ 6 PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP reserve your spot
AUTHOR TALK: The Houston Negro Hospital with Carlton Houston - June 15 @ 6PM
Celebrate the release of The Houston Negro Hospital with Carlton Houston!
EVENT DEETS
When: Monday, June 15 @ 6PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to get your copy of The Houston Negro Hospital and to support our store programming. If you already have a copy of the book that you bought from Kindred Stories, please use RSVP BUT I BOUGHT FROM KINDRED STORIES. If you bought your book from another retailer, you are required to register using RSVP BUT I BOUGHT THE BOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE.
Please note that copies of The Houston Negro Hospital not purchased at Kindred Stories will not be allowed in the event unless you register using RSVP BUT I BOUGHT THE BOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE.
ABOUT THE BOOK
At the height of racial and political tensions in early twentieth-century Houston, two unlikely figures became allies. Dr. William M. Drake, a pioneering surgeon and Black community leader, and Joseph Cullinan, a white oil magnate and founder of the company that became Texaco, united in a desperate effort to save a hospital that symbolized hope. The Houston Negro Hospital was born from America’s Black hospital movement. Dedicated on Juneteenth 1926, it embodied a bold experiment to bring dignity and health care access to a community that was systematically denied both in the Jim Crow South.
Journalist and storyteller Carlton Houston—whose ancestors played a role in this remarkable heritage—reveals the untold, human drama behind the institution that would become Riverside General. Discover the vision, conflict, and resilience that shaped a century of health care through the struggle of those determined to save lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carlton Houston is an Emmy Award–winning journalist and storyteller whose work is distinguished by its clarity, restraint, and cinematic precision. A former television reporter and anchor, he is known for transforming complex histories into narratives that reveal both human vulnerability and structural truth. Shaped in part by a family legacy tied to Houston’s historic medical community, Houston's writing is marked by a commitment to illuminating stories that have long existed in the margins of American history. Houston Negro Hospital, the Untold Legacy of Riverside General is his debut work of long-form narrative nonfiction.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Dr. Michelle Watts is a native Houstonian and humanities educator who is committed to using humanist literature to bring diverse groups of people together to find common ground. Over the years, Dr. Watts has taught a full range of students – from Kindergarten to graduate school- and delights in her students’ achievements and efforts to effect substantive change in the world around them.
Mount Holyoke College which was fertile ground for her interests and activism and while there, she began her lifelong journey with the theory and practice of Black feminism. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, Michelle returned to Houston to study American Literature and Culture at Rice University, where she earned both a Master’s and Doctorate. She went on to teach at Miami University in Oxford, OH and the University of Cincinnati. While at Miami, she was recognized as an Honored Professor for her ‘remarkable commitment to students.’ She has extensive experience in the public sector where she has worked to advance educational equity and social justice causes in youth-serving organizations. She is currently at work on a research project on African American children’s and young adult literature, and is the New Member Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Houston Chapter.
MAY 2026: NO NAME BOOK CLUB - MAY 31 @ 3 PM CST
WINNER of the French Voices Grand Prize, Prix Ahmadou Kourouma, and Grand Prix du Roman Métis
Mohamed Mbougar Sarr’s searing and thought-provoking debut novel, Brotherhood takes place in the imaginary town of Kalep, where a fundamentalist Islamist government has spread its brutal authority.
Under the regime of the so-called Brotherhood, two young people are publicly executed for having loved each other. In response, their mothers begin a secret correspondence, their only outlet for the grief they share and each woman’s personal reckoning with a leadership that would take her beloved child’s life.
At the same time, spurred on by their indignation at what seems to be an escalation of The Brotherhood’s brutality, a band of intellectuals and free-thinkers seeks to awaken the conscience of the cowed populace and foment rebellion by publishing an underground newspaper. While they grapple with the implications of what they have done, the regime’s brutal leader begins a personal crusade to find the responsible parties, and bring them to his own sense of justice.
In this brilliant analysis of tyranny and brutality, Mbougar Sarr explores the ways in which resistance and heroism can often give way to cowardice, all while giving voice to the moral ambiguities and personal struggles involved in each of his characters’ search to impose the values they hold most dear.
EVENT: Romance In Spring Author Panel - May 23 @ 6 PM
Spring is in the air, and love is on the page. Join D.W. Brooks, Alexandra Lechelle, and Zee Renee at Kindred Stories for a celebration of local romance authors.
EVENT DEETS
When: Saturday, May 23 @ 6PM
Where: Kindred Stories: (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP WITH BOOK to support the authors and our store programming. There are four options available: you can choose to support an individual author or select the Romance In Spring Bundle, which includes one book from all participating authors.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
D. W. Brooks
D. W. Brooks is an author who has independently published three romantic suspense books and two contemporary romance novels. In addition to writing books, D. W. is also a retired ophthalmologist and a kidney transplant recipient of over eight years. She is originally from Alabama but now lives in Texas with her husband and daughter.
Alexandrea LeChelle
Alexandrea LeChelle is a contemporary romance author whose stories explore love, grief, healing, and the complicated beauty of human connection.
Her novels unfold between Houston and Louisiana and center Black characters navigating family legacies, emotional vulnerability, and the quiet courage it takes to love deeply and unapologetically.
Through rich, emotional storytelling and cinematic detail, Alexandrea writes the kind of love stories she rarely saw growing up and entering adulthood. Stories where Black characters are allowed to be flawed, passionate, and deeply human.
What began as a way to process emotions and channel creativity through her own healing journey, slowly evolved into something much bigger: an urge to create and share stories about love, healing, and the complicated paths of life that bring people together.
Her stories often explore themes such as emotional healing, family dynamics, grief and growth, healthy Black love, the courage to begin again. Every story is planted in the belief that love, in all its forms, has the power to change us for the better.
When she’s not reading, Alexandrea can be found working her way through her own TBR, journaling or planning new creative projects, adding recipes to her personal cookbook, and listening to playlists that eventually inspire new stories.
At the heart of everything she creates is a simple hope: That readers will find pieces of themselves in her stories.
Zee Renee
Writing is where Zee thrives, finding peace and purpose. Her journey began at thirteen with a black-and-white composition book, later blossoming on Wattpad, where she captivated over two million readers. In December 2023, she released her debut novel, All In, and was nominated for the 2023 Black Girl Who Writes Best New Author award. By November 2024, Zee became a National Best-Selling Author with the release of When He’s Not There, her third book.
Crafting urban fiction and romance, Zee transforms raw emotions into powerful stories. Her characters are deeply personal, each carrying a piece of her spirit. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her God-given talent and hopes readers will feel the same passion in her words as she does in writing them.
EVENT: Community Puzzle Night - May 7 at 6:30 PM
Celebrate spring and togetherness with a relaxed night of puzzles, conversation, and community.
EVENT DEETS
When: Thursday, May 7th at 6:30PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 ELGIN ST, HTX, 77004)
How: $5 to reserve your spot and libations.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Join Kindred Stories for a cozy puzzle night celebrating spring and the joy of gentle connection. Enjoy light refreshments and a variety of puzzles to work on with friends, whether you come solo or with a group.
During the evening, browse a special sale of gently used art puzzles curated by our community member, Ms. Desyre.
Come unwind, connect, and piece something beautiful together.
Note: This event is intended for adults!
MAY 2026: Non-Fiction Book Club - May 19 @ 7 PM
We're meeting to discuss The Conjuring of America by Lindsey Stewart!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, May 19 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Non-Fiction Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT THE CONJURING OF AMERICA
The Conjuring of America tells the epic story of conjure women, who, through a mix of spiritual beliefs, herbal rituals, and therapeutic remedies gave rise to the rich tapestry of American culture we see today. Feminist philosopher, Lindsey Stewart, tells the stories of Negro Mammies of slavery; the Voodoo Queens and Blues Women of Reconstruction; and the Granny Midwives and textile weavers of the Jim Crow era. These women, in secrecy and subterfuge, courageously and devotedly continued their practices and worship for centuries and passed down their traditions.
Emerging first in the American South during slavery, these women were thrust into the heart of national conflicts over generations of African American life. They combined ancestral magic and hyperlocal resources to respond to Black struggles in real time, forging a secret well of health and power hidden to their oppressors. As a result, conjure informs our lives in ways remarkable and ordinary—from traditional medicines that informed the creation of Vicks VapoRub and the rise of Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix, to the original magic of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023), and the true origins of the all-American classic blue jean.
From the moment enslaved Africans first arrived on these shores, conjure was heavily regulated and even outlawed. Now, Stewart uncovers new contours of American history, sourcing letters from the enslaved, dispatches from the lore of Oshun and other African mystics. The Conjuring of America is a love letter to the real magic Black women used, their magic Black women, their herbs, food, textiles, song, and dance, used to sow rebellion, freedom, and hope.
MAY 2026: Fiction Book Club - May 27 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Wednesday, May 27 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Fiction Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT CURSED DAUGHTERS
A young woman must shake off a family curse and the widely held belief that she is the reincarnation of her dead cousin in this wickedly funny, brilliantly perceptive novel about love, female rivalry, and superstition from the author of the smash hit My Sister, the Serial Killer (“A bombshell of a book... Sharp, explosive, hilarious'--New York Times)
When Ebun gives birth to her daughter, Eniiyi, on the day they bury her cousin Monife, there is no denying the startling resemblance between the child and the dead woman. So begins the belief, fostered and fanned by the entire family, that Eniiyi is the actual reincarnation of Monife, fated to follow in her footsteps in all ways, including that tragic end.
There is also the matter of the family curse: “No man will call your house his home. And if they try, they will not have peace...” which has been handed down from generation to generation, breaking hearts and causing three generations of abandoned Falodun women to live under the same roof.
When Eniiyi falls in love with the handsome boy she saves from drowning, she can no longer run from her family’s history. As several women in her family have done before, she ill-advisedly seeks answers in older, darker spiritual corners of Lagos, demanding solutions. Is she destined to live out the habitual story of love and heartbreak? Or can she break the pattern once and for all, not only avoiding the spiral that led Monife to her lonely death, but liberating herself from all the family secrets and unspoken traumas that have dogged her steps since before she could remember?
Cursed Daughters is a brilliant cocktail of modernity and superstition, vibrant humor and hard-won wisdom, romantic love and familial obligation. With its unforgettable cast of characters, it asks us what it means to be given a second chance and how to live both wisely and well with what we’ve been given.
MAY 2026: Mystery & Thriller Book Club - May 26 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss I Don't Wish You Well by Jumata Emil!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, May 26 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Mystery/Thriller Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT I DON'T WISH YOU WELL
A teen investigative podcaster decides to dig into the truth behind a grisly murder spree that rocked his hometown five years ago, but soon discovers that this cold case is still hiding deadly secrets—in this chilling thriller perfect for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.
Five years ago, the infamous Trojan murders turned the small town of Moss Pointe, Louisiana into a living nightmare. Four teen boys—all star players on Moss Pointe High's football team—were murdered one after the other by a Trojan-mask wearing killer.
Eventually, the murderer was unmasked. But the community has never forgotten—and some folks in town still wonder whether the police got it right.
Eighteen-year-old Pryce Cummings is one of them. An aspiring journalist, Pryce is pretty sure he just stumbled upon evidence that throws the killer's guilt into question. It's the perfect story for his own podcast, and a reason to go back to the hometown he's avoided since coming to terms with his sexuality while at college.
But in Moss Pointe, digging into the past is anything but welcome. There's so much more to what happened there five years ago, and Pryce is ready to crack it all wide open . . . if he lives to tell the tale.
MAY 2026: Romance Book Club - May 12 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, May 12 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Romance Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
*This book is currently on PRE-ORDER and has an on sale date for April 14th. You can purchase now for your book to be picked up or shipped on April 14th.
ABOUT Big Girl Blitz
"Nothing is hotter and more fun than Danielle Allen’s writing."-- Ali Hazelwood
Because life’s too short, and mean girls ain’t sh…
Jazmyn Payne fled her hometown―and the fatphobes who made her life hell– the minute she graduated high school. Growing up, her haven was her Aunt Addison, and when her health takes a drastic turn, she insists that Jazz should spice up her life. Emphasis on spice.
But dating is the last thing Jazz had on her mind.
Until Lamar Anderson sits next to her at the local sports bar. He is sexy, fun, and refreshingly drama free. With him she's able to pretend that everything is alright. But as real life intrudes, Jazz has to decide if she can leave the past where it belongs… for a love that she deserves.
AUTHOR SIGNING: Rich and Rotten with Jahquel J - May 1 @ 6-8 PM
UPDATE: We have added a waitlist for this event. Waitlist tickets are not guaranteed. If a ticket becomes available, you will receive an email with steps to get a ticket
Celebrate the release of Rich and Rotten with Jahquel J!
EVENT DEETS
When: Friday, May 1 @ 6PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St., Houston, TX 77004).
What: This event is a signing only. You will have the opportunity to get a signed copy of Rich and Rotten and take a photo with the author. Each Signing Line Ticket comes with a copy of the book of Rich and Rotten.
How: Purchase a SIGNING LINE TICKET to guarantee a spot in the signing line. Each Signing Line Ticket comes with a copy of the book of Rich and Rotten. You can bring up to 5 previous books by Jahquel that you would like signed. Please note that each ticket is for entry of ONE person.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Explosive, sensual, and unapologetically raw, Rich and Rotten delivers Jahquel J.’s signature blend of passionate romance and high-stakes family drama—where love is the most dangerous game, and trust is the rarest luxury.
In Greenwich Pointe’s world of Black wealth and power, Tatiana Rich has everything money can buy—except freedom. When her kingpin father forces her into a strategic marriage with the Sterling dynasty’s heir, she begs Nazir Kane—the man she fell for during her college years—to run away with her.
By morning, he’s vanished without a word.
A decade later, Tatiana is rebuilding her life after her husband Karim’s tragic death. While raising their daughter and growing her luxury spa empire, an assassination attempt on her father brings an unexpected guardian: Nazir Kane—now a powerful security specialist assigned to protect her family.
Living under the same roof as the man who shattered her heart is torture enough. But as old flames reignite, darker truths emerge about the father who controlled her and the husband she mourned.
With enemies closing in and whispers that her husband’s death wasn’t an accident, Tatiana must decide if the man who once betrayed her is the only one who can save her now . . .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STORYTIME: While We're Here with Anne Wynter - April 11 @ 12 PM
Celebrate the release of While We're Here with Anne Wynter!
EVENT DEETS
When: Saturday, April 11 @ 12 PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St #2, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you're coming or RSVP WITH BOOK to secure your copy of While We're Here.
Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Award-winning creators Anne Wynter and Micha Archer share a mother-daughter tale about delighting in small pleasures throughout the city. Perfect for fans of Oge Mora and Sophie Blackall.
Anne Wynter perfectly captures the hurry and hustle of a busy day. But when plans change and a girl and her mother slow down to savor small pleasures, the real celebration begins.
Dazzling, kaleidoscopic cut paper artwork from Caldecott Honor artist Micha Archer highlights each special moment in this sweet tribute to time spent together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Wynter is the author of numerous board books and picture books, including So Many Years, Everybody in the Red Brick Building, and Nell Plants a Tree, which won the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Golden Kite Award and was selected as the 2023 Texas Great Read. Originally from Houston, Texas, Anne currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. To learn more or say hello, visit annewynter.com.
AUTHOR TALK: Revive Me with J.L. Seegars - April 18 @ 7PM
Celebrate the release of Revive Me with J.L. Seegars!
EVENT DEETS
When: Saturday, April 18 @ 7PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: Grab your ticket to support the author and our store programming. You can also grab a special book bundle for the first two books in the series, which includes Restore Me and Revive Me (Book 1).
Please note outside copies of Revive Me will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The next book in the New Haven series, interconnected standalones featuring second chances, fiery passion, and Black heroines who get their happily ever afters. This is part one of a trilogy.
Mallory
The first time I kissed Christopher Johnson, I knew he would be my biggest mistake. It didn't stop me from wanting him though, and when the ghosts from my past came barging into the present, it didn't stop me from agreeing to let him help.
It was supposed to be a simple business arrangement, a few months of playing a role that came far too easily to the both of us, but it wasn't long before it became more.
Love. Devotion. Heartbreak in its truest form.
Some people say life is for the living, but I say life is for the prepared. For the planners who know that controlling every piece on the board is the only way to get the result you want.
To avoid unfortunate complications like having your heart broken by a man past experiences taught you, you never should have trusted in the first place.
Christopher
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for Mallory Kent.
I think I knew it the first time I laid eyes on her, and it's remained one of my unspoken truths for the two years that I've known her. But I never thought I'd get the opportunity to do anything about it because Mallory is one of those people who doesn't need anyone.
She's strong, serious, and always in control of every situation around her, which is why the second I see her looking panicked and uncertain in the arms of a figure from her past, I don't think. I just act.
I had no idea that one small decision would lead to this. A fake relationship―designed to solve her problems and mine―turned real. An earth shattering love torn apart by the very forces that led to its conception. Forces that turned me into the source of our destruction.
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for Mallory Kent, including break her heart to save her soul.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.L. Seegars is a dedicated smut peddler and lifelong nerd who’s always had a love of words, storytelling and drama. When she isn’t writing messy and emotionally complex characters like the ones she grew up around, she’s watching reality TV, supporting her fellow authors by devouring their work or spending time with her husband and son.
IRL AUTHOR TALK: Nasty Work with Ericka Hart - April 16 @ 7 PM CST
Celebrate the release of Nasty Work with Ericka Hart!
EVENT DEETS
When: Thursday, April 16 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St. Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
When you think about sex ed, your mind likely goes back to those uncomfortable school desks and the stifled laughs of your teenage years. But what we’ve been socialized to believe about sexuality actually hinders our own pleasure well into adulthood. Whether we know it or not, even the most progressive among us are often using 400-year-old inherited thoughts and belief systems in the twenty-first century. Why are we still carrying forth these ancient values that have never served the vast majority?
As a Black, queer, non-binary, disabled femme, Ericka Hart believes that sex ed done right can actually be a tool for liberation. In Nasty Work, she breaks down the ways that social implications keep us from experiencing pleasure, particularly for marginalized communities across race, gender, sexuality, and ability, and how we can dismantle these oppressive myths. From examining what guides our attraction to others to the history of consent, Ericka Hart takes the blinders off and reveals a more empowering view of sex and sexuality.
Nasty Work blends eye-opening research with powerful, poignant personal narrative that disrupts everything you thought you knew about sex and society; offering a liberatory framework that makes pleasure accessible for all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ericka Hart, M.Ed. (she/they) has been teaching comprehensive, trauma informed, consent- and pleasure-based sex ed at the elementary, high school, undergraduate and graduate levels for the past 15 years and is now the founder of her own sexuality education training program, Sex Ed as Resistance. She is the co-host of the critically acclaimed podcast, Hoodrat to Headwrap with her partner Ebony and is mom to East Francis Coltrane (and cockapoo Baguette).
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Kiese Laymon is a Black southern writer from Jackson, Mississippi. Laymon is the Libbie Shearn Moody Professor of English and Creative Writing at Rice University. Laymon is the author of Long Division, which won the 2022 NAACP Image Award for fiction, and the essay collection, How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America, named a notable book of 2021 by the New York Times critics. Laymon’s bestselling memoir, Heavy: An American Memoir, won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, the Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiographical Prose, the Barnes and Noble Discovery Award, the Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media, and was named one of the 50 Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years by The New York Times. The audiobook, read by the author, was named the Audible 2018 Audiobook of the Year. Laymon is the recipient of 2020-2021 Radcliffe Fellowship at Harvard. Laymon is at work on the books, Good God, and City Summer, Country Summer, and a number of other film and television projects. He is the founder of The Catherine Coleman Literary Arts and Justice Initiative, a program based out of the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University, aimed at aiding young people in Jackson get more comfortable reading, writing, revising and sharing on their on their own terms, in their own communities. He is the co-host of Reckon True Stories with Deesha Philyaw. Kiese Laymon was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 2022.
IRL AUTHOR TALK: Pleasure Please with Ashley Cobb - May 16 @ 6:30 PM CST
Celebrate the release of Pleasure Please with Ashley Cobb!
EVENT DEETS
When: Saturday, May 16 @ 6:30 PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories(2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories, or purchase the I ALREADy HAVE BOOK option.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A fun, exciting, and informative guide to sexual health, wellness, and pleasure for women of color
In Pleasure, Please! The Black Woman's Guide to Unapologetic Pleasure and Confidence, certified sex educator Ashley Cobb delivers a comprehensive and empowering new exploration of sexual wellness for women of color (and especially Black women). Cobb draws on her extensive experience and expertise in women's health, sexuality, and activism to walk you through everything from individual empowerment to effective ways to confront and overcome the barriers and stigma that Black women face.
You'll discover expert advice interwoven with real stories from real women who have been in your shoes and dealt with the same issues you deal with every day. You'll also find answers to the questions women most frequently ask the author to answer, as well as crystal-clear, informative guidance you can apply in your own life and relationships to help you make your life better now.
Pleasure, Please! also includes:
* Tips and advice on self-love, body positivity, and improving your sense of sexual agency
* Techniques for pleasure and self-exploration to help you enhance your sexual pleasure and explore what you desire – and how to best satisfy those desires
* Specific guidance for navigating the unique sexual health and pleasure challenges that Black women often face
Perfect for all women of color who want to improve their sexual health and get more fulfilment, enjoyment, and pleasure from their bodies, Pleasure, Please! is also an essential read for the partners of those women who want to help and support their partners' sex education and body positivity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Cobb (she/her) is an award-winning sexual health expert and author of Pleasure Please! The Black Woman’s Guide to Unapologetic Pleasure and Confidence. Known for her inclusive and forward-thinking approach, Ashley empowers women of color and marginalized communities by offering expert guidance on sexual health, wellness, and pleasure.
With a passion for breaking stigmas and promoting sexual liberation, Ashley’s work spans from reproductive health and HIV prevention to pleasure and sexual empowerment. Her writing, featured in outlets like Essence, The New York Times, and Women's Health, provides practical advice and thought-provoking insights that encourage individuals to embrace their sexuality with confidence.
Ashley advocates for equitable access to sexual health resources, focusing on supporting those disproportionately affected by health disparities. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to lead fulfilling, liberated sexual lives, challenging social norms and promoting open conversations about pleasure and identity.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Nikquan Lewis is a licensed relationship and sex therapist, keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and author who helps people move beyond survival and into a pleasure-centered life.
She is the founder of Intimate Connections PLLC, where she works with women and couples to understand how trauma and shame shape the way they love, communicate, and experience intimacy. Through her work, she teaches people how to reconnect with their bodies, identify their wants, needs, and desires, and reauthor their relationship with sex and connection.
Nikquan is the creator of the S.A.D. Framework and the author of When Trauma Is Your Author. Her expertise has been featured in Essence, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour, and she has appeared on national television, including TV One, as well as radio and news platforms, where she continues to advocate for culturally relevant healing and transformational conversations.
VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Mayhem and the Mortal with Shanora Williams - March 30 @ 6:30 PM
Celebrate the release of Mayhem and the Mortal with Shanora Williams!
EVENT DEETS
When: Monday, March 30 @ 6:30 PM CST
Where: Virtual via Zoom. (We'll send you the Zoom link!)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your spot or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Dungeons & Dragons meets The Wizard of Oz in this darkly hilarious romantasy adventure in which a young woman who will do anything to rescue her sister from an evil sorcerer's curse hires a ruthless assassin. They embark on a quest with a band of misfits, one of whom harbors a devastating secret that could ruin her fairy-tale ending.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shanora Williams is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her versatile voice, diverse characters, and high-stakes stories. Whether grounded in reality, set in a world of magic, or immersed in suspense, her books explore connection, chaos, and emotions that linger long after the last page.
As a self-proclaimed “mood writer”, Shanora has never believed in boxing herself in. Her desire has always been to take risks and challenge herself. If a plot is relentlessly on her mind, she will try her hand at it.
When she isn’t writing, she’s deep in family life, binge-watching shows and movies, working out, gaming, or getting cozy with a book. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and three sons.
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER
N.E. Davenport attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre. She has an M.A. in Secondary Education, and she teaches English and Biology. She is also the author of Out of Body and the adult sci-fi novel The Blood Trials and The Blood Gift. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and is a huge foodie. She lives in Texas with her kids. You can find her online at www.nedavenport.com, on Twitter @nia_davenport, or on Instagram @nia.davenport.
IRL AUTHOR TALK:The World Before Racism with Lisa Farrington - March 28 @ 2PM
Celebrate the release of The World Before Racism: An Art Story with Lisa Farrington! This special author talk is sponsored by Houston Museum of African American Culture.
EVENT DEETS
When: Saturday, March 28 @ 2PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
*Please note outside copies of The World Before Racism will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The term racism is understood to mean that race is the principal determinant of specific human traits and capacities and that due to racial differences, one race is inherently superior to all others. Over time, racism has commonly referenced the notion that the White race is superior to all others, fostering prejudice and discrimination. In The Artist Book Foundation’s forthcoming publication, The World Before Racism: An Art Story, author and art historian Lisa Farrington meticulously examines the intersection of art, history, and race, using original works of art as primary source materials to support her premise that racism is a construct, invented in the mid-1700s, to support the financial, political, and religious structures of European colonialism.
Using art from ancient Egypt, classical Greece, and the Roman Empire, through Medieval Europe and the colonization of the New World, to the art of the present day—sources that cannot be easily altered, edited, or selectively trans¬lated—Farrington expertly examines the intricate interplay between the Black and White races, how they saw and understood each other over the centuries. The artworks serve as powerful voices, precisely conveying the artist’s intended messages. The goal of The World Before Racism is to present irrefutable evi¬dence that the ideology of racism is unfounded, unsupported, unjustified, and destined to fade away like so many other archaic and erroneous ideas.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Farrington is an award-winning author and art historian. She is Distinguished Professor Emerita, City University of New York, past Associate Dean of Fine Arts, Howard University, and past Associate Professor of Art History, Parsons School of Design, New York and Paris. Her books include "Creating Their Own Image: The History of African American Women Artists," "African American Art: A Visual and Cultural History," both for Oxford University Press (2006 and 2016), "The World Before Racism: An Art Story" (Artist Book Foundation 2026), "Black Artists in Their Own Words" (University of California Press 2025), among many others, as well as dozens of scholarly articles. She has appeared in numerous documentary films in the U.S., the U.K., and France, and is featured on television and radio. Currently, Dr. Farrington offers riveting lectures in the U.S. and abroad.
APRIL 2026: Romance Book Club - April 14 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss A Love Worth Forever by BriAnn Danae!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, APRIL 14 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Romance Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
*If the book is sold out on our website feel free to email us so we can order a copy for you.*
ABOUT A LOVE WORTH FOREVER
Grieving and starting over, a marketing research manager finds herself drawn to the one man she shouldn’t want in this soul-stirring, unconventional romance by BriAnn Danae.
Shyriq Hendrix is no stranger to success. As the heir to a legacy distillery and a man with wealth, status, and discipline, he’s built a life most would envy. But in the quiet moments when he’s not managing his multimillion-dollar empire, he’s aware that something is missing.
Then Nhuri Coleman steps into his life . . .
Nhuri has her reasons for keeping a low profile after relocating to Kansas City for a reset. After a chance encounter with Shyriq—the reserved but undeniably attractive owner of Great Hendrix Distillery—she accepts a job she hadn’t been pursuing, offered by a man who sees her worth before she’s ready to believe in it herself. She only expects a steady check and quiet routine, but instead, she experiences undeniable soul-stirring chemistry.
Their early exchanges are strictly professional. But how he watches, listens, and shows up without expectation catches her off guard. Just as their connection begins to deepen, the sudden appearance of her ex-boyfriend pulls Nhuri back into the past. Shyriq, not one to chase, finds himself wanting more than just her time—he wants her trust. And he learns quickly that loving someone who’s learned to survive alone isn’t about fixing them. It’s about staying when everything else says leave.
IRL AUTHOR TALK: Gather with Ashanté M. Reese - April 22 @ 7 PM
Celebrate the release of Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness with Ashanté M. Reese!
EVENT DEETS
When: Wednesday, April 22 @ 7PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
*Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Food justice is defined as the understanding that our food system is unequal and that something needs to be done about it. But how can we create a world where everyone has enough? What does it mean to truly nourish ourselves and our communities?
In Gather, anthropologist Ashanté M. Reese argues for a vibrant new vision of food justice that places Black communities at the center and offers us a visionary, delicious path forward. Reese reveals that to truly create equity in our food systems, we must embrace the abundance that already exists around us—and recognize that the social body is as important as our individual health
Gather presents rich, on-the-ground stories of gathering around food in four spaces—gardens, family reunions, repasts, and protests. Blending rich storytelling with analysis, these chapters argue for the political power of food and invite us to learn from the tactics Black communities have long used to create sustainable, systemic change.
There are no simple solutions to the problems of acute need. But by recognizing that food justice is already all around us, we can start working together to create a more nourishing, joyful world. Gather is an intimate and urgent invitation to embrace local power, build better food systems, and nourish ourselves, body and soul.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashanté M. Reese is a writer, anthropologist, and associate professor of African and African diaspora studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Born in Cooper Settlement, Texas, she lives in Austin and is involved in food justice movements nationwide.
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER
Ivy Lawrence-Walls is a pioneering agriculturalist deeply ingrained in both community and culture, making significant strides in the farming sphere with an unwavering dedication to nurturing food-secure ecosystems. As a key figure in Houston, she spearheaded the establishment of a community farm in Sunnyside, one of the city's oldest predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Leveraging her rich third-generation farming legacy and an entrepreneurial spirit, Ivy stands at the forefront of advocating for food accessibility and equity. Her impactful portfolio comprises Ivy Leaf Farms, Fresh Houwse Grocery, Kuji Kitchen restaurant, and Black Farmer Box. Her revolutionary efforts have placed her at the center of a movement to transform the agricultural landscape, especially in Black communities.
IRL AUTHOR TALK: The Art of Loving You with Natasha Bishop - April 17 @ 7 PM
Celebrate the release of The Art of Loving You with Natasha Bishop!
EVENT DEETS
When: Friday, April 17 @ 7PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St. Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
or
Signing Line Only (Entry at 8:05 PM): These tickets do not include access to the author talk. This will allow immediate entry at 8:05 PM where will be able to get a copy of The Art of Loving You signed and get a photo with the author.
*Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
From the buzzy, viral sensation Only For The Week, comes the next book in Natasha Bishop’s The Forever Falling series, featuring an intimate bucket list road trip, sexy banter, and a sweet and spicy second chance romance.
If you’re reading this, I’m dead.
Dani Jenkins is a boss. A model turned influencer, she doesn’t have time for taking a risk on romance. She prefers to keep things casual, but when her mentor Tanya dies, she is brought face-to-face with the man who broke her heart.
Dani and Micah had their chance at love...
Artist Micah Wright is a protector who loves fiercely. He’s known as the man everyone can count on, but he’s never forgiven himself for letting down the woman he loves. With Tanya’s dying wish forcing Dani and Micah back together to complete a scavenger hunt road trip, Micah sees a second chance for them to get things right.
Does time heal all wounds?
Tensions are high as their undeniable connection reignites, but Dani refuses to let her guard down. As they continue their journey, Micah is determined to prove to Dani that love is worth fighting for, but can she release her fears and relearn the art of loving?
Tropes: Friends to lovers / He falls first / Second chance romance / Black joy /Forced proximity / Right person, wrong time / Fling to forever
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER
Alexandra Warren is a contemporary romance author with over thirty works to date, all of which intentionally center Black love. She is also the co-founder of Girl, Have You Read…, a digital platform dedicated to Black romance written by Black authors.
When she’s not in front of her computer, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, watching sports, and clearing her DVR. Alexandra is a proud native of Omaha, Nebraska, but she currently calls Houston, Texas home.
IRL AUTHOR TALK: Big Girl Blitz with Danielle Allen - April 20 @ 7 PM
Celebrate the release of Big Girl Blitz with Danielle Allen!
EVENT DEETS
When: Monday, April 20 @ 7PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
or
Signing Line Only (Entry at 8:05 PM): These tickets do not include access to the author talk. This will allow immediate entry at 8:05 PM where will be able to get a copy of Big Girl Blitz signed and get a photo with the author.
*Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Because life’s too short, and mean girls ain’t sh…
Jazmyn Payne fled her hometown―and the fatphobes who made her life hell– the minute she graduated high school. Growing up, her haven was her Aunt Addison, and when her health takes a drastic turn, she insists that Jazz should spice up her life. Emphasis on spice.
But dating is the last thing Jazz had on her mind.
Until Lamar Anderson sits next to her at the local sports bar. He is sexy, fun, and refreshingly drama free. With him she's able to pretend that everything is alright. But as real life intrudes, Jazz has to decide if she can leave the past where it belongs… for a love that she deserves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danielle Allen is the USA Today bestseller of Curvy Girl Summer, in additon to being an educator, and life coach. Living authentically has been the key to her living her best life. With a background in social sciences, helping people better understand themselves so they can become the best version of themselves is one of her passions. Writing contemporary romance novels that aims to change the status quo of the genre is another.
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNERS
Alexandra Warren
Alexandra Warren is a contemporary romance author with over thirty works to date, all of which intentionally center Black love. She is also the co-founder of Girl, Have You Read…, a digital platform dedicated to Black romance written by Black authors.
When she’s not in front of her computer, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, watching sports, and clearing her DVR. Alexandra is a proud native of Omaha, Nebraska, but she currently calls Houston, Texas home.
Monica Walters
Romance author, Monica Walters, is best known as the queen of country hood love stories. As an Amazon best-selling author, Monica has always had a passion for creating different worlds with words. The first country hood love story, 8 Seconds to Love, led to a string of novels highlighting country living, from rodeos to ranches, but with the characters maintaining the urban dialect that readers love from her.
Monica has several awards under her belt, cementing her place in the romance genre, one of those being the 2023 AAMBC Romance Author of the Year. She was also awarded Best Series from Girlfriends Unfiltered in 2023 for The Berotte Family Series, earning her respect from her peers as a prominent series writer.
Monica was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, but she now resides in Nome, Texas where most of her country stories take place. Besides being a wife and mother, attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology has only helped her become a better writer, understanding characters and their complex personalities.
MARCH 2026: NO NAME BOOK CLUB - March 29 @ 1 PM CST
Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. Her life story is told in the documentary film And Still I Rise, as seen on PBS’s American Masters.
Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.
Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.
Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity.”—James Baldwin
MARCH 2026: Fiction Book Club - March 26 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss Homemade Love by J. California Cooper!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Thursday, March 26 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Fiction Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT HOMEMADE LOVE
In one of the best-loved volumes of her work, J. California Cooper tells exuberant tales full of wonder at the mystery of life and the hardness of fate. Awed, bedeviled, bemused, all of Cooper's characters are borne up by the sheer power of life itself.
MARCH 2026: Non-Fiction Book Club - March 17 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss 107 Days by Kamala Harris!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, March 17 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Non-Fiction Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT 107 Days
For the first time, and with surprising and revealing insights, Kamala Harris tells the story of one of the wildest and most consequential presidential campaigns in American history.
Your Secret Service code name is Pioneer.
You are the first woman in history to be elected vice president of the United States.
On July 21, 2024, your running mate, Joe Biden, announces that he will not be seeking reelection.
The presidential election will occur on November 5, 2024.
You have 107 days.
Written with candor, a unique perspective, and the pace of a page-turning novel, 107 Days takes you inside the race for the presidency as no one has ever done before.
MARCH 2026: Mystery & Thriller Book Club - March 24 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss The Exes by Leodora Darlington!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, March 24 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Mystery/Thriller Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT THE EXES
Who hasn’t wanted to murder an ex—figuratively, at least? In this explosive debut thriller, a woman’s seemingly perfect romantic life is on the verge of collapse as she uncovers a hidden history surfacing dark secrets that have deadly consequences.
Natalie has only ever wanted to find “the one.” The perfect man, the happy family she never had. But each time she thinks she is finally getting somewhere, she’s bitterly disappointed. Another red line through a list of exes. And that was before the night of the Big Fallout that left her even more alone.
Then along comes James—wonderful, handsome James—and Natalie thinks her luck has finally turned. Maybe he’s the one for her. Maybe he’s the one she’s been waiting for all along. Maybe he won’t wind up dead.
But the harder Natalie tries to be a “normal” wife, the more world-upending truths are brought to her door, leaving her unsure of who she really is, and much less what she’ll do . . . leaving her to question whether there is a monster within her or whether there is a villain toying with her from the outside.
What’s the secret story behind Natalie’s dead exes? Will she and James survive their marriage? And do either of them deserve to?
MARCH 2026: Romance Book Club - March 10 @ 7PM - Reschedule
We're meeting to discuss Restore Me by J. L. Seegars!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Wednesday, March 25 @ 7PM CST (Rescheduled Date)
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Romance Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
* If you already RSVP'd for the original date, you do not need to RSVP again.
ABOUT RESTORE ME
Dominic Alexander is my late husband's best friend and the last man on Earth that I should want. He's arrogant, dismissive, and up until recently has only ever used those dark eyes of his to look right through me. For the last twelve years, he's taken a sick pleasure in making me feel paper thin, like my entire existence is of no consequence to him at all.
But now, things are different.
After one drunken night and a surprisingly sexy act of heroism, he's started to be...nice. Treating me like something other than the physical embodiment of his annoyance, which would be nice if it didn't make me feel all the things I swore to never feel for another man after my husband died.
Dominic
Sloane Kent is going to be my undoing.
What's worse: I think I'm going to enjoy being unraveled by the gold flecks in her hazel eyes and the adorable little way she scrunches her nose up when we're arguing, which we've done a lot of over the past decade. She thinks it's because I hate her, and I've always let her think that because the alternative is...untenable.
But something is changing between us, and I don't know how to stop myself from breaking every promise I've ever made to myself regarding my best friend's wife. Promises that include never telling her that there's a long list of things I feel about her, but hate isn't one of them.
FEBRUARY 2026: Romance Book Club - February 10 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss All The Men I've Loved Again by Chrisine Pride!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, February 10 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Romance Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT ALL THE MEN I'VE LOVED AGAIN
From Christine Pride, the beloved coauthor of the Good Morning America Book Club Pick We Are Not Like Them, comes a dazzling solo debut novel about a woman who finds herself in the impossible situation of being in love with the same two men who won her heart in her early twenties again as she nears forty.
It’s 1999, TLC’s “No Scrubs” is topping the charts, y2k is looming on everyone’s mind, and Cora Belle has arrived at college ready to change her life. She’s determined to grow out of the shy, sheltered girl who attended an all-white prep in her all-white suburb. Cora is ready to conquer her fears and find her people, her place in the world, and herself.
What she’s totally unprepared for is Lincoln, with his dark skin, charming Southern drawl, and that smile. Because how can you ever prepare yourself for the roller coaster of first love with all its glorious, bewildering contradictions? Just when Cora thinks she’s got things figured out, a series of surprises and secrets threaten to upend everything she thought she understood about love and loyalty.
In the wake of these developments and a shocking tragedy, a new man enters Cora’s life—Aaron—further complicating everything. He’s the only one who seems to get her, and the letters she writes to him when the two are separated reveal the truth of their inescapable connection. There’s only one problem—how can she fall in love with one man when her heart belongs to another?
Twenty years later, and Cora is all grown up, or mostly, and has cloaked herself in loneliness like a warm blanket. It’s the safest choice. But then an unexpected reconnection and a chance encounter puts her right back where she started. The same two men, the same agonizing decision.
Finding herself in this position—again—will test everything Cora thought she knew about fate, love, and, most importantly, herself. All The Men I’ve Loved Again is a big-hearted coming-of-age story for anyone who’s thought what if about a past love and what it would be like to have a second chance.
IRL AUTHOR TALK: Slavery, Segregation, and the Second Founding of Rice University with Alexander X. Byrd and W. Caleb McDaniel - February 11 @ 7PM
Celebrate the release of Slavery, Segregation, and the Second Founding of Rice University with Alexander X. Byrd and W. Caleb McDaniel!
EVENT DEETS
When: Wednesday, February 11 @ 7PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004).
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.
Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories or purchase the RSVP (BUT I HAVE THE BOOK) ticket.
ABOUT THE BOOK
During the first quarter of the twenty-first century, more than one hundred institutions of higher education in the United States launched projects to study and share their histories concerning slavery, segregation, and racial injustice. Slavery, Segregation, and the Second Founding of Rice University joins these wider efforts. Authored by award-winning historians Alexander X. Byrd and W. Caleb McDaniel, the book engages questions specific to Rice’s history as the last major private research university in the country to begin desegregation. Although Rice did not open its doors for classes until 1912, it was connected to the history of slavery through the life of its first founder and namesake, William Marsh Rice, whose fortune was deeply intertwined with the enslavement of Black people.
Byrd and McDaniel place the history of one of the nation’s most renowned universities within a longer and larger context, showing that desegregation required changes to Rice so fundamental that they amounted to a “second founding” of the school. Following the story from slavery through segregation to the second founding, they highlight pivotal points of intersection between the history of Black Houston and the history of Rice University, revealing the seldom acknowledged roles of Black students, Black communities, and HBCUs in creating change at and around Rice. Their study challenges readers to consider anew who counts as a university’s founder—a question relevant to ongoing discussions about statues, naming, and the history of higher education. They also reveal what higher education institutions do at their best: create new knowledge and forge solutions to trenchant social problems, thus providing guidance for those committed to doing the valuable work of the “second founding” at colleges and universities today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexander X. Byrd is associate professor of history and Vice Provost at Rice University. He is the author of Captives and Voyagers: Black Migrants across the Eighteenth-Century British Atlantic World, which won the Wesley-Logan Prize.
W. Caleb McDaniel is the Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of the Humanities and professor of history at Rice University. He is the author of Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America, which won the Pulitzer Prize in history.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
April M. Frazier is a native Houstonian and a graduate of Prairie View A&M
University, and Rice University. She spent 15 years as an IT professional with Shell
Oil company and managed global implementations of enterprise systems. April is
the creator of research projects, exhibitions, and other visual presentations that use
photography and other art mediums as a vehicle to share history. Her dedication to
research and authentic storytelling was rewarded with a Texas Historical Marker and
designation in 2024 for her family’s land in Wharton, Texas.
April regularly contributes to projects that broaden access and appreciation to
diverse historical narratives such as partnering with Getty Images to launch their
Black History and Culture Photography Collection, providing art and insight to the
SlaveVoyages website redesign project, and published texts including, “Frame of
Reference: A Socio-Economic View of the African American in Texas Through the
Lens of Photography, 20th Century to the Present”. April is the current Assistant
Director of the Community Artists’ Collective and is a member of several
organizations that support equitable access to artistic and educational opportunities.
IRL EVENT: "The Writer's Table" - Writing Workshop - January 28 - 6PM
Join us for a community-centered writing workshop that blends craft, creativity, and conversation. Led by Dr. La-Toya Scott, professor and founder of In House Scholar, this series brings the structure and depth of a college-level writing class into an accessible and supportive public space. Each session includes a short craft lecture, guided discussion of a sample text, dedicated writing time, and space to share work with fellow writers. Whether you’re new to writing or returning to the page, The Writer’s Table offers tools, prompts, and encouragement to help you develop your voice, sharpen your craft, and write with intention.
Workshop 1: “Intro to Writing: Who Am I as a Writer?”
EVENT DEETS
When: Wednesday, January 28 @ 6 PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP reserve your spot
IRL AUTHOR TALK: This Ain't Our First Rodeo with Liara Tamani - February 6 @ 7 PM
Celebrate the release of This Ain't Our First Rodeo with Liara Tamani!
EVENT DEETS
When: Friday, February 6 @ 7 PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX, 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming. Please note that only copies of This Ain't Our First Rodeo purchased at Kindred Stories will be permitted at the event.
*Western wear highly encouraged.
ABOUT THE BOOK
When life lassoes Josie and Shawn back together three years after their dreamy first date, their second chance at love is anything but easy. A big-hearted rodeo romance set in Houston, Texas, by the critically acclaimed Liara Tamani, author of What She Missed, All The Things We Never Knew, and Calling My Name. This bold first-love story is for fans of Nothing Like the Movies and Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute.
This ain’t Josie’s first rodeo. Her parents own several fancy restaurants in Houston, and they just opened a new one right outside the stadium. Josie is expected to stay inside the restaurant and help, and maybe take over their growing empire one day, but that isn’t what Josie wants. She’d rather be at the rodeo itself than in a high-end restaurant next to it. Or eating funnel cakes and Texas-sized corn dogs at the carnival on the grounds. Or better yet, riding her horse at her grandparents’ ranch, the very place her mom wants to sell.
It ain’t Shawn’s first rodeo either. He’s been riding bulls since his mom died, doing everything he can to live up to his rodeo-champion stepfather’s sky-high expectations. But as Shawn’s stardom rises, so do tensions in their relationship. His stepfather’s drinking and gambling problems sure don’t help.
After one unforgettable night leaves Josie and Shawn wanting nothing but each other, their lives become entwined in increasingly complex ways. Can they save Josie’s family land? Or will Shawn’s stepfather and his shady plan be the ranch’s ruin? Will one wrong move cost them everything? Rodeo after rodeo, year after year, can Josie and Shawn keep their hearts open through the secrets, twists, and turns?
This Ain’t Our First Rodeo is a contemporary western love story full of bulls, brawls, and horses. It’s a tender second chance cowboy romance about family, friendship, mistakes, and the blessings of choosing to love anyway. Black cowboys and cowgirls like Josie and Shawn have long helped shape the American West—a legacy that shines in Liara Tamani’s storytelling. Her writing is quick-witted, swoony, and authentic, with characters who are easy to love and hard to forget.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LIARA TAMANI grew up in Houston, Texas, where every spring meant one thing: rodeo season. She loved getting decked out in her best cowgirl gear and soaking up the music, food, and electric energy of the rodeo, a joy she now shares with her daughter and husband. Her deep Texas roots shine through her storytelling, capturing the spirit and rhythms of the state in all her acclaimed novels: Calling My Name, All the Things We Never Knew, and What She Missed. Before becoming a writer, she attended Harvard Law School and worked as a marketing coordinator for the Houston Rockets and Comets, television production assistant, home accessories designer, floral designer, and yoga and dance teacher. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BA from Duke University.
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER
JANUARY 2026: Mystery & Thriller Book Club - January 27 @ 7PM
We're meeting to discuss In Deadly Company by L.S. Stratton!
BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS
When: Tuesday, January 27 @ 7PM CST
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Romance Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!
ABOUT IN DEADLY COMPANY
An incisive workplace satire and twisty murder mystery featuring a young executive assistant who realizes the peril in being diligently attentive to her boss's whims.
As the assistant of the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Nicole Underwood has plenty of tasks on her to-do list—one of which is the blowout birthday celebration for her nightmare, one-percenter boss, Xander Chambers. But when the party ends in chaos and murder and Nicole is one of the survivors, suspicion—from the investigators to the media—lands on her. Was she the reason for all the bloodshed?
A year after those deadly events, Nicole tries to set the public record straight by agreeing to consult on a feature film based on her story. However, on the set in LA, she's sidelined by inappropriate casting and persistent, bizarre script changes, while also haunted by the events of that party weekend with visions of her now-deceased boss. It seems clearing her name isn't so simple when the question of guilt or innocence is...complicated.
IRL AUTHOR TALK AND WORKSHOP: Dear Cycle Breaker with Dusah Wiseman - January 30 @ 6:30 PM
Celebrate the release of Dear Cycle Breaker with Dusah Wiseman! Join us to learn about Dusah’s new book and participate in a workshop featuring practices highlighted in the text.
EVENT DEETS
When: Thursday, January 30 @ 6:30 PM
Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St. Houston, TX 77004)
How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat and participate in the workshop or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming. Please do not bring
ABOUT THE BOOK
Transformational rituals and channeled messages for unlocking your true potential, healing through the divine feminine, and making the everyday sacred.
The practices and channeled messages within this book support you in going deep within your shadows to unlock the potent medicine of combining your light and dark, reclaiming your inner magic, and unmasking the true potential of your wild, wise, and whole self. When you reconnect with the divine feminine and tap into the ancient wisdom of the powerful women who came before you, you become a walking embodiment of love, magic, compassion, and power.
Writes Dusah, "My divine mission is to be a guiding light for those who are ready to unmask their true power and potential. This is the book that would have saved me from repetitive unwanted cycles. It is a beacon that will resurrect the Goddess who has been playing small for reasons that span previous lifetimes. It will empower the Queen who is finally ready to claim her legacy."
Peel back the layers covering up your true greatness: the lies, the past experiences, the trauma, the masks that your family or society has forced you to don. This is your initiation into a divine co-creation with Spirit—a pathway back to your highest self and a deep connection with Source.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dusah Wiseman, also known as Serpent Goddess, fell in love with shamanic practices as a child, and they have laid the foundation for her well-being. She has trained with indigenous elders and notable industry leaders, and her medicine bag includes yoga, pranayama, meditation, qigong, herbalism, music, and somatic healing through a trauma-informed lens. She believes in the art of inner alchemy and facilitates these tools to assist others who are looking to go deep within their shadows to unlock the potent medicine of combining both their light and dark to unmask their true power and potential. Sitting in ceremony is her favorite way to connect with the Divine.
VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK: Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around with LaQuette - January 14 @ 6:30 PM
Celebrate the release of Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around with LaQuette!
EVENT DEETS
When: Wednesday, January 14 @ 6:30 PM
Where: Virtual! Sign up and we'll send you the link to the Zoom.
How: RSVP ONLY to get the link to the Zoom! RSVP WITH BOOK to get a copy of each of the authors' book and support the bookstore!
ABOUT THE BOOK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER
Nikki Payne is a Civic anthropologist From Houston, Texas building accessible government services for vulnerable populations, by night she dreams of ways to subvert Canon literature. Hailed as "incandescent" by the Washington Post, Nikki Payne's debut novel Pride and Protest was a Phenomenal Book Club pick And was selected by the Library of Congress to represent the District of Columbia for the National Book Festival. featured in the New York Times, NPR, Elle, Oprah Daily and BuzzFeed, Nikki Payne is writing black women into their happily ever after.
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