The Independent Bookstore

Want to make a positive impact on the environment?

Want to keep your dollars local?

Want to get involved in community causes?

The Regulator Bookshop


Why shop at the Regulator?


Where do you shop for books? Why?

Waiting for Black Issues Book Review?

For those of waiting for Black Issues Book Review to publish a new volume, follow reviews and news about black books:

QBR-The Black Review Online

African American Literature Book Club

African American Literary Review & News on Blog Talk Radio

Reviews and news are also available through your local library. Get or renew your library card and visit the library's website. Search for journals and newspapers to read reviews online.

The Picture Book

A quilt comforts in the fall chill,
Stories delight,
Grandma and little ones read books aloud,
Sipping hot chocolate,
Savoring every sip and every word and every picture.
Dreams await.

Children's Book Illustrators take the story to another level, imagining a world for us to see, shaping how we see characters, setting, and the story itself.

Just a few of my favorites.

Kadir Nelson

Brian Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney

Leo and Diane Dillon

Patricia Polacco

Vote for your favorite picture book on Goodreads:
African and African American Folktales
Best of Kadir Nelson
Black is Beautiful for Girls

I dressed up as myself for Halloween

For Halloween, I was myself. I participated in my first performance as a storyteller.

I used to tell stories at the library, I took the week long PoetryAlive! workshop with Allan Wolf and I completed the Storytelling Course at the University of Missouri-St. Louis this summer with Lynn Rubright, Sue Hinkel, Annette Harrison, Perrin Stifel. But for me to get on stage with real live performers who do this all the time was a big step. I thought I was going to watch and enjoy other performers, but I was "called" to the stage.

My new friend, Miss J, whispered something to her aunt about my stories and her aunt, who promoted and hosted the event graciously put me on the program. Just like that...divine intervention. When Miss J told me what she did, I almost dropped to the floor. "I need ice water." She brought me a small glass and showed me the stage. The venue was cozy, the "Warm Lyrics Cafe" at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree. Miss J's aunt, Shelia Wilson, envisioned such an evening with many more to come over the next couple of months all over North Carolina.

I read just a few short stories that I had written in the last couple of weeks. The audience was extremely supportive, with Miss J smiling up front. Afterwards, people came up to me with beautiful words to express how my stories made them feel.

"I could see, hear, and smell everything you were saying."

"You are so talented."

"You got it, girl. Now go and do it."

"That story reminded me of my grandfather."

"You are truly a blessing."

I am the one who is blessed...blessed with the opportunity to share...

I will not wait until next Halloween to "dress up" again as myself. Stay tuned for the next "Warm Lyrics Cafe". and Candid Conversations with Shelia Wilson in January 2010.