Juneteenth and Pride Month

Cover of Neil Patrick Harris, Choose Your Own Autobiography

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

Neil Patrick Harris

Actor known for television shows "Doogie Howser, M.D." and "How I Met Your Mother" presents his autobiography in a "choose your own adventure" format. Discusses growing up in New Mexico, becoming a child star, and dealing with identifying his sexuality. Narrated by the author. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2014.

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB080057

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Cover of Ginsberg, a Biography

Ginsberg: A Biography

Barry Miles

The author, a friend and literary associate of Allen Ginsberg for many years, portrays the man whose poetry shocked the literary world, and who, according to Miles, was the founder of the "beat generation." Miles writes of Ginsberg's neurotic mother, his experiments with drugs, his spiritual enlightenment, his homosexuality, and his advocacy for gay rights. Strong language and descriptions of sex.

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB032180

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Cover of Agent Josephine

Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy

Damien Lewis

Prior to World War II, Josephine Baker was a music hall diva renowned for her singing and dancing, her beauty and sexuality; she was the most highly-paid female performer in Europe. When the Nazis seized her adopted city, Paris, she was banned from the stage, along with all 'negroes and Jews'. Yet, instead of returning to America, she vowed to stay and to fight the Nazi evil. Overnight she went from performer to Resistance spy. In Agent Josephine best-selling author Damien Lewis uncovers this little known history of the famous singer's life. During the years of the war, as a member of the French Nurse paratroopers-a cover for her spying work-she participated in numerous clandestine activities and emerged as formidable spy. In turn, she was a hero of the three countries in whose name she served: the US, the nation of her birth; France, the land that embraced her during her adult career; and Britain, the country from which she took her orders, as one of London's most closely-guarded special agents. Baker's secret war embodies a tale of unbounded courage, passion, devotion and sacrifice, and of deep and bitter tragedy, fueled by her own desire to combat the rise of Nazism, and to fight for all that is good and right in the world. Drawing on a plethora of new historical material and rigorous research, including previously undisclosed letters and journals, Lewis upends the conventional story of Josephine Baker, revealing that her mark on history went far beyond the confines of the stage.

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB112361

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Cover of Juneteenth a novel, by Ralph Ellison

Juneteenth a novel

Ralph Ellison

Senator Sunraider lies in the hospital struggling to survive a gunshot wound. The apparently white politician asks to see Reverend Hickman, the African American minister who raised him. In the course of their conversations, the senator recalls his childhood and begins to understand his own complex racial identity. Some strong language. Bestseller.

Book Length: 13 hours, 55 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB048438

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Cover of The Rainbow Comes and Goes

The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, And Loss

Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt

Conversation between Gloria Vanderbilt (born 1924) and her son, journalist Anderson Cooper (born 1967), concerning the lessons she has learned throughout her life dealing with such tribulations as the custody battle she was the subject of, the sudden death of her fourth husband, and the suicide of Cooper's brother. Bestseller. 2016.

Book Length:
Digital Book Number: DB084848

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Cover of On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

On Juneteenth

Annette Gordon-Reed

A historian reflects on the long and complicated history of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the emancipation of America's enslaved. She particularly examines its origins in Texas, the many hardships faced by African Americans in the intervening years, and the integral role of African Americans in Texas history. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2021. A historian reflects on the long and complicated history of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the emancipation of America's enslaved. She particularly examines its origins in Texas, the many hardships faced by African Americans in the intervening years, and the integral role of African Americans in Texas history. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2021.

Book Length: 3 hours 46 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB103364

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Cover of Freedom's Gifts: a Juneteenth Story by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Freedom's Gifts: a Juneteenth Story

Valerie Wilson Wesley

When a girl from New York visits her cousin in Texas in 1943, she learns the origin of Juneteenth, a holiday marking the day in 1865 that Texan slaves realized they were free. Aunt Marshall, who was a child during slavery, tells stories to the little girls of what she remembers. For grades 3-6.

Book Length: 25 minutes
Digital Book Number: DBC04831

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Cover of Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper

Juneteenth for Mazie

Floyd Cooper

Little Mazie wants the freedom to stay up late, but her father explains what freedom really means in the story of Juneteenth, and how her ancestors celebrated their true freedom. Commercial audiobook. For grades K-3. 2015. Little Mazie wants the freedom to stay up late, but her father explains what freedom really means in the story of Juneteenth, and how her ancestors celebrated their true freedom. Commercial audiobook. For grades K-3. 2015.

Book Length: 9 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB105650

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Cover of Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Juneteenth

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Learn about how freedom came to the slaves in June, 1865. Join in the celebration of this holiday that honors the freedom of all people. 2006. For grades 2-4.

Book Length: 17 minutes
Digital Book Number: DBC10089

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Cover of 140 Years of Soul by Geraldine Baker Walton

140 Years of Soul: A History of African-Americans in Manhattan, Kansas, 1865-2005

Geraldine Baker Walton

Kansas became a state in 1861. Manhattan was founded in 1855, and African-Americans have lived in Manhattan since 1865. Grant and Lee met at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, ending the American Civil War. For many of us, that's ancient history. And so it might seem to us in Manhattan today when we find in this book that one of the original nine Black citizens was J. Henry, a ten-year-old boy from Missouri. 

Book Length: 5 hours, 17 minutes
Digital Book Number: DBC02499

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Reading Lists

South Carolina Talking Book Services creates and manages suggested titles reading lists for our patrons. Check out some of our lists below.