Farai Chideya’s Kiss the Sky (Atria Books) is my Featured Pick of the Day Book of Color. The main character Sophie Clare Lee has achieved the ultimate American Dream. She’s a beautiful, smart black girl from blue-collar Baltimore who worked hard to get into Harvard. There, she finds fleeting fame in an indie rock band. Fast forward to ten years later, Sophie is restless and in need of a change from her career as an on-air music vee-jay for The Video channel. Tired of interviewing famous rock stars and upcoming artists, Sophie decides to reunite with her college band and attempt a comeback, with her ex-husband and a new lover in tow. Caught in the throes of a confusing love triangle, unsure of where she fits in within the music industry, and dealing with her chaotic family, Sophie struggles to set herself on solid ground. Luckily, she surrounds herself with her best friend from college and ultimately discovers that only she can help herself.
Farai Chideya is a host for NPR’s News and Notes. She is also the founder of PopandPolitics.com, a member of The Finish Party, and an author of other several award-winning books. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Chideya holds her own degree from Ivy League Harvard University.
Jeff Rivera is the author of “Forever My Lady” and the founder of GumboWriters.com.