Book of the month.. Sister Souljah: The Coldest Winter Ever

Hip-hop star, political activist and now writer, Sister Souljah exhibits a raw and true voice (though her prose is rough and unsophisticated) in this cautionary tale protesting drugs and violence among young African-Americans in the inner city. Winter Santiaga, the 17-year-old daughter of big-time drug dealer Ricky Santiaga, is spoiled and pampered, intoxicated by the power of her name and her sexuality. Riding high on the trade, Santiaga moves the family out of the Brooklyn projects to a mansion on Long Island where things start to disintegrate. Winter's mother is shot in the face by competing drug dealers, the FBI arrest Santiaga and confiscate the family's possessions. Then, while visiting her father at Rikers Island, Winter discovers her father has a 22-year-old mistress and a baby boy. For the first time, Winter feels anger toward her father and pity for her fallen mother. Being the ruthless hood rat that she is, however, Winter leaves her weakened relatives behind and sets off to regain her stature and reinstate her father. Attracted to power, intolerant of those without it, ill-equipped to deal on her own and predisposed to make all the wrong moves, she deceives and steals from those who help her and yet, somehow, she remains a sympathetic character. Winter's obsession with money, possessions and appearances, her involvement in the drug trade and the parade of men she uses lead her down the wrong path. Sister Souljah herself appears as a "fictional" character who voices her belief that Winter's vices are shared by many, and that greed, drugs and violence devalue the lives of urban youth. Souljah peppers her raunchy and potentially offensive prose with epithets and street lingo, investing her narrative with honesty albeit often at the expense of disciplined writing. But this is a realistic coming-of-age story of debauchery with a grave moral.

that book is Fiyah!!!!!! I read it back in college. She just came out with Midnight. I can't wait to read it.

HATE TO CALL YOU LATE....SHE JUST CAME OUT WITH THE SEQUAL...MIDNIGHT!!

Synopsis

Sister Souljah, the hip-hop generation's number one author and most compelling storyteller, delivers a powerful story about love and loyalty, strength and family. In her bestselling novel, The Coldest Winter Ever, Sister Souljah introduced the world to Midnight, a brave but humble lieutenant to a prominent underworld businessman. Now, in a highly anticipated follow-up to her million-selling masterpiece, she brings readers into the life and dangerously close to the heart of this silent, fearless young man.

Raised in a wealthy, influential, Islamic African family, Midnight enjoys a life of comfort, confidence, and protection. Midnight's father provides him with a veil of privilege and deep, devoted love, but he never hides the truth about the fierce challenges of the world outside of his estate. So when Midnight's father's empire is attacked, he sends Midnight with his mother to the United States.

In the streets of Brooklyn, a young Midnight uses his Islamic mind-set and African intelligence to protect the ones he loves, build a business, reclaim his wealth and status, and remain true to his beliefs.

Midnight, a handsome and passionate young man, attracts many women. How he interacts and deals with them is a unique adventure. This is a highly sensual and tremendous love story about what a man is willing to risk and give to the women he loves most. Midnight will remain in your mind and beat in your heart for a lifetime.

Her "raw and true voice" (Publishers Weekly) will both soothe and arouse you. In a beautifully written and masterfully woven story, Sister Souljah has given us Midnight, and solidified her presence as the mother of all contemporary urban literature.

I read this about four years ago!!!!  Could not put it down.....

EXCELLENT BOOK!!!  i could not put it down  i read this book some years ago and it is the best book ever . when is the sequeal  coming out i would love to read it . this book is one i always recommend for good reading . I reccommended this book to My daughters god mother a couple of years ago and now she is addicted to reading black fiction  she is always asking me for books to read . I told her to read Vicki Stringer  she lives that type of life so she is very fascinated by books about that lifestyle  

yeah this book is so good! i read it back when i was in 9th grade. her first book No Disrespect was good too but Winter put her on the map! It was a rumor saying that they were gonna turn it into a movie and Jada Pinkett-Smith was gonna play Winter but I guess it was just a rumor.

On another note if u aren't up on Zane please read her books they are sooooo good. Sex Chronicles is now aired on Cinemax if u all haven't heard... 

I'm an avid reader and if neone has a suggestion PLEASE msg me cause I'm in desperate need of a good book right now!

Yes, The Coldest Winter Ever is my ALL time favorite book in the world!  I started on Midnight but, IMO it is not as good as the story of Ms Winter's life.  Enjoy them both!