African American Literature

[tammywammy]

I'm wading into your group to ask for recommendations of readings of African American literature. I recognize most of the names of posters in here and think you'd have some excellent suggestions for me.

A bit of background. I was recently in a class called "Women in American Culture." I won't bore you with all the details, but there was a video and just a bit of discussion about female African American writers. I have read Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and a few Toni Morrison books in the past, but honestly I will admit my ignorance for other books. I recently purchased (it should be here in a day or so) "The Color Purple", but I was wondering if anyone here had any good suggestions on where to go next.

I hope you don't mind my intruding on your forum for this. BTW, I have really enjoyed the history that doesn't make it into the history book threads posted here.

Thank you.