Dark Matter: Reading the Bones is a second diverse anthology of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction by an array of African-American authors includes both original works and previously published short fiction. Dark Matter is the first and only series to bring together the works of black SF and fantasy writers. The first volume, Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora, was featured in the "New York Times", which named it a Notable Book of the Year. Contents Introduction (Dark Matter: Reading the Bones) • essay by Sheree Renée Thomas [as by Sheree R. Thomas] Ibo Landing (1998) / short story by Ihsan Bracy The Quality of Sand / short story by Cherene Sherrard Yahimba's Choice [Dossouye] / short story by Charles R. Saunders The Glass Bottle Trick (2000) / short story by Nalo Hopkinson Desire / short story by Kiini Ibura Salaam Recovery from a Fall / short story by David Findlay Anansi Meets Peter Parker at the Taco Bell on Lexington (2000) / short story by Douglas Kearney The Magical Negro / short story by Nnedi Okorafor [as by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu] Jesus Christ in Texas (1920) / short story by W. E. B. Du Bois Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (1974) / short story by Henry Dumas 'Cause Harlem Needs Heroes / short story by Kevin Brockenbrough Whipping Boy / short story by Pam Noles Old Flesh Song / short story by Ibi Zoboi [as by Ibi Aanu Zoboi] Whispers in the Dark (2001) / novelette by Walter Mosley Aftermoon / short story by Tananarive Due Voodoo Vincent and the Astrostoriograms / short story by Tyehimba Jess The Binary / short story by John Cooley BLACKout / short story by Jill Robinson Sweet Dreams / short story by Charles Johnson Buying Primo Time / short story by Wanda Coleman Corona (1967) / short story by Samuel R. Delany Maggies / short story by Nisi Shawl Excerpt from Mindscape / short story by Andrea Hairston Trance / short story by Kalamu ya Salaam The Second Law of Thermodynamics • essay by Jewelle Gomez Her Pen Could Fly: Remembering Virginia Hamilton • essay by Nnedi Okorafor [as by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu] Celebrating the Alien: The Politics of Race and Species in the Juveniles of Andre Norton • essay by Carol Cooper .

This volume introduces black science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers to the generations of readers who have not had the chance to explore the scope and diversity among African-American writers. Fiction. Sister Lilith - Honoree Fanonne Jeffers The Comet - W.E.B. Du Bois Chicage 1927 - Jewelle Gomez Black No More (novel excerpt) - George S. Schuyler separation anxiety - Evie Shockley Tasting Songs - Leone Ross Can You Wear My Eyes - Kalamu ya Salaam Like Daughter - Tananarive Due Greedy Choke Puppy - Nalo Hopkinson Rhythm Travel - Amiri Baraka Buddy Bolden - Kalamu ya Salaam Aye, and Gomorrah... - Samuel R. Delany Ganger (Ball Lightning) - Nalo Hopkinson The Becoming - Akua Lezli Hope The Goophered Grapevine - Charles W. Chestnutt The Evening and the Morning and the Night - Octavia E. Butler Twice, at Once, Separated - Linda Addison Gimmile's Songs - Charles R. Saunders At the Huts of Ajala - Nisi Shawl The Woman in the Wall - Steven Barnes Ark of Bones - Henry Dumas Butta's Backyard Barbecue - Tony Medina Future Christmas (novel excerpt) - Ishmael Reed At Life's Limits - Kiini Ibura Salaam The African Origins of UFOs (novel excerpt) - Anthony Joseph The Astral Visitor Delta Blues - Robert Fleming The Space Traders - Derrick Bell The Pretended - Darryl A. Smith Hussy Strutt - Ama Patterson Essays. Racism and Science Fiction - Samuel R. Delany Why Blacks Should Read (and Write) Science Fiction - Charles R. Saunders Black to the Future - Walter Mosley Yet Do I Wonder - Paul D. Miller The Monophobic Response - Octavia E. Butler

Los Angeles, 1948: Easy Rawlins is a black war veteran just fired from his job at a defense plant. Easy is drinking in a friend's bar, wondering how he'll meet his mortgage, when a white man in a linen suit walks in, offering good money if Easy will simply locate Miss Daphne Money, a blonde beauty known to frequent black jazz clubs....