Sure! My name is Ebony – I was born in the Detroit metro area, moved to the west coast when I was 14 and back to the east coast for college. Hi, Ebony! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself? We chat with debut author Ebony LaDelle about Love Radio, along with writing, book recommendations, and more! To join the event, please visit alexlibraryva.Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates. She was also a guest author at the 2022 Library of Congress National Book Festival, participating in a discussion with YA authors Jason Reynolds and Candice Iloh. LaDelle, who graduated from Howard University and lives in Washington, D.C., was previously a book publishing brand marketing director and worked at Penguin Random House and HarperCollins before the release of Love Radio. Her debut novel has been named a 2023 Audie Award Finalist, a 2023 Michigan Notable Book, included on Apple Books’ 2022 “Best Books of The Year (So Far),” Amazon Editors’ Picks, and People magazine’s 2022 “The 20 Best Books to Read This Summer” lists, and was also featured on the “Today” show.

While Love Radio doesn’t shy away from serious topics like trauma, taking care of family and loved ones, and figuring out life after high school, the book was chosen as this year’s young adult selection because of its celebration of Black love in many forms, from supportive family and friend networks to dating, and even love for the author’s native Detroit where the novel takes place. The book centers on two teens from Detroit – Dani Ford, who is determined to get a scholarship to leave her hometown and attend college in New York City, and Prince Jones, who hosts a love advice segment on the local hip-hop show, “Love Radio,” and is determined to make Dani fall in love with him in three dates. Teens and adults are invited to attend the program where LaDelle will talk about her book and answer questions from program attendees. The theme of All Alexandria Reads this year is “Joy,” and features book selections for multiple ages, as well as exciting programs throughout April. “Love Radio” is the 2023 young adult selection for the Alexandria Library’s annual All Alexandria Reads program series, designed to create shared experiences through reading. Support Good News Journalism, Subscribe >

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