“Impressions: Up Close and Personal Short Stories” by Zenobia Orimoloye is now available for purchase

“Impressions: Up Close and Personal Short Stories” by Zenobia Orimoloye is a powerful collection of 22 short stories that vividly depict African American life. Proudly published by Citi of Books, this book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms.

Zenobia Orimoloye was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, in the historic Black community of Morgan Park. She has since lived in several cities, including Milwaukee, Knoxville, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Austin. In 2018, she performed in the show All the Sex I’ve Ever Had, sponsored by Austin’s Fuse Box Festival. She is also honored in the Two Thousand Notable American Women publication by the American Biographical Institute.

Impressions is Orimoloye’s fifth book, following Passages (Up Close and Personal Short Stories), Reflections (Short Stories of Memorable Moments), Choices (Thirteen Short Stories), and Bits and Pieces (Sixteen Poems and Four Short Stories). Additionally, she has written three plays—Brothers, Deception, and The Visit. Her works have also been featured on KUT-FM, Austin’s NPR affiliate. A graduate of Loyola University, Orimoloye is a retired civil servant who now resides in Austin, Texas.

In “Impressions,” the author skillfully blends real-life experiences with fiction to explore the complexities of African American life. The stories tackle difficult and poignant subjects such as sexual abuse, death, human trafficking, ageism, love, loss, and addiction. One particularly gripping tale begins with a heartbreaking confrontation in a bar, where Orimoloye’s brother, in a drunken rage, accuses her of killing their mother. This emotional moment sets the stage for a series of powerful, thought-provoking stories.

Orimoloye’s storytelling prowess shines throughout the collection. Her writing ranges from humorous to deeply tragic, portraying the resilience of ordinary people striving for personal happiness. Through her rich, multidimensional characters, Orimoloye offers a vivid exploration of the human spirit—one that refuses to stay down, always rising for the next challenge.

Overall, “Impressions: Up Close and Personal Short Stories” is a compelling, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting book that is sure to resonate with readers seeking stories of strength, survival, and the unyielding pursuit of joy.