Umm Spirit!!
I have read all of the books,a nd I must say that the latest one is the best one! It is a great book.
Now I have to say...read them in order. yeah you may not be confused, but somethings won't make sense if you don't know the history of certain characters before you read them. This especially holds true with "Not a Day Goes by" & "Any way the Wind Blows". you have to read all the other books prior to reading these two, or you won't know anything about Basil and Yancy and you will be really lost.
I would sugest reading EJD boks in order too, because he has a number of recurring characters as well. Like Toyomai who appears in the newest novel. And other characters as well. Like you would have to read them all to know that Debra and Leonard from "friends and Lovers" lived next door to Ole Boy's parents from Cheaters....etc. I could go on. I could Tie in Vince from Liar's game, and Shelby, and Chiquita from "Sister, Sister" ......But I am not typing all that stuff. yall need to read them yourselves.