Holy shit did I love this book. I read it yesterday. All of it. It‘s a quick read. Some chapters are just a page or two. Some just a sentence or two. The ending was unexpected, in a great way. I was always surprised. Highly recommend.

My family and I are working to restore our historic home in Eatonville, FL. We plan to turn it into Black & Bookish Bookstore, focused on books written by Black authors. Check out https://www.gofundme.com/savethethomashouse for more info!

This book will put a smile on your face and inspire you to dream big. My 6-year-old approves.

I loved this book so much. It‘s a historical fiction picture book about a wonderful Harlem bookstore in the 1930s. It‘s inspirational and timely.

It was a slow start for me but by the end I was feeling much more comfortable with her style.

I don‘t know. It took me almost half the book to even “connect” with a poem. I almost bailed. I haven‘t yet, I‘m about 15 pages from the end. Some poems I read and Im in them. And then some are like Greek to me. Who‘s read this? I need some book support.

This took a turn I was not expecting because I‘m listening to the audiobook. I can‘t see the chapters. So I‘m making breakfast for my girls and listening to Jerkins‘ sexual experiences. If that isn‘t some Mom-superpower-multitasking trick, I don‘t know what is.

“I learned to like and value certain white women, despite their racism, long before I learned how to prioritize and value my own Black-girl magic.” HOLY SHIT! I had to stop and breathe for a moment. #realtalk #metoogirl

I am loving this book. It‘s personal- like she is reading my diary personal. How is it that so many Black girls have the same experiences and we don‘t find out until we‘re adults??? We‘re isolated at a young age (especially if your bookish) and then have to build these important friendships later. That has been my goal the past few years- creating my squad. Black feminists! Girl Power! Sisters Unite!

@BlackBibliophile tagged me! So here are my #Tuesdaytidbits

1. I would love to cook for Octavia Butler. She seems like she was a quite woman but food brings out all kinds of things in people.
2. I think I would hang out in the 80s as an adult. That was probably nothing but fun.
3. I‘m thinking Kerry Washington, but this is the hardest question!
4. Hey @Bookpearl come have some fun!

What an amazing read. So many revelations I wasn‘t prepared for and racked up $5 in Library fines. Totally worth it. Sorry person who was waiting for it‘s return.

One of the best Kwanzaa stories I know. Happy Kwanzaa everyone.

I'm listening to the audiobook. It's much more technical than I expected, so it's like listening to someone read a science textbook. Its read by Tyson, so that's a plus. It's not bad, I plan to finish. It's short comparatively to audiobook standards. I lose track of what he's talking about sometimes but when I tune back in, I can follow along. (I don't know why I choose audiobooks, I mentally get distracted very easily.)

Yeah I'm loving this.

This was super cute. Very repetitive. Lots of illustrations and even some recipes. A good book if you're looking for a break from everything else.

It took me months to get through this book but it was worth it. I complained and complained, but Butler ties it all together in the end. So many scary parallels to our current times. Great writing.

Day 4 of #31daysofbirthdaybooks: Octavia Butler published Adulthood Rites (Xenogenesis, #2) when I turned 4, 1988. I missed yesterday, but also pictured is 1987's book Beloved by Toni Morrison. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for Fiction.

Good morning! Day two of my Birthday Books Challenge is "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale", published in 1986 by John Steptoe. An African journey follows the two most beautiful women in their village, each looking to impress the new king looking for a wife. Also enjoy this lovely picture of ME from '86. ?????

It's my birthday month! Happy Birthday to me! I'm turning 33 this year and I'm celebrating by highlighting books published each year from 1984-2017. I'll also be giving up some fun facts about myself so all you new followers can get to know me better. 1984: My birth year saw the publication of "Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches" by Audre Lorde. It was republished in 2007 with a new cover, and in audiobook form in 2014, narrated by Robin Eller.

"I do what I can," I said. "When I can do more, I will. You know that." - Octavia Butler, Parable of the Talents
•••
I'm having a tough time getting into this book. I know it's good and is required reading for me, but mentally I'm not in the game. I'll keep going. Don't listen to me now, check back when I'm done. ?

I didn't always have things, but I had people- I always had people.
•••
Blogging is sort of hard to do if you never get on your computer. But I like hanging with people a lot.

This amazing book brought me to tears. I just wanted to hold Starr and tell her she was not alone, ever! This will be one of the best books you read all year.

They probably heard me crying. Great. What's worse than being the Angry Black Girl? The Weak Black Girl. (Pg 115)

📚#FridayReads #readingforfun #notablackauthor

"Meaning what society give us youth, it bites them in the ass when we wild out." I thought I was ready for this read, but I'm nervous. Do you get that sometimes?! The expectations are so high or the content so deep. So many feeling around this topic and this book. Guess I'll read on.

I loved this book. It just throws you right into it and that can be challenging. But it's a well written, complete story, with characters that feel real and authentic.

Okorafor became my favorite writer with Binti, and now Home makes it even better. I loved this story of self discovery and consumed it as fast a possible.

Have you read this? Are you reading it? It's amazing.

I loved this story, but I have to say, graphic novels are not my medium. I have a hard time focusing on the word of the story when I have to "read" the graphics. That is not to say this book isn't worth having. The illustrations were gorgeous. The tone was identical to the original Butler novel. The story was enhanced by this work, and more of it should be put into the world.

This book gave me all the *feels*. As a black woman with some knowledge of slavery AND in an interracial relationship, I was moved by the story. I was hurt by this story. I was CHANGED because of this story. Without a doubt I can say Butler is my favorite author and sci-fi centered around the black experience is something everyone should experience.

Yesterday I visited my hometown to attend the Zora festival of the Arts and Humanities. Although it wasn't as exciting as I wanted it to be, I got a chance to introduce my daughter to the town. Did you know that Eatonville has a small monument to Zora? A little spot that's for her? With benches and a paved path, I miss this little spot.

"It must have been the way Joe spoke out without giving her a chance to say anything one way or another that took the bloom off of things." This quote, this FEELING, hit me. Hard.

This story was moving and beautiful. I loved learning of the bravery and strength Binti held within her. If you haven't read this, do it! This book gets all the stars!!!

"No Himba has ever gone to Oomza Uni. So me being the only one on the ship was not that surprising. However, just because something isn't surprising doesn't mean it's easy to deal with."

How does she sum up my entire existence in 3 lines?

I like to plan. I like to know all the details and all the steps. I like to know exactly where things are heading- but sometimes you can't. On this day of service, I pledge to keep up the good fight. To be a voice and work toward the social change we need. And I will do it with faith in myself and those around me, who fight with me.

Plan to read this today. All day. #stillbrokenafterfinishingtheoriginalnovel

I love this book. But I love this Florida weather even more. #floridawintersaregreen

It's Zora's Birthday!!! Happy Birthday to my hometown hero. Growing up and walking the same streets she did as a child had a profound affect on my life and identity.

New Year, New Book.

I liked it. Felt more like lyrics than poetry lines.

"The idea that black women had been recruited to work mathematicians at the NASA installation in the South during the days of segregation defies our expectations and challenges much of what we think we know about American history. It's a great story, and that alone makes it worth telling."

What a ride this will be! I'm so excited about this book!

I watched a really cute documentary on Netflix about Floyd Norman, the first African American to work for Disney animation. Once I realized it was an extension of his book, I had to immediately find it and buy it. Part memoir, part how-to, part Disney history, it's cute all around.

I can't imagine reading this at any other time; characters reminiscing about the 2008 election while I'm watching the 2016 elections. All the notions of race and being an outsider I could feel just from my youth in the south and my adulthood in the west. I loved this book and found some of myself wrapped around the plot points and discussions. Yes. You should read this books.

So reading this book about how being mixed was illegal and all I can see are my 5 and 2 year old kids. #howdoyouhideafiveyearold #coloredkids

"It's immoral to equate black grievance and white fear like this. It's just immoral." The quote is taken from a segment where the main character recalls the 2008 election of Barack Obama while he gives a speech on race. I can't help but read this now and think about the current election results. I can't help but let this influence my thoughts about next steps moving forward in life. #readinginfluence #writersofcolor

#selfcare #blackbooksgotmethroughtheelection

Even if you're not queer, there are some solid truths you can take away from this super cute book. Aryka Randall is relatable and endearing, without playing the victim or blaming others for her lack of love. If you want a little inspiration to get out and change your negative relationships, this might be a nice place to start.

#Recommendsday! Ninth Ward was filled with love and sacrifice, coming of age, and finding your strength. I felt connected to the characters, and at home within a setting I had never experienced. I longed to meet and befriend Lanesha, or maybe take her in, wishing to provide her with parental care in her greatest time of need. This book reminded me of what I loved about reading as a child.

I can't believe it's been almost a week of not reading. I've been busy busy busy! So for today, I decided to take a break and have some read-a-loud time with my little ones. Although a bit over their heads, the story is breathtaking. The honesty of this memoir-type book is enveloping. Reading slowly, I can take in all the imagery and nuance. What a way to start my week!