Once you pick up these reads, be sure to protect them with BookedBag.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in an Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander Michelle Alexander argues that our criminal justice system has been transformed since the 1970s from a system that targeted people based on their race to one that targets people based on their class and economic status. This transformation was not limited to America; it was also enacted in Europe after World War II. It has become a "new caste system" which disproportionately targets black and brown people, while white people are "exempt from the criminal justice system."Alexander's argument is that this radical change in the way our society punishes crime has created an "empire" where punishment and control over social order is achieved through a modern system of racial domination. She argues that this new caste system does not just reflect racial differences, but also class difference.
1619 Project: A New Origin Story, by Nikole Hannah-Jones A historical account of how modern-day racial disparities were created by a system that benefits whites. Hannah-Jones's argument is that America became "post-racial" after Reconstruction because of the New South Democrats who used racial violence and terrorism to suppress black political participation. The New South Democrats used economic advantage, including racial violence, to threaten and intimidate blacks into silence. This strategy was based on using capitalism as a way to remove black political influence from the South.
Watch on Hulu - The 1619 Project has expanded into a limited docuseries, now streaming on Hulu.
Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills Shomari Wills comes of age in the late 70s, a time when the Black community found itself heavily divided by socioeconomic status. He looks at this division from both sides and examines how wealth became so often equated with whiteness in Black culture. By examining the stories of six African Americans like former slave William Henry Quarles, who amassed a fortune after freedom, Wills demonstrates that despite many obstacles and racist attitudes toward economic success, there is no blueprint for getting rich.
#BookedBag #GetBooked
]]>Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron (2021) - I loved, loved, loved this book! I mean what's not to love about a rom-com that involves a fake engagement and a cooking competition? Reena Manji, is stuck in a rut and dislikes most of what her life has become. However, there is one thing she loves, baking bread, and one place she loves being, her kitchen. Her kitchen is her escape from everything: her job, her lack of a love life, and especially her overbearing parents. When her father’s newest and very handsome employee, Nadmi, moves in across the hall from her, Reena, quickly discovers his presence is nothing more than her parents' latest ploy to set her up. Although Reena is determined not to fall in love with Nadim that does not mean she cannot be friends with him, and it definitely does not mean she cannot be fake engaged to him for the sake of a cooking competition… right? Everything is going well, until they are not. Things quickly begin to unravel, secrets are revealed, and Reena has to make some important decisions about the direction of her life before time runs out.
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria (2020) - This book has been on my reading list for the last few months, and I must say… I am glad I waited until my schedule cleared up a little; so I could really enjoy this book. This book was everything I wanted and more, and for fans of Jane the Virgin, this is your book! After she finds out that her musician boyfriend has broken up with her via the tabloids, soap opera star Jasmine Lin returns back to her hometown of New York City to escape from Hollywood and to star as the lead in a new Latinx romantic comedy. While in NYC, she reconnects with family and develops a “Leading Lady Plan” with cousins to get her through her breakup and back on track to become the Hollywood success she aspires to be. However, when telenovela heartthrob, Ashton Suarez, is casted last minute as her on screen love interest... well things get very interesting. Secret romances, secret lives, and a whole lot of laugh out loud moments make this book a must-read this summer!
The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel (2020) - As the saying goes, “first impressions can be deceiving,” and this book is the perfect example of that. Liya is a successful biochemical engineer, happily single, and fiercely independent woman. Liya's parents, on the other hand, are determined to find her a husband to settle down with; which is something that Liya is very much not on board with. When her parents set up a meeting with a new suitor, Jay, and they lure Liya to their home to meet him, Liya quickly escapes her parents house, but not before she collides with her suitor during her mad dash from her parents house. A week later, Liya and Jay are surprised to find that they have to work together when Jay is hired as the lawyer tasked with saving Liya’s company. Through office banter and late night talks, Liya and Jay develop a friendship, and it is not long before they are falling for each other. Although, if they are both unable to come to terms with their painful pasts, their pasts threaten to destroy their one chance at having the real love they both deserve.
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Juneteenth being recognized as a federal holiday, is certainly something that we should all celebrate, but what we must remember is that it is not the end. It is not the end of our nation’s fight for equal treatment of all people; regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, etc. As a nation, we have come extremely far, but we still have a long way to go before we can stop fighting and standing up for what is right. As we continue to celebrate Juneteenth this month, I encourage everyone to keep the conversations going. As James Baldwin so eloquently said, “American history is longer, larger, more varied, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it.” The books below are some of my favorites to keep the conversation going. They are books that will help us all think critically about where we have come from, where we are presently, and where we one day hope to go with the creation of a country/world in which we are all treated equally and “capable of seeing each of us as we are with love.”
You are going to want to keep a highlighter, pen, and bookmark handy while reading the books below. Be sure to head over to the Bookedbag to grab a book protector to keep your books safe and for easy storage of your highlighter, pen, and bookmark while you are reading.
The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness - 10th Anniversary Edition) by Michelle Alexander (2020) - Although first published in 2010, I did not pick up this book to read until this year. Colleagues, friends, and even students have recommended this book to me over the years, and I now understand why. I must say, this is a book that I found myself re-reading certain pages of because the information either took me by surprise, or required me to stop and pause to fully digest what I was reading. One of the biggest questions I found myself grappling with was: how, since its publication ten years ago, had such little changed within our country and criminal justice system despite all of the information presented by Alexander in this book?
In her book, Michelle Alexander, provides a deep analysis of the criminal justice system and the mass incarceration of black men in America. Although black men are not the only victims of mass incarceration, Alexander recognized that she needed to focus on one group for this book, and chose black men as they are a group that has been consistently victimized by America’s criminal justice system since the end of slavery in the 1800s. Alexander states that “we have not ended the racial caste [a stigmatized racial group permanently barred from the rest of society by laws] in America, we have just redesigned it.” Throughout her book, she focuses on the “how” and “why” of the current state of our criminal justice system. As well as the many laws that have been continually used to keep certain people locked up behind both the physical bars in prison and the “virtual bars,” so many are locked behind after they leave prison.
Although the current state of our criminal justice system seems hopeless, Alexander highlights that there is still hope for change; however, for change to occur it requires action on the part of people in this country. Change requires us to be knowledgeable and vocal about the need for reform and the dismantlement of the current criminal justice system. As Alexander states, “every system of injustice depends on the silence, confusion, and paralysis of those it seeks to eliminate or control,” and it is high time for us to no longer be silent nor confused about what needs to be done in this country.
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall (2021) - In her book; which is a collection of essays, Mikki Kendall, sheds light on some of the major issues of the mainstream feminist movement. One of the biggest being the alienation of many marginalized women (i.e. BIPOC women, immigrant women, women in poverty, etc.) from the mainstream movement. One of the most poignant quotes stated the following, “if a liberation movement’s own representatives are engaging with each other oppressively then what progress can the movement make without fixing that internal problem?” This quote is one of the many call-to-actions Kendall includes in her book. The quote puts into perspective how we all must take a look within the movements we are involved in to ensure that everyone is being included and their needs are being fought for.
Kendall states in her book that there came a time when she realized that if she “wanted to do more than survive,” then she had to fight back. This is the stance I encourage us all to take as we continue to fight for the equal treatment and freedom of every person in this country.
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn (2015) - I spoke about this book in an earlier blog post, but it seems relevant to suggest it as a book that should be read in order to keep the difficult conversations going. Zinn’s book contains the stories of marginalized groups traditionally left out of the conversation in history class including African Americans, Native Americans, and women. This book allows readers to gain access to a fuller, and broader, picture of America’s past in order to help us better understand America’s present; which will ultimately allow us to create a future America we can all be proud of.
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Learning from my past experiences with poetry, as an English teacher now, my goal is to find poetry my students can access by poets who my students can relate to like Amanda Gorman and her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” It is no wonder that Gorman’s poem was turned into a bounded book entitled, The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman (2021).
Amanda Gorman has been a rising star for the last few years. In 2017, she became the first National Youth Poet Laureate in U.S history, and then on January 20th, 2021 she made history again becoming the youngest inaugural poet. One of the most interesting aspects of Amanda Gorman’s story is that she was born with a speech impediment. To combat her speech impediment she began reciting quotes, poetry, and songs as a form of speech therapy, and it was not long after she began writing her own poetry.
For those unfamiliar with Amanda Gorman’s poetry, her poems are focused on social change and serve as a call to action against oppression, marginalization, and injustices. Gorman’s poem, “The Hill We Climb,” is a call to action for everyone in our country. At only 23-years old, Amanda Gorman may still have a lot of life to live, but choosing to be and see the light that exists in what can sometimes be a very dark world is one of the best pieces of advice for anyone.
This special edition of Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country, is sure to be cherished and read for years to come; so be sure that you purchase a Bookedbag protector to keep this poem/book safe for years to come.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik (2015) The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a woman like no other. Like many, I knew Ginsburg was a strong advocate for women’s rights and a strong dissenter, but I knew little about her backstory. This book chronicles the life of The Notorious RBG, and also provides insight into how we, women and men, can continue Ginsburg’s fight for equality for all women.
One of my favorite quotes highlighted in this book from Ginsburg was, “if I lose today there is hope for a better tomorrow.” Ginsburg was not known for her losses, and I believe that it was because she never allowed her losses to define, nor derail, her end goal. We would all be wise to follow Ginsburg’s advice and not allow our losses to prevent us from hoping for/having a better tomorrow.
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper (2018) - From a very young age, black women are taught to not look/be visiably angry because it makes them unapproachable. In her book, Brittney Cooper counters the aforementioned teaching about anger and instead highlights the power of anger and rage. She states, “rage can help us build the world we hope to build.” Cooper encourages black women to use their rage as a “force for good,” just as Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, and Beyonce have used their rage for good.
This book has been on my reading list for a few months now, and I am glad that I waited until I had some downtime to read this book because once I started reading it, I could not put it down. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. It made me laugh out loud and shout in anger. Above all, it caused me to think about our current world and the way in which black girls and women are viewed and treated in it. One of the most poignant questions posed by Cooper was the following, “how are black girls supposed to grow up to be black women who are in love with themselves in a country that is built on the structural negation of black women’s personhood?” I believe that the time is now for us all, women and men of all races and ethnicities, to stand together and allow our rage about the mistreatment of black girls, and girls of all races and ethnicities, to be heard from every corner of our nation.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes (2016) - Are you living your best life? If you are unsatisfied with your life, what is stopping you from saying yes to changing it? What would happen if you said yes to doing things that scared you? Said yes more often to things that make your heart happy? Said yes to being the best version of yourself mentally and physically? In her book, Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes shares about her journey with saying yes all year long. She said yes to what scared her, brought her joy, and to being the best version of herself.
Many of us know, Shonda Rhimes as the powerful boss lady who owns Thursday nights on ABC, and as the creator of some of the most iconic television dramas on TV to date including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. However, in her book, Rhimes discusses how despite outward appearances, she was living a life that she had come to realize was far from the life she had dreamed for herself; so she stopped dreaming and started doing. Rhimes saw that by saying yes to everything for a full year, she was able to finally enjoy, and live, her best life.
]]>In celebration of women making history, you should head over to the Bookedbag, and grab a book protector to support the group of women behind this business. A group of women making history in their own rights, as they are part of only 40% of women in the United States who are business owners. More importantly, you will want to get the following books protected as I am sure they will become some of your new favorites.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai (2013) - In 2021, I am not sure if there is anyone who does not know at least part of Malala Yousafzai’s story. In 2012, Malala’s life was changed forever, and it was all because she chose to speak up for what she believed in and fight for what she knew was right. This book illustrates the aftermath of Malala’s shooting. Although they tried to silence her, Malala could not be silenced, and her voice has only become louder and stronger since 2012. As the saying goes, “if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation,” and Malala Yousafzai is one woman who embodies this quote.
Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (2009) - This book chronicles the journeys of Pulitzer Prize journalists, Nicolas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, as they travel around the world to shed light on the oppressive conditions many women live in today. Despite the heart-wrenching stories, Half the Sky, is a book about survival, overcoming obstacles, and the true strength of women. The women featured in this book are women who have decided that despite the horrific conditions they are faced with they will fight back to create a better world for not only themselves, but for those who come after them.
I’m Not Dying With You Tonight by Kimblery Jones and Gilly Segal (2019) - As a high school English teacher, I am always looking for new YA books to introduce to my students, and this book has been on my list for quite some time because of the unique way it is written. This book follows two high school girls, Lena, the popular girl who loves fashion and standing out in a crowd, and Campbell, the new girl who is struggling to find her place in her school. The two girls are forced to rely on each other to survive what starts as a typical Friday night but quickly explodes from built-up tension due to hate and violence within the community. As Lena and Campbell fight for their survival, they are also confronted with unpacking issues like prejudice, biases, and what defines right and wrong. What makes this book different from other similar YA novels that explore the plight of today's black and brown teenagers from urban cities, is that it follows two girls, one black and one white. As the girls explore the aforementioned issues together, each chapter goes back and forth from Lena’s perspective to Campbell’s perspective. The authors, one black, Kimberly Jones and one white, Gilly Segal, provide a unique and what appears to be a very authentic experience for readers with the way this book has been written.
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This Black History Month, The BookedBag, is featuring the works and history of Phillis Wheatley on Instagram and Facebook, the first Black woman in America to have a book published.
In this week’s blog post, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite Black authors and my favorite books from them. The BookedBag just launched its new color, Royal in celebration of Black History Month. This color is only available for a limited time, and it comes with a special edition Black History Month button! I don’t know about you, but I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Black History month than to support a Black-owned business like The BookedBag, by buying the Royal Bookedbag to keep all of your favorite books safe for years to come.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (1970) - Toni Morrison is one of the most well-known authors in America. Unlike many others, I did not discover Toni Morrison until my 20s when I became a teacher. At the end of my first year, I decided that I wanted to revamp my 12th grade ELA curriculum to amplify more voices not traditionally heard/read in ELA classes. I spent the summer reading anything and everything I could get my hands on, and one of those books was Toni Morrison’s first book, The Bluest Eye.
The book tells the story of 11-year old Pecola Breedlove who just wants blue eyes and blonde hair; so that she will be beautiful. This book highlights the importance of representation in the media. It explores what it means to be beautiful and demonstrates what happens to those we cast away because they are “different.” I love reading this book with my students because although this book was first published in 1970, they find it extremely relatable to the world we live in today; especially in terms of today’s society’s never-ending quest for beauty.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952) - This book chronicles the life of the book’s nameless narrator who reflects on his life and the invisibility he has felt for a significant part of his life. In his reflection, the narrator shares about growing up as a Black man in the South and the trials and tribulations he faced as a result of his skin color from those around him, both white and black. One of the most well-known excerpts from this book is the section about The Battle Royal; which is one of the many sections of this book that illuminates the struggle the narrator faces to find his place in society when what he believes to know as truth is directly contradicted by the actions of those around him.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) - If you have not heard about Angie Thomas or her first book (which is also a movie) The Hate U Give by now, then you are in luck because I am here to introduce you to both! Angie Thomas is a best-selling YA author, and it is because she is a phenomenal writer/story-teller. Thomas was one of the first authors to highlight the plight of today’s urban black teenager. Teenagers who are not only struggling to discover who they are but are now also struggling to stay alive. While also time and time again, they are mourning the death of other teenagers, and at times loved ones, who are often murdered at the hands of those charged with protecting them.
This book, and movie, are a must-read and watch for anyone, but especially for teenagers. My students loved this book because as they said, “she talks how we talk,” and “she’s talking about stuff that we are going through.” As an educator, one of my goals is to help my students think critically about the world around them, and The Hate U Give allows for readers to do just that. The book’s title is derived from a quote from the late poet, rapper, and activist, Tupac Shakur. Throughout the book, Thomas challenges readers to decide if it is true that the hate we give little infants destroys everyone, and if it is true, how do we as a society can combat this to create a better world for everyone.
]]>Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Dr. Beverly Tatum (2017) - This book was originally published in 1995, but was republished in 2017 after it was updated and revised to reflect the current climate of our country today. I remember first reading this book in college, and recently re-read it last year after seeing it in the hands of some of my students. Dr. Tatum shares her own experiences dealing with race as a black woman and mother, but the majority of this book is spent discussing the psychology behind racism and racial identities and how both shape how we see ourselves. Through this book, Tatum confronts a number of difficult conversations about race and discusses how to effectively engage in these difficult conversations despite how uncomfortable these conversations may feel.
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (2018) - In this book, Oluo discusses race in America in a way many of us have never thought to discuss race. Being black in corporate America, police brutality, intersectionality, and recognizing privilege are just a few of the many topics discussed in this book. Despite the heaviness of the topics discussed in this book, Oluo approaches these topics with humor, honesty, and a number of questions/comments that will make you reflect on how you have been discussing race and tools to equip in order to have better conversations.
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn (2015) - In 2020, I received this book as a gift from one of my good friends who is a history teacher at an urban public high school. 2020 left me with many questions about the history of the United States and after beginning my own exploration of the history of the United States, she knew this is one book I needed to read. Zinn’s book contains the stories of people who are often left out of the traditional history books; which helps to provide readers with a fuller picture of the history of America.
As the saying goes, before we can move forward we must understand the past, and this book is the first step in helping us (readers, people of this country, etc.) understand that past. To know that my friend has made a choice to equip her students with the whole picture of the United States by using this book to teach from, gives me hope for the future of this country.
As an educator, I knew that there would be a number of conversations I needed to be ready to have with my students, colleagues, and everyone in between. I admit, I have yet to find all of the answers to my questions about the injustices that continue to exist in this country. However, the following books have renewed my sense of hope and my desire to fight for change, not just for myself, but for my younger family members, my students, and for the generations of people to come.
This is my first of two posts that I will use to share about some of the Anti-Racist texts that I have read recently. I guarantee the following books will be well-read and well-loved; so you are going to want to head over to the Bookedbag, and grab a book protector. The Bookedbag just restocked and added 4 new colors as a part of the Junior Collection.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (2020) - As a fan of Jason Reynolds, I knew that this was a book I had to read, and one that I wanted to ensure was a part of my classroom library. Stamped provides a close look at the history of racism and takes a look at how racism has been/is still used to oppress Black people in America.
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (2018) - This book chronicles the life of Austing Channing Brown and her experiences with living as a Black woman in America. During much of her life, Brown discusses how growing up, where she was often one of a few black people, caused her to often feel out of place in both white America and black America. However, as is the case for many, Brown found where she fit in and came to embrace who she was. From her experiences in school, to church, to working as a professional, I’m Still Here, is a book that highlights the plight of Black women in America and how regardless of everything many face, they refuse to give up or to stop showing up.
As Brown states at the end of her book, “talking about race in America is not a hopeful pleasure if you are black due to the persistence of racism in America.” Brown goes on to state that for many people, hope has died. The death of hope feels that it will destroy everything, but it also causes us to find what is left when hope is gone -- new life and new discovery. She concludes her book with lessons that she has learned from the death of hope, and why she no longer fears it. “The death of hope comes anger that can inspire, wisdom that can empower, [and] …a belief in the possibility of change.”
Below is a list of additional Anti-Racists texts I encourage everyone to check out:
One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy by Carol Anderson (2019)
White Rage by Carol Anderson (2017)
The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (2010)
I highly recommend picking up one of these books before the end of 2020 (or at the start of the new year), and also grabbing something to keep your new book safe because these are definitely books that you are going to want to keep for years to come.
Her debut novel is one of my new ultimate favorites… A chance meeting in a broken down elevator that leads to love? What more could you want in a novel?! Ms. Guillroy currently has five must-read novels out. Although the novels do not have to be read in order, I highly recommend it as the novels are a slight continuation of the previous novel. Just make sure you grab a Bookedbag to protect these precious reads. Happy reading!
It is officially Spooky Season, and that means one thing to us bibliophiles: Cozying up with a reliable Halloween read. Horror is not for everyone, but there are books out there that will suit whatever level of scare you’re comfortable with.
So, be ready to ward off the spine-tingling shivers, because here is a list of Halloween reads for whatever ghoulish mood you are looking for. But will it be a trick, or a treat? Don’t forget! If you purchase any of these terrifying reads, you might want to make sure no harm comes to them while you frolic around the pumpkin patch. Browse our book protectors and find the right one to match your current read!
Books are sacred… Just ask Winifred Sanderson or either of her sisters. They have the power to lure you right into their trap…
Rated from light Halloween hijinks to hardcore horror… Choose your poison:
1. ‘Say Cheese and Die!’ by R.L. Stine - This is number four in the Goosebumps series, and it would be criminal not to include Stine on this list. Childhood favorites that can still be enjoyed and delighted in as adults.
“Greg thinks there is something wrong with the old camera he found. The photos keep turning out . . . different.
When Greg takes a picture of his father's brand-new car, it's wrecked in the photo. And then his dad crashes the car.
It's like the camera can tell the future--or worse. Maybe it makes the future!”
2. ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor - These two also created the incredibly popular podcast by the same name, but now you can enjoy the mysteries and strangeness of this town in the form of a string of novels. Like the first on this list, it’s more fun than pure fright, but still, lock yourself in for an atmospheric and enjoyable read.
“Located in a nameless desert somewhere in the great American Southwest, Night Vale is a small town where ghosts, angels, aliens, and government conspiracies are all commonplace parts of everyday life. It is here that the lives of two women, with two mysteries, will converge.”
3. ‘Hold Me Closer, Necromancer’ by Lish McBride - A witty title. If you want something with humour as well as supernatural escapades, then this is the perfect match for you. It’s not particularly scary, in the same way ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ isn’t necessarily scary. But it will give you all the Halloween vibes you need.
When Sam discovers he is a necromancer, he quickly finds himself in hot water…
“With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?”
4. ‘The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires’ by Grady Hendrix - Not the first time this author will appear on this list. If you want different, fresh perspectives on Halloween and Horror, then Hendrix is your guy. All of his titles are intelligent, reactive to pop culture and just a real hoot to read!
“Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a blood-sucking fiend.”
5. ‘Slayer’ by Kiersten White - This is one for all the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ fans out there. Following a new era of Chosen slayers, and how the paranormal underworld operates since Buffy smashed the old patriarchal system, ‘Slayer’ is fun and fresh, while still holding on to everything that made the TV series so popular.
“Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers.”
6. ‘The Halloween Tree’ by Ray Bradbury - A bit of a modern classic, this book is a serious trip. A time travelling, historically laden, costume wearing adventure that captures the very essence of Halloween in its search for the meaning of. An absolute cracker.
“On Halloween night, eight trick-or-treaters gather at the haunted house by the edge of town, ready for adventure. But when Something whisks their friend Pip away, only one man – the sinister Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud – can help the boys find him.”
7. ‘The Bloody Chamber’ by Angela Carter - A collection of short stories, Carter retells popular fairy tales in a way that just might change your life. A lyrical, intelligent writer, she interprets stories in surprising ways, often subverting them and making vignettes that are both exhilarating and terrifying. This one is a bit of a curveball in the sense that it isn’t quintessentially “scary” but it has that psychological edge.
“In The Bloody Chamber - which includes the story that is the basis of Neil Jordan's 1984 movie The Company of Wolves - Carter spins subversively dark and sensual versions of familiar fairy tales and legends like "Little Red Riding Hood," "Bluebeard," "Puss in Boots," and "Beauty and the Beast," giving them exhilarating new life in a style steeped in the romantic trappings of the gothic tradition.”
8. ‘Dread Nation’ by Justina Ireland - What a book. If you want your undead adventure politically and socially poignant, then look no further. Ireland creates an alternate history that you do not want to miss exploring.
“Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.”
9. ‘If It Bleeds’ by Stephen King - The master of horror and the King of Halloween, surely? What kind of spooky list does not contain at least one title by this author? ‘If It Bleeds’ is a new release, a collection of four novellas so perfect if you want a bite-size scare!
“The novella is a form King has returned to over and over again in the course of his amazing career, and many have been made into iconic films, If It Bleeds is a uniquely satisfying collection of longer short fiction by an incomparably gifted writer.”
10. ‘Horrorstor’ by Grady Hendrix - Who knew IKEA could be so horrifying? But Hendrix strikes gold again with this whole concept. The book is an adventure both textually and visually. A little bit bonkers, but there is something that works wonderfully about the whole thing that you do not want to miss it.
“Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.”
11. ‘Horns’ by Joe Hill - Let’s bring our heart rates back down a notch. Joe Hill never disappoints when it comes to the creepy and the kooky, and ‘Horns’ manages to stay on the side of spooky rather than scary. The movie is fantastic (ever wanted to see Harry Potter with an American accent?) but the book is even better.
“Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with a thunderous hangover, a raging headache . . . and a pair of horns growing from his temples.”
12. ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker - This is a true classic. It’s synonymous with horror and with the legend of the vampire within pop culture. If you have not yet experienced this iconic read then now is the time, even if it’s just to say you’ve done it.
“When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, he makes horrifying discoveries in his client's castle. Soon afterwards, disturbing incidents unfold in England: an unmanned ship is wrecked; strange puncture marks appear on a young woman's neck; and a lunatic asylum inmate raves about the imminent arrival of his 'Master'. In the ensuing battle of wits between the sinister Count and a determined group of adversaries, Bram Stoker created a masterpiece of the horror genre, probing into questions of identity, sanity and the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire.”
13. ‘Frankenstein: The 1818 Text’ by Mary Shelley - The O.G. ‘Frankenstein’ stands side-by-side with ‘Dracula’ as one of those books that is so legendary you essentially know the story before you even start. But that doesn’t mean you should skip it.
“Obsessed with creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life with electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear.”
14. ‘The Girl With All the Gifts’ by M. R. Carey - This is one where you can read the book and then watch the film. Or the other way around, if you’re that kind of heathen. Carey takes the zombie trope and makes it new. Without giving too much away, you will just have to trust that this book will sink its teeth into you.
“Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."
Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.”
15. ‘The Woman in Black’ by Susan Hill - Daniel Radcliffe makes his second appearance, because he heads up the movie adaptation of this intensely creepy read. Expert setting and atmosphere means you can expect to feel the hairs stand up on your neck, and keep checking over your shoulder.
“The classic ghost story by Susan Hill: a chilling tale about a menacing spectre haunting a small English town.”
16. ‘Ring’ by Koji Suzuki - The film that made us sleep with the lights on, and still haunts us to this day… So why not rub salt in the wound and read the book that began it all? This one will scare your socks off, there’s no sugar coating it. Maybe read it in the daytime?
“A mysterious videotape warns that the viewer will die in one week unless a certain, unspecified act is performed. Exactly one week after watching the tape, four teenagers die one after another of heart failure.”
With a list like that, there is no way October will be anything but an amazing month for reading. So whatever your spooky mood, there is a book for everyone. Which level are you? Could you make it further than 7? Whether you want a full-on freak out or just a simple scare, enjoy your Halloween reads!
]]>So for that perfect book and cover combo, look no further! If any of these titles pique your interest then we’re linking to black-owned bookstores, so show your support! #SupportIsAVerb
1. ‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid - Kicking our list off with this one because of the buzz that surrounded it upon release (even though it was the end of December 2019), ‘Such a Fun Age’ is already being optioned for a screen adaptation by Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions and Sight Unseen Pictures.
“A striking and surprising debut novel from an exhilarating new voice, Such a Fun Age is a page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.”
2. ‘This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work’ by Tiffany Jewell, - This was released back in January of this year. How long ago does that now feel? The kind of book that just continues to gain prevalence.
“Who are you? What is racism? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? What can you do to disrupt it? Learn about social identities, the history of racism and resistance against it, and how you can use your anti-racist lens and voice to move the world toward equity and liberation.”
3. ‘Riot Baby’ by Tochi Onyebuchi - Another January 2020 release that can only stand to gain more traction and interest. Reader reviews describe the raw emotion and intimate power the writing evokes, coupled with a science fiction/supernatural element, what isn’t there to revere about this one?
"Riot Baby, Onyebuchi's first novel for adults, is as much the story of Ella and her brother, Kevin, as it is the story of black pain in America, of the extent and lineage of police brutality, racism and injustice in this country, written in prose as searing and precise as hot diamonds."―The New York Times
4. ‘Black Girl Unlimited’ by Echo Brown - This book is magical surrealism at its finest. As much autobiographical as it is fiction, this is a literary standout for sure. The cover is S T U N N I N G so you will definitely want to keep it safe in one of our book protectors! ;)
“Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism―all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson's Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi's American Street.”
5. ‘Hood Feminism’ by Mikki Kendall - Such an important voice to hear. Feminism is only truly feminism when women are supporting all women, regardless of race, or religion, or class.
“In her searing collection of essays, Mikki Kendall takes aim at the legitimacy of the modern feminist movement arguing that it has chronically failed to address the needs of all but a few women. Drawing on her own experiences with hunger, violence, and hypersexualization, along with incisive commentary on politics, pop culture, the stigma of mental health, and more, Hood Feminism delivers an irrefutable indictment of a movement in flux.”
6. ‘Felix Ever After’ by Kacen Callender - Arguably the Young Adult novel of the year. This book will hit you right in the feels. Readers describe feeling lost and then found within the pages of ‘Felix Ever After’ (and another beautiful cover! You know what you have to do…)
“From Stonewall and Lambda Award–winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time.”
7. ‘You Should See Me in a Crown’ by Leah Johnson - Actually, this might be the YA novel of the year. Tipped to be Jenny Han meets Becky Albertelli there’s no way this rom-com can flop. Beautifully queer, beautifully black and incredibly heartwarming.
“Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.
But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.”
8. ‘Grown’ by Tiffany D. Jackson - SEPTEMBER 15th - A stunning and brave piece of storytelling that is evocative of the #MeToo movement and put the vulnerability of young black women to the forefront. A hard-hitter with a cover so gorgeous it could make you weep…
...See?
“Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman’s voice.”
9. ‘The Black Kids’ by Christina Hammonds Reed - Firstly, this one is set in the 90s so it already gets a thumbs up for the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ vibes. But thematically, ‘The Black Kids’ is particularly poignant as the reader can juxtapose the 1992 Rodney King riots with the current Black Lives Matter protests.
“Perfect for fans of The Hate U Give, this unforgettable coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots.”
10. ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue’ by George M. Johnson - A powerful collection of personal essays, this book has already been optioned for television.
“Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy.”
11. ‘Not So Pure and Simple’ by Lamar Giles - This had to make it on the list because of its rave reviews shouting about how funny it is! Funny while also tackling some big themes and issues? It has to be a page-turner.
"With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")
What will it be? Which book is at the top of your wishlist? Don’t forget, you can color-match these gems with a carry case to protect these precious pages too (because that’s what we do. We want to defend those darling books of yours from anything life throws at them).
This is just a small taste of the dozens of new books by black authors killing it out there in the bookstores this year. Plenty to keep you occupied as we head into Fall.
Be sure to support black-owned businesses this month and onward! And happy reading!
Author: Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is filled with wisdom explained in the simplest terms and can easily be applied to everyday living. It tells the story of a shepherd boy named Santiago who sets out on a journey traveling across the world in search of a treasure that’s revealed to him through his dreams. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, King, an Alchemist and some others; all of whom help the boy follow his personal legend. I found the greatest value in this novel was to not focus on the treasure itself, but to read about the various obstacles and challenges that Santiago faced along the way. It was in this where the reader learns about the power of dreams and harnessing the power within yourself that may not be fully realized.
Here are 3 Hidden Gems that resonated with me:
Hidden Gem #1: “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting” - pg. 13
Let’s think about this one. We all have dreams, and you can fall anywhere on the scale from 1) not believing in your dreams as they may appear to be absolutely unattainable to 5) you know without a doubt that you will dedicate every second of your life to realizing your dreams. What I love about this novel is that it shows how Santiago had his dream and started as 1 on the scale and took the reader through the scale all the way to 5. Although there were many instances and people along the way that shifted the scale from 1 to 4, then back down to 2 and many numbers in between, ultimately Santiago set his heart on 5 and he became determined to follow life’s omens to fulfill his purpose.
This same process can be applied to our own lives. Whether you have a dream that was found in resting, or a dream discovered while awake that’s transformed to a passion. As the quote shares, it’s the simple possibility of that dream coming true that will make life interesting.
Challenge: No matter where you fall on the scale of dreams today, explore the possibility of your dream being realized and I hope it sparks a sense of motivation.
Hidden Gem #2: “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you” pg 31-32
At this time of the novel, Santiago meets an old man that later reveals himself as a King. I’d say Santiago is at a 3 on the scale of believing his dreams. He’s met the Gypsy who asked for 1/10 of his treasure (still not knowing what it is) in exchange for interpreting his dream. And now he’s encountered this King who shares these wise words with the boy. Let’s break down this quote a bit, an omen is an event that holds some sort of prophetic significance. God has prepared a path for EVERYONE to follow. This amplifies the thought that everyone has their own unique path that God has personally designed for us and we need to remain aware of the signs aka omens that he’s left for us.
I like to think that everything has a meaning. Whether it be good and signifies that you’re on the right track or bad and causes you to pivot and push through. COVID-19 can be viewed as an omen (an event regarded as a portent of good or evil) and has impacted everyone around the world in some form. What’s more moving is that it’s impacted us all in such unique ways. I know for me personally, it’s forced me to slow down, take a break and pay attention to my mental health. For companies, it showed that work can in fact be done from home. It weeded out the essential workers that had always been essential but suddenly became essential for everyone. For others, it’s forced them to spend more time with their children and spouses. More importantly, COVID-19 highlighted the racial health disparities that exist in our nation and laid the fuel for protests that are happening across the world, thanks to the flame of police brutality in the back community lighting itself on fire.
Challenge: keep an eye and ear out for the omens that God has left for you and read them, let them guide you through your next steps in life.
Hidden Gem #3: “Because I don't live in either my past or my future. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man” pg. 87
By this time in the story, Santiago is well on his way to finding his treasure. He’s traveling through the desert and has chosen to join an Englishman on his journey to find the Alchemist. The camel driver is the one who shares these words with the boy as they were trying to remain as quiet as possible with the threat of surrounding tribal wars and any sound could signal a raid which could lead to loss of life. A groan from the camel frightened the boy and the camel driver shared these words to explain to the boy why he was not frightened.
To clarify, it’s okay to be aware of the past, but don't live in it. It’s okay to plan for the future, just don't delve on it because in the instance things don't go as planned, you’ll be unhappy. This quote simply says to live in the present, is to be happy and if not for anything at all, but to be alive.
This is arguably my favorite quote in the story. I’ve often questioned my way of living, but this quote confirmed that it’s okay. I’ll share a little on my personal journey. I’ve always struggled with setting goals. At an early age, I had an understanding of how life worked and it never went as planned. So my thought was, why spend time thinking about 5 years from now when I can use today and this moment to do the best I can with what I have. All while taking advantage of opportunities that made sense for me and that I felt was the right thing to do in every inch of my body. Not truly understanding till I read this passage that I had been doing just that, living in the present and being sure that I was always putting my best foot forward.
In college, I lived on campus and juggled 3 jobs throughout the 4 years. I worked part time at CVS, part time in the library on campus and stayed with an internship. The internship varied throughout the years but I had one every year. Most of my friends and other students at the university had secured jobs early on as it’s a prestigious Accounting & Finance School. After nearly failing an accounting class, I decided to switch my major to Marketing as I found a love for creative writing that pairs well with my love for using numbers to tell stories.
The day of graduation, I did not have a job lined up and I began to question if I had made the right decision to change majors. That same day as graduation was wrapping up, I was approached by a young lady that was recruiting for a manager in training program at Abercrombie & Fitch **Omen Alert**. Now, was it the job that I believed I deserved after accumulating thousands of dollars in debt, no, BUT I understood that it had to be a part of my path as it was my only option at the moment. After a few rounds of interviewing, I got the job! Again, it wasn't my dream job but still I worked my butt off and learned everything I could about running a retail store.
After about a year, I got sick of eating in the food court and wanted something different for a career choice. Now, I have some years of full time work experience under my belt and parents that had moved to Atlanta during my sophomore year in school. With that, I told my parents that I was ready to leave Boston and wanted to live with them in Atlanta while I searched for my next opportunity.
After about 4 months of being in Atlanta and applying for countless full time marketing jobs, thinking I should be able to land something nice with my degree. I still wasn't having any luck and had to ‘dumb down’ my search. I finally received a call back for an interview as an intern, making $7 hr. Again, although it felt like a step back, it was a step forward. I got the internship, which led to a full time position and then led to a promotion.
From there, I went on to work at a local newspaper, fast forward to now and I’m working at Google. Just like Santiago, there are many stories in between and various encounters with people along the way who I now feel were placed there strategically to help me get to where I am now.
Challenge: think in the present and put your best foot forward every single time and see where it takes you.
I’ll close with this final quote that speaks for itself and can be found on page 146, “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure”. I implore you to keep fear out of your heart and mind. It’s okay to be scared sometimes but don’t let fear consume you. Remember to love through your fear, give through your fears and trust the path that God has built for you.
With Love,
April
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