From "We Write" by Nikki Giovanni: We learn to negotiate The space between Imagination and possibility Reality and probability We mold the world Into From "We Write" by Nikki Giovanni: We learn to negotiate The space between Imagination and possibility Reality and probability We mold the world Into our thoughts Our thoughts mold Us into a different Perspective
Reading poetry is a great way to take in themes in smaller pieces. Poems are great way to reflect on history and societal events and make connections to other readings. Poetry collections are also great palate cleansers between heavier reads.
Poemhood Our Black Revival Edited by Amber McBride, Taylor Byas & Erica Martin published yesterday and you might want to grab your copy now. This poetry collection attempts to conceptualize Blackness and the Black experience explored through retelling folklore. The structure of the collection made my reading experience interactive because each poem had an outro that provided context and important facts. I loved how the collection incorporates I love that this collection is geared toward a young adult audience but has depth and complexity for adult readers as well. If you love poetry and history and want a fresh take on Black folklore, I highly recommend this one. Thanks to @epicreads for the gifted copy.
"How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" by Tony Keith, Jr. is a poignant, memoir in verse that will capture your heart forever. Tony's poetry has sharp edge"How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" by Tony Keith, Jr. is a poignant, memoir in verse that will capture your heart forever. Tony's poetry has sharp edges and cuts you deeply at times but it also scoops you up in a big hug and leads you towards the light of hope. Keith makes you take a long look at the ways that queer Black youth are made to feel unsafe and forced to role play their lives in order to make others comfortable and not want to hurt them.
I loved the format of this novel. It included photos, poems and pages from Keith's notebook. This mixed media form was a perfect way to show how Keith navigated life as an anxious, queer Black boy trying to figure out his own sexual identity and make place for himself in a world that is hostile and violent towards Black people. I loved that the poems gave you a personal glimpse into Keith's thoughts and you are given the opportunity to question what he questions about society.
Reflecting on this one, I am left pondering about: ▪︎the ways that straight performance pervades every aspect of society ▪︎ the ways that queer kids have to hide within themselves and battle their own inner voices of shame because of not having safe spaces to be themselves ▪︎ the ways that poetry can speak what is in the heart and be used to break down systems of oppression ▪︎ the importance of community and acceptance for queer kids ▪︎ the ways that people pleasing create anxieties and heighten fear about showing up authentically and in the fullness of ones identity ▪︎ the ways that self-talk is important when you're learning to take leaps of faith in yourself and get over the imposter syndrome ▪︎ the"coming out" journey as a complex process that is further complicated by racism, homophobia, violence, social stigma & toxic masculinity ▪︎ how HBCU's can foster self esteem and become a safe space for self exploration ▪︎ how language and the arts can create freedom ▪︎ the importance of safe adults to development of self-worth and identity
If you loved The Black Flamingo, When We Make It, The Poet X and All Boys Aren't Blue, then run and go grab this one immediately. There are so many beautiful lines.Thanks to @epicreads for the gifted ARC....more
"But for us, love is tough because at every turn somebody is gonna try to shut your love down. So until the world changes, we gotta fight for our love"But for us, love is tough because at every turn somebody is gonna try to shut your love down. So until the world changes, we gotta fight for our love."
Chulito by Charles Rice Gonzalez is a queer, coming of age Nuyorican story set in the Bronx. Chulito is the tough, pretty boy hanging out with the wrong crowd and Carlos is the smart, openly gay boy trying to get away from the hood through college. They both know their childhood friendship has grown into an undeniable attraction but only one is truly unafraid to defy societal standards.
Rice Gonzalez brings the Bronx to life with an array of larger than life neighborhood characters who all have something to say about street life, poverty, masculinity, queerness, sex, feminism and parenthood. Chulito's coming of age journey was compelling because he's growing up fatherless and the only role models he has are fueling toxic masculinity, homophobia, violence and repeating the same vicious cycles from their own families. Chulito grapples with his sexuality and disentangling it from the mixed messages he receives about what it means to be macho. In his neighborhood, the LGBTQIA community is met violence, ignorance and exclusion. Chulito also lives with the fear of repurcussion if anyone finds out he's gay as he's also trying to leave the street life behind him. Carlos, his best friend and love interest, lives his life unapologetically & owns his sexuality even if met by hate.
Rice Gonzalez offers such a rich, layered narrative with plenty of commentary on what it means to be a man, a Nuyorican hip hop head, being gay & trying to navigate coming out safely while trying to find support in a community riddled with so many problems of its own. The author highlights the strength of women, shows the spectrum of queerness & masculinity, the power of community to either spread hate or enact change, and also takes a look at how poverty shapes the types of choices people are forced to make. The young romance is sweet, honest, realistic & full of angst. The author also gives space to the process of coming out & illuminates how it is not an easy process. For some it may never happen at all because nothing happens in a vacuum.
What also makes this one such a beautiful story is what Rice Gonzalez has to say about how poor communities care for each other, navigate difficult conversations and deal with the bad apples, who are also flawed and human and come with lots of poor messaging from history with racism, colonialism, patriarchy, misogyny and homophobia. Rice Gonzalez gave names to the people from The Bronx and he showed them in their full humanity and potential. He gave us some back stories that peeled back some layers of tough exteriors and he planted seeds of hope for change in the future. Overall, this story kept me engaged, felt like hime due to the interplay with language, hip hop and salsa music and Puerto Rican culture. He created characters that reminded me of people I know and made me nostalgic about places and events that have so much historical value. If you love mature coming of age stories about young, queer love with the backdrop of NYC life during the golden age of hip hop, then do yourself a favor and add this one to your personal library. I'm brimming with excitement waiting on the next stories to be published about this lively and vibrant Bronx neighborhood that Rice Gonzalez brought to life....more
"Life is a funny thing, you know. Just when you think you know what you're doing, which way you're headed, the target moves."
The Star Side of Bird Hil"Life is a funny thing, you know. Just when you think you know what you're doing, which way you're headed, the target moves."
The Star Side of Bird Hill by Naomi Jackson was such a delightful read. Jackson's colorful writing brought the community of Bird Hill in Barbados to life and introduced us to unforgettable characters and vibrant places. The Bird Hill Jackson created embodies the richness and variety of Bajan culture and daily life.
My favorite aspect of Jackson's storytelling was how she tackled the duality in multiple ways. We see Dionne and Phaedra caught in between worlds as they are relocated from Brooklyn back to their parents' hometown in Barbados and get judged on their bad accents, clothing, behavior, etc. They also wrestle with their resentment towards their mother for the neglect and abandonment but at the same time have a deep love for her. We also get to see their grandmother, Hyacinth try to reckon with her feelings of guilt over not recognizing her daughter, Avril plummet into mental illness hoping prayer would be enough to sustain her. You see the church being the center of island life and the hypocrisy of adultery by leadership, as well as, the misogyny and homophobia. For many it is source of strength but for others it causes deep wounds and guilt. Jackson also shows how there is an awareness of mental illness in the Caribbean but the preference for secrecy. You also see how grief can lead to newfound freedom.
I loved Hyacinth and wish she was my granny. She was the epitome of tough love and grace in her own way. She embraced her ancestral gifts of healing and community and was willing to observe rather than admonish all the time. She was introspective and showed so much growth and care in the ways that she developed her relationships with both girls. She nurtured her community and did not allow herself to blindly follow the rigid teachings of the church, nor allow it to hurt others at times. Her gift of discernment was uncanny.
If you love stories that sweep you away to the sights and sounds of island life in the Caribbean, then youll enjoy this one. This was a perfect read for Caribbean Heritage and Pride Month....more
"Your story does not begin with you; It inevitably begins with your parents. And their story does not begin with them..."
Happy paperback release day t"Your story does not begin with you; It inevitably begins with your parents. And their story does not begin with them..."
Happy paperback release day to this absolute gem of a book Circa by Devi S. Laskar! Thanks to @marinerbooks for the gifted copy.
I don't know what made me pick up this book knowing it was going to be a sad book. After reading this one and seeing Marco (Crash) and Heera's emotional journey through grief, I know that it was just what I needed to be reading while still navigating my own grief about losing one of my best friends recently. He was like a brother to me and I totally related to how Heera was so stuck in her grief when Marie died. Reading this one gave me permission and validation and grieve in my own way and to move forward at my own pace.
Grief shows up in so many ways. Laskar's multiple POV's helps the reader see grief in several forms: leaving your home country, losing a loved one, losing a child, losing your health, and unaccomplished goals. The author's writing was so gorgeous & poetic that it managed to convey so much beauty despite the pain. I loved that she showed how grief can manifest as disobedience, risk taking, disassociate and juvenile delinquency. Grief can also sometimes cause survivors to stay stuck in that moment when their loved one died. Moving through grief can be messy and from the outside looking in can appear more dangerous than painful. Sometimes decisions made while going through grief aren't always the best but patience and understanding go a long way in helping someone grieving come out on the other side ready to continue life. That's one of the biggest takeaways I got from this one.
I loved Heera's character because I could relate to her struggles of being raised in between two worlds, two nations and two lifestyles. Her parent's trauma about having to leave their country played out in their hypervigilance and worry about her losing her traditions. I also really enjoyed how they showed the healing power of art & how instrumental art is for identity & self expression.
If you love emotional, coming of age stories that tackle the complexities of being a child of Asian immigrants, read this one....more
"There is an unspoken understanding of loss here in Jamaica, where everything comes with a rude bargain—that being citizens of a 'developing nation', "There is an unspoken understanding of loss here in Jamaica, where everything comes with a rude bargain—that being citizens of a 'developing nation', we are born already expecting to live a secondhand life, and to enjoy it. But there is hope, too, in our scarcity, tolerable because it keeps us constantly reaching for something better."
There are not enough words to describe the beauty that is found within the pages of How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair. She cracks herself open to show us the deep roots of her family trauma but still manages to hold the ones she loves tenderly with her poetic prose. Her words are captivating & in true poet form, she delivers magical sentences that dance off the page & stick with you. She interrogates the misogyny of the Rastafarian lifestyle her father subjected their family to while at the same time connecting it to the history of colonialism in Jamaica. She calls out the mental abuse she was subjected to but also gives greater context & explanation about how her father could also be viewed as vulnerable to a corrupt system that is fueled by patriarchy.
What struck me deeply was how Sinclair explores such deep themes through a child's perspective. She places us in her stream of conscience and allows us to see her observations and how she comes to make sense of her world in order to save herself. You see Sinclair develop an astute emotional intelligence that allowed her to survive her circumstances on a daily basis. Sinclair's mother offers poetry & literature as a form of liberation & this was so beautiful to see, especially since her own choices were limited by her own father. The books she read opened doors to understanding the world & provided the keys to free herself from her circumstances. This act of love from her mother is what ultimately helps her find her voice in the midst of chaos.
I can still feel the power of Sinclair's narrative voice. This memoir is not only a testimony but an indictment on the systems of oppression that enforce & perpetuate patriarchy. It also serves a reminder that the consequences of colonialism are still being felt today. Sinclair is an author to watch in the future....more
Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras is this month's pick for @theempirestatebookclub. This is a historical fiction read set in Pablo EFruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras is this month's pick for @theempirestatebookclub. This is a historical fiction read set in Pablo Escobar era Colombia. It was a slow burn read that leads to a heart-breaking gut punch that leaves you thinking about the characters long after you close the pages.
"So much of my life was waiting." This quote personifies the tone and pacing of this one. You see the story unravel through the eyes of 7 year old Chula, a rich girl trying to make sense of the world through observation of everything and everyone around her. She waits to see if Pablo Escobar will infiltrate her community because at home her parents instill fear in his larger than life reputation. She hides and waits observing all that she can about Petrona, the 15 year old girl hired by her mother to work at her house. As a reader you wait alongside her until it all comes boiling to the surface. As you wait, you learn: who are the victims in "drug wars", how classism and poverty affect the choices people are forced to make, whose lives are expendable and how women and children bear thr brunt of the consequences of civil unrest.
The themes in this one are what I will remember the most. The women are the backbone in the story and you see them bear the brunt of the burden when it comes to childbearing and financial responsibilities when men are absent either by choice or violence. You see women as agents of upholding or dismantling classism and patriarchy. You also see how women are abused and face violence because of political unrest.
The innocence of children is a huge part of the story. Parental influence and the perpetuation of a culture of fear create huge anxieties and trauma for children living during civil unrest. Parents often withhold truths to "protect" children and keep them alive but many times leaves them susceptible to dangerous situations.
Classism plays a huge role in the events of this novel. Poverty & lack of resources force people to make impossible choices. The rich can't see past their own problems until something happens in their backyard. Survival comes at a cost. This one forces you to take a look at what that looks like.
Read this one if you enjoy: visual storytelling styles, Latinx historical fiction, feminist stories, slow burn riveting stories, folkloric fiction and multiple point of views. The focus on women and children in this one really gave it a unique point of view. The historical aspects piqued my interest so much, I found myself researching more information. I look forward to reading Rojas Contreras memoir because I can see how much of her own family's story is contained in this one. I am eager to read more from her because the writing was really beautiful, authentic and really gave a glimpse into Colombian worldview....more
"Comparing yourself to others and deeming yourself better off is no remedy for mental illness. The remedy is internal work—lots of it. But acknowledgi"Comparing yourself to others and deeming yourself better off is no remedy for mental illness. The remedy is internal work—lots of it. But acknowledging the issue at hand must come first."
Maame by Jessica George crept up on me in a way that was surprising. It started out as a DNF because I couldn't get past two particular characters whose racism and micor- aggressions had me ready to throw the book across the room. I wanted to literally lift Maddie out of the pages and give her a hug because she was so naive and way too nice.
Returning to Maame after several weeks finally put me in the headspace to experience the beauty of this story. When I finally allowed myself to simply focus on Maddie I was so pleasantly surprised. Maddie's grief over her father's death and her crushing anxieties about being a sole caregiver to a chronically ill parent hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt all her emotions and I got to see why she was so innocent when it came to matters of love, dating, racism and microaggressions in the workplace and life in general.
When you're forced to grow up faster than usual and your choices are in life are taken from you, it is easy to lose your voice. And if you come from a culture when you are not supposed to talk about your family issues, then it's even easier to fall deep into depression and not even recognize the signs. Maddie was robbed of her choices and she wasn't truly living for herself. Everything revolved around pleasing her family and it trickled into her workplace. Who do you trust for life advice when your first role models have failed you?
Maddie's grief and therapy journey is what really sealed the deal for me. George's writing was beautiful and this turned out to be a stunning debut. Thank you @stmartinspress for the gifted copy & beautiful matching journal. I definitely recommend this one if you enjoy coming of age stories that tackle grief and mental health....more
"That's the trouble with bending. It was impossible to know how far to go before you broke."
Reading Rubi Ramos's Recipes for Success by Jassica Parra "That's the trouble with bending. It was impossible to know how far to go before you broke."
Reading Rubi Ramos's Recipes for Success by Jassica Parra was the highlight of my week. It was witty, heartwarming, and overall a joy to experience. This is a debut novel that features stellar writing, larger than life characters and a whole lot of heart. I was so captivated by the story that I can't believe this is Parra's first novel.
Rubi Ramos is a protagonist I won't easily forget because I related so much to her issues. She's Afro-Latina, a daughter of immigrants dealing with racism, white saviorism in college admissions and at the same time carrying the heavy weight of her parents' expectations of the American Dream and her own feelings of imposter syndrome and FOMO. She has a strained relationship with her mother because of her rigid expectations and the unresolved trauma from Cuba. Rubi longs to connect to her Cuban roots through baking but her parents want her to pursue law instead as a way to avoid the struggle they had to go through to make ends meet. Rubi is afraid to chase her own dreams because of the guilt she feels about feeling indebted to her parents for their sacrifices. Parra did an amazing job showing how some immigrant parents value assimilation and education over creativity and arts and how the weight of trying to make independent choices for yourself can be paralyzing and anxiety provoking.
Although this one tackled heavy themes in Latinx culture, Parra managed to give us a sweet romance that didn't overpower the story, supportive teenage friendship and acceptance, lots of Cuban culture and lots of yummy food and baking. Do yourselves a favor treat yourself to the beauty that is this story. Parra is an author to keep your eye on in the future. Thanks to @wednesdaybooks for sending me a gifted copy....more
"I try to say, I mean to say, but I can't form the words, can't understand what to do with the sound of my own voice."
I'm Not Hungry but I Could Eat b"I try to say, I mean to say, but I can't form the words, can't understand what to do with the sound of my own voice."
I'm Not Hungry but I Could Eat by Christopher Gonzalez was a delightful yet though-provoking collection of stories that I will never forget. With these stories, Gonzalez dissects the idea of appetite and reimagines it not just as hunger tied to food but as it's own character in with varying motivations. Appetite is the thread that tethers this collection together and challenges what you think you know about hunger.
In 'Packed White Spaces' the protagonists hungers to be seen and to show up as his authentic self rather than to be constrained by the white gaze. This was one of my favorite stories because it pokes fun at white minimalism and exposes it for what it really is: white privilege. Many marginalized people can't choose minimalism. It is forced on them because of capitalism, poverty and corporate greed. This one also tackles fatphobia and its relationship to wealth, as well as the pervasiveness in queer communities.
In 'A Mountain of Invertebrates', you see how poverty forces you to feign an appetite because it forces you to not waste food. This conditioning shows up in romantic relationships when dating and you force yourself to eat food you dont even enjoy in social settings due to your own appetite for love.
In 'Better Than All That', you see that even gay or bisexual men are participants in toxic masculinity when they have no safe spaces to come out as their ture sexual identity. This appetite for acceptance, unrequited love and authenticity often harms other queer people. You also see appetite show up as longing to be seen by a stranger and be "chosen".
'Little Moves' tackles the fatphobia and homophobia in families and the ways that you have to reconcile good memories while acknowledging the ways that someone also harmed you and forced you to hide within yourself. In this one, appetite shows up as a choice to either become your authentic self or remain longing for change and acceptance that will never come.
Every story adds layers to the notion of appetite in unique ways. Some delve into the speculative, and others delve into ridiculousness that will have you laughing out loud and questioning the purpose of life. This was Gonzalez's debut novel, but this collection read like the work of a well seasoned writer. Gonzalez is a queer voice that I look forward to reading more from in the future. His writing was poetic and his narrative voice commands attention and will rightfully take up space in literary forums. If you're looking for a story collection that features bisexual men in ordinary situations but gives you thought-provoking prose, then give this one a try. Overall, it was a thoughtful, genre bending collection that will take from the mundane and weird and includes a jaw-dropping twist you won't see coming. Christopher Gonzalez is a star on the rise and I cannot wait to see what else is on the horizon with his work....more
"Sometimes I wondered how she knew so much stuff I didn't know and then I got sad because I didn't have a sadness of my own—my sadness was the same as"Sometimes I wondered how she knew so much stuff I didn't know and then I got sad because I didn't have a sadness of my own—my sadness was the same as Isora's except inside my body. It was kind of like a fake sadness, like a knockoff sadness. That was me. I had no real reason to be sad, so I just made one up. "
Dogs of Summer by Andrea Abreu was a perfect summer read I read im month for Women in Translation . It takes place in the Canary Islands and documents the mundane of Summer days spent by two elementary school age best friends. It's a coming if age story ripe with big emotions, the innocence of youth, girlhood and friendship. It's a bite sized translated work full of beautiful prose that brings the setting and community to life.
Even though this one is a relatively short read it leaves a lasting impression not only because of the themes it covers but also because the writing is stunning. Dogs of Summer reminds me of summer days full of spontaneous adventures, young obsessive friendships, puberty and adolescence, loss of innocence, the dangers of naiveté and girlhood, jealousy and sexuality and the complexities of exploring youth and the outdoors.
"Many times we don't need something until we lack it."
Neither Out Far Nor in Deep by Leah T. Williams was the heartwarming #ReadCaribbean read I neede"Many times we don't need something until we lack it."
Neither Out Far Nor in Deep by Leah T. Williams was the heartwarming #ReadCaribbean read I needed to kick off this month. It's a story that is familiar in that it's about a teenager getting into trouble, who gets sent to St. Kitts to stay with his grandfather and get his act together. The opening scenes leap right into action and set the stage for what is to come.
Williams does a fantastic job of capturing today's teenager in Kadeem, who is so far removed from the Caribbean life. I found myself cracking up at the things that would fly out of Kadeem's mouth. Watching him adjust to Caribbean life felt realistic and the story had a very modern feel.
I loved the depiction of life in St. Kitts from the language to the food and other aspects of culture. The relationship that developed between Kadeem and his grandfather won me over. I loved their back and forth banter and how Granddad taught him lessons through old sayings typical to St. Kitts. Their organic evolution was so beautiful to experience.
Even though the story was light hearted Williams managed to cover some great themes such as culture clash, challenges of adolescence, coming of age, the disconnect with traditional healthcare systems, found family, positive male Black role models, and the importance of grandparents for social support. It also touched on the lack of resources for Black males deemed to be "troubled" in the school system. It was also refreshing to see a friendship where one isn't afraid to challenge their friend to do better and to recognize their privilege. This one would be a great addition to school libraries and for those wanting an escape to the Caribbean that will feel like home....more
"Death was a concept I couldn't get my head around. All I knew was hot to get through the day and avoid the dangers that stalked me at every turn. I d"Death was a concept I couldn't get my head around. All I knew was hot to get through the day and avoid the dangers that stalked me at every turn. I didn't yet know that death had been with me since I was born, that she had my name tattooed on her forehead, that she holds my hand at night, sits down to eat with me, that we breathe in unison".
Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada is a coming of age, translated work about travesti sex workers in Argentina. The author includes a note as to why they choose to identify as travestis and why language is important in claiming their own narrative.
This story was heartbreaking and compelling. It really brings to light the importance of community in the trans world for survival. Society asks them to continually die to themselves in order to be worthy of being loved and accepted. They are met with unspeakable violence if they live as their authentic selves.
The author uses visibility as an important theme to show the ways that trans women long to be fully seen in their humanity but at the same time have to stay hidden to avoid violence at the hands of men. This story also talks about the importance of owning their own bodies and what bodies society deems valuable and worthy of respect. Camila, the main protagonist speaks of the ways many transwomen struggle with acceptance and love because of the rejection of their parents that forced them onto the streets.
It was interesting to see how class affects who gets to come out, what economic opportunities are available and how privilege is traversed between worlds. The magical realism aspects added layers to the story and were a metaphor for the ways that some tranwomen literally transform because of the pain that they feel.
The aspect of community is at the core of this story. Being in relationship with others just like themselves is how transwoman form their identities, get the support & safety that they need and literally how they survive day to day. Society pushes this community to the outskirts of the margins and slowly kills them through medical discrimination, gentrification, criminalization & patriarchal violence.
The aspect of language is crucial to identity as well. It is one of the only things that allows them to not only identity themselves but to voice their stories to the world. Motherhood is explored in a nuanced way as you see their community mother tap in to her maternal instincts when she finds an abandoned baby and takes him in. They all play a part in mothering this child as the neighborhood rallies against them and hurls violence and threatens legal action. They cling to motherhood for their own survival and for the survival of their community. This an essential read and I highly recommend that you pick this one up....more
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