Entering My Well Read Black Girl Era

Reading can take you places you have never been before. - Dr. Seuss 

I remember seeing the hashtag #wellreadblackgirl everywhere and took a little and wanted to dive into reading again, but it just wasn’t the time. I’ve listened to audiobooks over the years, maybe 2-3 per year, but I haven’t picked up a book in FOREVER. I realized that something had to change. I used to enjoy reading. It was a way for me to escape; I even did some poetry writing many moons ago. 

So here’s to getting back to enjoying the things I love.

Books I’ve read recently that I think you should too!

Before I Let Go - Kennedy Ryan

I boo hoo cried with this book. It was everything I didn’t know I needed at that moment. This book tackles various common issues we face in life; grief, loss, love, and hope.

Dear Black Girl: Letters From Your Sisters on Stepping Into Your Power

Black (teen) girls everywhere need this book. I needed this book when I was younger. Tamara, you did this; you answered the call, and to the women that helped - thank you. Maybe I’ll put it on my to-do list to write my own letter because it was precisely what is needed.

Finding Me  - Viola Davis 

I always loved Viola, but now I really LOVE Viola Davis! I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was soooooooooo good. Hearing her tell her story made it that much better. It reminded me my story isn’t over. I may not be where I want to be, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

This was such a beautiful love story, one to make you laugh and cry a little. It’s a great reminder of what’s truly important in life. What are you willing to give up for your own happiness?

My Current TBR List

While my list is rather long, I will skip the long list and give you the condensed version or at least what I think I’ll read next.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted - Jayne Allen 

(Book 1 of 3)

Category: Family Life, African American Women, Friendship 

Black Cake - Charmaine Wilkerson

Category: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Family   

Maame - Jessica George

Category: Coming of Age, Literary Fiction, Family 

The Perfect Marriage - Jeneva Rose

Category: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Fiction

The Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo

Category: YA, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age, LGBT 

Book Review: Girl, wash your face!

Girl, wash your face! If the title doesn’t intrigue you I don’t know what will. I am not as much of an avid reader like I used to be. However, I do enjoy reading from time to time.

I had never heard of this book before but a woman I know kept posting quotes from it and it kept doing something to my spirit then I knew I had to read it!

In this book, Rachel Hollis shares with us how she is going on about her life even after things have happened to her. She isn’t perfect and has made mistakes but she has chosen to keep going. I know many of us can relate.

While reading this book it caused me to take a deeper look at myself. Like wth am I doing with my life? I cannot throw myself a pity party. Life is too short and I have to boss up. Is it possible that if I change the way I think and the way I speak to myself then things could change? Possibly!

What are you doing to speak positivity into your life?

Get your copy of Girl, Wash Your Face today and if you've already read it check out her new book, Girl, Stop Aplogizing...

Book Review: #LunchboxChronicles Raising A Conscious Black Boy In America

“It’s amazing that while we may be parents, our children help us fully grow up. While I mold him, he molds me right back in return.” Tai Hall

When I was initially contacted about the book #LunchboxChronicles Raising a Conscious Black Boy in America – I was wondering how this could apply to me…I have daughters. Then it hit me – I have nephews, cousins, and friends with sons. How could I not want to be aware of the problems they face in America every day?

First things first, I must admit, like most people a cover will catch my attention this one was no different. I like that what she chooses to include in her son's lunch box. It's real life things that our babies carry with them every day. You have an apple, banana, water, chips, a noose, a gun, and a bloody badge. It’s unfortunate that this is what life has come to but we really aren’t free.

Secondly, Hall gets cool points for hashtags! We are totally Millennial Moms. We live for a good hashtag and how she turned something so simple as her daily struggle with her son forgetting his lunchbox into a life lesson is amazing.

Without giving too much detail because I want you to read the book. I realized one VERY important thing. We are so much alike. The fears she has of raising her son are the same fears I have with raising my girls. You always wonder if you’re doing it right- even when you have no clue yourself. Our children find us imperfectly perfect and that’s the best we could ever ask for.

 I have laughed and cried with this book. Life has been put into perspective for and I love a book that can do it. We all need to read something that makes us want to do and be better.

I highly recommend you check this book out you won't be disappointed. You can find it here! 

Food for thought: Are you raising self aware children? Do they understand that life really isn't fair? What disscussions are you having around your dinner table?

Connect with the Author - Tai Hall

Instagram: @perfectly.tai

 

About the Author

Tai Hall is a multiple business owner and philanthropist Maryland native who dedicates her life to improving the quality of lives of others. Tai became an International Massage Therapist, best selling author, and owner of the largest underground dispensary in the DMV— THC Legacy established in 2017. She is versed on healing the body, holding a Bachelors in Neuromolecular Biomechanics, a Masters in Healthcare, & has traveled the world perfecting her craft. Spending several years as the team therapist at UMD-CO of Maryland in College Park, she had since moved on to open two successful in-office massage studios

13 Reasons Why

I like many people in America have seen this plastered across our timelines "13 Reasons Why..." This Netflix series has taken off! I remember starting it last year but I couldn't bring myself to watch it. It felt like a place I wasn't willing to go.  

I mean really, who wants to hear about why someone committed suicide but you know what I get it and I like it. These are conversations that need to be had. Why aren't we talking to our kids? My biggest fear is to know that my child is hurting and I can't see it. Sometimes our kids are so good at hiding things from us but are we paying attention?

I remember high school being a nightmare for me and I know it's only gotten worst. I've spoken with several moms who have chosen to let their children do school online or homeschool them because they just can't deal with the mess that's happening. I completely understand their choice but I don't think I could do that. I have to work so quitting my job and homeschooling isn't an option for me. But what I can do is make sure that I'm raising strong children who know how to use their voice. 

There are several episodes I would love to dive into, but I won't especially if you haven't seen it. 

“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything.” 
― Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why

Have you ever had one incident changed your ENTIRE life? Like you could never erase it. It just won't go away. It just keeps haunting you. A major part of the reason I started blogging was to take that fear away. I would not be forced into silence. So I understand why Hannah choose to leave behind those tapes - she needed her voice to be heard. 

I have always appeared to be older than I actually was and that has been a gift and a curse but as a 9- year old girl that looked 13 or so, it was HORRIBLE! Granted there is no excuse for what the person did and how they behaved...

I used to be extremely fond of rollerblading. I would skate in my parent's driveway almost every day after school. I probably did it a little too often because one day a man showed up out of nowhere. It scared me. I didn't know what was about to happen to me but I recognized the man because he worked at my school. He kept talking to me and wanting to know if my parents were home...it began to feel very uncomfortable and thank God my mom came outside. My mom questioned him but he didn't give any answers and she shoosed him away. It was weird and scary. Who knows what would have happened to me. Could I have been on someone's milk carton? My mom, being the type of mother she is wasn't going for that foolishness. She went to the school and reported the incident. He was let go due to the nature of his behavior and told to stay away from my family and I.

That incident changed my life and not in a good way. It was my first lesson with the rape culture and how you're expected not to say anything. I was bullied for months behind this. It was awful!!!!!! It got so bad that I didn't ride the bus to or from school anymore because people felt that I wanted the attention and shouldn't have been upset about getting it.

Some things may never change, children will be picked on...but what should we do? I believe as a parent it's my job to teach my children right from wrong. It's my job to help them understand that being mean to someone does not give them a leg up in the world.

Have you watched? If so, what are your thoughts? Is there anything you would change?