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 

Happy Mental Health Month 2023

As a black woman that has struggled with her mental health for years, I must celebrate mental health month! We are expected to be strong and have it all together, but not all of us do.

It’s time to change the narrative; mental health is health care. I remember thinking that I was less than for experiencing episodes of depression or being crippled with anxiety. Still, I needed to find ways to manage these things through therapy and medication.

I wanted to take the time to highlight the article below by Mental Health America. This organization is committed to promoting mental health as a critical part of a person’s overall well-being.

Look Around, Look Within: Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health!

Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally?

This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health.

 Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer. While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.

• Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reaching out to state/local agencies to secure housing, removing safety hazards in the home, or finding another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.

• Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you feel calm and positive.

• Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighborshelping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.

 • Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.

If you’re taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with your mental health, you may be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. Take a free, private screening at mhascreening.org to help you figure out what is going on and determine the next steps. The world around us can be both positive and negative – bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. Learn more with Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit, which provides free, practical resources, such as how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more.