COUNTING THE COST: A MEMOIR by Jill (Duggar) Dillard

Jill Dillard, the oldest married daughter of the Duggar clan, reveals the details behind her estrangement from her family. As much as reality TV can be blamed for Duggar family issues, IBLP also contributed to the toxic family values. ‘Counting the Cost’ is perhaps the most authentic memoir to come out this year. Jill’s true voice has been uncovered.

Further reading: ‘Becoming Free, Indeed’ by Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo

Similar on TV: Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime

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THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by Zakiya Dalila Harris

When being black in the workplace goes wrong… Nella swallows covert racism in her editorial position as the only black woman in the company until Hazel arrives. Invoking the best friend to enemy trope, this book slowly reveals the conspiracy that Nella is up against. SPOILER ALERT: Hair grease is the weapon. Jesus be a fence!

Further reading: ‘When No One is Watching’ by Alyssa Cole & ‘The Sellout’ by Paul Beatty

Similar movies” ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ & ‘US’

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THE PRESIDENT AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTER: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and their battle to save America’s soul by Brian Kilmeade

This piece details Lincoln & Douglass’ proximity to abolitionism, the executive office & the US Civil War. The issue surrounding federal power & the president’s ability to free those enslaved, created a deep division that threatened the union established less than a century prior. In comparison to Peniel E. Joseph’s Sword & Shield, this book [& writing] failed to impress me with the overall structure. Obviously, Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass remain important historical figures regardless. 

Further reading to checkout: ‘The Columbian Orator’, ‘Lincoln’ by David Herbert Donald & ‘Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass’ by Frederick Douglass

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HUMBLE THE POET - Book Trilogy for Life

Unlearn (2014), Thing No One Else Can Teach Us (2019) & How To Be Love(d) (2022) are all pieces by Humble The Poet that discuss growth and introspection. The trilogy encourages the removal of bad habits, focus within the current journey & aiming to become a vessel of love. They build off of one another by expanding on the best practices for personal peace. Humble has alluded to a pause on writing books, but I think everything he’s produced thus far has been worthy of publication. Here’s to hoping we see more from in the future!

Playlist for reading: To Feel Love/d by Luke James

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THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson

The Piano Lesson is a dramatic stage play exploring legacy, family, ambition & dreams; all symbolized by the family’s piano. Popularized recently by it’s 2023 Broadway run with an all-star cast, this is an important reflection of what many black families dealt with  a few generations removed from slavery.

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THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE by Tupac Shakur

Tupac, the activist, the poet, the artist, the rapper, the lover, the human. ‘The Rose That Grew From Concrete’ is a compilation of poems written by Pac between 1989 - 1991.

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THE TIPPING POINT: HOW LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE by Malcolm Gladwell

The tipping point is the catalyst for any epidemic. Gladwell explains the science behind word of mouth & Paul Revere’s successful journey; the power of context & the Zimbardo experiment; and the stickiness factor & Sesame Street’s successful curation. Ultimately, the Tipping Point preemptively foretold why Social Media Influencers would be successful & necessary for  the corporate ecosystem.

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BAD BOY: A MEMOIR by Walter Dean Myers

‘Bad Boy’ is a memoir covering Walter Dean Myers’ childhood up to the beginnings of his successful career in writing. From Harlem to the army to New Jersey, this man always communicated in creativity. Dean Myers published his 1st book “Where Does The Day Go?” after winning a literature contest in 1969; he continued to publish books for over 40 years. Bad Boy serves not only as a reflective piece for him, but a masterclass on the evolution of a great author.

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The Unbothered King has spoken! Omarion details his internal process of maintaining a peaceful mentality in his writer’s debut. Flying high above internet beefs, O reflects on fear, masculinity, emotions & more while encouraging readers to be introspective. As a longtime Omarion fan, I was pleasantly surprised in learning about his more personal side. As a book reviewer, I was delighted to observe the various affirmations & prayers sprinkled in the plot. Overall, I had a well spent afternoon reading this & I’m looking forward to more music O!

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gJb1vGoc9Gez06Nmz89Bf

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-idle/id1501703673#episodeGuid=0be7a2e3-7aec-4f26-8ad8-f3743edbe2b0

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