Bri Books

Let's review season 4 episode 5 of HBO's "Insecure": Lowkey Movin' On. Spoiler Alert: There are spoilers. We'll discuss the episode's overarching theme and recap the major moments. At the end of each episode, I'm going to recommend a #BriBooks read for the main character, along with a song of the week and #OOTN--which fit on "Insecure" reigned supreme?

• 1:00 - 12:20 - "Insecure" season 4 episode 5 recap

• 12:30 - #OOTN: Issa's vintage 'Waiting to Exhale' sweatshirt/ tee (vintage from eBay)

• 13:30 - Song of the night: "Wobble" by VIC

• 14:20 - My #BriBooks recommendation: "Codependency for Dummies" by Darlene Lancer, MFT. for Molly. This book was 'prescribed' to me by my therapist in 2015, and it completely revolutionized how I saw myself vis-a-vis friends and family members and helped me establish strong emotional boundaries that are still in place to this day. It 100% deserves a spot in your library.

Let's review season 4 episode 4 of HBO's "Insecure": Lowkey Losin' It. Spoiler Alert: There are spoilers. We'll discuss the episode's overarching theme and recap the major moments. At the end of each episode, I'm going to recommend a #BriBooks read for the main character, along with a song of the week and #OOTN--which fit on "Insecure" reigned supreme?

• 1:00 - 6:20 - "Insecure" season 4 episode 4 recap
• 6:30 - The overarching theme of the episode: Every character is "Insecure" about their ability to juggle it all and keep their shit together
• 8:30 - My #BriBooks recommendation: "The Art of Showing Up" for Issa. Here's an episode I recorded about the book, and why it deserves a spot in your library.
• 9:54 - "Temperature" by TeaaMarr
• 10:40 - #OOTN: Molly's Maison Margiela laser cut-out jeans ($660)

EPISODES MENTIONED

"5 Books to Add To Your TBR Pile in May," featuring "The Art of Showing Up"

What are you reading? Let me know by reviewing Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, joining the community on Instagram, and show me your book shelfie using #bribooks!

• Let's review season 4 episode 3 of HBO's "Insecure": Lowkey Thankful. Spoiler Alert: There are spoilers. We'll discuss the episode's overarching theme and recap the major moments. At the end of each episode, I'm going to recommend a #BriBooks read for the main character, along with a song of the week and #OOTN--which fit on "Insecure" reigned supreme?
• 0:30 - 9:30 - "Insecure" season 4 episode 3 recap
• 10:00 - The overarching theme of the episode: Every character is "Insecure" about their investments
• 11:25 - My #BriBooks recommendation: "The Art of Making Memories" for Molly. Here's an episode I recorded about the book, and why it deserves a spot in your library.
• 13:00 - Song of the week is "Case of the Ex" by Mya
• 14:15 - #OOTN: Molly's asymmetric blazer from the brand Monse has a gorgeous cape effect: think Carmen SanDiego meets Olivia Pope ($3,793)

EPISODES MENTIONED

"5 Books to Add To Your TBR Pile in May," featuring "The Art of Making Memories"

• Let's review season4 episode 2 of HBO's "Insecure": Lowkey Distant. Spoiler Alert: There are spoilers. We'll discuss the episode's overarching theme and recap the major moments. At the end of each episode, I'm going to recommend a #BriBooks read for a main character, along with a song of the week and #OOTN--which fit on "Insecure" reigned supreme?
• 1:30 - 10:50 - "Insecure" season 4 episode 2 recap
• 11:00 - The overarching theme of the episode: Every character is "Insecure" about their position
• 14:10 - My #BriBooks recommendation: Journals! Everyone needs to start journaling, STAT! Here's my #bujo journal tutorial for the girls.
• 15:00 - Song of the week is "Waste My Time" by Zaia
• 15:30 - #OOTN: Molly's wearing an emerald kelly green sweetheart neckline velvet ruched bustier-style top from The Attico (via Luisaviaroma) is the DREAM!

Today's episode is kicking off a series of recaps and reviews of "Insecure," Issa Rae's hit show on HBO. In these episodes, we'll discuss the episode theme, do a recap of the major moments, and a deep dive into characters. At the end of each episode, I'm going to recommend a #BriBooks read for the main character, along with a song of the week and #OOTN--which fit on "Insecure" reigned supreme?

• 1:40 - As they say on the "Black Girls Squee" podcast, "Spoiler alert: We spoil shit."

• 2:08-10:22: "Insecure" season 4 episode 1 recap

• 10:15 - The overarching theme of the episode: Every character is "Insecure" about their history

• 14:20 - My #BriBooks recommendation: I recommend Issa pick up "The Defining Decade: Why Your 20s Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now" by Meg Jay, PH.D. Here's an episode about "Bri Books" I recorded about the book, featuring actor and creator Cyndii Johnson.

• 16:15 - Song of the week is "Cool Enough" by TeaMarrr. TeaMarr recently signed with Issa Rae's music label "Raedio." the song is about the feeling of being emotionally betrayed, although at time we betray ourselves.

• 17:30 - #OOTN - Issa Rae in a vegan leather Nanusha wrap skirt and blazer set

OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED

• Yvonne Orji, the actor who portrays Molly on "Insecure," was a speaker at the 2019 MTYRetreat in Cancun, Mexico where she dropped countless gems about remaining laser-focused while reaching for your future. Here's an episode I recorded with "Swirl Suite" host Sarita Chaves about the retreat experience.

What have you been reading? Show me your TBR pile on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to our newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

You know you need a break from the screen, so Bri Books is here with 5 books worth adding to your 'TBR' ('To Be Read') pile. Last Sunday, I woke up on a mission: organize the Bri Books library's several TBR piles that were inexplicably cropping up around my home. Here are the reads I'm diving back into (after finishing "The Mirror and the Light" by Hilary Mantel, of course.)

Pssst, Bri Books just published a podcast episode about historical fiction novels and TV shows you should watch.

1. "The Paris Hours" by Alex George (May 2020) - Told over the single day in 1927 Paris, this novel takes four ordinary people whose stories, told together, are as extraordinary as the city they inhabit.

2. "Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown" by Anne Glenconner (March 2020) is an extraordinary memoir of royal secrets, legacy, and loss. Anne Glenconnor is a close member of the royal circle and was Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret, as seen on Netflix's "The Crown." If you love the Royals and if Megxit gave you a buzz, you should pick up "Lady in Waiting."

3. "Volcanoes and Wine: From Pompeii to Napa" by Charles Frankle (November 2019) takes us across the stunning and dangerous world of volcanic wines. It sounds like the perfect blend of geology, world history, and wine.

4. "The Art of Showing Up: How to Be There for Yourself and Your People" by Rachel Wilkerson Miller (May 2020) is the perfect companion piece to, well, our current reality. Could it BE any more on-the-nose?!

5. "The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments" by Meik Wiking (October 2019) is a keepsake worth distilling into a future episode of Bri Books. I'll definitely write down what I learn from this book and any insights into how we can all make deeper memories during these uncertain times.

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What have you been reading? Show me your TBR pile on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to our newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

Anyone else in the mood for comfort reading? In this episode, I'm revealing the two historical fiction series that'll get you through the next phase of social distancing. What are you reading? Let me know by reviewing Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, joining the community on Instagram, and show me your TBR pile using #bribooks! SUBSCRIBE TO BRI BOOKS ON APPLE PODCASTS

Bri Books Best Historical Fiction Novels to Read During Quarantine (and What to Watch)

Historical literature, in a nutshell, is a piece of writing wherein the plot takes place in the past. What sets historical fiction apart is the detail the author takes to create a world that pays attention to the period being discussed. When it comes to historical fiction, you want to select an author who will 'do right' by the characters being created. Women write fantastic historical fiction. I'm certain former Bri Books guest Liana Rodriguez would agree!

These two historical fiction novel series have visual counterparts (like an accompanying TV series). Welcome to the Bri Books Pod Multiplatform Book Club!

Series #1: "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

3:25 - The origin story of the "Outlander" historical fiction novel series by Diana Gabaldon and the novel's plot

Series #2: "Wolf Hall" Trilogy by Hilary Mantel

6:30 - "Wolf Hall" series by Hilary Mantel is my all-time favorite historical fiction collection. The trilogy spans "Wolf Hall," "Bring Up The Bodies," and Mantel's final installation "The Mirror and the Light." Reading "The Mirror and the Light" by Hilary Mantel feels like riding a roller coaster. The first novel, "Wolf Hall," chronicles the rise of Thomas Cromwell and the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, the Archbishop; and the impact of Anne Boleyn. "Bring Up the Bodies" traces the beginnings (and end) of Anne Boleyn, and the ushering in of Jane Seymour, the third of King Henry's queens. Oh, and a casual Protestant Reformation sweeping the nation, NBD. I highly recommend you read the entire "Wolf Hall" trilogy, and to accompany your reading, watch the 2015 BBC six-part mini-series "Wolf Hall," which follows the plots of the first two novels.

What have you been reading? Show me your TBR pile on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to our newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

I'm sharing the quarantine cookbooks and recipes that have been the most used and helpful to me during these first few weeks of the global pandemic. These are the titles that have been feeding my soul, my tummy, and aligning with my community. I've been buying a local CSA box from Local Roots NYC, while independently supporting my favorite Greenmarket farmers. When I get my Local Roots CSA subscription box delivered, I go straight to the indexes of my favorite cookbooks to uncover any recipes I can create with my new produce finds. What have you been eating? Show me your meals on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to our newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter and check out more behind-the-scenes photos on bribookspod.com!

Bri Books 6 Best Cookbooks for Nourishing Meals During Quarantine

• 3:00 - Book 1: "From the Oven to the Table: Simple Dishes that Look After Themselves" by Diana Henry. Thanks to the Local Roots CSA, I've been able to experiment more with cooking meats! This cookbook is full of tips on what to look for in your fresh produce and ingredients. The recipes are so simple, and they make you feel alive from the inside out.

• 6:30 - Book 2: "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman. I mentioned this book on the Bri Books episode "How to Build Confidence in the Kitchen" featuring Danielle and Sherrod of "Slice and Torte" Podcast. This cookbook is where I go for technique and ingredient-specific help. For example, I was in search of a chili recipe to make with my Local Roots ground beef, and found the perfect one in "How to Cook Everything" (pssst…here's the recipe.)

• 8:20 - Book 3: "Every Day is Saturday: Recipes and Strategies for Easy Cooking Every Day of the Week" by Sarah Copeland. This cookbook is the ultimate comfort food companion. Every recipe tastes like you're eating at your favorite neighborhood joint; these recipes are 100% restaurant-worthy quality. I love Sarah Copeland's 'catch-all' take on easy, leftovers-based, nibbly Sunday night dinners. The meals in this cookbook call on ingredients you already have--especially the mains! The "Every Day Is Saturday" cookbook reminds me to be my own best chef.

• 11:40 - Book 4: "Jubilee: Recipes for Two Centuries of African-American Cooking" by Toni Martin-Tipton. I mentioned this book on the "5 Most Delicious Cookbooks" episode of Bri Books. This book brings together the depth of African-American cuisine and techniques, and shines a loving light on the roots of American food. This cookbook is built on learning and sharing our knowledge, and I'm 100% committed.

• 13:00 - Book 5: "Vegetable Kingdom" by Bryant Terry. Terry is a James Beard Award-winning chef, educator and author of the iconic book "Afro-Vegan." Terry's renowned for his efforts to create a healthy and equitable food system. This cookbook is already inspiring the ways I take in the fresh flavors of spring.

• 14:50 - Book 6: "Cook Beautiful" by Athena Calderone, which I discovered at Sezane, one of my favorite French brands. Athena is a creator of beauty, a stylist, a lifestylist, an interior expert and advocate, she breathes life/ texture creativity into rooms. In this cookbook, she reveals the secrets to preparing unforgettable meals. You can feel how Athena loves to create a sense of belonging and warmth in both food and in life. One of my favorite things about the book is that it's broken into seasons--you can come back to different sections for inspiration! Athena was featured on Glamour.com as 1 of 11 female interior designers to support (and follow on Instagram). Athena Calderone's entire ethos is that you don't need a sprawling space and an endless supply of farm-fresh food to live well— just need a bit of tender care, attention to detail, and inspiration. But the farm-fresh food doesn't hurt ;) (Hiii, Local Roots!)

What have you been eating? Show me your meals on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to our newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

Because your tastebuds don't have to perish and February dinners don't have to suck. In this episode of "Bri Books," we're discussing what's in season (and delicious) during deep winter in places like New York, Boston, Atlanta, DC and St. Louis, and Los Angeles.

Here's the food you can pick up at your local farmers market (shoutout to GrowNYC Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, my personal home market) or grocery store.

For a full breakdown of each ingredient and 3 quick winter recipes, learn them on bribookspod.com.

Bri Books Deep Winter Fruit and Veggie Seasonality List:

1.Apples

2. Beets

3. Cabbage

4. Onions

5. Parsnips

6. Turnips

7. Squash

8. Carrots

I call this my makeup bag highlight my "office beauty beat" 👩🏿‍💼featuring the star products currently in my rotation—including my take on the @fentybeauty "Full Frontal" mascara.

All links to the products are at https://bribookspod.com/home/fenty-mascara-review.

I'm curious, What's in your "office beat" makeup routine? Let me know by reviewing Bri Books on Apple Podcast, and show me your office #OOTD and selfie using #bribooks!

1. @lauramercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, $47 2. @tomfordbeauty Glow Stick, $55 3. @lorealmakeup Blush Please, $9.99 4. @fentybeauty Full Frontal Mascara, $24 5. @maybelline Brow Precise Brow pencil, $7.99 6. @ilmakiage Infinity Lip Cream, $22