Culture Lit

What happens when the romance books your teen loves don't feature characters who look like them? This episode is a love letter to young Black girls who deserve to see themselves as the heroine—not the sidekick.

Octavia Marie shares seven powerful Black YA romance novels that center Black teens in stories of love, identity, and self-discovery.

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Subscribe to the Culture Lit Podcast Community here: CultureLitPodcast.com

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

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Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

What if you approached your life the way romance heroines approach love — with clear standards, unwavering belief in your worth, and refusal to settle?

In this episode, Octavia Marie breaks down how to create a vision board that actually works, using principles from Genevieve Behrend's 1921 classic "Your Invisible Power." Learn the five intentions that are guiding 2026, example affirmations that feel authentic (not cringe), and why manifesting your dream life is an act of rebellion for Black women. Plus: how Hendrix Bell, Nina, and Eva Mercy are basically vision board queens. This isn't just pretty Pinterest boards — this is about choosing yourself, every single day.

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED:

1. "Your Invisible Power" by Genevieve Behrend (1921)
2. "Can't Get Enough" by Kennedy Ryan (Skyland Series #3)
3. "Plus Size Player" by Danielle Allen
4. "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams

Find these and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Subscribe to the Culture Lit Podcast Community here: CultureLitPodcast.com

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Threads: becomingoctavia

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

Sometimes your heart knows what to do before your mind catches up. In this deeply personal episode, Octavia is opening up about her wellness journey post-cancer, the messy politics of health in 2026, and why choosing joy through romance novels is actually revolutionary.

Octavia shares what she learned during three months in Portugal, how therapy helped her silence her inner critic, and why she's skeptical of wellness culture while still being intentional about her health. Plus, she's revealing the Black romance novels she's most excited to read in 2026—from Kennedy Ryan's highly anticipated Score to Danielle Allen's final Curve series book.

This episode is about trust, healing, and the wisdom that comes from choosing yourself—in wellness and in the stories we consume.

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Threads: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

Curl up with your favorite blanket, sis — this one's for your holiday TBR.

In this cozy episode of Culture Lit, Octavia Marie shares a curated list of Black Christmas romance novels that bring all the festive vibes: forced proximity, fake dating, second chances, bookstore magic, royal romance, and big feelings wrapped in twinkling lights. If the holidays feel hectic, consider this your invitation to slow down, grab your tea, and disappear into love stories where Black women are cherished, chosen, and celebrated.

From Christmas in Spite of You by KC Mills and Not in the Christmas Plan by Etta Easton, to Second Chance Christmas by Jahquel J, The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh, Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory, Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello, The Holly Dates by Brittany Cherry, Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello, and A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane — consider this your guided tour through holiday romance heaven.

Loved these recommendations? Share this episode with your Black romance book-loving friends, sign-up for the Culture Lit newsletter for special guides and more, Hit subscribe, and grab one at Culture Lit's digital bookstore — where every purchase supports independent bookstores and celebrates Black authors.

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

In this engaging conversation, Octavia Marie interviews Jaquel, a prolific author in the Black romance genre. They discuss Jaquel's extensive literary universe, the personal connections readers have with her work, and the dynamics of her characters, particularly in her latest release, 'Heart of a Goon.' The conversation delves into reader reactions, character development, and the marketing strategies that have contributed to Jaquel's success. Additionally, they touch on the importance of self-care for writers and the authenticity of dialogue across different storylines. In this engaging conversation, Jahquel J. and Octavia Marie delve into the intricacies of character development, the writing process, and the balance between realism and hope in storytelling. They discuss the interconnectedness of plotlines, the impact of community support on a writer's journey, and the importance of redemption arcs for characters. Jahquel shares insights into her writing process, the themes she explores in her work, and her excitement for upcoming projects, all while emphasizing the significance of creating relatable characters that resonate with readers.

Find Jahquel's books and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Find Jahquel:

Instagram @jahquel_

Threads: @jahquel_

JahquelJ.com

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

In this episode, Octavia breaks down exactly what makes sports romance so emotionally compelling — the high stakes, the public vs. private dynamic, the discipline that becomes devotion, and the sense of community that makes these stories feel like home. And because representation matters, Octavia is spotlighting the brilliance of Black sports romance and the authors who bring cultural nuance to every page.

Plus, I’m sharing my top basketball and football recs, including standout picks from Kennedy Ryan’s Hoops series and other must-reads that deserve a spot on your TBR.

Takeaways:

1. Why sports settings deepen emotional and romantic tension
2. How Black authors elevate the sports romance genre with cultural authenticity
3. Top-tier sports romance reads for fall and winter

If you love this episode, make sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and join the Culture Lit community on IG and Threads!

Find these and other Black romance recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Threads: becomingoctavia

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

After a hiatus filled with international exploration and life-changing decisions, Octavia returns to share why she disappeared—and what happened when she spent 60 days living in Portugal as a 54-year-old cancer survivor testing what international life could look like.

Recording from the Algarve region, she opens up about her 8-year dream of exploring life abroad, how a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis delayed everything, and the physical transformation that happened when she finally spent two months living like a local in Portugal.

This episode is raw, honest, and deeply personal about what happens when you survive something that forces you to ask: "If I get through this, what do I actually want my life to look like?"—and then having the courage to explore that answer.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

- The backstory: Why Portugal has been calling for 8 years and what finally made it possible

- Physical transformation: How 30 days reduced inflammation, improved LARS syndrome symptoms, and reset her nervous system

- The Puerto Vallarta chapter: Why she fell in love with Mexico too, and how astrocartography explained being pulled to two different places

- "Safe and free" decoded: What those words mean practically for Black women living outside the U.S.

- The visa reality: Digital Nomad Visa process and what's actually involved

- Culture Lit's evolution: How the podcast is expanding to include wellness, entrepreneurship, and international living while still centering Black romance

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Can't Get Enough - Kennedy Ryan

Plus Size Player - Danielle Allen

Quasim Series - Jahquel J

Tender Offer - Tanvier Peart

Works by Regina Black, Tati Richardson, Mea Monique

RESOURCES:

🗺️ Astrocartography: astro-seek.com

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

If this episode resonated:

✨ Leave a 5-star review

✨ Share with someone considering a big life change

✨ Tag @becomingoctavia with your takeaways

Culture Lit celebrates Black romance novels, Black women's wellness, and the courage to write your own story—on the page and in real life.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

Octavia shares a moment of pure alignment - discovering Tracee Ellis Ross's solo travel series while living her own Portuguese adventure. This episode is about the courage to travel alone, living fully at any age, and trusting that your dreams don't have expiration dates. Plus, an emotional deep-dive into "August Lane" by Regina Black - a devastating and beautiful second-chance romance set in the country music world.

August Lane" by Regina Black

The Art of Scandal" by Regina Black

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

As you may know, I've had to start over at the age of 54 and I want to share something that's been on my heart. Today, I want to delve into the profound impact of storytelling and the many ways that the stories we talk about here shape our culture. Your story might be the most radical thing you've been keeping to yourself. We know resilience, we know authenticity, and we know how to live.

What is really exciting is that we're seeing a surge of black romance novels being adapted for screen, featuring titles like Tia Williams' 'The Perfect Find' and 'Seven Days in June,' Kennedy Ryan's 'Skyland' series, and JL Seeger's 'New Haven Romance Series.' Never underestimate the importance of visibility and representation in media! Reclaim your narrative and invest in self-care as acts of visibility and political resistance.

To help with this, I'd like to introduce the Wellness Ritual Bundle and Skin Ritual Bundle at https://jayneandbloom.com/collections/gift-guide. These bundles are an invitation to show up for yourself daily, to invest in your comfort and beauty, and to create space for the fullness of who you are.

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you enjoyed "Ella Gets the D," "Miles Apart," or "The Seven Month Itch," by Tanvier Peart. In this episode, we sit down with Tanvier Peart, indie romance author and creator of Tender Offer, to explore Madison’s unforgettable redemption arc. Once considered the villain in The Seven-Month Itch, Madison’s full-circle journey reveals the messy, layered beauty of second chances, knowing your worth, and letting love heal.

We talk about:

✨ Writing spicy, kinky romance that centers Black women’s joy and agency

✨ Why Preston is the ultimate “cinnamon roll hero with alpha tendencies”

✨ The power of rest, resistance, and self-love in Peart’s stories

✨ How her policy background sneaks into her novels (climate change billionaires? Check.)

If you love emotionally charged storytelling, “if he wanted to, he would” energy, and Black women embracing their soft life, this episode will have you swooning and reflecting in equal measure.

🎧 Hit play and join us as we unpack love, liberation, and the unapologetic layers of Tanvier Peart’s world.

"Tender Offer" releases on July 29th, so preorder on Burn Bright Books or The Frenchy Press now!

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!