Culture Lit

We’ve been on a roller coaster of unprecedented times. Every time I think things are looking better, the world throws more chaos at us. During times like this, I turn to things that bring me joy. For me, that’s romance novels. Romance readers are often criticized, and the genre itself gets criticized. I would call romance novels my guilty pleasure but eventually I realized that I didn’t have to be ashamed of something that brings me so much joy.

Today I’m visiting with Kay P, author of the blog Melanin Mindscape, voracious reader of all things black, in all genres. We’ll talk about what “guilty pleasures” actually are and why we feel like we need to hide them. We’re unpacking some thoughts around rest and productivity, the literature hierarchy that puts romance at the bottom, and why we deserve to just enjoy things.

Find it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of 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.

Connect with Kay P:

On Instagram: https://instagram.com/melaninmindscape

On her blog: https://melaninmindscape.com/

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

Attribution Link: A Podcast Launch Bestie Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Visit my bookshop!

Why does it seem to be that women have to have a certain body type, shape, and size to be worthy of love? I grew up with Seventeen magazine and there was no diversity in there. None. Zero. I’ve always been thick or curvy my whole life and because of the layers of socioeconomic dynamics, white supremacy, and unrealistic beauty standards we all grew up with, I got stuck in the idea that there’s only one body type that is deserving of love.

How do romantic narratives explore or influence our ideas of which bodies are desirable or deserving of love or romantic partners? And who decides what those desirable bodies look like? Today’s discussion goes deep into what beauty, desire, and attractiveness really is and why black love is so revolutionary.

I have curated a list of recommendations featuring curvy bodies, chubby bodies, fat bodies, because all bodies are good bodies, and Ms. Fat Booty gets all the happy endings. Find it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of 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.

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

Attribution Link: A Podcast Launch Bestie 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 new to Tia Williams, buckle up. Her new novel, “Seven Days in June,” is smart, sexy, and makes you feel light and floaty, in the best way. It’s a second chance romance spanning 15 years, told in a truly magical way.

“Seven Days in June” touches on:

• Intergenerational trauma
• Chronic pain and healthcare struggles
• Louisiana Creole culture
• The one that “got away”

Today’s literature selection is “Seven Days in June” by Tia Williams. Find it on BookShop and support independent bookstores: https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of 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.

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

A Podcast Launch Bestie 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!

I’m your host, Octavia Marie. I’ve been toying with the idea of making a podcast for over a year now, but I couldn’t settle on what I would talk about. I’m not a celebrity or an influencer, so who would listen to me?

Years ago a close friend asked me what truly makes me happy. It took me a long time to answer that question.

I’m happiest when I’m exploring, learning something new, or trying a new dish.

I also have a deep love of romance novels. Romance writing has come a long way since my grandma’s book I used to sneak and read. I decided to discuss the love stories of black women written by black authors because, at my core, I love a good love story. There are things that people outside the culture don’t get about blackness - black women are not monolithic and our stories aren’t rooted in struggle and trauma.

Thank you for joining me.

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of 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.

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

A Podcast Launch Bestie 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!

A podcast and community that explores Black women and romantic love through the lens of romance novels. Each episode of Culture Lit trains a spotlight on a new Black romance novel and then deep dives into the many themes facing Black women and love after 40. Be ready to laugh, sigh and talk about Black women falling in love, yes sex too, and the Black authors writing their stories.