February is knocking at the door, and I have book recs! 

February Book Recommendations:

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams 

Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. 

The End of Race Politics by Coleman Hughes

Hughes argues for a return to the ideals that inspired the American Civil Rights movement, showing how our departure from the colorblind ideal has ushered in a new era of fear, paranoia, and resentment marked by draconian interpersonal etiquette, failed corporate diversity and inclusion efforts, and poisonous race-based policies that hurt the very people they intend to help. 

Medgar and Myrlie by Joy-Ann Reid

On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers became the highest profile victim of Klan-related assassination of a black civil rights leader at that time; gunned down in the couple’s driveway in Jackson.

Watch Where They Hide by Tamron Hall

After dropping her child off at preschool, Marla Hancock, a stay-at-home mother, disappears. 

Ours: A Novel by Phillip B. Williams

In this ingenious, sweeping novel, Phillip B. Williams introduces us to an enigmatic woman named Saint, a fearsome conjuror who, in the 1830s, annihilates plantations all over Arkansas to rescue the people enslaved there. 

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Ady, a curious, sharp-witted girl, and her fierce mother, Sanite, are inseparable. Enslaved to a businessman in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the pair spend their days dreaming of a loving future and reminiscing about their family’s rebellious and storied history.

Brooklyn by Tracy Brown

Brooklyn learned the art of hustling from her parents who used the church to get money. 

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Poor people are not heard, according to Michael LaBorn. A bookstore owner in Australia would like picture books with “just white kids” on the covers. Also, are book reviews for readers only? This week’s episode is brought to you courtesy of Bookthreads!

Be sure to follow Michael LaBorn (michaellaborn), Damon Young (drdamonyoung), and Autumn Kaufer (authorarkaufer) on Threads!

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* Important: Please do not harass the bookstore mentioned in the episode.  As I stated during the segment, I appreciate small businesses and hold to the conviction that everyone has an opinion. 

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Rebecca Romijn, ex-wife of John Stamos, refuses to help him sell books, Kamilah Cole has a new YA book, and Reyna Grande brings us to the frontlines of war in “A Ballad of Love and Glory.” 

• Rebecca Romijn Refuses to Help Ex John Stamos ‘Sell Books’ After Being ‘Incredibly Shocked’ by His Memoir - PEOPLE
• Books of the Week:
  • If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos
  • The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
  • A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande
  • So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

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The Book Twitter streets are talking about HarperCollins and AI, books too terrible to publish, and libraries serving as babysitting spots. Also, a querying story that is just wild!

On Twitter (X), be sure to follow: 

• Keshav Kant (@MxKantEven)
• Indie Author E.H.H. (@ymir_press)
• S J Watson (@SJ_Watson)
• Oh nicole (@iunfold)
• Stacked Librarian (@StckedLibrarian)
• Megan (@angelameganm)
• N.M. Mainardi (@nmainardiauthor)

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Gen Z and Millennials prefer libraries and print versions of books. Also, the January picks are here! 

New ALA Report: Gen Z and Millennials are visiting the library and prefer print books

(https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2023/11/new-ala-report-gen-z-millennials-are-visiting-library-prefer-print-books)

January Picks

The Mayor of Maxwell Street - Avery Cunningham - January 30, 2024

Nelly Sawyer is the daughter of the “wealthiest Negro in America,” whose affluence catapulted his family to the heights of Black society. After the unexpected death of her only brother, Nelly becomes the premier debutante overnight. But Nelly has aspirations beyond society influence and marriage.

What Makes You Bloom: Cultivating a Practice for Connecting With Your Divine Self Kevin Miguel Garcia - January 9, 2024

So many of us are leaving conservative faith traditions behind, rightly saying goodbye to toxic theology, bigotry, and harm. But in the process, we often lose our rhythm of gathering, prayer, and worship. We may even lose our sense of connection to God. 

Voyage of the Damned - Frances White - January 18, 2024

For a thousand years, Concordia has been able to maintain peace between its provinces, protected by a wall known as the Bandage. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor's ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the Goddess's mountain. Aboard are the heirs of the twelve provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing. 

Just The Nicest Couple - Mary Kubica - January 10, 2024

Jake Hayes is missing. This much is certain. At first, his wife, Nina, thinks he is blowing off steam at a friend’s house after their heated fight the night before. But then a day goes by. Two days. Five. And Jake is still nowhere to be found.

Dead In Long Beach, California - Venita Blackburn - January 23, 2024

Coral is the first person to discover her brother Jay’s dead body in the wake of his suicide. There’s no note, only a drably furnished bachelor pad in Long Beach, California, and a cell phone with a handful of numbers in it. Coral pockets the phone. And then she starts responding to texts as her dead brother.

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A school was searched after someone called the police to report a teacher having ‘Gender Queer’ in the classroom. Also, #sungate rages on!

Police Called To Great Barrington Middle School Over ‘Gender Queer’ (https://www.boston.com/news/schools/2023/12/20/police-called-great-barrington-middle-school-gender-queer-book/)

• ‘Gender Queer’ by Maia Kobabe - Amazon (https://amzn.to/41BMbfI)
• ‘Gender Queer’ by Maia Kobabe - Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9781549304002)

“You Cannot Copyright The Sun:” Lauren M. Davis Claims Against Marve Lead To Backlash (https://sariereads.com/you-cannot-copyright-the-sun-lauren-m-davis-claims-against-marve-lead-to-backlash/)

• ‘His Dark Reflection’ by Marvellous Michael Anson - Amazon (https://amzn.to/3TC4wXR)
• ‘His Dark Reflection’ by Marvellous Michael Anson - Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9781739208707)

#AmReading: ‘The Blood Of Patriots’ by William W. Johnstone 

• Amazon (https://amzn.to/3tuSntj)

The Written Word: ‘Happiness’ by Christophe Andrè

• Amazon (https://amzn.to/41BMJSO)

Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9781846045059)

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Matthew Knowles is getting ready to take his memoir to film and television, and can houseplants prevent mold? Find out in this episode!

Matthew Knowles’ Memoir Heads to Market for Film and Series Adaptations- 

(⁠https://variety.com/2023/film/news/matthew-knowles-memoir-film-tv-adpatation-beyonce-1235835341/⁠)

Racism From the Eyes of A Child by Matthew Knowles

• Amazon (⁠https://amzn.to/3Ny5zV1⁠)
• Bookshop (⁠https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9780692046821⁠)

8 Houseplants That Can Help Keep Your House Mold-Free - (⁠https://www.housedigest.com/1213858/8-houseplants-that-can-help-keep-your-house-mold-free/⁠)

#AmReading: Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterica

• Amazon (⁠https://amzn.to/3GNp9sv⁠)
• Bookshop (⁠https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9781982150921⁠)

The Written Word: Church by A.W. Tozer

• Amazon (⁠https://amzn.to/4aogQRB⁠)
• Bookshop (⁠https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9780802418289⁠)

Get more Christian reads from ⁠The BeeSphere⁠!

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You aren’t getting in this restaurant without paying $10,000. And, can you really talk about a book if you didn’t finish it? 

A $10,000 members-only sushi restaurant is coming to Miami - 

(https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2023/12/09/miami-members-only-sushi-namba-ura-listening-room-2024/)

Should you DNF a book? Pros and cons to consider! - (https://brewingwriter.com/dnf-book/)

#AmReading: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 

• Amazon (https://amzn.to/46YyEQ9)
• Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9780063250833)

The Written Word: The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin 

• Amazon (https://amzn.to/41eBjnR)
• Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/a/81744/9781982197667)

Let’s chat! ([email protected])

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‘Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncè’ grossed over $20 million. Does profanity help you cope? It’s all in this episode!

Show Notes: 

Box Office: ‘Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncè’ $22 million opening … (https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-renaissance-a-film-by-beyonce-godzilla-minus-one-hunger-games-1235647651/)

Why swearing is good for us, according to science (https://www.mdlinx.com/article/why-swearing-is-good-for-us-according-to-science/3Wa3erwAO39tklm6BTKqpO)

Books With Swear Words In The Title:

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (https://amzn.to/3uJG8JL)

Get Your Sh*t Together (https://amzn.to/47Vsp0o)

Rude B*tches Make Me Tired (https://amzn.to/47MmXxy)

Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing (https://amzn.to/3GsaEu3)

Books Highlighted:

The Many Lives of Mama Love (https://amzn.to/46PVPMQ)

Teaching To Transgress (https://amzn.to/3T9tEFb)

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Show Notes

Retailers are ready to kick off Black Friday just as shoppers pull back on Spending - https://apnews.com/article/black-friday-thanksgiving-economy-discounts-inflation-e0a7e0cf276aa9af50599e60c7a942ea

Why you put things off until the last minute - https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/procrastination#:~:text=People%20sometimes%20procrastinate%20because%20they,management%20can%20limit%20procrastination%20behaviors.

Books about procrastination and how to overcome it:

1. Atomic Habits - https://amzn.to/3Gk9Ua9

2. Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior - https://amzn.to/3GelbsQ

3. The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery - https://amzn.to/3GgGMkl

Am Reading: This Is Not A Personal Statement (https://amzn.to/3SUfyHO)

The Written Word: The Cafe on the Edge of the World (https://amzn.to/3SPxFP2)

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