TGIF!! I know you thought, did Dr. G forget about us? Not at all, closing out the month with a few literary gems to get you prepared for the summer. And I can literally vouch for each of the books…you say how? Well, they are all a part of my personal library!! Matter of fact a few of them are even on my summer reading list. So grab your wallets and add some books to your carts!! And as always, Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!
Check out May’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:
A Thousand Words on Race and Hope: Light For the World To See ~Kwame Alexander
Nigeria Jones ~ Ibi Zoboi
Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way ~Jeffrey Blount
Blackness is Burning: Civil Rights, Popular Culture, and the Problem of Recognition ~TreaAndrea M. Russworm
Feenin: R&B Music and the Materiality of BlackFem Voices and Technology ~Alexander G. Weheliye
Souls of Black Folk: A Graphic Interpretation ~W.E.B. DuBois & Paul Peart-Smith
Life, I Swear: Intimate Stories from Black Women on Identity, Healing, and Self-Trust ~Chloe Dulce Louvouezo
Textures: The History and Art of Black Hair ~The KSU Museum & HIRMER
As an Extra Bonus…If need something to do for the summer and want to support your favorite author, check out these upcoming Book Festivals:
What a day!! While today was a productive one, I had to fight for this productivity. Word of the day… Distraction!! Each day I try to give myself some goals to work with and it just seemed like everything wanted to get in the way. Mix of stress, a little bit of lingering imposter syndrome, and I will admit some fatigue.
I think this is such a huge project, that I am not giving myself some “grace” throughout the process. Now I realize out of the gate during this process, there will be some ups and some downs. I just need to learn how to better navigate the downs. But as I said earlier, I was productive even if I had to fight for it. A win is a win!!
Taking part in the #WellAcademic Writing Sprint has also been super helpful. Having a community of like minds sharing and giving their support really helps to get through each day. They have been some great cheerleaders!
One word at a time…One sentence at a time…One paragraph…One Page…One Day at a Time!!
It’s Day 2 of the Reclaiming Her Time: The Book Journey!! Another productive day in the writing game! I really felt the juices flowing today, so when I say I was riding the wave … I was moving and shaking!
Now I know I dived right into this new adventure on yesterday, so I just wanted to give some backdrop to what is taking place! So this “Reclaiming Her Time” journey is all about my first book manuscript titled, Reclaiming Her Time: Exploring Black Futures in the Black Female Superhero…when I say I am super excited about this project words cannot even begin to express! This project is very much like my baby. You gotta feed it, nurture it, give it sustenance and so much more! Never did I think I would get an opportunity to write about something that I treasure and love so much….Black Female Superheroes, but the day has come.
I am currently working on a chapter about Regina King’s character Sister Night/Angela Abar in the HBO/Max series “Watchmen.” Her specific story in this award-winning television series is one that engages with many topics including self-agency, being perfectly imperfect, historical trauma, family legacies, and so much more. Watching her story play out is one that inspires, excites, and adds another layer to the greatness that is a Black woman!! She is one of the many Black female comic book heroes that I will be examining in the book.
So over the summer, you will get a chance to see how this all plays out. The inner workings, the highs and lows, and all the wins!! I am super amped that you will be a part of this journey with me!!
So I know it has been quite a while since I’ve dropped some HOT TOPICS, but it’s never too late to share…especially when SO MUCH is happening in the world!! Day to day there is always something going on, particularly within pop culture.
And without further ado, check out this week’s Hot Topics!!
Ever wanted to know more about Black cowboy culture? With the Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves and the Netflix film The Harder They Fall , I know my interest has been piqued. And as a fan of westerns and cowboy culture, this new photography book celebrating Black Rodeo Culture in the US will definitely be making its way to my coffee table!! Dropping in April of this year, Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture: Photographs by Ivan McClellan highlights decades of work capturing the many journeys of what it is like to be a part of contemporary Black rodeo culture in America.
Referring to the minimum amount of time a rider has to stay on a horse or other livestock in order to register a score during a competition, Eight Seconds provides a visual glance into world that is often forgotten!
New Beats Solo headphones campaign features some #BlackGirlMagic with WNBA star Angel Reese, track & field star Sha’Carri Richardson, and tennis champion Naomi Osaka!!
This all-new line of Beats Solo Buds can be purchased in four new colors including Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple and Transparent Red, retailing at $79.99. For the new Solo headphones, you can purchase them in Matte Black, Slate Blue and Cloud Pink ($199.99), which all three ladies are sporting in the campaign.
Now here is another documentary, that I AM DEFINITELY looking forward to watching, however with this one we will have to wait a little minute lol…On May 15th CNNannounced that CNN Films, in partnership with OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, acquired the documentary feature Luther: Never Too Much, from award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter (CNN Films John Lewis: Good Trouble).
Today starts a new personal and professional journey! Over the next couple of months, I will be sharing my writing journey as I begin the completion of my first book manuscript project. As part of being a university professor, I have embarked on an evaluation process called tenure and promotion. Thus, writing and completing the book is essential to the evaluative process.
Now I will say this I am a mix of emotions from excited, to anxious, to nervous, to invested, to even being curious! So with each post, this will be like a check-in or place for accountability. Writing these posts will help me to focus and be honest with myself. Some days will be good, some days may be just blah, and some days will be a mess. Each day will bring me closer to the final goal, which is a completed book project!
Photo by Jessica Lewis ud83eudd8b thepaintedsquare on Pexels.com
So today’s post is to bring you along on this journey, give you some insight, and prepare you for a roller coaster ride (hopefully you hang in there with me)! Coinciding with this new beginning, I also started on another journey, something like a journey within in a journey. While there is a larger journey and goal, I will also take some small ones that will definitely go towards the larger end goal. With that said, I completed my first day of a Summer Writing Sprint that I am participating in with Well Academic! For two weeks during a dedicated time I will be writing with other scholars across the map. Nothing like being with a group of like-minded thinkers and writers getting together for a structured time to get the work done!!
You know what?? I made it through!! Day 1 was a success, I completed my daily goals and was able to map out what I will do on tomorrow!
Not too much more to say, except I look forward to taking you on this journey! Keep in mind the days will vary, so just think of each day as a new surprise! Feel free to drop any words of wisdom, inspiring quotes, or just to say hello!
Black Future Feminist 