With the writer’s and actor’s strike settled, I’m looking forward to watching some new shows and returning ones. Lord knows it has been a long minute since we’ve had some consistent television. Well, guess what?! We do not have to wait any longer!! So let’s see what is on the agenda for Spring 2024!!
ABC
The Bachelor (January 20)
Abbott Elementary (February 7)
American Idol (February 18)
Will Trent (February 20)
The Rookie (February 20)
The Good Doctor (February 20)
96th Academy Awards (March 10)
9-1-1 (March 14)
Grey’s Anatomy (March 14)
Station 19 (March 14)
CBS
81st Golden Globes Award (January 7)
66th Grammy Awards (February 4)
Super Bowl LVIII (February 11)
Tracker (February 11)
The Neighborhood (February 12)
Bob ♥ Abishola (February 12)
NCIS (February 12)
NCIS: Hawai’i (February 12)
FBI (February 13)
FBI: International (February 13)
FBI: Most Wanted (February 13)
Ghosts (February 15)
S.W.A.T. (February 16)
Fire Country (February 16)
Blue Bloods (February 16)
The Equalizer (February 18)
CSI: Vegas (February 18)
NBC
Night Court (January 2)
La Brea (January 9)
Chicago Med/Chicago Fire/Chicago P.D. (January 17)
It’s that time of year again when I share my Top Books of the Year! And once again the books do not disappoint. I am always thankful when I get some leisure reading in, especially with my busy schedule. Whether it’s on the plane, sitting poolside or by the beach, or while I’m under the hairdryer reading something new or revisiting a classic is very much necessary.
As an extra bonus a few of the books on this year’s list even got turned into Hulu and Netflix television series, now that’s pretty exciting!
So without further ado (in no particular order), check out Dr. G’s Top 23 Books of 2023!
As I always like to say ‘Happy Reading’ and make sure you support your local bookstores!! Look forward to sharing with you all in 2024!!
Season’s Greetings!! We are officially in the Christmas Holiday Season!! A wonderful time of the year to sing Christmas carols, light a candle for Hanukkah, bake some gingerbread cookies, check out the neighborhood Christmas decorations, or even travel with family and friends! While you are doing these fun things make sure you add a couple of literary treats in the mix too!!
Check out these December Book Recommendations below:
The Color of Family ~Jerry McGill
Joy and Pain: A Story of Black Life and Liberation in Five Albums ~ Damien Sojoyner
A Quick Ting on Crime ~Franklyn Adoo
The Changeling ~Victor Lavalle
The New Brownies Book: A Love Letter to Black Families ~Karida L. Brown
The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation ~Raquel Willis
Like Thunder ~ Nnedi Okorafor
The Spite House ~ Johnny Compton
As an extra bonus, here’s a Holiday Book List to get you further in the spirit!!
Playing a little catch-up because I know it has been a minute!! But as you will see 2024 is gonna be a HOT already!! I know I can’t wait!! Check out the trailers below:
Season 2- What If…? (Streaming on Disney+ – December 22nd)
Season 4- The Boys (Streaming on Prime Video-2024)
Fool Me Once (Streaming on Netflix – January 1st, 2024)
The Book of Clarence (In theaters January 12th)
True Detective: Night Country (Streaming on Max-January 14th, 2024)
Masters of the Air (Streaming on Apple TV+ – January 26th, 2024)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Streaming on Prime Video – February 2nd, 2024)
Fallout (Streaming on Prime Video-April 12th, 2024)
Season 2-House of the Dragon (Streaming on Max-Summer 2024)
It’s the last day of October but that does not mean the new trailers stop!! What better way to close the month than to showcase some HOT new trailers!! Check them out below:
Manodrome (In theaters November 10th)
The Killer (Streaming on Netflix November 10th)
Dashing Through The Snow (Streaming on Disney+ November 17th)
Stamped From the Beginning (Streaming on Netflix November 20th)
When are in full Autumn mode!! So what better way to finish out the month than to find a good book to dive into! Much like in the summer, I quite enjoy sitting on my balcony, feeling the cool breeze come through, while the sun hits my face! To get you in the Fall mood, I have a nice selection of literary treats for you to pick from below.
Get those coins ready!!
Check out this month’s recommendation below:
Family Meal ~Bryan Washington
Goodbye Earl: A Revenge Novel ~Leesa Cross-Smith
How Far You Have Come ~Morgan Harper-Nichols
Black Joy ~Edited by Charlie Brinkhust-Cuff and Timi Sotire
Holler, Child ~Latoya Watkins
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty ~Akwaeke Emezi
The Princess of Thornwood Drive ~Khalia Moreau
Danni’s Juke Joint Comfort Food: Modern–Day Recipes, Ole Skool Flavas~Danni Rose
As an extra bonus spotlight, check out this Black-owned bookstore in Houston, TX called “Kindred Stories”!!
Don’t forget to support your local bookstores and libraries!!
And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!
“The writer cannot expect to be excused from the task of reeducation and regeneration that must be done. In fact, he should march right in front.”
Today was one of those days where I got to check off a major activity on my bucket list…Going to the Serengeti!! I was like a kid in a candy store!! In many ways riding through the Serengeti (which in the Massai language means “endless plains”) I realized how much of the Lion King is based off of this region. It is also a protected national park that is one of the Seven Wonders of this World and spans across 12,000 square miles. It is also renowned for its massive lion populations, and this was definitely made evident on today…
While it was great to admire the many animals, riding through was also quite calming and peaceful. Considering all that has transpired for me personally and professionally this particular part of the trip was well needed. In many ways, riding through Serengeti National Park was like icing on the cake! It’s that sweet treat you’ve been waiting for after a great workout!!
Dr. G getting ready to enter Serengeti National Park!!
The Serengeti is home to a mass amount of grazers (elephants, gazelles, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, among others) and is maintained by the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments.
Some of the many miles of plains at Serengeti National Park. Photo credit: Dr. G
In addition to visiting the Serengeti we got an opportunity to visit The Olduvai Gorge. Here at this gorge which is known as the “Cradle of Mankind” due to it being the site of the first human remains of the first human being to walk on Earth. Talk about seeing the first footsteps of mankind…
Dr. G standing in front of the Oldupai Gorge (also known as Olduvai Gorge) Photo credit: Dr. G
Super glad I was able to share some more highlights with you all, I was not sure if I would have Wi-Fi, but I pulled out the W! Continue to stay tuned and I will see you tomorrow!
Gotta love when you don’t have a particular plan, but things just work out for you! Woke up, grabbed some delicious breakfast, and then sat on our balcony with my Kindle and coffee!
Following the morning rise and liquid pick me up, we would spend the day in the RiverTrees area soaking in some more Tanzanian culture. While we had planned to use this as a chill day, we embarked on a local village walking tour. The village, Chim Chim, sits right next to the RiverTrees Country Inn where we are staying and is a space full of farm land, greenhouses, small businesses, schools, churches, and family homes.
Take a look at some of the visuals that were captured today:
Some of the local churches and Hair salons… Photo credit: Dr. G
“Agriculture is our backbone.” This is the motto and mission of this scenic East African country. Just walking through the village not only did we saw how the community lives, but how they work and the agriculture that sustains them. While Tanzania is known for the nature-filled parks, game reserves, spices, and the Massai people, much of what keeps the country moving and shaking is the agriculture. A great deal of the country deals with farming with much of their product includes corn/maize, sweet potatoes, yams, and bananas.
Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Eggplants, Bananas, and Figs….Fresh Food coming!! … Photo Credit: Dr. G
While walking through the village we would also stop by one of the local churches (see below). [Much like in the US, one can find many churches throughout one’s city, the same is definitely true here within the Chim Chim village.] Now while the original purpose was to admire the spiritual space and briefly rest our feet, the pastor of the church was led to say a prayer for us. In that moment, I would definitely realize this was no accident or chance encounter. Such a powerful moment, that will stick with me even after we return home!
Entering the El-Shaddai Christian Centre…Photo Credit: Dr. G
Shout out to our amazing guide from Wayo Africa, Delvina who was AWESOME!! So well-versed in everything from farming, education, politics, and so much more! I feel like I got a course in Tanzania 101 all while soaking in some village culture.
A final shot with our amazing guide Delvina!! … Photo Credit: Dr. G
Closing Thoughts of the Day…
One thing I love about traveling is meeting new people and building on my community network. After returning from our village tour we would meet this gentleman named Emmanuel who owns a safari company in Tanzania. During our conversation, where he was very careful with his words, he would talk about how excited he was to see Black Americans not only traveling to Africa but also doing safari excursions. Based on his choice of words and enthusiasm in seeing us, I gather not many Black folks do safari trips. This could be for a variety of reasons (access, lack of information and resources, fear, misrepresentations, etc.) This is why it soooo important to step outside of one’s comfort zone/neighborhood and explore all that the world has to offer. I appreciated the honest conversation and Emmanuel’s candor! It just further confirmed the importance of #TravelingWhileBlack ! This was the second place where I felt like I was home, and it was an extra bonus hearing a fellow native tell us “this is your home!”
While I was definitely exhausted at the end of the day from all the walking, plus the heat sapping our energy, this was an eventful and informative day.
Tomorrow begins our journey to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area!! So stay tuned!! See ya later!
Black Future Feminist 