I have always loved a good book and great conversation. Since, childhood I have been an dvid reader. I probably read more than I watched TV. Looking back the times I enjoyed books the most is when I got to talk about them, especially with friends who were reading the same ones. I was the book plug in high school, writing list of what was good for people to get into. There are some characters that are written so well friends and I would discuss them in present terms. Often stalking authors if another book in a series was anticipated, a book club is a natural progression.
I’ve gone through the hood book phase, the romance novel phase, the coming of age novel phase, and drama phase. At this point I am hungry to read books that provoke me. It is my goal to be taken on journeys around the world and inside myself while sharing that journey with others.
In January we started with Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo. It is a story that took place in Nigeria. It made me laugh, cry, and shake my head as I followed the life of a couple who struggled with childbirth on the backdrop of culture and family.
In February we read Homegoing bu Yaa Gyasi. It tells the story of two half sisters and the different direction their lineage goins in. We travel the parallel paths of one sister who is sold into slavery going to the United States and the other sister who continue to live life in Ghana even becoming the wife of the a European governor. This story expanded my perspective of the connection black people in the diaspora posses. It is a life changing book.
As Covid raged its head in March we fell off for a couple of months, but picked back up last month in June. Our selection was Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie. It is a book I read a long time ago, but was heavy on my spirit to read again. Even though I have always been an avid reader, this was the first book I read that upon conclusion I was thoroughly moved, provoked, and had to meditate. I walked away from Americanah inspired as a creator. The feeling I had at the end was the feeling I wanted to evoke from people who digested my work
July Book Selection
For July we are reading Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn. It is a novel that takes place in Jamaica. We follow the life of Margot who is hustling to send her younger sister, Thandi, to school. As a girl, Margot was taught to trade her sexuality for survival, however she is determined that Thandi not have the same fate.
