Cardyn Brooks's Blog, page 12

Go-to Reads with LGBTQUIA+ MCs

Some (not-so) oldies but goodies reads: 
Speculative, SciFi, SupernaturalBlack Water Sister by Zen Cho 
We're Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2021 edited by L.D. Lewis 
Winter's Orbit & Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell 
Lead Me Astray by Sondi Warner 
Contemporary RomanceHow to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole 
Learned Reactions by Jayce Ellis 
Work for It by Talia Hibbert 
Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera 
Chef's Kiss by T.J. Alexander  
Conscious Bias by Alexi Venice 
Hold Me by Courtney Milan 
Historical Romance Dead Dead Girls & Harlem Sunset by Nekesa Afia 
Hither, Page & The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian 
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite 
Non-FictionOutside the XY: Queer Black and Brown Masculinity by Bklyn Boihood and Morgan Mann Willis 
A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni 

Need more reading options? Visit your nearest bookstore or library and browse their #Pride displays. (That suggestion is offered with prayers and hopes that the ones closest to you are welcoming and inclusive.) 
But just in case they're not, here's the link to an article about the Seattle Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library and Books Unbanned https://www.openculture.com/2023/05/the-seattle-public-library-gives-students-free-access-to-books-getting-banned-across-the-united-states.html

Happy reading! 


 

Authors Books Librarians Editors Agents Publishers... #USBookShow 2023

 

4 days of all hits no misses of keynotes, interviews, panels, book recs, advice...  
Highlights: Day 1 Monday 5/22 an insightful and terrifying and motivational discussion of book banning as an attack on liberty with advice on combating it via local focus and the fact that 30,000 school board seats in the U.S. are opening up this fall effective OverDrive/Libby strategies executed by savvy librarians Day 2 Tuesday 5/23 memorable quote from Chuck D's lunch keynote conversation with Kelefa Sannen: "People listen with their eyes." Plus his STEWdio boxed set and naphic grovel play on words with graphic novel and so much more. public relations, marketing, how not to get cancelled, redemption  
Day 3 Wednesday 5/24 book recs!!! Gloria Edim's (Well-Read Black Girl) conversation with Kim Coleman Foote about her fall release novel Coleman Hill from SJP Lit, including Sarah Jessica ParkerWade Hudson, Just Us Books co-founder, in conversation with Carolyn P. Yoder Zibby Books exec editor Kathleen Harris in conversation with Kathleen Harris about her journey from television screenwriter to book author Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key in conversation with each other about "The History of Sketch Comedy"  Day 4 Thursday 5/25  more book recs!!! editors' picks in mysteries & thrillers, picture books, literary fiction, memoir & nonfic, current affairsFlipping Boxcars, by Cedric Kyle (aka Cedric the Entertainer) This was an exceptional celebration and dissection of all things publishing and publishing-adjacent. So glad they recorded the sessions to make it easy to catch ones that were missed and to revisit others--at least until 6/30.   
And of course, my weekly book binge options 

How the West Really Was

Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western by Mia Mask non-fiction University of Illinois Press, February 2023 
from the introduction: Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western addresses the social and political relationship of western films from this [Civil Rights era] period to Black Power and African American liberation... 
Because "Buck [and the Preacher]" and "[Black] Rodeo" [films] captured the shifting political zeitgeist, and still endure the test of time as politically and aesthetically progressive cinematic texts, this book-length study is titled: Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western. 

The combination of preface and acknowledgments, introduction, five chapters that include reproductions of photos from some of the films mentioned, the appendix of the transcript of an enlightening interview between the author and Jeff Kanew, the director of the 1972 documentary "Black Rodeo" that inspired the book, the comprehensive notes, detailed filmography, bibliography, and index make this a must-read for everyone who's interested in film, history, politics, sports, comics, and the ways in which they collide, overlap, and move society forward.   
Also read (or reading or will read) 

The Many Facets & Ways of Mothering

 

It's Mother's Day! This day of celebration of the people who labor to bring forth life and nurture it is well-deserved by its recipients. It's also often problematic for a variety of reasons connected to personal choices, sacrifices, fertility challenges, grief, restrictive gendered expectations, sexual orientation... 
Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate! 
[images: 1. dvd case and dvd for "The Woman King" feature film and part of a Washington Post article about actress Lorraine Toussaint  2. two pages of Adinkra* symbols representing "learning" and "Mother Earth"  https://www.amazon.com/Adinkra-Alphabet-Asante-Symbolism-Inspired/dp/1733976744/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WL8WU5AXVJTH&keywords=adinkra+by+united+black+writers&qid=1684089697&s=books&sprefix=adinkra+by+united+black+writers%2Cstripbooks%2C131&sr=1-1 *I'm not affiliated with this title in any way beyond gratitude to the author who gave me a copy of this clever coloring book as an introduction to the Adinkra language. ] 

Books, Books & More Books (Authors Too)

 

Once again PGCMLS, the Prince George's County Memorial Library System, hosted a stellar event that featured an array of talented authors that live in outstanding Prince George's County! 

Fiction, non-fiction, reading for adults, teens, children and everyone in between. https://www.pgcmls.info/

Vinyl, Soil, Books, Movies...

This weekend in the U.S. celebrates Vinyl Record Store Day and Earth Day. 
Also: Language Day, Jelly Bean Day, Girl Scout Leader's Day, Take a Chance Day, Picnic Day, Lost Dog Awareness Day, Talk Like Shakespeare Day, and Cherry Cheesecake Day 
It's World Book Day, World Table Tennis Day and the start of National Library Week, too! 
Each day offers reasons to appreciate (too often with amazement that we've survived) being alive. Many of us have managed to endure, overcome, thrive, excel, and achieve. 
Keep moving forward even if it's with teeny tiny steps. That's still progress.  
Happy creating! 
Finally watched "Wakanda Forever" and enjoyed it so much! Everything about it from the homage to Chadwick Boseman, narrative threads, variations on themes of grief and rebirth, nods to the first movie, costumes, spectacular surface and underwater worlds, unexpected cameos, and and and... 
Currently reading Black Rodeo, A History of the African American Western by Mia Mask, another exceptional informative read from the University of Illinois Press. 

Zora Neale Hurston, Layers Beneath the Surface of a Legend

 

Ain't I an Anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston Beyond the Literary Icon Jennifer L. Freeman Marshall nonfiction biography University of Illinois Press, February 2023 
from the introduction: But rarely do we think beyond the story of her rise to iconic and canonical status as a process involving numerous individuals and a complex web of social and material factors, ideologies, and rhetorical arguments. This book explores the dynamic processes between the politics of the academy, theoretical and political movements, market trends, disciplinary movements and traditions, and the interests of individual scholars who shape our understanding of Hurston's work. 
And for those searching for a more detailed insightful review of this riveting exploration, here's the link to Reighan Gillam's review for Another Chicago Magazine https://anotherchicagomagazine.net/2023/04/11/review-of-jennifer-l-freeman-marshalls-aint-i-an-anthropologist-zora-neale-hurston-beyond-the-literary-icon-by-reighan-gillam/  

Acknowledgments, introduction, six chapters, an epilogue, notes, references, and an exhaustive index combine to inform, engage, and inspire readers to pursue more knowledge about the life, times, associates, and legacies of Zora Neale Hurston.  

Still joyously chugging through my library jackpot pile of books shared last week (+ one more because my self-control is non-existent when it comes to books).;-) 
Happy reading & creating! 

Renewal, Rebirth, Transformation

 


This year Ramadan, Passover, and Easter observances overlap. 
Whatever your religious, spiritual, philosophical beliefs, move forward with more hope, more joy, and inspiration to live in your intrinsicly endowed truth and constructive purpose. 

[The following image may contain clues to reasons why my non-reading work projects often get completed at the very last second before they're due.] 

  

Indomitable Women Save the Day

 
Dukes in Danger Always Be My Duchess (Taming of the Dukes #1) by Amalie Howard historical romanceForever, April 11, 2023 
from chapter 3: "Woman's intelligence. The dread of the patriarchy and the scourge of the aristocracy. Provocative at best, deadly at worst." 
The Duke Who Ravaged Me (Rebellious Brides #4) by Diana Quincy historical romance Loveswept, April 2018 
Double trouble becomes a triple threat. 
One Duke Down (Rogues to Lovers #2) by Anna Bennett historical romance St. Martin's, January 2023 
A fisherwoman catches a whole lot more than she expected to find in her net. 
A Scandalous Kind of Duke (Longhope Abbey #3) by Mia Vincy historical romance Inner Ballad Press, September 2022 
Childhood friends-to-lovers situationship leads to crossroads, betrayals, fisticuffs, duels, and declarations. 
Duke-adjacent Featured Characters A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas historical mystery Berkley, March 2023 
from chapter 27: Charlotte, too, very much enjoyed being alone. But she was fortunate: Those who loved her never saw her inclination toward solitude as something that needed to be overturned to make room for them. 
This historical mystery exudes some clever Mission: Impossible vibes along with engaging tenderness and a playful buoyancy despite addressing serious themes handled with deft nuance. Plus, Charlotte and Ash interactions abound.* 
*They are my primary reason for reading this most excellent series. The intrigue and all of the other notable elements are lovely perks.   

Charm City Romanticon Pajamapalooza Gala

 

Charm City Romanticon describes itself as "a panel meets signing event on a more intimate... scale" and it delivered. https://www.facebook.com/CharmCityRomanticon/
Life and adulting kept Heather (The Write Women Book Fest founder & co-host), her husband (TWWBF Chief Voluntolder) and me from attending the panels as we originally planned, but Saturday evening's pajama gala was worth it. The people, the venue, the food, the fun--swag, door prizes, treats, surprises--all of that and more created a welcoming, engaging experience. Plus, we were all wearing our pajamas in a range of fabulous styles and themes from cozy and cute to elegant and sexy. 
We were fortunate to sit at a table with some of the event volunteers who were also close friends with the organizer, all lovely humans and obviously the source of the cheerful vibe. 
Next year's Charm City Romanticon is already scheduled for April 6, 2024!