Cardyn Brooks's Blog, page 15

#USBookShow & Summer Reading Bonanza

 

Once again the Publishers Weekly U.S. Book Show delivered information, entertainment, and inspiration! https://usbookshow.com/ 

Outstanding keynote speakers, author chats, and panel discussions with the engaging Friends & Fiction fun with Tia Williams (Seven Days in June) and T.J. Newman (Falling), Libraries Are Essential, Black Women, Black Voices: Debut Memoirists on Career and Publishing, Celeste Ng, TikTok and Books, and Bringing the World to Your Door as particular favorites, along with Comics and Graphic Novels and so much more. My TBR pile may collapse under the weight of all the new editions. 
Plus, the Prince George's County Memorial Library System offers plenty of summer reading options (as usual).
Shifters in LoveWish Out of Water by Holley Trent Mad for a Mate by MaryJanice Davidson 
All About the Digits Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter 
Brace for Impact The Book of Luke: Earthquake by Iris Bolling 
Magical Mayhem Boss Witch by Ann Aguirre 
Surprise Inheritances, Collisions, a Foodie Mystery, Second Chances & Crossroads  With Love from London by Sarah Jio Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey A Brush with Love by Mazey EddingsA Fatal Family Feast by Lynn CahoonLove and Lotus Blossoms by Anne Shade 
Pay Attention to Your True Self & Each Phase of Your JourneySpeak: How to Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Tunde Oyeneyin 
It's been an emotionally grueling past week, month, and 2+ years (and decade and life for many). Books provide information, a range of perspectives, motivation, solace, and escape, all of which are essential to advancing toward a more inclusive, healthier, safer existence for all of us. 
 

Some ABCs of Identity: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

 



The simple truth is that each individual's identity contains a complex blend of factors, traits, and cultures.  
In the context of identity, "What are you?" is rude, invasive, insensitive, and outdated for too many reasons to list. People are not obligated to satisfy random strangers' and distant acquaintances' idle curiosity. 
Each one of the billions of people who exist is a unique individual. In the spirit of The Golden Rule let's study, respect, and celebrate each other's cultures and contributions. 
The umbrella term of "Asian" is as problematic as "African" and "Indian" with being rooted in the nomenclature of colonial imperialist oppression. Hundreds if not thousands of distinct cultures fall under each label. Educators, historians, public libraries and librarians, bookstores and booksellers are ready, willing, and able to recommend helpful resources for learning more about unfamiliar people and places and ways of existing.  
Some of my personal favorites among talented authors who also happen to celebrate their AAPI heritage are Sylvia Day (thanks for reminding me, Cavalcade of Authors!), Carla de Guzman, Mary E. Jung, Amita Murray, Alisha Rai, Sarah Echavarre Smith, Cecilia Tan, Sherry Thomas...  
AAPI = Asian American and Pacific Islander 
APIA = Asian Pacific Islander American 
BAME = Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic  
BIPOC = Black, Indigenous and People of Color 
BME = Black and Minority Ethnic 
Hawaiians 
LGBTIQCAPGNGFNBA = Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, Curious, Asexual, Pansexual, Gender Nonconforming, Gender-Fluid, Nonbinary, Androgynous 
LGBTQUIA = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Undecided, Intersex, Asexual 
Marshallese  
MENA = Middle Eastern and North African 
QUILTBAG, see LGBTQUIA  
Samoan 

Thanks to allacronyms.com for the assistance with abbreviations that were new to me.

Spring Assortment: Adversaries, Grumps, Optimists, 2nd Chances, STEM...

 

 Lots of Layers, Totally Jonesing Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg Contemporary romance Montlake, January 2022 
Unearthing relics of the past in actual and metaphorical ways challenges small-town baker Alisha Blake and big-city scientist Quentin Harris to face the traumas of their pasts to claim the full potential of a joyous future. Plus, assorted ornery senior citizens, meddlesome siblings and friends, professional nemeses equal a compelling “Indiana Jones" meets “Love Jones" romp with emotional range and depth. 
Look for Stirring Up Love this summer. 

 Fresh Spins on Shakespeare Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma Contemporary romance Avon, March 2022 
Karena and Prem joust verbally and emotionally while the aunties plot matchmaking genius—a decadent abundance of witty repartee, complex family dynamics, generational shifts, cultural inheritances, tenderness… It's binge-worthy. 

 Growing Pains Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades Contemporary YA fiction Random House, January 2022 
A literary concerto in movements of eight parts, each one layered and swelling in scale and range of place and time, memorable individuals and overlapping connections as it peaks and sustains its multiple tensions until it concludes with “Brown Girls Ascend Beyond the Final Frontier & All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" chapter as summary refrain. It's worthy of buying in order to savor and to reread. 

 Fake It ‘Til You're Mated Not the Witch You Wed (Supernatural Singles #1) by April Asher*  Contemporary supernatural romance St. Martin’s Griffin, February 2022 
In this charmingly buoyant comedic second-chance tale of former teen lovers who are now combatants with common interests, Violet and Lincoln smolder as they snark, tease, taunt, and eventually reconcile their way into their HEA. A dynamic cast of characters generates anticipation for future entries in this effervescent, funny, and poignant spin on supernatural beings in love. This series debut includes some notes of Shai August’s grittiness, K.M. Jackson's hilarity, and a less bombastic Shelley Laurenston along with vibes from early MaryJanice Davidson and Kathy Love.   
*aka contemporary romantic suspense author April Hunt 

 Turbulence Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon Contemporary romance Jove, January 2022 
With two bosses who daily turn their newsroom workplace into re-enactments of scenes from a 21st-century War of the Roses (Kathleen Turner v. Michael Douglas movie, not European historical conflict), meteorologist Ari Abrams and sportscaster Russ Barringer join forces to negotiate a ceasefire. Other challenges surface. 

 Stories Within Stories The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberly & Austin Siegmund-Broka Contemporary romance  Jove, January 2022 
Katrina and Nathan's emotional roller coaster of a relationship saga uses the meta context of romantically involved writers in real life writing about fictional former lovers as they write a romance. The narrative sweeps and twists between their present and past to move them toward healing as individuals and as a couple. Deftly crafted. Beautifully composed. 

 Bright Ideas Mother of Invention by Katrine Marcal  Non-fiction  Harry N. Abrams, October 2021 
How to Start Your Own Business… And Make It Work Non-fiction DK, February 2021 

Shining a Light on an Array of Indigenous Identities

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2198604  

Learn more about this phenomenal human being and her mission: maxkii.com 

Free(dom) Agents

Wolf in the Shadows (Legend of All Wolves #5) by Maria Vale 

Contemporary supernatural romance with a YA/New Adult vibe 

Sourcebooks Casablanca, July 26, 2022 

Pampered Shifter Julia Martel* has been molded into a superficial accessory, trained to accommodate others, particularly powerful men. When circumstances drag her into unfamiliar territory and strip her of all of her privileges she’s forced to choose who she will become. Omega wolf Arthur Graysson is compassionate and dangerous, an irresistible combination that challenges Julia in numerous ways. Fans of this outstanding series will recognize the continuation of this talented author’s distinctive blend of multifaceted characters, layers of emotional intimacy that connect individuals to each other and to their communities, and lyrical phrasing that conveys an appreciation for wild beings and places. 

This final entry in the series continues the escalating momentum established by the previous stories to hit the ultimate peak before resolving its recurring themes of identity, purpose, homecoming, and redemption with a satisfying conclusion. Readers new to this series should start with the (ironically titled) first book,  The Last Wolf, to maximize understanding and enjoyment.  

*At the start her character is tediously ego-centric and oblivious, but hang in there because Maria Vale delivers an impressive character development arc. 

Content warning: heavy on themes of oppressive misogyny (as if there’s any other type)

Interested in learning more about the unflappable Leonora?

Read “Wonderland” in Shifters and Mistletoe: A Wolf Shifter Novella Collection by Asa Marie Bradley, et al.  

Kaering LLC, December 2021 

The Sisters Are Alright, Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women in America, 2nd Ed. 

by Tamara Winfrey Harris 

Non-fiction 

Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., October 2021 

From “Tell the World Who You Are” section of “Introduction: The Trouble With Black Women”: 

… As a Black woman and a writer committed to telling our stories. I believe it is important that we yell our real experiences above the din of roaring negative propaganda. No one can define Black women but Black women. 

The Sisters Are Alright is an attempt to do just that–present a conversation about Black women by Black women. 

This book achieves that stated intention and much more. Using candid language and personal testimonies that resonate as fundamentally true, it identifies, deconstructs, and reframes the portraits of Black women in the past, present, and future. It reclaims and proclaims the intrinsic equal value and complexity of our humanity beyond narrow one-dimensional caricatures and tropes, stereotypes and scapegoats. It’s a declaration of inherent worthiness. An epilogue, extensive notes, acknowledgements, an index, and the author’s bio all enrich this thoughtful book and inspire continued exploration. 

Companion reads: The Strong Black Woman by Marita Golden and The Recipe of a Strong Woman by LaTerra N. Howard 

The Partner Track by Helen Wan 

Contemporary fiction with romantic elements 

St. Martin’s Griffin, 2014 

Witty, provocative, and engrossing, Ingrid Yung’s story resonates as particularly relevant in the context of the recent televised confirmation hearings with the Hon. Ketanji Brown-Jackson for the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Baked Goodies, Fake Dates, Cowpokes & More

 

Sweeter Than Honey (Honey Hill #2) by Joy Avery  Contemporary romance  Montlake, June 28, 2022  
Successful baker Rylee Harris moved to Honey Hill, North Carolina after the death of her soldier husband. Sheriff Canten Barnes was born and raised in the quaint small town, moved away, then returned in the aftermath of his own heartache. Friendship lays the foundation for this funny, poignant, and utterly charming romance about grief, regrets, and second chances, where a 21st-century Mayberry from “The Andy Griffith Show” meets “Girlfriends" and “Insecure" in an irresistible mashup of throw-way-back hijinks that evoke old school sweetness at the heart of this love story.  
Love and Latkes (Friendships and Festivals #3) by Stacey Agdern  Contemporary romance  Tule Publishing, October 2021  
Batya Averman and Abe Neumann learn that they can run from themselves and their hearts' desires, but they can't hide or escape them forever. Their love story is set during Hanukkah, but its themes of leaps of faith and the essential nature of community resonate year-round. Be sure to read the Author’s Note.  
The Wildest Ride (Closed Circuit #1) by Marcella Bell  Contemporary adult fiction with romance  HQN, August 2021  
Rancher Lillian Sorrow Island and city-slicker-turned-cowboy A.J. Garza both need to win the big prize in order to protect the people and the places they love. As they compete against each other and battle various adversarial forces they recognize the overlap in their missions to preserve valuable legacies to propel themselves into a promising future.   
This most excellent tale is a good read for historical romance fans (of Beverly Jenkins, Cat Sebastian* and similar authors) who also enjoy contemporary fiction that acknowledges Black diasporic experiences. The Author's Note with details about Creek Freedmen, Mvskoke/Muscogee Nation and more will likely lure readers into deeper cultural research.   
*A Gentleman Never Keeps Score  
Where the Honeybells Grow by Ruthie Lenor  Contemporary romance  Honeybells Publishing, 2020  
In the small town of Bellbush, Texas Gerti Gordon* owns The Shop, the local eatery and community gathering place she inherited from her grandmother. Quinn Garland is a recently laid-off mechanic who returns to his uncle's home for his best friend's wedding and to evaluate his options for moving forward in his life. In the meantime, well-intentioned family and friends conspire to match make while Gerti and Quinn circle each other, face the lingering emotional devastation of childhood traumas, and fool themselves into believing their deep connection and smoldering chemistry are temporary. Their love story is tender and celebrates the continuity of places where generations have poured their hearts and souls into surviving and thriving.  
*Gordan on the back cover blurb, but not in the story text.  
Snackable Anthologies:  Amor Actually, a Holiday Romance Anthology by Adriana Herrera, et al.  Romance  Indie, December 2021  
Cursed by Christina Henry, et al.  Fantasy & horror fiction  Titan Books, 2020  
Rogue Affair (Rogue Hearts #2) by Tamsen Parker, et al.  Romance  Indie, 2017  
Foodies:  The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu  Contemporary new adult romance  Avon, November 2021  
Adulting gets complicated, and scrumptious.   
See also, Love and Latkes above.  
International Cross-Cultural Angst + Food:  Seoulmates by Jen Frederick  Contemporary new adult romance  Berkley, January 2022  
Sizzling chemistry, fraught emotions, and detailed cultural insights offer readers a delightful tale with substantive layers beneath the fluff.  
Partners in (Investigating) Crime, Cons & Travel:  Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera  Contemporary fiction with romance  Indie, 2020  
Culture, identity, expectations, legacies and African diasporic experiences make Elias and Desta's love story a journey worth taking.     

Murphy's Law (Almost!) Strikes Again

https://www.thewritewomenbookfest.org/blog

At The Write Women Book Fest, founder Heather Brooks is our knowledgeable, talented, super effective tech wrangler. And thank all the merciful forces of the universe because that's NOT my wheelhouse.  
After a near-miss with virtual recording catastrophe in 2019, maybe the lack of tech-related panel chat drama during TWWBF2020 and TWWBF2021 made me too confident last week when setting up to begin Desirable Women of Color—Cultural Touchstones and the History of Body Positivity with Shai August, Pamela Beverly, Delaney Diamond, Carla de Guzman, and Jamie Pope.  
At first everything's fine while admitting panelists and chit-chatting, closed captioning activated then the dreaded “connection lost" before the last panelist. Terror, panic, bad language while scrambling to troubleshoot WiFi and log in via my phone, which isn't my preferred device for moderating a panel. But it's better than nothing. Profuse apologies to the panelists who graciously understand and encourage as I juggle my phone into place. Last panelist admitted.  
My jumbled, frantic thoughts as WiFi reconnects and my fingers fly across my laptop keyboard: $@#%!  Oh, this is so unprofessional!  Why now? Why? Why? Why?  Then after all five panelists and I are visible on my screen, “Yay!”  
Wave from me to all, then holding up three fingers to countdown to start recording.  
“You're on mute,” Shai says.  
Because of course I am, I think as I unmute, feeling embarrassed, flustered, and adrenaline drunk while thanking Shai and counting down, again.  
My inner hermit expresses no empathy, just smug condescension, as usual.  
I (think I've) hit record until after the third author's self-intro when my discombobulated brain (finally!) registers the absence of a red dot and “rec" on my screen. $@#%!  
A sheepish interruption, apologies, a contrite explanation, more apologies, more gracious understanding from these talented successful, generous panelists. A partial restart after actually hitting record this time. *sigh*  
And in all of that chaos, closed captioning wasn't reactivated, an oversight for which I sincerely apologize.  
Also, addressing “cultural touchstones” became “personal touchstones" when my reader fandom for these authors took control of the conversation, which felt like a gathering of friends sharing their experiences and candid thoughts. Sorry/not sorry.  
We'll discuss the impacts of Josephine Baker, Carmen Miranda, Eartha Kitt, Viola Davis, Lupita N’yongo, Lizzo, Soul Train, the evolution of expectations of conformity and assimilation for “mainstream" acceptance and more another time.  
Additional apologies to author Pamela Beverly, who has supported The Write Women Book Fest since its start in 2019, for my not realizing until after the panel ended and everyone disconnected that most of her introduction wasn't recorded. Like each of the other panelists, her work is beautifully and thoughtfully composed.  
Many thanks again to these illustrious creatives for their patience, goodwill, professionalism, and generosity.  
Enjoy!  And please remember, a busted book-buying budget shouldn't keep readers from trying new-to-you authors and exploring various genres. Browse the catalogues at the local public library for physical and digital materials. Most sites have “make a purchase" request forms for their patrons, which also helps raise an author's visibility. 

Books By and About Desirable Women of Color

 

Desirable Women of Color--Cultural Touchstones & History of Body Positivity panelists Jamie Pope, Pamela Beverly, Delaney Diamond, Carla de Guzman, and Shai August generously agreed to chat about their work and trends in publishing, especially romance. The recording of that panel chat will post next weekend. 
In the meantime, the following reviews are intentionally brief and vague teasers to avoid spoilers while enticing you to add these authors to your TBR list—if they're not already on your reading radar.  

Return to Sweetheart Lake by (Jamie Pope writing as) Evelyn Jordan  Contemporary romance  Alcove Press, 2021  
Secrets, guilt, revelations, redemption. Childhood friends, young lovers, now grown-up strangers, Romey and Gray endure painful self-reflection to gain perspective and forgiveness in this multifaceted, deeply emotional second-chance love story that also celebrates the tastes and textures of family and community.  
Jamie also writes as Sugar Jamison, Ginger Jamison, and Jamie Pope.  Her earlier series:  Perfect Fit  Sunny and Warm  Love and Hope  Redemption  Tropical Destiny  Bad Boys of Destiny  https://www.authorjamiepope.com/


A Type of Hunger by Pamela Beverly, author & publisher  Adult contemporary fiction with romantic elements  2021  
What's the source of a person's intrinsic value, identity, and self-esteem?  How many hits can one person and a romantic relationship absorb before they collapse?  Will they recover, and how?  
Nate Hunter and Carla Pinkney experience the answers in A Type of Hunger. This novella packs in a full-length novel's worth of setbacks, crises, self-doubts, drama, and the importance of enduring friendships in addition to romance. Geographic location, social class, and complicated interpersonal dynamics make Carla and Nate's story resonate as an authentic, nuanced saga about the challenges and rewards of being responsible grownups.  
Pamela has written a children's book called What If an Octopus Followed Me Home? in addition to her other contemporary adult fiction works.  https://pameladbeverly.com/


Until Death (Plan B) by Delaney Diamond  Contemporary romantic suspense thriller  Garden Avenue Press, 2021  
Covert operative Cruz Cordoba is on a personal mission to avenge the death of whistleblower Shanice Lawrence, the love of his life. But is she really dead? Deceptions, conspiracies, double-crosses and shocking revelations set the stage for this smokin' hot sexy romance.  
Delaney's impressive writing productivity includes these series:  Family Ties  Cordoba Agency  Latin Men  Love Unexpected  Brooks, Johnson, and Hawthorne Families (individual series)  Quicksand  Royal Brides  https://delaneydiamond.com/ 


Sweet on You (Laneways) by Carla de Guzman  Contemporary romance  Carina Press, 2020  
It's a food fight as foreplay between neighboring business owners. Sari Thomas runs her family's Café Cecilia as part of continuing decades of tradition. Baker Gabriel Capras works to make his Sunday Bakery the beginning of a fresh start in more ways than one. Each business has weaknesses that are vulnerable to exploitation by the other, and formidable strengths just like Sari and Gabriel. Add meddlesome siblings, layered family dynamics, cultural legacies and vibrant charm with laughter, camaraderie and competition to get a Christmas romance that satisfies year-round.  
Carla's series include:  Laneways  Cincamarre  
Plus, she's a talented visual artist in addition to being a #romanceclass author. romanceclassbooks.com  http://www.carladeguzman.com/books-1


Social Aid & Pleasure (A Rare and Unknown World) by Shai August  Supernatural romance  Three Fortnights Press, 2019  
Three years ago historian, bartender, gig worker Chantal Plaisance let fear keep her from experiencing the decadent indulgences of being chosen by Ursa Major, Abarran Benat, as his bride for the night at the exclusive annual Mardi Gras Ball hosted by the Omega Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Now she's back for a do-over. Will it live up to her anticipation? This sizzling short of a teaser for the upcoming Beast in the East: The Origin Shifters delivers a resounding yes. Second chances, imaginative supernatural shifter lore seamlessly integrated with historical facts, poignant characterizations, and super sexy scenes make this a layered spicy bonbon of a quick read.  
In addition to her A Rare and Unknown World and Steward Files series, Shai produces her What Is Romance? podcast.   https://www.shaiaugust.com/

Waiting for the Snow (Again) = Reading Stockpile

 

An assortment of options 
Declaring Allegiance: Dangerous, Romantic Journeys & Intrigue 
Blood and Ember (Stormbringer #3) by Isabel Cooper 
Fantasy with romantic elements 
Sourcebooks Casablanca, July 2021 
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander #9) by Diana Gabaldon 
Historical-Contemporary-Speculative Romance 
Dell, November 2021 
Serving Sin (Filthy Rich #3) by Angelina M. Lopez 
Contemporary Romance 
Carina Press, May 2021 
[content warning: sexual assault references] 
Princess of Shadows, The Girl Who Would Be King by Colin Alexander 
Fantasy 
Afictionado, November 2021 
Aeryn Stonebreaker’s saga winds up and outward like a rollercoaster ride for readers who enjoy Arthurian lore,biblical scope, nuanced personal quandaries, and organically inclusive casts of characters. Briskly paced narrative, evocative details of place, time, and circumstances plus crises of conscience and faith are only a few of the features that make Princess of Shadows epic. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Estep, Rena Barrow and similar authors should devour this compelling tale and hunger for more. 

Literary Legacies 

Read Until You Understand, The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature by Farah Jasmine Griffin 

Non-fiction 

W.W. Norton & Company, September 2021 
As stated in the introduction, “...the book is designed as a seminar where readers, together, seek a deeper understanding of the works and the principles they explore.” With the introduction, ten chapters organized according to different contemplative themes, acknowledgments, notes, bibliography, discography, and index, Read Until You Understand achieves its intention. It’s the kind of book that inspires deep thoughts and multiple reads. 

The fight for equality continues. 

Controlling Women, What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom by Kathryn Kolbert & Julie F. Kay 
Non-fiction 
Hachette Books, July 2021 
The Kapernick Effect, Taking a Knee, Changing the World by Dave Zirin 
Non-fiction 
The New Press, September 2021 

A Chorus of Literary Voices Perfectly Pitched for Gift Giving*

RayRay Paints a Self-Portrait by Surayyah Fofana; Eliana Rodger, illustrator Children’s book Larue PR, LLC, September 2021 

In this children’s book as memoir, self-defined biracial activist, dancer, writer, high school student Surayyah “RayRay” Fofana has written a charming story that explores universal themes of identity and touchstones of belonging. The vibrancy of individuals, classmates, families, and communities rendered in full-color illustrations project depth and dimension while the figures present people of various shades, ages, and physical abilities. RayRay’s journey toward recognizing herself is timely and timeless. 

How to Wrestle a Girl, Stories by Venita Blackburn 

Fiction, short stories 

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, September 2021 

In two parts and acknowledgments How to Wrestle a Girl contemplates the circuitous paths toward freedom to live as one’s unapologetic, authentic self. In the titular “How to Wrestle a Girl” (fourth entry in Part I) narrow ideas about gendered expectations invite competitors to consider the repercussions of misogyny, toxic masculinity, and identity crises. Escaping the tenacious hold of stereotypes, puberty, assumptions based on those factors and more seems relentless. And yet there’s a fundamental buoyancy to the entire collection. So many terms of endearment: lil sister, baby cousin, Mom Mom, last names used affectionately, familial relation as moniker, initials, nicknames–all used significantly more often than insults and slurs. Most of the multifaceted entries are rendered in conventional prose formats, supporting a reader’s focus on various thought threads. Those structures contrast and highlight the many facets of the free-form poem “Side Effects Include Dizziness, Ringing in the Ears, and Memory Loss” and the puzzle structuring of “In the Counselor’s Waiting Room with No Wi-Fi” and “Answer Sheet” in addition to a “Quiz” as biting social commentary about familiar categories of educators from enthusiastic newbies to disillusioned grumps. This collection entertains and provokes as it challenges readers to free ourselves and each other from the limiting, destructive, hateful attitudes and beliefs we hold about ourselves and others. 

Gaia and Luna: In the View of the Moon by Mark Newton, author & publisher 

Fantasy, November 2021 

From the Big Bang to speculations about how and if the  human species will survive, Gaia and Luna anthropomorphizes the elements of the universe. Earth and the moon along with the other planets and stars debate their relationships with each other and with humans, at one point described as “terror-formers” who seem determined architects of their own demise–a legitimate observation. Are we doomed? Predetermination versus free will, empathy, and a famous John F. Kennedy quote more broadly applied to Earth Conservation contribute to an overall optimistic tone in this fable for which children–and adults looking for fun ways to engage them in discussion about humans and the universe–seem to be the target audience. Its approach is similar to that of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology as applied to the universe mixed with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Carl Sagan, and Sesame Street. 

More Voices That Enchant, Haunt, Echo 

Bad Fat Black Girl, Notes from a Trap Feminist by Sesali Bowen 

Non-fiction memoir 

Amistad, October 2021 

With all names except those of the author and her trusty vehicle, changed to avoid legal unpleasantness, this relentlessly entertaining and illuminating memoir brings Black women’s multifaceted lives and identities from the margins to center page. The author names and challenges the limitations of respectability politics in the fight for equal access to resources and opportunities and limitless possibilities for thriving. 

From the epilogue: 

We deserve to be heard, have our humanity taken seriously, and trusted to lead our own rebellions and revolutions. 

Unbound, My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement by Tarana Burke 

Non-fiction memoir 

Flatiron Books, September 2021 

There are no words that serve justice to this author’s human magnificence more than her own beginning in the prologue: The story of how empathy for others–without which the work of ‘me too’ doesn’t exist–starts with empathy for that dark place of shame where we keep our stories, and where I kept mine. 

Read this delicately nuanced, intimate and triumphant memoir with a box of tissues within reach. 

Black Fatigue, How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters 

Non-fiction 

Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., September 2020 

A safe literary space and validation for people who are targeted by racism, and a concise tutorial for anti-racist allies of Black and Brown people (who are exhausted in general and probably tired of answering questions posed by well-intentioned Anglo/Caucasian/white people who sincerely want to understand). The preface, introduction, nine chapters, notes, acknowledgments, index, about the author and about  The Winters Group, Inc. all honor, illuminate, hold accountable, and call to action the imperatives for eradicating racism. It’s an intellectual companion read to The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and Sister Citizen by Melissa Harris-Perry. 

Promise That You Will Sing About Me, The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar by Miles Marshall Lewis 

Poetry and commentary 

St. Martin’s Press, September 2021 

Impressive wordsmiths Alicia Garza, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ivie Ani, Kevin L. C:ark and more contemplate Kendrick Lamar (Duckworth)’s category-defying genius, and that’s not hyperbole. If budget and storage space and environmental beliefs allow, buy a copy in order to indulge in the need to highlight, underline, and jot notes in the margins while listening to his mesmerizing, provocative lyrics and riffs. 

Requiem of Silence (Earthsinger Chronicles #4) by L. Penelope 

Speculative 

St. Martin’s Griffin, August 2021 

Who can Queen Jasminda trust? 

Will a shared threat of annihilation force the people of Elsira and Lagrimar to work together toward a common goal of survival? 

The final entry in this engaging series answers those questions and more. Personal quandaries, epic battles, and devastating consequences take readers on a volatile concluding adventure that satisfies. Consuming each installment in chronological order provides maximum coherence and momentum. 

The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo 

Fiction 

Jove, September 2021 

What are you? 

The dreaded, annoying, rude, nonsensical question. 

The answer is simple and complicated. 

Hannah Bailey travels thousands of physical and philosophical miles to unearth her own answers. 

You Made Me Love You, Selected Stories, 1981–2018 by John Edgar Wideman 

Short stories collection 

Scribner, April 2021 

The introduction by Walton Muyumba launches readers into a literary journey of dismantling the confinement of African and African-American Blackness to broaden and reconfigure it in nuanced, self-defined authenticity with John Edgar Wideman as a talented, generous guide possessing encyclopedic breadth and depth of piercing literary range. 

No Words (Little Bridge Island #3) by Meg Cabot 

Romantic women’s fiction 

WIlliam Morrow, October 2021 

Personal mayhem a la “I Love Lucy” and “Saturday Night Live” delivers sharp, humorous social commentary about the power hierarchy in publishing as dictated by gender, age, genre, category and more. My reading about Jo Wright’s story started Friday, November 12, 2021 when no words could express the depth of my spiritual fatigue connected to the U.S. in/justice system, and an immediate joyous book escape was essential. No Words provided that along with assorted laugh-aloud scenes and sad, but true observations about the book industry. It’s a bookish nerd’s gem with spoof-tastic vibes. 

*This is probably my last #CardynBrooksReviews #books post for calendar year 2021. Wishing you and your loved ones and communities good health, peace, joy & prosperity during this holiday season and into the new year. Happy reading & creating & thriving!