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justletherread

@justletherread

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🤎 | Centering Black literature & joy
💬 | Currently reading: Trees by Percival Everett
💌: [email protected]

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“Yellow Wife” by Sadeqa Johnson

I truly regret not reading this book sooner because it’s truly a masterpiece. I’m sure that I will have to go back and reread this again in the future so that I can reexamine all the layers of this story.
This book does not shy away from the brutality and cruelty of slavery at all; in fact, some parts almost made me gag from just the imagery. But while it’s not easy to read certain parts, you should never shy away from ugly truths. I appreciate the care and concern that the author used to research and write this amazing piece of historical fiction.
This book is a testament to Pheby’s absolute will and strength to survive. It’s a testament to the love of a mother and utter resilience in the most desperate times. I highly recommend it.

#historicalfiction #blackbookstagram #historicalfictionbooks #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #mustreadbooks #5starbook #historicalfictionnovel #booksta #booksofig #sadeqajohnson #books by @justletherread

I read “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi a few years ago and I remember absolutely falling in love with it. I recently decided to re-read it to see if it still holds true and it’s still just as brilliant to me.

The author takes you on a journey of 2 sisters and their descendants across 8 generations throughout this book that feels so deeply personal. While it is fiction, you know on so many levels it’s tragically accurate for so many black families; the trauma, the violence, and the loss of cultural and familial history.

As a child, I often wondered about my ancestors and while I will never have concrete answers- reading this book fueled my imagination to dream of my own familial history. To dream of how much strength, courage, fortitude, and Faith they had to have. This book served as a guide for me to imagine my ancestors spanning back all the way to the Gold Coast and weave together a legacy that will continue through my own children.

While this is historical fiction, I recommend you read it with an open heart and I guarantee it will reverberate throughout your soul. #blackbooksmatter #blackbookstagram #bookreview #bookgram #blackbooks #yaagyasi #homegoingyaagyasi by @justletherread

I handled business early, but today is the big day! 🗳️Our ancestors didn’t march and sacrifice so we could sit on the sidelines. Voting is our legacy, our voice, and our seat at the table—make sure yours is heard!

If you haven’t voted yet, the polls are open today! Grab a friend, get in line, and make it happen. ✊🏾✨

#electionday #yourvotematters #blackwomenvote #getoutandvote voteblu by @justletherread

Library day = best day 💚

Has anyone read either of these? Let me know your thoughts!

#librarybooks #librarylove #libraryhaul #tbr #supportyourlocallibrary by @justletherread

“Harlem Rhapsody” by Victoria Christopher Murray

I haven’t been reading historical fiction lately, but this one made me remember why I love the genre so much. Jessie Faust serves as the first woman literary editor for “The Crisis,” which is a leading Black magazine during the Harlem Renaissance. But her relationship with the married W.E.B. Du Bois (founder of “The Crisis”) is the backdrop to her career achievements. During her tenure, she discovers and mentors young Black authors that will go on to be literary greats such as Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen.

I loved so much about this book, including Jessie’s commitment to her career and not seeking marriage to focus on her career as an author.

Some of my favorite quotes:
📌 “I always knew I had a greater calling, and at its core was my overwhelming love for my race. The sense of responsibility I felt for our people increased tenfold after I lost my son. I began to see him not as dead, but free. Free from a world that considered his skin a problem, that would see his ambition as impudence and would view him always with suspicion at best, but more likely with enmity. I understood I had to create a world where colored boys didn’t have to die to be free.”

📌 “*Black people are bound by rules and regulations and societal norms that are based on nothing more than white folks’ religion and opinion. I don’t subscribe to any of that. Perhaps it’s because I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world, and that very act has freed me from the spurious bounds of America. If an omnipresent God is love, then our love should be without limit as well.”

📌 “*Black women in America will continue to reach the highest levels, continue to be the best and the brightest, and then force others to tell us that with these qualifications, we are disqualified. We will force others to tell us that our credentials are fine; our complexions are what’s offensive.”

#harlemrapsody #historicalfiction #blackbookstagram #historicalfictionbooks #bookrec by @justletherread

📸 “Love Me Down to Christmas” by Aries Skye

It’s still hot out, but this eARC definitely puts me in the Christmas mood (thanks to @iamblackodyssey). Think a less cheesy version of Hallmark holiday movies, infused with the Culture and some spice.

Amariah Luke has built a successful career and life outside of her small hometown, Skye Ridge. But when her father faces health issues around the holidays, she returns home to help and immediately runs into the man that was once her best friend. As teenagers, Amariah and Jacob were inseparable, but a life-changing event pushes them apart. Separated by time and space, as adults, they must work together to save her father’s store and coexist despite their past hurt. When Amariah’s dad makes his wishes known to Jacob about his daughter’s future with him, Jacob creates a Christmas countdown to win her over. The Christmas countdown is filled with holiday traditions from their past, thoughtful gifts, and creating new memories together (think spiked cocoa and late-night confessions). I was rooting for Amariah and Jacob immediately and loved the support of their friends and, most importantly, their families for them throughout the whole book.

This book is filled with so many cute, heartwarming moments and some really emotional ones too. I couldn’t think of a better book to begin the kickoff to the holidays. Make sure you grab this one today-September 28th!

#lovemedowntochristmas #blackromancebooks #holidayromancebooks #christmasromancebooks #pubdayreview by @justletherread

I’m always here for anything by Kennedy Ryan, and “Score” was no exception. I was drawn into the connection of Monk and Verity when we were introduced to them in “Reel.” But I was not prepared for how intense things between those two could be (🤯😳). Their story was deeply rooted in their short romance in college that ended in chaos and heartbreak. As adults, they end up working together on the same Harlem Renaissance biopic set (loved the concurrent timeline with “Reel”).
Verity’s character and subsequent diagnosis are written with such care and were so beautifully done. I loved the backstory of Monk’s conflicting feelings regarding faith/religion after growing up a preacher’s kid. Both Monk and Verity had very different but formative experiences seeing how their parents’ marriages went. This definitely added even more emotional layers to their already beautiful story, which was filled with an intense amount of love, care, and grace.

#kennedyryan #blackromanceauthors #romancereader #romancebookrecs #blackbookstagram by @justletherread

Dying in this heat while mentally living in a sweater with a stack of fall books. Hurry up, fall. 🥵📚🍂

Also I’m absolutely obsessed with my new candleholder from Bath and Body Works!

#fallbookstagram #bookstacks #bookishfinds #orangebookstack #booksbooksbooks by @justletherread

📸: “Summer on the Bluffs” by Sunny Hostin

Amelia “Ama” Tanner was an original IT girl, a successful Black woman that pioneered the New York Stock Exchange and married a successful attorney. They both had prominent careers and a marriage that stood the test of time, including building their dream home—Chateau Laveau— in the prestigious Oak Bluffs (the most exclusive Black beach community in the country). Through it all, they didn’t have any biological children, but they did have three goddaughters they had poured their love and resources into from childhood to adulthood. Perry, a headstrong, successful lawyer with a complicated marriage; Olivia, the brilliant Wall Street analyst who battles self doubt. And Billie, a marine biologist with a bold and carefree spirit.

As Ama comes to accept that her husband is gone, she intends to make major life changes—starting with deciding which goddaughter to leave their cherished Oak Bluff estate to. Perry, Olivia, and Billie all want the estate for their own personal reasons, but Ama invites the women to spend one last summer together before she makes her decision. But by the end of the summer, secrets are revealed and all four women’s lives are drastically altered.

I’m obsessed with all things Oak Bluffs, definitely on my travel bucket list, so naturally I love when a story takes place there. I really enjoyed the portrayal of so many successful Black professionals across various industries; it definitely added allure and depth to the book. I also enjoyed all the flashbacks and the slow reveals of the secrets; it kept me engaged throughout the entire story.

Currently finishing book 3 in the series! The perfect end to the summer 💛

#summerinthebluffs #summerreading #bookseriesreview #poolreads #sunnyhostin by @justletherread

Willow is living a normal life in NC when she is suddenly dropped into the world of Caz, the ruler of Blackwater. They share an intense, strange connection since they can hear each other’s thoughts, but they are otherwise unfamiliar with each other. The connection they share is dangerous in Caz’s world, which is filled with chaos amongst the different factions throughout the lands. They take a journey together to seek out explanations surrounding their intense connection and how to send Willow back to her home. Of course, there is some very, very, very slow burn chemistry due to them really having no familiarity and some forced proximity.

@reallyshanora has such a diverse catalog, and I’m glad I decided to explore this aspect of her writing. Historical fiction moves my soul, but I love being able to read for fun and have some sense of escapism, especially with magic. I love when Black authors are uninhibited with their creativity and able to explore whatever genre they want.

#shanorawilliams #romantasy #romantasybooks #viciousbonds #fantasybooks by @justletherread

Main character energy loading... ♌️✨ Entering my Leo season the best way I know how: by expanding my TBR list!

🦁✨ Any fellow Leo’s here? 🦁✨

👇🏾Drop recs below of books I need to add to my list 👇🏾

#leoseason #bookish #tbrlist #booksarelife
#blackbookstagram by @justletherread

The “fake dating” trope just hits different, especially in these pages. 🤎 If you’ve read any of these, let me know your favorite in the comments!

#fakedatingbooks #romancebookstagram #blackromancebooks #fakedatingromance #coffeeandbooks by @justletherread