“I don’t need you to be mad that it happened. I need you to be mad that it just like… happens.” Conversations about race and class continue to seep into our everyday lives especially now …
My Canada Reads Pick for 2021 is ‘Butter Honey Pig Bread’ Here’s Why…
[bigletter] In Honey Butter Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi, we see how the truth can separate a family. The book is a total work of art, and I couldn’t put it down. At its core, it’s a story of twin sisters whose bond is deep and whose pain separates them both physically and emotionally. But truly it is a story of women who are hungry for connection and hungry for healing.
The book tells the story of three Nigerian women: Kambirinachi and her twin daughters, Kehinde and Taiye. Taking place in Nigeria, Canada, and Europe the book spans oceans and speaks to the power of love, bonds, and family ties. [/bigletter]
Book Club: July Book of the Month
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[dropcap custom_class=”whb”] At its core Miracle Creek questions how far will parents go to save their children? Written by Angie Kim this book is a perfect fusion of court room drama and part mystery.
Part of the reason I chose this book is that it has something for everyone. It surprises, captivates, and makes us question our own instincts and prejudice.
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Miracle Creek” opens with a fatal explosion at a small HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) facility in rural Virginia, owned and operated by Korean immigrants, Pak Yoo and his wife, Young. On an unusually eventful day marked by protests and a power outage, a fire breaks out near the oxygen tanks during a treatment session. What follows is the unraveling of this small community as we see each person is guilty in their own way, of something but who actually set the fire?
A gripping, fascinating and beautiful read that will leave you questioning, what would I do?
Although this book is way out of the realm of anything we’ve read before, I think that’s also part of the beauty of it
Read with us as we examine the voice of another beautiful minority writer.
Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/316YQ9W
Five Must-Read Books by Caribbean Writers
[bigletter]Most of the world is practicing social distancing or self-isolation so what better time to catch up on all of the books that you’ve been meaning to read. You’ve got the time right!?
These are not just good books, these are books that will make you lose track of time and provide a little escape.
With all this time and nowhere to go here are some books that will help you stop looking at the clock. [/bigletter]
Book Club: June Book of the Month
[pullquote align=”right” style=”style4″ width=”381″ size=”14″ line_height=”18″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#222222″][blockquote custom_class=”” txt_color=”#222222″ size=”25″ line_height=”32″] The Skin We’re In battles the myth that Canada is more inclusive, welcoming, celebratory of diversity than the US.[/blockquote][/pullquote]
[dropcap custom_class=”whb”] On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed face down in the street. Two other officers further restrained Floyd and a fourth officer prevented onlookers from intervening. During the final three minutes, Floyd was motionless and had no pulse yet the coward officers made no attempt to revive him, and Chauvin’s knee remained on Floyd’s neck even as emergency medical technicians attempted to treat him. George Floyd died.
And for years so many POC have faced the same fate.
This incident prompted a worldwide cry out for Black lives. Cities all across the US, Canada, and the UK have protested that enough is enough. This outcry is something that we, as Black people, have been feeling in our spirits for decades. For as long as I can remember I’ve felt deep down inside that my Black life was in danger.
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But disproportionate violence against Black people is not the problem:
it is a symptom of the white supremacist that guides
all Canadian institutions.
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In Canada, we like to think that these sorts of issues do not exist for us. For years I’ve been hearing that Canada is a land of the free and that we celebrate our multiculturalism.
And for years I’ve argued, showed stats and begged people to wake up because Canada is arguably jus as bad or even worse than our neighbours.
But I digress. This month’s book is ‘The Skin We’re In’ by Desmond Cole. There’s no other way than I can describe this book than DAMN what an incredible read.
In the book, columnist turn activist, Desmond Cole attempts to highlight a year of Black resistance, and Anti-Black racism that took place across the country.
With everything occurring across the world this book is a view of the same issues taking place on Canadian soil. I cannot wait to discuss this with all my well-read sistahs.
Happy Reading!
Book Club: May Book of the Month
[pullquote align=”right” style=”style4″ width=”381″ size=”14″ line_height=”18″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#222222″][blockquote custom_class=”” txt_color=”#222222″ size=”25″ line_height=”32″] Whatever you love could be taken away, so live like it’s your dying day.[/blockquote][/pullquote]
[dropcap custom_class=”whb”] When I first read ‘True to the Game,’ over two decades ago it was the first book I truly fell in love with. I found it right smack dab in the middle of my obsession with Urban Fiction; aka ‘street lit’ aka street fiction.
But most Urban Fiction is a genre defined by socio-economic realities and ghetto culture. The tone is usually dark and grimy focusing on sex, violence and the streets.
I remember back then I couldn’t just go to chapters and get this type of gem. I would travel to NYC from my small town, east of Toronto, in order to find the best of the best in Urban Fiction. Authors like K’wan, Teri Woods, and Sistah Souljah would excite me with their words.
‘True to the Game’ was one of my finds and ever since it continues to hold a special place in my heart.[/dropcap]
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[dropcap custom_class=”whb”] Since we are in the midst of the quaratine I thought that I book like this would be a nice escape from reality.
The story follows 18-year old Gena who falls in love with drug kingpin Quadir after a chance encounter. Their struggles to let love blossom in the midst of life in the game.
What I love most about this book is the story but also the sheer tenacity of author Teri Woods sold 1 million copies out of her car. Amazing! [/dropcap]
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It’s not the best book I’ve ever read,
but it was consistently entertaining.
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Although the writing isn’t the best I think the feel and the story are truly an experience. Hopefully, you read along with us this month. and of course remain true to the game!
Happy Reading!