Black Girl You Are Atlas

Not only is the poetry moving and heavy, the accompanying illustrations are fantastic. This poetry collection is a wonderful celebration and reflection of Black girlhood. Renee celebrates the highs and lows of her childhood while simultaneously expounding on the experience as a whole. A true delight, I devoured this collection in one sitting. 

Kitchen Confidential

I'm sad I waited until after his death to read this wonderful culinary memoir. I was hooked from page one, this was an amazing and impossible to put down book. Bourdain pulls back the curtain on what is really happening in kitchens and it's fascinating, scary, and very exciting. It's not all fun and games, it takes dedication, thick skin (physically and emotionally), endurance, and skill. Filled not only with his journey into the culinary belly of the world, this memoir also dishes on what days to order meats and seafoods, how to tell if a restaurant deserves your business and many other useful tidbits that I would never have known in a million years. He is also very real about his vices, addictions, and drugs found in virtually all restaurants of the world. Superbly written, witty, and engaging this memoir is not just for foodies, it's for everyone. Sad we lost such a great personality, but his voice will live on through his books and on his shows.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

I don't know what I was expecting based off the cover - but this book was so good! I love the cover, I just don't know if it fits the book. Ricki Wilde has never lived up to her family's expectations. They own one of the largest funeral home corporations in the US. Fired as a receptionist, Ricki decides to pack up her life in Atlanta and move to Harlem to open a flower shop. She's done trying to placate her family, she's going to live authentically from now on. She moves in the first floor of a gorgeous old brownstone, putting her business in the front and her living spaces in the back. Her elderly landlady lives above and soon becomes like the grandma she never had. When she runs into a mysterious man one night, life as she knows it is about to change. Ezra Walker has been around the block a time or two. All his life he's dreamt of a woman who will change that life. When he meets Ricki he is certain she is the one, but if she is, time is running out. Lyrical, funny, and romantic (with a few good steamy scenes to boot!). This is a romance for the ages!

The Song of Sourwood Mountain

Sweet, wholesome, and uplifting; this historical inspirational romance is heavy on the historical drama and light on the romance. Within the span of a week Mira Dean has lost her teaching position, her lodging, and committed to marrying a man she barely knows to be a preacher's wife and teacher in the Kentucky hills. Mira prays on it and feel that the Lord is calling her to take a leap of faith and to help the children who have never had a school or a teacher. She fervently hope that she will learn to love the stranger she married as well. When she arrives in Sourwood she finds herself instantly falling in love the community and their strange ways. A 10 year old orphan named Ada June also takes a spot in her heart and vice versa. When one door closes, another one opens. 

Being Reflected Upon

Famed poet, Alice Notley, pens a memoir in verse; primarily reflecting on the last two decades of her life. Being Reflected Upon is a memoir, in the vaguest sense of the definition - but being as it's written by a poet, it works quite well. Notley reflects upon her breast cancer diagnosis, years spent living in Paris, reminisces of her youth and much more. It's not at all linear and told in a stream of conscious way - but for poetry it works. Narrated by the poet herself, this poetry effuses authenticity and introspection. Fans of Alice Notley's work will love this, those unfamiliar with her work may be inspired to read her earlier collections. Heartfelt and affecting, Notley's poetry leaps from the page and straight into the imagination. 

Dungeons and Drama

This was such a cute and nerdy romcom for teens. I am clearly not in that demographic, but this was so sweet and wholesome. I loved it. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Riley loves acting and singing so much that she risks the wrath of her mother to steal her car and drive her and her best friend two hours away to see a musical. Her parents freak out and as a punishment she has to work at her dad's game store for a few months. It's the worst punishment she could think of. She has to hang out with nerds?! She ends up on the wrong foot with Nathan, an employee and classmate - but before long the two of them hammer out an arrangement, a fake dating situation. What could possibly go wrong. Cute, wholesome, nerdy, and so much fun!

Age of Cage

Endlessly entertaining - I learned so much about my man Nic Cage. I was hoping for a little more info about his personal life, but aside from his early childhood and family ties - The Age of Cage is really just a look at my mans filmography. Which is still super interesting. There were so many films I didn't know about or had forgotten. The Age of Cage really hones in on Nic's acting chops, personal thoughts on movies, inside info about roles turned down or looked over, and so much more. This book got me inspired to start at the beginning of the list and work my way through all the movies. So far I am two in and I know it's going to take me some time but I don't care. This book has got me inspired. Perfect for fans of Nic Cage!