Book reviews are, in my opinion, a double edged sword. It does not guarantee that people will buy your books but what it does is add value. When I go to purchase a book, if I had a desire to buy the book I’m going to purchase it anyway. I may scan the reviews yes, but whether or not I decide to buy depends on my initial thought processes before I even got to the authors page. If I’m still leery about purchasing I may depend more heavily on the review as opposed to if I already had my mind made up to buy.
Book reviews are interesting in that they validate that people are actually reading and discussing the book and I think this is what gives them their leverage. There are real life men and women who are interested in your work as an author and that adds a worth to them that becomes more important in the end than book sales. It’s a funny thing because book reviews do increase book sales to an extent (naturally) but they also turn out to serve a greater purpose. Book Reviews authenticate the author in many ways. One of these ways being that he or she have reached someone with their artistry. Its interesting because not everyone who reads a book will review it and that is why they are so special. Good reviews are like little compliments that help to encourage the author. Even if its just one person, the reviews help people to recognize the author as someone who is officially capable of using their skill set and talent to change lives.
In 2014, I tried my hand at writing a screenplay that reads like a movie script. I figured, OK well, since the writing moves like a movie in my head, why not? Of course, I would like to try my hand at all genres eventually. Anywho, July of this year will mark the 2 year anniversary of Pearls Before Swine so you can imagine my delight to log into Amazon and see this customer review for it! Of course this review was left some months ago but I had not seen it for some reason. Long story short, last thing I was looking for is a review from PBS. I wouldn’t say that I’ve forgotten about it, but I was pretty lazy in pushing it back then. Time truly flies and it just seems like I knew so little then in comparison to today in relation to book publishing. As I think about it, I think its because I wasn’t as into Book Reviews. I didn’t understand the value of them back then as I do today. But as I hold the book in my hands, I am still very proud of what the Designer did to the cover, and what the editor did to the interior. Shout out to Andre Hawkings of Kenosis Innovative Designs and Cynthia Brooks for hooking me up. Below is a screenshot of the surprise review. It truly made my day.
Alrighty then, let’s get started. Of course, those who know me, even slightly, know that I’m a “365 day a year black history frantic”, but I love black history month because its the time of year where black people’s minds are the most open and willing to be in tuned with back history and that, despite how small it may seem, is worth investing in. Yes, I am saying that you (black people) should invest in your people’s minds. If ever you can capture a moment where they are most in tuned, you should do so. Yayy.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
First up is Phillis Wheatley, first (recognized) black writer. AND (yes and) she was a poet. So, I don’t know, that’s like extra credit or something write? ( I can spell right, I just didn’t on purpose…duh). OK, my humor is not funny, which is why I’m not a comedian…on to Wheatley…
The First African American Writer
The first African American Writer is a statement I say lightly. I say it lightly because we do not know if she was the first. She is only recorded as the first because her work was published and that makes it legitimate in this society. So, as the first recorded black woman writer, Phillis was the first to make a name for herself while still under the bondage of slavery. Brought from Africa as a child and sold to a Boston merchant, Wheatley spoke no English initially (as didn’t many of her people) but by the time she was sixteen, under the tutorship of her owners, had mastered the language. Her interest in literature led her to write and publish Poems on Various Subjects in 1773.
You get up. Go to work. Complain at work. Blog at work and complain about blogging. Count the seconds until the day is over. The day is over. Go home. Make dinner. Kiss the wife / husband. Kiss the children. Complain about work tomorrow. Eat dinner. Go to bed. Get up. Go to work. Complain at work. Count the seconds until the day is over….
Has it ever occurred to us that there is more to life than just existing? How many of us can honestly say that we enjoy every minute of time we have in a day? By “enjoy” I do not mean spending your days partying like a rock star, going to clubs, getting rich or die trying. I mean as in to appreciate, or to value. Yes, your career or job may not be what you want at this time but you are there for a reason. It could be because your smile puts a smile on someone else face. Could be because your “Good Morning!” warms someone’s heart. It could be because your “weirdness” is not weird at all. If only the world was just as crazy as you are, maybe it would be in a far better place. If only it carried your light.
And what of those in-between moments? When your on lunch, what are you doing in that time? Are you reading and nourishing your mind? Are you studying for something? Are you seeking to be a better person today than you were yesterday?
And what of it when you come home? Are you cherishing those moments or complaining about them?
It would have been nice to have our expiration dates tattooed to our chest when we were born. To have written on our birth certificates:
March 12, 1956 – September 9, 2020
That would have been nice but it would have also made our lives a lot different than they are now. Many of us would be far better people and seek to live far better lives. We would give more, and we would care more. Except, this isn’t reality. The covenant we make to die when we breathe our first breath does not come with a date. And when its time to go, and our life flashes before our eyes, the years we wasted we are going to desperately want back. Do something today that is going to actually mean something when the dust settles and the gravediggers are singing your song.
I’m getting ready for a meeting and another rehearsal (last night’s practice was canceled) and as I was preparing my drink I thought, “Why not share it?”
If you ever get tired of coffee, you can substitute your caffeine for a more healthy alternative. You’ll need:
Orange Juice
Apple Juice
Cranberry Juice
Mix 1/3 of each of these juices in a cup, stir, and serve! It is tasty, refreshing, and can give you an energy boost.
Orange Juice
Orange Juice has a wide range of benefits, as does these other drinks.
Boost Immune System Function
Protect Against Cancer
Boost Cellar Repair and Circulation
High Concentration of Vitamin C
Apple Juice
Promotes Heart Health
Contains Flavonoids that aids in preventing Asthma
Boost Immune System
Reduces Cholesterol
Cranberry Juice
Urinary Tract Infection Relief
Aids in Heart Disease and Respiratory Disorders
Beneficial in preventing stomach disorders and diabetes
First, I want to thank Colleen of Silver Threading for tagging me in the #GirlLove Challenge, that’s my girl! For those who are unfamiliar, Girl Love is a challenge premiered by Lilly Singh, a Canadian vlogger, under the inspiration of ending girl-on-girl hate. You can watch her YouTube video here.
I am honored to be tagged in a challenge that promotes the building up of women because that’s one of the many purposes of my work (It is the reason I host a weekly online radio show specifically dedicated to the sisterhood). The challenge addresses a problem we tend to only see in woman-to-woman relationships and that is our negative perceptions of each other. This is an issue that is relevant with all women and, most especially, black women. I believe the miseducation of the woman, what her duty and her purpose is, has contributed largely to this issue and how we see ourselves overall. For this reason, I strive to encourage women, with an emphasis on black women, to invest in the power of their purpose and to appreciate their beautiful selves.
I choose to tag the following women bloggers in the #GirlLove Challenge who I have come to know through the Blogosphere, and who I admire in some way. If we were to have a girls night out, I would love to invite:
I would love to meet this woman in person because I think we will have a lot of fun! I love to laugh and something tells me she does too. Lisa has been very supportive of my work and my blog since following me a year ago. We have had the opportunity to pretty much swap support for each other on a professional level as well. I’ve done a book review for her, she has written a review for my book, we’ve interviewed each other and overall the experience has just been amazing. Lisa reminds me that team work makes the dream work!
I don’t always comment on Whitney’s posts but I read them daily. A year younger than I, I feel like Whitney is like my little sister! She reminds me so much of myself years ago. Her topics of discussion are easy to follow and relate to for black youth. But more importantly, there’s this light about Whitney that inspires me to want to get to know her better. There’s something there that moves me to want to take her under my wing sorta speak.
If Whitney’s my little sister, Nikki’s my big sister! I started following her after she commented on one of my blog post (I believe it was the gentle rain). Since then I have purchased her book “The Town Dance” (which I’ve been secretly deciding whether or not to do a book review on but I haven’t spoken to Nikki yet so… shhh lol), as well as follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Nikki is very talented and one thing I would like to do is pick her brain! Let’s just sit down over a nice cocktail and talk about the black experience.
I love her! I have only started following Deb recently, but I fell in love with her tagline “Because you need more than my fingerprints” (I believe we met during Blogging U’s Writing 101). Since following her blog, I have come to really love her down to earth demeanor and her realness because I am all about that. With me its like, I may not always agree with your perspective or your flaws but please keep it real with me. Let me get to know the real you and we can work on our issues together. That’s what I get from Deb’s blog, she always keeps it 100. She also makes me laugh lol. She is also a blogger whom I do not always comment on but who I do pay attention to (you never know whose watching…no pressure lol). I would love to meet Deb in person and learn more about her.
And last but certainly not least is Michelle. I have a passion for children (I was a teacher and tutor at a research center for years and interacted with children of all ages on a daily) and this woman has just the cutest little baby ever. I don’t want to say I followed her blog because of her kid but…I did! LOL. No, but seriously, Michelle and her little princess are adorable and I always look forward to their updates. The one with Kenzy’s new headband? Super cutesy! I have also just started following Michelle recently and I look forward to learning more about her.
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#I AM MY SISTERS KEEPER #IAMMSK
Well, that’s it for me. The diversity of the personalities of each of these women would make our meet and greet an amazing experience. I hope you enjoyed my spotlight on some of the women I have come to know and love through the blogosphere and I encourage each of you to follow their blogs! Below is more on the #GirlLove Challenge for those who want to participate.
Here’s what you do for the #GirlLove Challenge:
Tell your followers who inspire you, a famous woman who may be dealing with negativity on a daily basis.
Tell your followers who inspire you in real life, a woman you always interact with.
Tag five women bloggers who you love. Compliment them and tell them why you love them, and comment under their latest post with the link to your #GirlLove post!
If you get tagged, do the post on your own blog. If you want to do it anyway, do it anyway! Add the tag ‘Girl Love’ to your post, so we can see them all! Let’s start 2016 with LOVE for each other!
The PBS Blog 