If you asked me 2 years ago or even 6 months ago, if I could see myself writing a book blog…I would’ve likely laughed and said “whennnnnnnn do I have time for that?!” Clearly, a conversation or two stuck (shoutout to Tiffany D. Jackson & Glory Edim) and here I am…writing a book blog *Ye Shrug*. What is the reason? It’s in the picture above, to uplift (and celebrate really) the works of Authors of Color and amplify their voices. I also seek to be as positive and funny as possible in the process (I’m sure everything doesn’t land but hey, a sistas’ gotta try)! I was already part way there, going to as many book launches as I can, reading and talking about mad books…it was the natural progression…I guess *forehead scratch* but we in here!
As I’ve stated in a past blog post, I only read Authors of Color because it’s important to me to see myself in these worlds I’m immersing myself in. I didn’t have the luxury of that when I was younger (I was mostly into the Dear Diary Series and their Royal series which, if know you of those, they severely lacked characters of color but I loved the historical content) so I’m taking full advantage now…and I’ve been sharing that journey with my teenage Goddaughter by sending her books I’ve read (signed by authors when I can swing it, which is pretty often), sharing it through my personal instagram page & facebook, and now, here with the world through this blog in longer winded & impassioned posts about selected books. This is a very scary process for me, actually looking-over-the-edge-of-the-Empire-State-Building terrifying, but I’m putting myself out there anyway…
When I’m not blogging or at work, I’m reading a book or I’m talking to someone about books/going to a book launch or event somewhere…shit, I even talk about books with fellow yoga practitioners before & after class… this.is.no.game.to.me. My journey of reading these books has been an extremely healing one for me as well…I’ve been finding more of myself & comfort in the pages of these books. This experience has been life changing for me, pa egzanp (“for example” in Kreyol) reading Dear Haiti, Love Alaine literally launched me into learning Kreyol (shout out to my teacher Wynnie) and about my Haitian side (shout out to my paternal grandparents that came to this country many years ago. I am first gen, daughter to two parents who immigrated to the US). While I’m not seeking to change lives in the same way these authors are doing, I do hope that I’m assisting them by sharing their books with others & hopefully getting them a few more sales…I’m, deadass, invested in this mission that I accidentally started 2 years ago.
I say all of this to say that, whether or not you rock with me, I’mma keep reading these books and writing these posts. I’m going to be 100% myself in every post, authentic and transparent because this mission is so much bigger than me…it’s working towards making sure my students (who are all young children of color), my Godchildren (also beautiful Brown kids), my future children (who I hope to have and will be children of color) and future generations always have books that reflect them and their experiences as well as books they can feel proud to read.
Hopefully you support that, but if you don’t… welp, it was nice to e-meet you…*raps* you just do you, I’mma do me, I’mma do me *ends rap* *shrugs* (house points to whoever knows that song reference) I’m going to hop off my soapboxes (I need multiple because I’m short like that) now so I can finish this book and go to sleep because I have to adult in the morning *groans*. Thanks for reading. You want to find me, I’m on IG @bookishgirlmagic, twitter @bookishgrlmagic and facebook Bookish Girl Magic. Love, Peace and Hair Grease y’all!
Bookish Girl Magic 