Nina > Recent Status Updates

Yeah, I got a thing for romance stories that leave out all the romanticizing

True to life, this story is told mostly in dialogue (and memories)

I should've listened to my instinct. I thought *maybe* the author would surprise me. No.

I don't want to shit on a Black debut author so I'm going to hold off on publicly writing about this until I parse out the author's intentions.

"It is a new day," she says firmly.

I love these short, tight statements. They are placed so powerfully throughout the book.

"You can always do things to let the world know you're not nobody."

The small things that Chariandy has done to develop a sense of intimacy between the brothers has already won me over.

I'm intrigued by Ernestine, of course.

What Baldwin does with language... I feel like I haven't read fiction in forever

This was a really good read. It doesn't have that cinematic quality of books that I want to see as movies so I'm curious how the adaptation will turn out.

I'll link the full review closer to the release date.

When I say this is the greatest feminist novel of our moment, know that I am exaggerating but not really. But I'm appreciating the layers of gender, class, and power being interrogated in this narrative. An #AfriFem read for sure

Loving this big sis, lil sis dynamic

I finished this book yesterday. I'm writing a thorough review for an outlet but for now, I'll say this is a good book. I think the disconnect I experienced was a consequence of the fact that I read a digital version (not my preference) and I read while in a completely different environment from which I usually do (immersed in a highly social residency).

I'll update when the review runs.

The rare instance that I'm playing music while reading and Jamila Woods' Blk Girl Soldier comes on. Perfect.

Though the central character is a 17 year old girl who commits a heroic act, the book really shows us how dynamic resistance was during slavery. Small and large acts all towards freedom.

I've been taking a lot of risks, reading books I normally wouldn't for the sake of reviewing them. So far, I'm pleased with taking that risk on this one.

I'll write something longer about this later. For now, I'll say everyone, especially Black feminists who have had romantic relationships with men, should read this.

The amount of rejection she experienced in grad school, I'm really curious who her support system was. Not just emotionally but who did she engage her ideas with? I think that's a really important part of her eventual "success" that I hope she tells

not quite what i expected and i can't quite name how i feel about it. yet....

review forthcoming.

I was reading this the other day on the train. I looked up and saw a white kid reading a book called Tesla. Imagine the coincidence.

Yesterday, I was ready to set this aside. I haven't had such an intense experience with a book since 'Parable of the Sower'. I decided I would keep on but I'm doing Metta practice before I read each night.

okkkk! A "retelling of Liberia's formation" featuring three characters who are tapped into their spiritual abilities/have some supernatural quality.

I'm gonna say I liked it but I spent a majority of the book feeling frustrated. I think it's a matter of structure because the beginning and the last 60 pages or so (basically, Gbessa's journey) are great but the "middle"...

Full review forthcoming.

I feel like this book just asked me how I'm doing and now I'm realizing I needed to cry.

'The Immeasurable Want of Light' by Daaimah Mubashshir is not yet on this site but it's a really good read. I wrote about it for Black Girl Nerds:

https://blackgirlnerds.com/bgn-book-r...

Tananarive Due's story Snowbound is the perfect opener for this anthology. So on point. I skipped Hudgens' story. Wish Brandon Massey's The Prisoner had a bit more space - I was getting attached to the characters but the ending was disappointing. Sheri Joseph's Kill Joy - I got some questions. The intentional elision of race is... hmm. & Gillian Royes' story - happy to see Immigrant life in Atlanta. On to pt 2

Apollo can be so immature and petty... but I'm getting to the really good part so I'll deal.

I've been collecting lines of text from black women writers to use as meditation chants a la Alexis Pauline Gumbs. Adding this one: life gathers meaning as I live it.