Review: The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was a book reflective on the black lives matter movement and tense police relations. It starts off at a high school home party - shots are fired, so the main character, Starr, decides to leave early with her friend Khalil. The two teenagers are driving home when suddenly and unexpectedly, they get pulled over by a police officer. Tensions rise, as Khalil is on the defensive because he doesn't believe that he deserved to be pulled over and the police officer is demanding respect. In an unfortunate expected turn of events, the police officer, who happens to be white, fatally shoots Khalil, an unarmed black teenager - all while Starr was present and watching. Horrified, she struggles to manage day by day activities, like going to her predominantly white school or having a relationship with her white boyfriend. Much of the book deals with these conflicts and with her questioning how she should or could make a difference in the aftermath of Khalil's death. 

While most of the book is relatively predictable, there were pieces that could lend to great discussion topics. For example, as one reads the book, one learns that the police officer who shot the teenager, did not live in the same neighborhood as said teenager. If he did, could that have prevented the death? Would he have understood the realities that Khalil was dealing with and cut him some slack? Furthermore, because the officer did not live in that neighborhood, he was afraid. He saw Khalil as a threat based on his ill-mannered behavior. What should be considered a viable threat? Should law enforcement be required to live in a community that they serve? Did it make him a bad person because he acted on a perceived threat? Whether you stand on the black lives or blue lives matter line, these are all questions that should be considered and discussed.

Without a doubt, this book was uncomfortable to read (or listen to, as in my case), especially given the climate that we are in currently. I think much of it was oversimplified especially considering the complexity of each similar situation the book was based on, but the overall goal was achieved. It did tell a story - a painful story for all. My hope is that someone will read this uncomfortable story and step outside of their comfort zone and attempt to understand and take actions to help rectify and prevent these devastating incidents. 

Until we read again...

Encouraging Kids to Read

As an avid reader, it was always important to me that I pass that passion on to my kids once I had them. Well, now that I have a son, it remains important. I hear so many parents complain that their kids have no passion to read, that they think reading is "pointless and stupid", or that they just can't read well. In my experience, it is critical to begin early to instill a love for reading. Young children will grow to love to read when they can relate to a story; and as a result, they will develop a love for reading.

There were some things that I did early on with my son to help encourage his love for reading. One of them was to routinely go to our local library's storytime. Since he was 1 1/2, I would take him to storytime once a week. Initially, he wouldn't want to sit down through the whole story and he struggled focusing, but after a few months, he began to settle down enough to listen to whatever was being read. Once we got through that hurdle and he actually began listening to the stories, he really got excited, especially since our reader did a great job engaging the kids.

Besides storytime, I made a great hoop-to-do about reading every night. We would read a story together, and then once he became about 3 1/2, I would also encourage him to read a story by himself while I also read something myself. Obviously, he wasn't (and for the most part, still isn't) reading by himself, but the idea was that it was important to establish a routine to read. Not only that, but kids love to emulate what they see. When he would see me read, he was encouraged to read as well.


My last point to encouraging my son to read is in regards to finding books that appeal to his particular interests. For example, my son was heavily into dinosaurs when he was 2. When we would go to the library, I would point out to him books on dinosaurs and he would light up like a lightbulb! Again, at the time he obviously couldn't read, but he was excited to flip through the pages of the dinosaur books and look at the pictures. That love for reading was subtly set for him. Now that he is older, his interests have shifted from dinosaurs to anything superhero. Now that Captain Underpants is about to premiere in the theaters, I have taken advantage of that and have introduced him to those books and they have been a hit for him!

All in all, consistency and creativity are huge keys to encouraging kids to read - especially at a young age when they are impressionable. What has encouraged your kids to read? Do they still enjoy reading? Drop a comment below!

Until we read again...

Finding Time to Read

One of my favorite questions that people ask me is, "How do you find the time to read?" My first response is, "Well, I don't know, I just do." I love to read and have always loved to read, so reading and finding time to read just comes naturally for me; however, there are some things that I do to encourage myself to keep reading. Here are those things...

1. Commit to reading a specific amount of pages each night.
As a mom of a soon-to-be 5 year old, I know that time is scarce. There are 100 things to do within a short amount of time - let alone time for myself or reading. This is exactly why I try (the key word here is try) to commit to reading at least 50 pages a night. Some nights I find that I can barely get through 1 page and then there are nights when I coast through 100, but the effort is always rewarding. It's my quiet time, my time to unwind, and I have had to learn that I have to make time for myself and things that I like to do so this is one step to doing that! I've found that by reading at least 50 pages a day, I can read one 350 page book a week! That's 52 books a year! Now obviously, I am not reading one book a week - but the point is that it is possible.

2. Create a paradise conducive to reading.
Without a doubt, setting the stage for anything is key to getting stuff done. A photographer isn't going to process pictures in a light soaked room, so why not create a space where you will get excited to read and enjoy it? For example, I personally have a hard time reading in the bed. Especially at night. I get too comfortable and end up drifting off to sleep. Instead, I prefer to read while soaking in a bubble bath, with a nice candle burning, some soft jazz playing in the background, and a glass of wine readily available. I could read for hours like this. Recently, I've found another "paradise" - one of my local libraries. There is a corner in this library that has open windows with a gorgeous view of a garden outside. An absolutely beautiful and inspiring view. I don't know why I enjoy reading here but I feel a great sense of peace there, so I can easily get lost in a book.

3. Try audiobooks.
I know some people aren't going to be too happy with this suggestion but I promise you, audiobooks are awesome! As I've said in a previous post, some books are meant to be read aloud! For example, here are a few that I've absolutely adored listening to:

Working Stiff by Judy Melinek, M.D. and T.J. Mitchell

Every Day I Fight by Stuart Scott

Born with Teeth: A Memoir by Kate Mulgrew

Waiting to Be Heard: A Memoir by Amanda Knox

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston

#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

What Really Happened: John Edwards, Our Daughter, and Me by Rielle Hunter

Those are just to name a few. I really could go on and on. I've found that for myself, the books that I really gravitate towards in the audio format are biographies and memoirs, especially when they are read by the author. It adds so much personality to the story - you can feel the emotion in the words and it helps to bring the story to life. I listen to them on the way to work, while at work, while I'm cleaning, while I'm at the grocery store, etc. Anything that I am passively doing, I will use that opportunity to listen to an audio book. I find that that allows me to read at least 20 more books a year. 

4. Always keep a book with you.

There are some things that I always have to keep on hand at all times. These things include my wallet, my phone, some yarn and a hook, and a book. You never know when you are going somewhere and have to wait for something - so I keep a book on me, just in case. My son does a lot of activities outside of school and while I enjoy watching him partake in them, most times I try to use that time for myself, so I read. In most cases, that adds an extra hour a day of reading time. If I'm going to the DMV and end up having to wait an hour just to renew my license, I have a book ready in my purse to pass the time along. 

All in all, there are things that you can do to get more reading done. Some of these may work really well for some and for others they just won't do, but anything is worth trying. I'd be interested in hearing what others do to make sure that they keep reading and/or read more - be sure to leave a comment!

Until we read again...

Review: Settle for More

Can I tell y'all that I was beyond excited to read Megyn Kelly's, "Settle for More"?! Most people that I know aren't big fans of hers but whether I have agreed with her stance on issues or not, she has always stood out to me as a powerful woman. What better way to become a powerful woman than to read and learn about another powerful woman?

Having said all of that...I am conflicted after reading her memoir. I was head over heels with what I was reading until I had less than 100 pages left of her book. Much of her book discusses her foundation - what she believed gave her the standing to become a successful lawyer and journalist. While I didn't appreciate some of her language and attitude (she referred to people who coddle their children as "cupcakes"), I was still interested. I could appreciate how she felt as if she was successful because her parents didn't tell her she was a winner when she was just average at something. In her opinion, that taught her that she had to work for what she wanted, that nothing would just be handed to her. If she wasn't good at dancing, then her parents would tell her that and she would realize that maybe dancing wasn't her niche. Apparently, law and journalism were hers.

While reading, I was impressed by her accolades. After logging in endless hours of work and study and overcoming some sexism, she became an impressive lawyer in her early 20's. She recounted a conversation that she had with another lawyer who basically told her that after 7 years or so she would not be so enamored with her profession, which so happened to be true. Eventually she felt static in her career, as if the passion that she once felt for law fizzled out. So, she sought out something new - journalism. What was unbelievable to me was what happened following her epiphany. Within several short years (2-3), she quit her job at a highly respectable law firm (the same law firm the late Antonin Scalia practiced for), began reporting for a small, local station, and then ended up on Fox News (eventually with her own show). While I was reading this, I was like whoa! She must really be good! However, it isn't until you almost finish the book, that you learn that there were some other factors that most likely led to her quick promotions through Fox News, all while having little prior experience. How disappointing?! For me, it almost felt as if she quickly detailed this at the end of the book so that it wouldn't have so much command on her success.

Without a doubt, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the attention that she gave Donald Trump throughout her book. He was a central topic in her book from page one. It almost felt as if she was trying to prove herself amongst Trump's claims that she was not worthy as a journalist. What I found to be interesting, however, was that she reminded me of him in several instances. For example, Trump is notorious for mentioning how great a person is if they like him or support him. Megyn Kelly did this in several instances in her book (e.g., Katie Couric).

Regardless of Kelly's ascension through Fox News and Trump's aversion to her, I had to admit that Megyn Kelly is nothing short of impressive. I was glad to read her book, as I found plenty of things to take away from it. In regards as to whether I line up with her ideologically, to me that is a moot point. For me, it is just as important to read or listen to people that do not share similar ideals as me as it is for me to read or listen to others that do. While sometimes it may be uncomfortable, it opens up my perspective on things in life and helps me be more empathetic to others. So whether you like Megyn Kelly or not, I challenge you to at least give her book a try and see what you can get from it.

Until we read again... 

Review: You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain

Phoebe Robinson's "You Can't Touch My Hair" was not a book that I necessarily wanted to read; however, it KEPT coming up as a suggested book. After being recommended to read a book so many times, you start to believe that you need to read it. So...after the perpetual reminders, along with the knowledge that I needed to use my audible credits before I lost them, I purchased the audiobook version.

"You Can't Touch My Hair" follows the premise that even in modern times, African-Americans, women, and African-American women have to explain or deal with things that they frankly shouldn't have to. For example, she talks about how it is okay for men to be assertive but when women take charge, they are referred to as "bitches". As a female comedian, she details the double standard in her profession - during their stand-ups, men can use foul language, make jokes about their (and females) genitalia, and just be straight up crass. Women, on the other hand, cannot. According to Robinson, female comedians are not supposed to be crass but should be lady-like and not too pretty. The stereotypes are endless, ridiculous, and unbelievable. Although the majority of us ladies are not professional comedians, I think that we can all concur that we face double standards in our work and home lives that we probably shouldn't in 2017.

Another topic that she discusses, which lends to the title of her book, was about touching women's hair and more specifically African-American's hair. This is such a taboo topic that it's shocking that it still has to be discussed. She details the pride that many African-American women have and some still struggle with while combating disgust, amazement, and intrigue from others outside of the race. Our hair is our pride and glory. There is nothing like it in the world - the many textures that one head of hair has, how soft and plush it is, how it can be essentially transformed into works of art - so it should be obvious that we don't want anyone picking and touching at it like it's a pet asking to be coddled. One of my favorite pieces in this story was when she recounted historical moments in African-American hair - such as Grace Jones' assymetrical fro, or when Viola Davis took off her wig in How to Get Away with Murder.

Unquestionably, Phoebe Robinson had great commentary at times, but this was not my favorite thing to read/listen to. For those that know me, they know that I am a HUGE fan of audiobooks. There are just some books that are meant to be orally read (e.g., "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, read by Tim Curry). I tend to purchase quite a few biographies in the audio format, especially if they are read by the author. However...listening to Robinson hold out words or scream "hashtag ____" every 30 seconds was quirky at first, but quickly grew annoying. Nobody I know talks like that and if they did I wouldn't know them for long. It made her sound very juvenile and it made it difficult to listen to the content of what she was saying.

I also had a hard time getting into this book because I am not a fan of crude or crass language - from a man, woman, dog, alien, moose, whoever. I don't want to listen to somebody drop f-bombs (or any other expletive for that matter) every other word that comes out of their mouth. That is the quickest way to lose my interest in something. So be warned - if you have sensitive ears or eyes, this may not be the book for you.

I'm a little sad to say this but this book was just not memorable for me. Like I stated above, there was some really great commentary and then there was some that was just blah. I'm just glad I don't have to see it pop up on my suggested to-read list anymore.

Until we read again...