Happy New Year!

It’s been a minute since I’ve blogged and I’m excited to start posting again! There were many transitions that took place in my family’s lives at the beginning of the new school year and we spent a lot of time attempting to adjust. One exceptional thing that came during this period was me having an opportunity to get back to my favorite hobby, reading.

While most people have moved to e-readers, I still enjoy hard copies of books. Oftentimes this brings unwanted attention and conversations. When people see me reading, they often inquire about my favorite author or book. And while I don’t have a favorite, I do have a selection that’s considered my “go to reads” when nothing new sparks my interest.

The Coldest Winter Ever (Sister Souljah) – I purchased this book sophomore year in college and it took me two years to get beyond chapter one. Once past the first chapter, I finished the book in the course of a day. During this time in my life I thought I wanted a “rough neck”. I wanted to display a level of rebellion and would do it by finding me a “hood figure”. This book helped me come to the realization I was not equipped for thug love and should probably stick to the script that seemed to flow with the path that had been paved for me.

Will the Real Women Please Stand Up (Ella Patterson) – This was my first self-help book. I enjoyed the fact that Patterson talked about all things female, from personal hygiene to promiscuous behavior. This book contributed greatly to my growth as a young woman. Lots of knowledge on the female specimen and the reason I don’t walk around with chipped nail polish.

The Bridges of Madison County (Robert James Waller) – Although not a fan of romance novels, I do believe in fairy tale endings. This story allowed me to believe true love can always exist. It was refreshing to know Francesca found contentment and died knowing she was sincerely loved, even if that love was from a man other than her husband.

Milk and Honey (Rupi Kaur) – This is the only poetry book I have ever selected other than Edgar Allen Poe’s Book of Poems. In her short poems, Kaur talks about hurting and healing. How can you find so much solace in the midst of so much pain? She finds a way to bring comfort to every situation imaginable. I love the sassiness in the tone of some of her poems. My favorite is the poem is which she says, “It wasn’t you I was kissing. Don’t be mistaken. It was him on my mind, your lips were just convenient.”

Women Have All the Power, Too Bad They Don’t Know It (Michael J. Lockwood) – From the male perspective, Lockwood speaks about the power of influence women have in relationships and how to take control of their relationships. It’s quite funny because he talks about his boys being upset with him for telling all the secrets. More importantly, he gives insight on behaviors we as women don’t recognize we display and how often we play ourselves because we are oblivious to our actions.

These are just a few of the books I keep on the edge of the bookshelf. I think reading is necessary to clear the mind and it allows one to dream. Reading reminds us we are able to move beyond the confines we have put in place for ourselves. As Mason Cooley states, “Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are.”