Books I've Read Recently

Hi! I love to read. I think 'infatuated' is a perfect word to describe how I feel about reading. It takes up hours of my day if I allow it, and I read so many books a year. I love to learn, and I've recently become particularly interested in non-fiction. Other genres I really like are cheesy romance and historical fiction. So let's dive in!

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Fredrick Joseph

I really enjoyed this book; it was easier to read due to its clear wording, which didn't include overly technical terms, and it felt like it was aimed at a younger audience. He incorporated many stories from his childhood and adulthood that really helped me understand the points he was making. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn how to be a better white person and support Black people. Quote from the book:

"I define anti-racists as people who understand that white supremacy isn't something to empathize with Black and brown people over. It's a destructive system and existence that white people created, and anti-racists are actively trying to end it."

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim

This book was incredibly emotional and powerful. It details a Chinese Australian whose mom is really struggling with her mental health and ends up in the psych ward. It also features a romance subplot that I enjoyed. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with a mental illness who's currently really struggling because some parts of the book could be triggering.

Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of our Deadliest Infection by John Green

I loved this book! Genuinely one of the best and most well-written books I've ever read. It was so interesting and kept me in its hold until I was done, and it was very informative. I had never really given much thought to TB until I read this book, and I've now realized I'm privileged to have not been aware of it. 10/10 would recommend. Quote:

"Where are the drugs? The drugs are where the disease is not," Dr. Mugyenyi said. "And where is the disease? The disease is where the drugs are not."(also applicable to the AIDS Crisis see below ⬇️)

Incidents In The Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs

I read this book as extra credit for my American Literature class, and it was so worth it. It gives a lot hard details about slavery especially what slavery was like for young women. I actually wrote an essay on it which I will include a small excerpt from. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see not just Harriet Beecher Stowe's version of slavery.

“No matter whether the slave girl be as black as ebony or as fair as her mistress. In either case there is no shadow of law to protect her from insult, from violence, or even from death; all these are inflicted by fiends who bear the shape of men.”(quote from the book)

"Not every slave was tormented, and not every slave owner was a tormenter, but nevertheless, slavery has left an indelible mark on the history of America. The history of this country should not and cannot be told without recognizing those who were persecuted and how they contributed to the establishment and continuation of the United States of America. Their contribution to society and the country they were forced to inhabit is not something that should be forgotten or edited, but rather seen in all of its flaws, for that is the only way forward." (excerpt from my essay)

Now, if you're curious what I'm currently reading here, it is:

107 Days by Kamala Harris

I won't pretend to like Kamala, but I like her more than our current president, and I don't think that should be a hot take. I'm about halfway through the book, and I'm really enjoying it. It's really insightful into what the campaign trail looks like, especially while in office.

White Fragility: Why Understanding Racism Can Be So Hard for White People by Toni Graves Williamson

The language in this book is a bit harder for me, so I've been going slowly. I think I'm about 20% through in a week? I do really appreciate how it calls other white people and me out, but it's definitely not a book you read in an afternoon.

And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts

This is by far the largest book I've ever attempted to read, and it's all because of a friend. We're doing a group project on the AIDS Crisis in my American History class, and so my friend knows I love to read and asked me if I'd be willing to read this book, so here I am. I'm about 16% through the book, and it's been so interesting and informative so far.

The Art of Falling in Love Again by Franny Arrieta

I've always gotta be grinding on reading poetry since I am a poet, and also because it's a welcome break from intense nonfiction. I received this book for Christmas from my dad, and I just started reading it a couple of days ago. So far, I'm enjoying it.

Okay, that's all for now. If this made you feel overwhelmed or guilty for not reading, please don't feel that way. I know that's probably not a helpful thing to say, but look, everyone has their own ways of coping that they enjoy and excel at, and for me, it's reading. For you, it may not be that. I'm going to be working on some new content. I'd like to discuss the state of America and politics soon, as well as some poetry I've been working on, and perhaps some music I enjoy. Have a good rest of your day/night!