My 20 Book Recommendation List

Many people who know me know that I love to read and I am often asked what book am I reading or what book would I recommend others to read. 

Right now we are living in a very stressful and uncertain time and people are coping with their stress in many ways.  Some are cooking and trying new recipes. Some are taking it easy, relaxing and resting.  Some are working more and helping out in their communities.  Some are catching up with tv shows and movies.  Then there are others that are finding a way to travel to a far-away land, meet new people, learn and discover new topics, or they're just finding a path to escape through a book.  I have seen  few people ask for book recommendations and I decided to share my list.  I already gave a small list to a friend, but I wanted to add more books and well blog here.  

My Book List (in no specific order):
 

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot

If Beale Street Could Talk - James Baldwin

Not Without Laugher - Langston Hughes

Stay with Me - Ayobami Adebayo

Brown Girl Dreaming - Jacqueline Woodson

The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison

Well Read Black Girl - Glory Edim

A Lesson Before Dying - Ernest Gaines

The Giver - Lois Lowry

Becoming - Michelle Obama

I'm Still Here - Austin Channing Brown

With Fire on High - Elizabeth Acevedo

Dominicana - Angie Cruz

Behold the Dreamer - Imbolo Mbue

The Street - Ann Petry

Their Eyes are Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston

Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson

The Forgotten Girl - India Hill Brown

Logan series (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry) - Mildred Taylor

Manchild in the PromiseLand - Claude Brown

 

Honorable Mentions (these are local authors in my area):

Make Love Your Religion  - David Nazario

Coming of Angels- M.J. Banks
 

 

Authors to Check out besides on this list:

Elizabeth George (Christian author)

Jason Reynolds

Colson Whitehead

Beverly Jenkins

Beverly Lewis (christian Amish author)

Betty Smith

Octavia Butler

Ta-Nehisi Coates

C.S. Lewis 

Angie Thomas

Toni Morrison

Jacquelin Woodson

James Baldwin Elizabeth Acevedo

 

 

This was a long list, but the books and authors listed are worth it.  Which book sounds interesting to you? Which one would you read first?  If you do decide to read any of these books, please let me know your thoughts.  Also, if you have any book recommendations, please let me know.  I love to receive book recommendations. 

 

On that note, God bless you and keep on reading!



Living out Your Dream (With the Fire on High)

With Fire on High buy on Amazon



With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
My Ratings: 5 stars
Goodreads rating: 4.3 stars


Inside Cover:
Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago's life has been about making the tough decisions, doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen. There, she lets her hands tell her what to cook, listening to her intuition and adding a little something magical every time, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Even though she's always dreamed of working in a kitchen after she graduates, Emoni knows that it's not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she's made for her life - and everyone else's rules, which she refuses to play by - once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free. From the author of National Book Award winner The Poet X comes a dazzling story of a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to create that keeps her fire burning bright.

What I like:
I love how the book takes place in Philadelphia, many of the streets and places named in this book are very familiar. Even though this place takes place in "The Badlands" (you don't know where this is google it), it shows the true beauty of the residents that live there.

I love the honest and pure writing of Acevedo. She uses real language of the characters and are clear with her characters.

This story is relatable and you find yourself rooting for Emoni.

What I dislike:
NOTHING!! Such a great read. I would not recommend any changes.

My Review

To be honest, this was one of the best books that I have read this year.  I believe this is one of my top 10 books that I have ever read.  I will not give a summary of the book, check out the summary above or you can click the picture and it will lead you to Amazon. In my own opinion this book was EXCELLENT! This was a page turner for me and I find myself rooting for Emoni throughout the whole story. I found myself a teen mother in my senior year of high school and I was scared as heck because I was in charge of another life. I related to Emoni and the struggles that she has in being a teen mom. Each decision whether big or small has to be made, and they affect not only yourself but others. Life is hard and crap is thrown at you each and everyday, but you can't give up. Emoni is a legend in the kitchen and has a God given gift to cook. Even though she thought she thought she had "mad skills throwing pots together" (great cooking skills) she needed to know that her craft must be developed. Taking the culinary arts class in school would lead her to traveling to Spain, meeting well renowned chefs and cooking for many people. Emoni's future is unknown and hard to imagine due to the struggles that she faces. However, in order to get where she wants to be and do what she enjoys doing, she has to take a leap of faith.

I am 15 years older than the character Emoni and I understand her fear with taking the leap of faith in living out your dreams.  Fear of the unknown has no age limit and affects anyone. Many of us have dreams and goals that we want to obtain, but often we lack confidence in ourselves to reach them. Sometimes it takes others to encourage us to fulfill our dreams, or unplanned events to help keep us disciplined. Take a look at your life, find those cheerleaders who always have an encouraging word for you. Look back over your life and identify events, whether good or bad that helped shaped the person that you have become. After reading, With Fire on High, I have a new determination to go for those dreams that I put on the back burner because of fear.

I recommend this book to any and everyone. This will give you a glimpse of what life is like as a teen mother, a Afro-Latino in the city of Philadelphia, and the struggles that many of our teens face. If you enjoy a sweet story that involves delicious food and recipes, give this book a try.

Just Do it: Stop Living a Life of Fear

Fear. For such a such a small word, it can hold many people captive in their lives.  Take me for example.  I tend to come off as a very confident, strong woman, however I am far from it.  I, am one of those people who allow FEAR to take my life captive. 

For me, fear is like sitting on the porch or stoop of your house, watching life happen right in front of your eyes.  Life seems great, so many great opportunities, great friendships, and relationships, however the world seems so new to you.  The porch or stoop is familiar, your safety net.  The very thing that you know is familiar.  So you don't come off of the steps, you stay put where you are comfortable. 

During this summer, I am vowing to be  done living a life of fear.  It is not due to the fact that I have FOMO (fear of missing out), but it is due to the fact that I am tired of missing out on God given opportunities.  God has been presenting  me with so many things ,that because it does not seem familiar or within my safety net, I refuse to follow them. 

My major fear that I have is fear of failure.  During the past couple of months, I have been writing in my journal.  I have been filling up pages up pages with prayers, short stories, and story ideas.  I continually pray, and ask God to  give me a story idea or something to write about.  Many times He has presented me with some ideas.  However, because of my fear, I don't follow through. 

Dealing with fear is hard.  We love the familiar, the safe areas, and the control. When dealing with your fears, you have to give up on some control, in order to live without worry or anxiety.  There are things that we try to control, however we don't even have the ability or enough power to do it.  It is a losing battle that we try to win day in and day out. 

I am a Christian and I lean on my faith to help me with the fears that I have.  I know that there is an enemy who loves to tell lies that make you believe in your fears.  "You are not smart enough" "you don't have enough money"  "that is a dumb idea"  "no one will like it"  "someone else thought of that"  "no one will buy it"  You know those lies.  I am a word person.  I use words to attack those very lies that the enemy tells me.  I remind myself, "I am loved" " I am smart"  "I have dreams"  "Let God's will be done" "I am unique"  " I have a gift" 

Faith and trust are tools that help fight against fears.  I know that if I put my faith and trust in God and not man, my fears don't have a chance with him.  If I allow myself to know that I am not in this life alone. There are others that God has put in my life to help me, my fears don't have a chance.

So if you are like me, STOP allowing fear dictate your life.  If you want to go back to college, do it.  If you want to have children, do it.  If you want to write a book, do it.  If you want a new job, do it.  Maybe it will work out, maybe not.  Everyday and situation is a lesson, that you will learn from.  Don't allow lies that are not true stop you from living a life that God has designed for you.  I believe that the enemy will try and stop you from living your God designed life, because he knows that he will not profit from it. 

Again, let us not allow lies, fear, and worries dictate our life.  Lets us draw to our faith, trust, in God that He will provide with the strength and wisdom to live out the very thing that God has instilled in us.

For those who will read this and not share the same faith as me.  I am not saying that I am right or wrong.  I am sharing that this is what helps me on a everyday basis dealing with my fear.  I try to live out my life not be my own strength, but through the strength of Christ.

Becoming by Michelle Obama (book review)

"Becoming" by Michelle Obama (Amazon)

 

Goodreads Rating: 4.69 stars

My Rating: 5 stars

Everyone is entitled to and should share their story with others. I love sharing my story with others and enjoy hearing others share their story with me. Don't ask me why I don't read many autobiographies or memoirs.  But after reading this, I will begin to read more.  

I requested this book for Christmas, in hopes to start a new tradition of receiving books as gifts.  I am so grateful that I have received it! It was a great read to start for the new year. 

"Becoming", is not only a snapshot of who Michelle Obama is, but it is a book full of her life stories and lessons she has learned during her lifetime. Her family, her childhood, her educational experiences, the people she met and encountered, the places she has been, and the tasks she wanted to accomplish, helped in her becoming. 

The life lessons that she was taught along her lifetime are ones that we can benefit from.  Lessons that prove that growing up is infinite.  We don't stop becoming!  Lessons that we don't need to prove anything to anyone but ourselves.  Lessons that if we first fix ourselves than we can fix relationships with others. 

 

I understand why this book has been the #1 Bestseller.  The writing is flawless, clear, and easy to understand.  This book was very relatable and you can sense Mrs. Obama is very down to earth. 

 

I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone, despite your political affiliation.  This book does not promote any political side, nor does it share negative thoughts about the current government administration.  If you need a good book that will make you laugh, smile, cry, and feel encouraged, please give this book a chance.  You will not be disappointed.

 

I was not compensated in any way for this review.  This is my honest opinion, nor am I sharing my political views with this review.

New Year, New Goals

I know that the month of January is almost over, and I know that I am late and a dollar short to sharing this post.  But better late than never, right?  Since my last post regarding my fall TBR, I took some time to read and reflect about my reading goals.

I enjoy reading, however at times I feel pressured to read a lot.  With book blogging, book reviewing, booktube, and other social media outlets that promote reading, I feel obligated to read, and to read certain types of books.  The pressure and guilt that I have felt has made me reevaluate my reading goals.  I don't want to feel pressure to read all the time (even though I do), and I don't want to feel guilty if I am not posting about what books that I am reading.  I would love to keep this blog as a book blog, however I have read several books over the past couple of weeks that have challenged my thinking about the world.  If you can look into my draft folder, I have many posts that I started, but never finished.  Few of them were not book related.  I am done trying to fit in and comparing myself to others.  There is so much that I have to say, whether it is about books or not.  But I want to be an encouragement to others.  If that means to encourage them in life or reading.

With this new year, I am throwing out the thoughts of comparisons and doubt and picking up thoughts of  confidence. 

With the new year, my reading goals are as following:

 

read more diverse books (especially works written by and about African Americans or people of color)

 

read more YA material that I can share with my children

 

read 1 classic a month

 

read 24 books this year (goal to read 2 a month)

 

recap or blog books that have been read

 

 

With the new year, my blogging goals are as following:

 

blog as often and stay consistent

 

throw out the idea to fit in

 

don't be afraid to blog about real life and stay true to myself, values, and morals

I know that the month of January is almost over, but have you made goals for this year?  The can be regarding your personal life, work life, or hobbies?  I pray that whatever goals that you have created for yourself, that you are able to smash them.  If you haven't made any goals, why? Never be afraid to wish for something and work towards it! 

Fall TBR

2 Years ago after our weekly library trip

The air is getting cooler, the leaves are changing color, and the days are getting shorter.  More time is spent inside than outside, so grabbing a good book and a hot drink seems be the "go to" during this new change of weather. 




My children will be the first to say that, I get excited when I see cool and cloudy weather.  Especially when it occurs on the weekend.  I would light a candle or my Scentsy warmer, fill my crock pot with Chili, make a pot of coffee, and lay on the couch with my book. 

Even though the fall season has begun back in September, it is perfect timing to share my fall TBR.  I love to read mysteries during this time, despite celebrating Halloween.  But this TBR is a mix of books that I wanted to read, but never got a chance to read them.


1. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
2. Coming of Angels by M.J. Banks
3. The Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
4. Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes
5. The First Love by Beverly Lewis
6. The Widows by Jess Montgomery     (this is an ARC)

I will be posting updates with my reviews of these books, and other if I have a chance to finish this small list. 

My question to all.  If you love to read, what season do you enjoy reading?  I love fall because of the cool weather and drinking hot drinks, however the summer season to me is the best.  I love not having a strict schedule and more time to read.  I also love when the kids are in the pool, it is some sort of sensory thing to have feet in sand, book in hand, and the smell of sunscreen.  Do not question my sanity.  I know that I am weird. 

Anyways, there are books to read and coffee to drink!

Happy Reading!

Booktubeathon 2018

The books that I will be reading for Booktubeathon will be:

"Here After" by Kate Brian

"How my Bookclub got arrested"  by Leslie O'Kanen

"Matilda" by Roald Dahl

"The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

"Playground" by 50 cent

"The Ditchdigger's Daughters" by Yvonne Thornton

"Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina Garcia

 So the day has arrived for the start of "Booktube thon 2018".  If you are unaware of what this is, please check out this video. I love the booktube community and I love  what they are doing in the literary world, so I had to join in on the fun this year.  

 

By participating in Booktubeathon, there are 7 challenges to complete in order to receive the accomplished status of Booktubeathon warrior.  Many readers are participating all over the world to read 7 books this week.  Would you like to be one of them?  If so, I will be joining you and others as we tackle this crazy, but exciting week of reading.

 

Here are the challenges!

1. Have a coin toss decide your first read

2. read a book about something you want to do

3. read and watch a book to movie adaptation

4. read a book with green on the cover

5. read a book while wearing the same hat the whole time

6. read a book with a beautiful spine

7. read 7 books! 

 

 

Here are a few of my favorite youtubers with their TBR for the booktubeathon!

 

Booktubeathon 2018

Naya Reads and Smiles

Hailey In Bookland

 

 

 

Please join in the fun and ofcourse, Happy Reading!