This past year was a great book of reads and story telling. I surpassed my goal and I’m very proud of that. Let’s recap my 2025 in literature. I read First Born Daughters, my first Bernice McFadden novel and fell completely in love with her writings. Naturally, I had to go back and read Sugar and This Bitter Earth. The story of these beautiful women and their relationship moved me and reframed how I think about the depth and importance of having deep connections with women. I can’t wait to add those books to my shelves. I also read a…
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September was a slow read month for me, but it was still a good one. I’m excited to start the “While Justice Sleeps” series. Stacey Abrahams is a brilliant writer and I love her true crime books. “While Justice Sleeps” is in the process of becoming a TV movie. “Do What Godmother Says” is a little bit of a crossover with “Harlem Rhapsody” by Victoria Christopher Murray only in the way that it mentions Charlotte Osgood Mason, who named herself The Godmother of the Harlem Renaissance. I enjoyed this book as it hits on family traditions and legacy. The “Bones…
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January didn’t start off that great in regards to my 2025 book goal, but I did more than make up for it in February. This month’s reads were sooooo good! I would recommend each of the books listed over and over again. Although I have yet to create my reads for March, I’m excited about what the month will bring. Have you read any of the books listed? Do you plan to add any of them to your to be read list? Let me know! Happy Reading!Starr
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We’re entering the last week of Black History Month but the celebration (and the reading) doesn’t stop. While we close out this beautiful month of celebration, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite books written by some of our most decorated celebrities. I know President Obama isn’t technically a “celebrity”, but yes he is. Fulton Street Books and Coffee is Black and Woman Owned! It is a bookstore and coffee shop located in Tulsa Oklahoma and serves as a safe space for Black & Brown folks. I’ve made it easy for you to purchase this weeks book recs…
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The halftime show at Superbowl 59 featuring Kendrick Lamar has sparked a lot of emotions by the masses. Some racist. Well, many racist. Some ignorant. Some just unaware. However, I do love that the show has sparked healthy discourse as great art does. Kendrick Lamar is an artist, a Pulitzer Prize winning artist might I add, and everything he does is intentional and thought provoking. Did you know that in most, if not all, of Kenny’s works he makes reference to great literary works? I’ve picked up on a few references, but not all so I was glad when the…
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It’s a new year which means new book goals. January has been a nightmare so I think it’s safe to say that the new year didn’t officially start until February 1st. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to start a new year any other way than the beginning of Black History Month. The best of many things about Black authors is the lived ability to tell Black stories. Stories I can relate to. If you are a book worm or you want to become one, then I have a few book recommendations for you by Black authors. Fiction: Homegoing by…
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Twenty four books read is my 2024 reading challenge goal. In 2022, I read 17 books, surpassing my goal of 12. In 2023, I didn’t come close to my goal of 24 total read books, at only 13. Last month, I decided to push myself and be very intentional on not only hitting my goal of 24 books, but beating the goal by adding one additional book per month! That’s a lot of math, I know, but the point is, I’m hoping to beat my goal, and if I continue on this path, I will definitely do that! I’m still…
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New Month. New books to read. I’m excited about this month’s list and can’t wait to dive nose deep into each of them. To be completely honest, I started Nightcrawling in January, but it started too slow for me. I’m picking it back up to finish it this month because I’ve heard so many good reviews. Plus, it’s based right here in Oakland. Kennedy Ryan has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She is such a great storyteller and her characters are uniquely relatable. I just finished “The Kingmaker” and will probably read the second part in April. I’m…



