Her Own Happiness Book Tour

Today is my tour stop for the Her Own Happiness Book Tour.  Presented by Turn The Page Book Tours.  Her Own Happiness is written by Eden Appiah-Kubi.  This is her second novel.  Her first novel was The Bennet Women.  Her Own Happiness will be released Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, this book starts with Maya.  Life hands her some awful birthday gifts for her 31st birthday.  She finds herself moving back home, while her bestie of 7 years, Ant, is starting his own adventure.  As she is job hunting, Maya finds herself wrapped up in the world of wealthy socialite.  Maya must make her way through this world and all while she and Ant figure out their long standing friendship. 

This was an engaging story.  The character development was quite good and story itself was heartwarming.  I found it to be a later in life, coming-of-age story.  I usually love dual POV stories, but this book started slow for me.  But once I got into it, it was a thoughtful and compassionate story. Ms. Appiah-Kubi touches on several topics such as sexuality, finding oneself, friendship, and mental health; and she looks at them through the lens of the pandemic.  This is first "pandemic" book that I have read. I imagine will we see more of these to come.

While the ending felt a bit rushed and there were a bit too many pop culture references for my liking, this was still a solid read.  

Rating: 💖💖💖.75/5

Her Own Happiness will be released Tuesday, September 5, 2023. This book can be purchased at the author's website: edenawrites.com or visit your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org.

Oooh, That Black Boy Joy!

Release Date: August 3, 2021

There have been several books touting the magical magnificence of Black Girl Magic.  From a Phoenix First Must Burn to one of my personal favorites, Legendborn.  Now Kwame Mbalia, author of the Tristan Strong series, has edited an amazing collection of stories celebrating Black Boyhood.  This book is entitled, Black Boy Joy. As an Aunt of 7 boys, this book makes me want to squeal with glee. 

Great, fantastic, beautifully melanated authors like P. Djeli Clark, B.B. Alston, Tochi Onyebuchi, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, and Jason Reynolds, have written stories, poems, and comics that celebrate the joy and power of Black Boyhood.  

Too often, Black boys are asked to grow up way too soon.  And we know that society paints them with stereotypes as soon as they can speak and walk.  But this book strips all of that away. These writings are about the happy, the exciting, the new, the unexpected, and most importantly, the love.

If you have Black Boy in your life, I highly recommend this book to you to give to them. 

Also, you know I had to create a playlist! This playlist embodies the essence to of Black Boy Joy.  It's a mood and a vibe...let it wash over you.

Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖/5

Author Kwame Mbaila

Saturday Night Ghost Club

Such beautiful book that embraces the innocence and sadness of growing up. Jake Baker reflects on a memorable summer where he explores the myths and legends of his hometown with his Uncle Calvin and his new friends. It has a vulnerability and frankness to it.  

There is an awkwardness of a kid trying to figure who he is and understanding the adults in his life. The book have Goonies, Stand By Me, Sandlot vibes, only much darker.  A quirky, heartfelt novel about love, loss, family, and friends.