My Summer Book Goals #Summer17Writing
As part of the #Summer17Writing challenge, created by @tanikiadotcom and @sfbthesiren, this blog post comes from the writing prompt: What books are you reading this summer? Why?
I am a big fan of books on self-help, love, spirituality, and human behavior and influence. I think it's because I've always felt socially awkward and I people-watch more than I interact with people. So, I become so obsessed with learning why people behave the way they do. And some books have literally changed my life for the better. My goal this summer is to get back into reading and apply my findings to better myself as a woman, writer and lover. Here are my top 4 picks:
All About Love by Bell Hooks
I couldn't put this book down from start to finish. Maybe it's because I love love. The reason why I started my summer reading with this book is because no matter how much I love love and try to be loving, I suck at it. No one teaches you how to love, they just expect you to know what it is and how it's done. We're also misguided by what we see around us, in the movies and on social media. Not to mention how tired I am of trying to live everyone else's idea of love. This book has helped me to better understand what love is. I also feel like I have the potential to love myself and others better. I'll share with you one of my favorites quotes from the book and hopefully you'll give All About Love a chance.
“If we were constantly remembering that love is as love does, we would not use the word in a manner that devalures and degrades its meaning. When we are loving we openly and honestly express care, affection, responsibility, respect, commitment, and trust. ”
Bone - Yrsa Daley-Ward
Yrsa tells the WHOLE truth. She does not hold back and it's beautiful. I discovered her on Twitter and I've been obsessed every since. I want to read her book because I like her style of writing, her vulnerability and her stories are relatable. She has a way of wording dark truths so beautifully that anyone can relate or at least understand her madness. She's an inspiration to me in so many ways. She's badass, and I am a major fan of Black writers who express their vulnerability without fear of judgement. After all, that is my goal as a writer.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
I started reading Homegoing in a book club. I was almost done until I decided to move into a new place and I never saw the book again. Now that I have a new copy, I am finishing what I started. I love that this book is based on historical events, and I can imagine what life might have been like. There's actually a lot of historical facts I didn't know until reading this book. I also love how each chapter is another person's journey from Ghana to America or from slavery to freedom. You get to see different perspectives of different but similar walks of life. It's beautifully written and I have to finish.
Milk and Honey - Rupi Kaur
This poet is hard to ignore. Her work is all over Instagram. Once you read her words, you're hooked. I want to read her book because of the vulnerability in her words. Her story is very raw and her words always strike a chord. Her work is one of using your pain to create art. I aspire to one day be able to do the same as I continue my journey of writing for healing. I think reading her work will help motivate the writer in me. Here's how Rupi Kaur describes her work:
“this is the journey of
surviving through poetry
this is blood sweat tears
of twenty-one years
this is my heart
in your hands
this is
the hurting
the loving
the breaking
the healing ”
What books are you reading this summer? Comment and share.