Celebrating those we love
This past weekend, the gang got together to celebrate Jack and Dak! The first of the crew to get engaged. We are so happy for our friends and even more joy filled when we can all get together to celebrate the special moments after a long ass year.
Jak and Dak also cornered me to say that I was not picking up the slack in our strava group (we’re training for a half marathon and by training-I mean Jak and Dak are)-and to that I say lmao you’re probs right, see you probably not at the finish line.
xxxx
Books I wish I read in high school
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri-Lahiri is a fan favorite on this bookshelf blog. Her book the lowland centers on two brothers-one who goes to America to study and the other who stays back in Calcutta participating in socialist organizing. The book is a crowd pleaser and hard to put down.
Read if: like me, you are surrounded by a rain filled week and want to stay in and read.
Decolonize your mind
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy DeRuy, the phrase “slavery was hundreds of years ago, why are we still talking about it?” is obviously fucked up and people need to continue to understand intergenerational trauma and how society still fails the Black community. Dr. Joy DeRuy formalized the term PTSS to describe, “the multigenerational trauma and injustices experienced by African Americans - from the dawn of slavery to the recent deaths of Black citizens at the hands of police.”
Read if: you didn’t know the definition above and want to learn more about PTSS.
Not your typical eat pray love
Notes from A Bisexual Who Wants Too Much by Jen Winston (she/they), bi erasure is real ya’ll. Let’s start with it’s not just a phase and no, it doesn’t mean that you have more options and you’re attracted to your friends. This collection of essays talks about bisexuality, sex ( insert the song let’s talk about sex baby), sexism, gender, gender expression (please no more gender reveal parties ty), and more.
Read if: you stan all sexual expressions including the B in LGBTQ.
Books where you save yourself
The Lives of Others by Neel Mukherjee-Mukherjee focuses his book on political movements, families and how both-if not carefully balanced-can destroy families. This book delves into one man’s journey and dedication to the Communist cause as it destroys his family ties.
Read if: you’re still fighting with your family about politics.
Local Bookshop recommendation: The Key Bookstore in Hartford, CT -An Afrofuturistic bookstore based in v white CT wants to “define liberation one page at a time.” Online orders are hefty and welcome at this shop and they offer great kids bundles for the new child in the fam or friend group you want to make sure is with it.