What’s on my mind? We threw it back to the 90s and my Halloween costume was Team Rocket (yes, prepare for trouble and make it double. To protect the world from devastation. Etc etc. We re-learned the motto in 20 minutes and recited it to everyone). I also watched Halloweentown for the first time (yes, in my life) the OG from the late 90s and re-watched Twitches (the first one, a DCOM). Also, am I the last person who found out about: bones or no bones days? Obsessed with Noodle! This week I'm grateful (peep: Thanksgiving is already approaching) for the beautiful ways people informally or formally invite you deeper into their lives and separately, great IRL stand up amateur comedy shows. TV I recommend is (I know you wanted to know…)the new season of Insecure on HBO Max, Chewing Gum with THE Michaela Coel (after you watch I May Destroy You) on HBO Max/I think Netflix too, and Queens on Hulu. I also can’t get a line from The Morning Show out of my head about adults holding themselves accountable, of course like anything given certain circumstances, having the tools to move forward: “Fucked up kids have an excuse. Fucked up adults get therapy. Fucked up adults change their circumstances. That’s advice that I live by. So, do you what you have to do…” - Laura Peterson, of course, therapy is not the end all be all and it’s unfortunately a privilege in our society because it’s so freaking expensive but it is one of the tools that adults with the available resources could leverage ot get unstuck. Fucked up is a strong phrase but you get the gist. Ironically, as I was catching up on my podcasts like Girls Gotta Eat, they were talking about Rayna’s break up with Kane and I was thinking noooo. Then, The Cut talked about how we think we know people through parasocial relationships (cc: Tik Tok couch guy and his girlfriend) and I was relating that to my strong reaction for Rayna/Kane. Anywhoo, let’s kick November’s ass. Xoxo
Books I wish I read in high school, Sex and lies by Leila Slimani, Slimani writes a collection of essays exploring the life and love of 18 Moroccan women. She gives a nuanced look at some Arab women’s views on and recents the age old tale that they don’t get it on.
Read if: you want a little spicy nonfiction.
Books where you save yourself, Conditional Citizens On Belonging in America by Laila Lalami, the title says it all, how do we define what it means to be a “real” American? Sharing her journey to becoming an American citizen on paper Lalami discusses the history of proving to the powers that be that she is American--enough. POCs are always asked (not really a lot cc: example) where they’re really from even if they were born here so it begs the question when you think American, what do you see? Lalami’s first book was Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits in 2005.
Read if: you’ve ever been asked, where are you from 3x in a row with the questioner really just wanting you to respond in the way they envision =) ←- this is an angry smiley face
Not your typical eat pray love, Get Your Mind Right, Get Your Money Right by Dr. Holly Sawyer, in this book we’re talking about health and well being from all angles, mental, financial, spiritual, physical, and relational. Dr. Holly Sawyer is among many titles including therapist, teacher, and doctor! Self-care isn’t just about a face mask, bubble bath, and even a massage, it CAN be those things but it’s also about looking at your financial health, setting healthy boundaries and having effective communication with peeps. It may be a cliché but you can’t pour from an empty cup babe.
Read if: you know it’s time to check in on all this shit.
On trend, Think like a white man by Nels Abbey-it’s spooky season weekend y’all and nothing is honestly spookier than the white man. Abbey writes this unapologetic political satire on how to overthrow white men in their nature habitat: the corporate world. Sounds too good to be true but you’ll laugh a lot at least and remember you’re not crazy. This world we live in with all these structural barriers is.
Read if: white men go bump in the night and have you crawling.
Decolonize your mind, Getting Something to Eat in Jackson Race, Class, and Food in the American South by Joseph E. Ewoodzie Jr., TY for the recommendation Deepa! Let’s talk about race, class, and identity through food, folks! Edwoodzie takes us on a journey of different food throughout Jackson, Mississippi tracing how: what people eat, how they eat, and where they eat tels a story of Black communities in the US. Check out his website here.
Read if: you know food tells a powerful story.
Local bookshop spotlight: This week we’re highlighting Source Booksellers in Midtown Detroit! The proprietor is Janet Webster Jones and she has been in the book biz since 1989. Her mother was a librarian and she spent her 40 year career in the Detroit Public School education system! They host community and in-person events too!