Welcome to Litsy!

A short but powerful book that packs a punch; a necessary read. Each book I read on my anti-racist journey is telling the world and me the same thing. I learn something from every Black voice, every word, every page. The author shares her struggles within a sea of white from her childhood, adolescence, and as an adult. She rightfully criticizes the church and demands it let its white superiority go, demands it do more. Demands a radical love.

Very good!

Powerful, impactful, and important. Even better on #audio, read by the author. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Wow!

Excellent and meaningful.
I care. I‘m listening.

Started this on a morning walk. #FridayReads

Feelin‘ a little called out today…

I love this challenge from Austin Channing Brown to actually read the work of MLK. Because while I‘ve taught his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and his “I Have a Dream” speech, and one of my regular editing clients is an MLK scholar, I can‘t say that I‘ve read much beyond those two main works and all the quotes I hunt down come MLK Day each year. Any recs from those who‘ve spent more time with MLK‘s writing?

I‘ve been on a reading slump .. well maybe not a complete slump .. I have 2 ADHD books half done and an audiobook on the go as well! This book was mind altering .. in a good way. Diversity should really mean what it says with actions. Great perspective book .. highly recommend!!

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I actually read this back in January with the English department where I work, and then recommended it to the antiracism book club I‘m in with some friends, and so I‘ve read through it again.
Honestly ACB gives so much in this book I feel like I could just continually reread this & continually pull out new & impactful thoughts.
If you haven‘t read this one, it‘s one that needs to be on your list.

This was a short but powerful listen, and there were times I was exceedingly uncomfortable, but that‘s the point. Brown has life experiences that are so horrific in their normalcy. My only caution is that it is heavy handed with the Christianity, so if you are someone who objects to that or can‘t see the greater message beyond that, maybe skip this particular anti-racism book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A book with plenty to think about

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Austin, a Black woman with a white man‘s name, as she says, wrote a stunner of a book. It was very interesting how similar our situations were, growing up in mostly white, mostly Christian spaces. And now that I attend a predominantly Black church and am raising a Black child, I felt connected to so many parts of her story.
And yet.
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#12booksof2020 #day9 #9ladiesdancing
#memoir
Honest and raw. Bearing witness to black women living in a white middle class world.

Thought provoking book.

See also Australia

Powerful book, hands down a must read.

I'm glad I chose this book to be my 85th for the year. It has shown me that even though I try to be anti-racist, I still have a LONG way to go. "Rare is the ministry praying that they would be worthy of the giftedness of Black minds and hearts."

I‘m still trying to put in the work. I need to do better, we all do....

Sometimes you just need a night time puppy pile....

Intense. Hard to read at moments, but she carries a strong message.

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Just when I think I'm so well read, I put together a humbling pie chart for the year to remind myself, I have to do better....
#readharder

A short, powerful, beautifully written memoir about the author‘s experiences with racism in middle class, predominantly white spaces, particularly Christian churches & outreach organizations.

She makes clear how the myth of a post-racial America and the way many white Christians see kindness as the antithesis of racism both block true reconciliation. I‘d imagine this book may be especially valuable for Christians, but I hope it‘s read widely.

I'm Still Here read as less overtly instructive than some of the current anti-racist books (which is a criticism of none). It's (still) illuminating and compelling. Strong pick.

So glad this was my #bookspin pick this month

I‘m so grateful that black women use their voices & stories to educate those around them, as they do this to exhaustion daily. I don‘t necessarily connect to the religious context of Brown‘s experience, but the purpose of this is to become acquainted with someone else‘s perspective. This was a great quick read for anyone interested to learn more about microagressions and what it‘s like to live them.

Austin Channing Brown referencing Audre Lorde while speaking about harnessing and embracing her anger.

Current audiobook 🎧

Here‘s my very messy thrown together #bookspinbingo board. I‘m excited to get going, I think this will be a really productive month.

My #bookspin is “I‘m still here” and my #doublespin is “The Night Swim” which I‘ve already started!

This should be required reading in high school. Excellent

1. I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

2. To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

3. I feel so extraordinarily happy and free when I read that I‘m convinced it could make everything else in my life bearable, if only I could have books all the time. - Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

This book isn‘t finished with me. I need to read it again, note my points of defensiveness, figure out how to do better, repeat. I‘m looking forward to discussing it on Zoom Sunday and hope I get at least one complete reread in by then. Please, read this.

Starting this today for my church‘s Racial Justice discussion group next Sunday. (Via Zoom, of course.) #blm #EpiscopalChurch #AllAreWelcome

Saw this at the store and had to snap a pic! I listened to this beauty earlier this year and it was SO SO good — for anyone, but especially those of us who don‘t know what it‘s like to be black in America. I particularly loved that it gave a Christian perspective as I grew up very religious. Highly recommend! #blacklivesmatter #hellosunshine

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This was a short book but definitely a good one. Pick it up if you get the chance!

#catsoflitsy #Phoenix

Finishing up!

This is really well written. I felt like a friend was talking to me. It's really interesting to see the world from her perspective. It's a bit heavy on the God stuff, but otherwise definitely enjoyable.

This was a really well written easy to read book. I‘m so glad I picked this up.

#hellosunshine

As for I‘m done reading this now, I‘m ready to write my review. It‘s a really well written book, and very insightful for what life‘s like to POC. I highly recommend this to people who want to learn more about the world for POC. I don‘t want to add spoilers, just in case anyone was planning to read it any time soon. So yes, I recommend!

Austin shares vivid experiences, feelings, and examples throughout this book. She makes powerful statements about equality, race and racism, and privledge. I skimmed a few sections where she spoke to a more Christian religious sentiment because her religion is very meaningful to her. #pocauthors #blm

Picked this book up from the library today. I can‘t wait to get into it.

Another powerful and important read.

“Racism never went away, it just evolved.” I thought this was such a great book. It is hard work becoming an ally and always learning. I unfortunately can‘t change the world myself but I can teach my kids and try to educate others. I want my kids to know and understand so much more than what is quickly glossed over in schools. That is why I need to continue to empower myself and understand what others experience

I was sad and hopeless after this book, like nothing I would do could change anything for the better. If I feel this way, with my whiteness, how must the author feel. Then I felt worse. After stewing, processing and reflecting I realized all I can do is all I can do. I can only control me. My thoughts, words, actions towards others! Thank you Austin Channing Brown for this thought provoking and soul searching book!!!

I am so glad I read this. I have been reading a number of books that are more data and statistic driven and while they have a lot of great information, first person experiences stick with me more. I learned a lot from this book and it has led to a lot of self reflection on my part. It is a fairly quick read. Highly recommend.

• #ReeseWitherspoon Book Club July 2020 pick

I‘m so glad to have read this little book in light of today‘s (2020) unrest. I wish I could have a loving conversation with Austin. I know that inside we are the same. Her ending says it all. “When the sun happens to shine, I bask in the rays. But I know I cannot stay there. That is not my place to stand. So I abide in the shadows, and let hope have its day and its death. It is my duty to live anyway.”