“Emmanuel started learning the basics of his Blackness before he knew how to do long division: smiling when angry, whispering when he wanted to yell.”

📚February TBR Stack.

what are you reading?

“Doesn‘t matter what you say about racial equality, you‘ve never seen white families storming the steps of city hall demanding justice for a little black baby. They‘re pushing for the death penalty and don‘t even realize executing this little girl is no different than murdering that baby.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I did a giveaway on my Instagram page, last week. You should definitely follow, I‘ll be doing another one soon!

IG: T.Frostt

Joe Oliver King, ex- NYPD cop, turned private detective after being wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not it commit. Eventually, he is released after spending time at the infamous Riker‘s Island. King opens up a private detective firm, and enlists the help of his daughter, Asia, to clear his name and help exonerate an innocent man on death row. This book is definitely a page turner.

“Between 1980 and 2014 the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 700%” -The Sentencing Project

Overall, I enjoyed his story. I was left wanting to know more about his family, as he swiftly moves over that part of his life in the beginning of the book. I also wish he would have touched on the ice cream tattoo on his face a little more, as well. I mean we all know him for his music, but we also all know him for that ice cream tattoo that was on his face! Right?!

“Hopelessness is the enemy of justice. When you are fighting for Justice, you are fighting against hopelessness. Injustice prevails, where hopelessness persists.”- Bryan Stevenson

This story was tough to read, but required. Hinton‘s story is a reality of so many men and women who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. Our justice system is not perfect and this book sheds light on so many of those flaws. A must read.

My TBR for January! What are some of your book goals for the new year?

“We are actively committed to struggling against racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class oppression, and see as our particular task the development of integrated analysis and practice based upon the fact that the major systems of oppression are interlocking. The synthesis of these oppressions creates the conditions of our lives.” Combahee River Collective Statement.

A definite must read for all feminist.

#Bookmail Have you read either of these?

“America seems filled with violent people who live causing people pain but hate when those people tell them that pain hurts.”

Best memoir I‘ve read in a while. Full review on my Instagram: T.Frostt

“I‘d been lucky to have parents, teachers, and mentors who‘d fed me with a consistent, simple message: You matter.  As an adult, I wanted to pass those words to a new generation.”

I absolutely loved this book. Full review in my Instagram: T.Frostt

I definitely believe this book is a sermon for White American, literally. This books reads like a Sunday morning church service. The book is even broken down as such (ex: Calls to Worship, Sermon, Hymn..) This book covers the setbacks and setups, Black Americans face everyday. He draws attention to crime, poverty, and the institutionalization of racism. Overall, this was a decent book, however he was preaching to the choir (see what I did there?!)

This book is a complete mindf*ck! I got so lost, that I had to keep re-reading sections and ultimately kept a running list of characters(ez: Jason 1 v. Jason 2). Nonetheless, Jason Dessen is seemingly a normal. Things take a turn when he‘s abducted. This story showcases the most intimate and intriguing parts of life, the “what if”. Which for many of us, we never act on. What if we took the path less walked upon.

December reads! What books are you reading to end out 2018?

This is Toni Morrison‘s first novel. This specific edition has a afterword done by her, almost 20 years after this book was published. Interesting enough, Morrison found flaw in the original narrative. She criticizes the language and structure of the book. Humbly stating, “it required sophistication unavailable to me”( p 215), when specially to Pecola‘s character. I appreciate this book. This story. This narrative. The pain.

Participated in a #readingsuperlativechallenge on Instagram! Here are so if my favorite reads, no so favorite reads, and everything in between! Happy reading!!

#TBR// I have to get through these books before I buy anymore! Giving myself until July! Have you read any of these?

I never thought I was alone in the love that I had for a woman I never met. During the Obama Presidency, Mrs. Obama gave a face to black women all across America and the world for that matter. Tearing down stigmas and negative connotations that have been associated with black women, for centuries. Showcasing that we are eloquent, graceful, and intelligence. Courage is Contagious affirmed that we are inspirational and magical, in our own right.

I first received this book in August of 2016. I had never heard of Bryan Stevenson, however had found myself infatuated with wrongful convictions and the process of exonerations. Stevenson details death row cases he takes on, specifically focusing on Walter McMillian, one of his first cases. McMillian, was on death row for killing a young white woman in Monroe­ville, Al. I‘ve gifted this book to many of my friends & colleagues. It‘s a must read.