Here is my overly ambitious TBR for December. We are spending a week at my in-law's place, so perhaps I'll get more reading done than usual. This will also be my #bookspinbingo board for the month.

#wintergames2024 #xmaschacha #earlybirdpoints

#poetrymatters #vixen

#daysdevotedto #conversation

Here's a little this or that board for #wintergames2024! Play if you feel like it! Here's mine:

❄️ Play, then fire 😉
❄️ It's a big family gathering this year
❄️ It's also a travel year
❄️ This year I'm hoping for a little of both
❄️ I'm feeling the dark reads right meow
❄️ Crafts! 🤩

#wintergames2024 #xmaschacha #christmaschapterchasers #earlybirdpoints

#daysdevotedto #cake

#poetrymatters #vivid

#daysdevotedto #soup

#poetrymatters #vivacious

I think I'm done reading books by white cis-het men.

#daysdevotedto #absurdity

#poetrymatters #visible

#poetrymatters #visceral

I just adore Julia Alvarez's writing. This is the story of a family with 4 daughters that immigrates to the United States from the Dominican Republic. The story starts in 1989 and moves backwards in time. The opposition of 2 different cultures, as well as 2 different generations, allowed Alvarez to explore many themes, including the meaning of language, cultural identity, and gender roles. What a great book.

A quick read about family secrets, loneliness, and grief. I liked the way the story unfolded, and felt for all of the characters. The emotional power was undeniable.

#queerbc

What a great exploration of feminism, intersectionality, and pop culture. At times, I wish she would have explored some topics just a little deeper, but overall this was both entertaining and informative. If you're just beginning your anti-racism journey, this is a good start.

#poetrymatters #virus

#daysdevotedto #princess

#poetrymatters #viral

#daysdevotedto #philanthropy

#daysdevotedto #inspiration

#poetrymatters #viper

#daysdevotedto #kindness

#poetrymatters #violin

#poetrymatters #violence

#daysdevotedto #oddsocks

1. After stepping up when my boss quit with no notice, I got a promotion and raise!
2. My husband has been so supportive throughout the last month.
3. I found a mutual aid organization to join.
4. I'm so grateful for the kindness on Litsy. There's a lot of vitriol on my other social media, so this is a needed respite.
5. Just grateful for books and knowledge and learning.

#5joysfriday

#daysdevotedto #tea

#poetrymatters #vineyard

This poem is on my heart today. 💔

#poetrymatters

This was a #doublespin selection. A woman meets her first husband 10 years after she left him for her second husband on a boat trip back from Europe to the US. It read like a 1930s or 40s romantic comedy, and I was unsurprised to see it was made into a movie. The characters are well developed, if infuriating at times. It was an entertaining read, but nothing spectacular. Soft pick.

#poetrymatters #villain

#daysdevotedto #redheads

This collection of essays was published in 1984 and includes work from the prior decade. With the exception of 2 essays, each piece could have been published today. Black and queer women still share Lorde's experiences 40-50 years later. I'm not sure what that says about our progress as a nation. Each piece was, of course, well written and thoughtful, and well worth the read. But damn do I long for the day when this isn't so relevant.

#daysdevotedto #candy

#poetrymatters #villa

#poetrymatters #vigil

Apparently this is not my genre - I've read 11 books on the list. 🤣

A favorite from the list: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
One on my TBR: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
A favorite that should be on the list: Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez

#tlt #threelistthursday

#wickedwhispers #dread(pirateroberts)

#poetrymatters #video

It hasn't been a great reading month, but I did finish this beast! I've spent the better part of the year in Middlemarch. Some days it was delightful, and others it was frustrating. The characters were achingly human: I was deeply invested in their fates. The book was well worth the challenge. I've rarely seen such deep understanding of human relationships and emotions.

This was my March #bookspin selection.

#poetrymatters #victor

#wickedwhispers #evil

#wickedwhispers #shadow

#poetrymatters #vicinity

#wickedwhispers #monster

#poetrymatters #vial

#wickedwhispers #death

#poetrymatters #venture

It isn't halloween season for me until I've watched this. 🎃

#wickedwhispers #pumpkin

I have had the worst couple of weeks ar work. My boss, the top guy in our company aside from the owners, quit without notice. I've been crazy busy as a result. To keep my energy (and mood) going, I've been listening to my dopamine playlist on repeat. Part of the track listing is pictured. Music is my therapy. 🤣

#tuesdaytunes