It's Lit

So I did a thing! This MLK Day, I wanted to do something to make a difference. I wanted to design a shirt that embodied what books mean for me and how books have made me grow so much over the years. Books are not just a source of entertainment, it is a key to liberation, within ourselves and our communities.⁠ ⁠ Disrupting traditional forms of capitalism is also important to me, so I want to donate a portion of the profits to organizations making a difference. I’m going to start building a database of orgs to give to, so tag some below. I would also love love love if you could share my vision with others. We can make a difference together. Much love to this community 💛 https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMbdvjlO_V/?igshid=idfu4la8g9vq

Happy #juneteenth everyone! Here’s a short stack of books that remind me of freedom. Today is a day known as the celebration of freedom, but what are we actually celebrating? Black people today aren’t liberated from the deadly effects of racism. Slavery may have ended, but it’s still rippling in every aspect of our society. We have never healed from that wound and we’re letting it fester. But that doesn’t mean we have nothing to celebrate! We are still here. We still have breath in our bodies. We live to fight another day to make the world a better place for our children. Just as those have come before us have done. We are in the midst of a revolution. It is our duty to fight for our freedom. We have nothing to lose but our chains. #itslitblog #blackbooksmatter #blackbookstagram #blacklivesmatter #blackjoy #revolution #freedom #thecolorpurple #bookstagram #books #bookstack https://www.instagram.com/p/CBnlAmhgmXd/?igshid=9t1iahjthuc7

Y’all. Today has been rough. Between the weather here and the news (on top of being in the middle of a global pandemic) I am really struggling. Scrolling through social media, I cycle between feeling like I’m not doing enough and feeling traumatized and despair from seeing constant images of the destruction (and planning of destruction) of black bodies. Sometimes I just get so hopeless. This stack contains writing from different eras and things STILL haven’t gotten better. A light has been seeing #bookstagram (especially #blackbookstagram)flooded with stacks like these and words of solidarity. Thank you @book_girl_magic, @maddblackreads, @thestackspod, and @allisonreadsdc (just the few posts I’ve seen) for your comforting words. So often it seems like this trauma doesn’t matter, and it feels good to be seen and validated. I want to pass on the same love and light to you all. Take care of yourselves, black people. And to my white friends, we need more than you hash tagging on one day. We need you to work alongside us every day. Put your money where your mouth is. I love you all 💛 #itslitblog #books #bookstack #blackbooks #blacklivesmatter #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #ahmaudarbery #blackbooksmatter #blackauthors https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtOIhkgGEg/?igshid=2vgvydrsva4v

Nicholas Sparks appreciation stack! I’m way more into the older ones than the newer ones. I’ve been on a kick of rereading my faves lately. It’s been helping me get out of this serious reading slump. Do you have a favorite Nicholas Sparks? . . . . . #itslitblog #goodreads #bookstagram #books #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #blackwomenread #blackbookworm #blackbibliophile #nicholassparks #romancebooks #romance #booksofinstagram #reading #readallthebooks #wellreadblackgirl #wellread https://www.instagram.com/p/CAduc_1AD76/?igshid=100i3uu974mqm

The most recent (and first) book I read by a nonbinary person about a nonbinary person. I learned about a lot of things I didn’t think about before. I know today is about fighting against homophobia, and the fight for gender equality for ALL genders is different, but I wanted to highlight this important book. . . . . #itslitblog #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookaholic #booklover #diversebooks #diversereads #diversespines #equality #internationaldayagainsthomophobia #loveislove #genderequality #readersofinstagram #reading #read #nonbinary https://www.instagram.com/p/CATTKeHAJ9M/?igshid=13salca9u56e3

My first print @goodreads win! During this quarantine, I’ve found a renewed passion for journaling. Some days I have no idea what to write about, so I’m excited to dive into this! . . . . . #itslitblog #goodreads #guidedjournaling #writing #books #bookstagram #blackbookstagram #journaling #writingprompts #goodreadschallenge #goodreadschallenge2020 #bookish #booklover #giveawaywinner https://www.instagram.com/p/CALR8AAADOA/?igshid=vqsdjtpq8skk

My current “desk” working from home. I should probably put away my books because they’re distracting me lol. Working from home has been tough because home has always been a refuge for me. I love being home doing things I enjoy, but now that work has taken over most of my time, it feels like my safe space has been compromised. Wish I could just do my book blogging stuff full time 😅 . . . . . #itslitblog #bookstagram #bookbloggerlife #bookblogger #bookblogging #bookblog #blackbookstagram #workfromhome #books #writerproblems #quarantinelife #quarantine https://www.instagram.com/p/CADuvK7ApVq/?igshid=1dyb9icfv65dz

Earlier this week, I went by grandpa’s house for the first time in about a year. My sister and I wanted to get some things from my grandmother’s closet. Today is the 5th anniversary of her passing. I forgot how many bibles she owned and read frequently, along with her other books on faith. This is a picture of her bookshelf. I remember when I was growing up, I would always complain about not having a book to read. She would always default to one of two choices: I could either read the Bible or I could read Little Women. I have started both from the beginning numerous times, but didn’t finish either of them 😅 I know I get my love of reading from my grandmother (and my love of audiobooks from my mom), one of the many things I’m grateful she passed down to me. Love you Nanna. Thank you for continuing to love and protect me from afar ❤️ . . . . . #itslitblog #books #bookshelf #thebible #faith #grandmothers #grandmotherslove #bookish #bookworm #bookstagram #booklover #booklove #readersofinstagram #reading #blackbookstagram #wellreadblackgirl #rip #shelfie #bibliophile #bibleverse #biblejournaling https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-SJDWAOJd/?igshid=1akqirhnqxcjg

I wear red today for National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Native women experience violence at higher rates than any other group in the US. Wear red in solidarity because when we support the most vulnerable women, we support all women. I’m also reading one of my current reads Sexual Citizens and it just so happened to fit perfectly for today! . . . . . #itslitblog #mmiw #bookstagram #books #newtobookstagram #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #blackwomenread #blackbookworm #blackbibliophile #booksofinstagram #reading #readallthebooks #wellreadblackgirl #wellread #book #feminism #feminist #mmiwawareness #indigenouswomen #red #reading #readersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0bBK6AhuU/?igshid=dd1gnzh8386m

I really enjoyed The Stationary Shop! Love stories like this always make me marvel at the power of love. I enjoy a cutesy romance every now and then, but these stories really make me swoon. And it has less of the toxic stuff other romances have that make me itch. Plus, it’s #asianpacificamericanheritagemonth and I wanted to share a good read to celebrate! . . . . . #itslitblog #apicelebrasian #bookworm #bookish #bibliophile #bookstagram #books #bookblog #diversebooks #diversereads #diversespines #blackgirlsread #wellreadblackgirl #romance #beautifulbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ySc-ggfvJ/?igshid=11ks4wj7hig2y

I wrapped up #nationalpoetrymonth by rereading 2Fish by @jheneaiko on a fine day outside. I remember when I thought social distancing would be over by now and I could do more things than just walk outside. This meme had me hopeful once upon a time! . . . . . #itslitblog #books #bookstagram #blackbookstagram #booklover #bookgirlmagic #booknerd #bibliophile #stayhome #memes #poetry #jheneaiko #2fish #nsync #outdoors https://www.instagram.com/p/B_pwwaPAhbP/?igshid=xhbmpqv2up0v

Hi! Here is a picture of me wearing denim for Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I wanted to post in solidarity because supporting survivors is a huge passion of mine (and I feel like I don’t post enough pictures to prove I’m a real person). I recently finished Hood Feminism by and I think this is the label I’ve been waiting for. Books like that and Pleasure Activism by @adriennemareebrown (one of my current reads) and Sexual Citizens (my next work read) inspire me and make me feel lucky to do the work I do. . . . . . #itslitblog #saam #april #denimday #feminism #feminist #hoodfeminism #bookstagram #blackbookstagram #sunshine #workfromhome #bibliophile #booklover #bookgirlmagic #bookish #blackgirlmagic https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lXoO6gSlT/?igshid=1zjpsuotn20b

Went for a walk today to our neighborhood pond. I’m a Cancer (the zodiac not the illness 😅), so being near the water helps calm me down and center me. I’ve been struggling with vulnerability lately, trying to find a balance between sharing what I need and not feeling like I’m over sharing. My blog has become a great lesson in being vulnerable, but I have also recently made bold moves in vulnerability offline. It was one of the scariest things I had to do and I’m still trying to adjust to life moving forward. @brenebrown has prepared me for this, and I turn back to her words now to remind me of the strength in vulnerability. These are really strange and uncertain times we live, and I hope you all find strength in being vulnerable by sharing what you need. . . . . . #itslitblog #bookstagram #book #brenebrown #daringgreatly #blackbookstagram #bibliophile #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #wellreadblackgirl #bookish #blackgirlsread https://www.instagram.com/p/B_dFhN9A_PS/?igshid=18r46gtnqdsqy

It’s #worldbookday and I wanted to share with y’all one of my favorite books! This book broke my heart when I read it and so did The Kite Runner. I still need to read And the Mountains Echoed. Sad books tend to be my favorite books. It’s something about sadness that makes me feel truly connected to humanity. Joy is great to experience together but sorrow is another level of intimacy . . . . . #itslitblog #bookstagram #books #blackbookstagrammer #reading #wellreadblackgirl #diversereads #fiction #booklover #bookworm #blackbookworm #bibliophile #sadness #read #readersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B_WR0q4gPnk/?igshid=1dh6c99aq1jdh

Been wanting to get my hands on this book for a minute! I work on a college campus doing interpersonal violence prevention and education and I geek out in this type of stuff. It’s definitely my passion. And it’s the perfect buy for sexual assault awareness month! So glad I could get a copy and support my favorite feminist bookstore @charisbooksandmore! This is the second mail purchase I’ve had and they always send a sweet note. If you need good reads while you’re stuck at home, see if your fav independent bookstore ships! I got my book much faster than my coworker who ordered his through Amazon! . . . . . #itslitblog #bookstagram #blackbookstagram #books #supportlocal #feminism #feministbooks #feministbookstore #saam #reading #workfromhome #bookstore #booknerd #tbr (at Charis Books and More/Charis Circle) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Qp9ECAWhE/?igshid=1odtg8cfi2bb3

This pink stack featuring some phenomenal black women is dedicated to strong women. I spent yesterday catching up on This is Us and there was an episode about mental health that really struck me. Please check on your strong friends, especially during these times. Sometimes their strength is their weakness. . . . . . #itslitblog #books #bookstagram #bookstack #pink #tonimorrison #roxanegay #mayaangelou #blackwomen #phenomenalwoman https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Dpz45AM5C/?igshid=a1hpd9802j8y

Call me lame but the soundtrack to the Memoirs of a Geisha movie is my favorite to listen to for focus while working from home. Music or no music while reading? What’s on your playlist? . . . . . #itslitblog #bookstagram #soundtrack #books #quarantine #workfromhome #bibliophile #memoirsofageisha https://www.instagram.com/p/B--Pswog02x/?igshid=16u02bbmxz304