This book put the influences and makings of habits into perspective. The “habit loop” (Cue-routine-reward) is sprinkled across the book and is applicable in each of the sections that touch on leadership, self-development and social movements. It delves into how one can change their whole life’s course by identifying that necessary small change that needs to happen in one’s loop.

In the business/leadership sections, I found it particularly insightful on how businesses such as Starbucks grew their empire by changing how their employees are interact with customers. The whole book explores how to pinpoint patterns on your life that are not working and replace it with “small wins”.

My only gripe is the section in the book that covers the civil rights movement. The process in which people got involved did not have anything to do with habits but more social circles and subconscious obligations. Nonetheless, Duhigg’s analysis on it all is thought- provoking.

Highly recommended!

The hate you give by Angie Thomas.

10/10

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Inspired by the shooting of Oscar Grant, the reader is taken into the life of Starr Carter, a 16 year old girl living in the Garden Heights Projects. She attends a prep school in the suburbs and like most black folk, has become an expert at code switching. Her world is turned upside down when she her best childhood friend is killed by a police officer labeled One-Fifteen. She becomes an activist in her own right by speaking up for her justice for her unjustly killed best friend. Throughout the book, we see her grow into her own shoes as a young woman, lover, sister, friend and daughter.

This book speaks to the heart of police brutality and the labels that come with being black in America. The story of a young black woman finding her voice is excellently captured in this narrative. She confronts the racist words and actions of someone she considered her best friend, learns to love and to be proud of who she is and where she comes from. This is truly one for the history books. This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read all year.

”I put a spell on you” : The Autobiography of Nina Simone.

Score 10/10

The life of the “high priestess of soul” is one to behold. From her early beginnings in the south, her talent was identified and developed. She then moves to NYC to pursue her career at Juilliard which is the beginning of her career to stardom. Her start began in clubs where she made a name for herself infusing her classical training with popular music. Before long she got offers and her popularity grew. Around this time the civil rights movement was in full swing. Her involvement as a protest singer made ways not just among White Americans but around the world. Her love affairs, dishonesty from her many record companies, money issues, travels just add to her mysticism and resiliency.

Even though we all know and love Nina Simone, this autobiography adds that much depth to her as a person.

One of the best autobiographies I have read thus far.

Score: 10/10

Genre: Black Literature, Non-fiction, Autobiographical

by Morgan Jerkins

Saying that this book is powerful is an understatement. Jerkins is a truly a phenomenal essayist. The way she breaks down the complicated layers of Black girlhood and Black womanhood is extremely articulate. This book will speak to every Black Girl growing up in modern day America.

Everyone must read this book, especially Black women

Genre: Non-Fiction, Neuroscience, Psychophysiology

By: Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.

This book showcases the ways in which trauma is manifested is many ways. From sexual abuse, remnants of war, mental abuse, Dr. Kolk discusses some of the many revealing moments in the lives of his patients and helps them pinpoint the root of their experiences to help them heal. It reveals to the reader just how truly complex our minds and bodies are in how we choose our coping mechanisms. The book unfortunately is not organized by the different kinds of trauma but instead chronologically, by Kolk’s career. This book may help one learn about your own behavioral patterns and ponder whether one has its own trauma to face.

Aleph By Paulo Coelho 

Score 9/10

Auto-Biography

The auto-biographical novel begins with Coelho reflecting on his life’s journey and realizing that he feels stagnant in time. He is prompted to do some deep exploration of his spirituality and potential energy by a confidante named “J”.    He agrees to do a book tour starting in Africa and then into  Europe.  But the majority of the story takes places on the Trans-Siberian Railway.  With his translator and slew of publishers and readers, the long journey begins.  Shortly into this, he meets Hilal who is a young but  extremely talented concert violinist.  Together she and Paulo enter “The Aleph” which I would describe as a window into one’s  soul but with a particular focus on what a moment in time that remains unfulfilled. Coelho experiences life in some of these remote villages along the railway but most of his living takes places on that train.  Learning to control and strengthen energy while trying to learn as much as you can about yourself is one of Coelho’ biggest challenges. Once again, Coelho’s words are poetry.  He creates stunning imagery on each page. Despite it being his fourteenth novel, his writing remains fresh.

“I am Malala” by

Malala Yousafzai 

Score 8/10 

Biography 

Malala’s story is known around the world.  She has earned many titles including human rights activist, feminist and educator.  This auto-biography begins with her life now in Birmingham, England but takes the reader back to her home in Mingora, Pakistan where it all began.  Malala’s father  (Ziauddin Yousafzai) recognized the importance of education from early on through opening up his own series of schools and instilling in  Malala  that education is the key.  When the Taliban rule started to take a stronghold around neighboring cities and towns, life was no longer peaceful inside Swat Valley.  The Taliban began taking over all forms of media and started pushing for an extreme kind of Islam to be the new institutionalized rule.  This meant that free speech was punished, government authority looked the other way and most importantly:  education for girls was threatened.  Despite the Taliban’s tightening grip, Malala continued to speak out even when her own life was put in danger. 

Her story gives an inside look as to what life is like in those moments of terror. The book features a healthy balance of Pakistani and  Islamic history while setting the tone for her incredible journey.  Although, I found it a little hard to get into in the beginning, by the end, I was encapsulated. “I am Malala” is a must read. 

The Color of Law: A Forgotten history of how our government segregated America  by Richard Rothstein

10/10 

Non Fiction/ History 

This book is such an amazing resource. Rothstein explains in perfect detail how African Americans were continually excluded from opportunities to expand their generational wealth and how inner city ghettos came to be by the concept of de jure segregation.  He explores the policies that outwardly allowed racism to persist (even into today)  in  housing markets, cetain job sectors, and education.

The organization of the book was easy to follow despite it being packed with dense issues. He touches on  places such as Chicago, Levittown, and even San Francisco to illustrate their discriminatory beginnings. He breaks down the myth that America’s divided cities are a result of one’s choosing.  Delving into income disparities, discrimination from private institutions, and infrastructure, Rothstein truly opened up my eyes to a whole new realm of institutionalized discriminatory practices. 

For those looking to deepen their knowledge on these issues,  this book is an excellent choice.  I know that I will be referring back to it in the very near future. 

Genre: Poetry/ Non-Fiction

I have a personal bias to this poetry book because it was written by one of my poetry  family members: Kelsey May.    The rawness of her words as well as her ability to expertly capture her voice had me feeling as though she was right in front of me performing each of these poems!   Knowing  the  bits and pieces behind some of these poems also did not hinder me from creating new narratives in my mind's eye.    No love lost  speaks her truth but also leaves a bit to the imagination.   I am proud that Kelsey was able to make this self-publication happen and share her sense of closure.  

Genre: Fiction

Rating 10/10

It has been a while since I had an emotional connection to a book. I just became apart of my friend's Book Club and it was so intriguing to discuss the many parts of the book that resonated with each of us.  The story follows the life of Francisco, a boy born during the civil war of Spain. Readers are taken on a journey from his adopted father being captured, El Maestro (his guitar teacher) sharpening Francisco's gift of music,  and his rise and fall to fame in America and the broader world.   The story is told from the perspective of "music" who  an  omnipresent being in the book.  Francisco's ability to connect with lives he's come across makes him magnetic.

The author (Mitch Albom) brilliantly weaves the life of Frankie Presto into some of the most legendary artists of all time.  This book tugged at my heart strings and is a definite page turner. 

Hills presents an extremely insightful breakdown on the inside scoop of ways to achieve success. He pushes for control on one's mental  as in envisioning the money you wish to earn,  controlling your desires to channel into for success and understanding how to work smart but not hard.  What exists in the mental will translate and manifest in the mental. (This is true in so many aspects of life)This is my second time reading this book, and this time a whole new appreciation and understanding. The most important take aways: 

Define your purpose.  

Have a mastermind group.

Envision your success.

Channel your energy in the right way and into the right things. 

By Marita Golden

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Score 10/10

This story delves into the generational journey of an African American family. It starts with Naomi who is the daughter of poor sharecroppers in the South. She moves to D.C. where she does well for herself and marries an intelligent teacher. They have a daughter named Esther. A moving spirit, who abandons her first child Logan and lover Randolph to fight for civil rights, returns and blooms into her true potential. Logan is the exact opposite of his later younger brother Nathaniel.  To Logan, Esther's love is distant for she has not yet possessed that maternal instinct. Logan's journey to adulthood is calculated and aims to please.  Nathaniel, Esther later son recieves all the love a mother could offer but he ends up falling on the wrong side of the tracks.

The author explores notions of Black life and finding the meaning of purpose through vulnerability. The writing flows smoothly from the multiple perspective of the characters and was one of the best books I've read all year.

By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

Rating 10/10

This story is told from the perspective of a teenage girl named Kambili and is set in Nigeria. Her father is wealthy and a self-proclaimed righteous man.  He looks down upon pagan (traditionalist) worship and is heavily influenced by Christian morals.  Throughout the book, Kambili, her brother Jaja and her Mother endure much abuse and manipulation from the hands of her father.  He rules over them with an iron fist until one day Jaja takes a stand.  Auntie Ifeoma (Kambili's aunt and father's sister) convinces their father to let Jaja and Kambili stay with her and her kids for a while in Nsukka.  This is the first time Jaja and Kambili have a real childhood. They experience laughter and fun for the first time. However, all of their lives are shaken up by the political tensions in Nigeria. Through all of this, Kambili develops the true meaning of family and love. 

Adichie sucessfully gets into the mind of Kambili and executes her innocence brilliantly. Her growth throughout the book is tremendous. As a reader, you emphasize with each character and in don't want the book to end. Another beautiful story by Adichie :) 

By Mark Manson

Rating: 10/10

Another amazing self-development book. Manson goes into detail about how we can simply make our lives better by channeling our energy towards the more important things. For example. learning how to pick and choose our battles, learning the difference between fault vs. responsibility  and most importantly: getting over ENTITLEMENT!  This is something that millennials (including myself) struggle with.   We need to get over the fact that we are not exceptional and no one should  treat us any differently (except with respect of course).  The blame game of victimhood and selfishness  leaves us feeling very empty and angry in the end. 

This was an eye-opener and a book that I certainly took notes from.  Manson discusses some of the biggest flaws of human kind. We measure/ compare ourselves along side the extremes.  Success is too often what we seek but do not want any part of the work it takes to get there.  The failure and the dedication are parts we often want to skip.  I could go on all day. But instead I will end and say GET THIS BOOK !

By Alison Bechdel

Genre: Autobiography/Memoir

This graphic memoir tells the story of Alison in the exploration of her sexuality. Although the novel is a memoir, she brings an analysis of her father's life into play.  The family's home "affectionately referred to as the museum"  is an representation of her father's idealistic falsehood. To the outside, the family looks whole. However, as Alison comes to terms with her homosexuality  through the escape of writing and literature, her father falls further into being dishonest about who he really is: gay.   

After her father dies in a freak truck accident, she learns the truth behind her father's peculiar ways and finds peace in that fact that she made her own choice in being who she is. 

This graphic novel is extremely honest. Bechdel exquisitely intertwines the sentiments of classic literature in her story and the illustrations make her journey that much more relatable.  

I truly enjoyed this. 

By Meg Jay PhD.

Genre: Self- Development

Score 10/10

The first concept is about identity capital which is making experiences in your life that help you grow as a person. Next, the book goes into the  discussion of social media. My Life should Look better on Facebook is a common subconscious thought that most of us have.  Dr. Jay points out the fact that life on online is presented in a extremely polarized way. We get caught up in keeping up our own appearances which leaves us feeling inadequate and is entirely detrimental to our mental health.  

My favorite discussion came with the concept of Weak and Strong Ties.  Strong ties are our immediate circle: our closest friends and family. They often hold the same views and only want the best for you.  However, in order to grow, weak ties (such as a former professor, acquaintance you met at an event)  are the ones you should be paying more attention to. They are the ones that can broaden your opportunities and get you out of your comfort zone. 

“The future isn’t written in the stars…So claim your adulthood. Be intentional. Get to work… Make your own certainty. Don’t be define by what you didn’t know or didn’t do.

By James Baldwin 

“Color is not a human or personal reality, it is a political reality.”

This is a poetic narrative of Baldwin’s journey in life through the lens of religion. He points out Christianity's hypocrisies and how it divides/ blinds the Black community. He has a dual perspective of life on the streets and in the Church.  Both lifestyles are  on a search for the same thing: how to properly face/ deal with one’s fate and adversity. In the later half of the book, he dabbles into the company of Elijah Muhammed: founder and leader of the Nation of Islam movement in the U.S.

He poetically notes intriguing differences between the live and mentalities of Black Muslims to Black Christians in terms of financial security, conscientiousness in practice and lifestyle. “It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck”. I have wondered time and time again whether or not forgiveness is a great quality or one great flaw of Black race.

This novel was very short but I had to go back and read some sections over again simply because of its depth. Also, this book (in my opinion) needs to be read in one setting. It felt more like an epic.

Baldwin’s prose in this novel is phenomenal. It was almost mind-boggling to me how he was able to put such philosophical reflection into words.

Thank you Xiao Lin for the excellent recommendation!

By Mira Grant

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating 8/10

This takes place in the years of 2039 into 2040. In 2014, The Kellis AmberLee Virusis born and spreads through blood causing the  infected to undergo viral amplification.  The country is spilt up into quarantine zones and a blood test is required to get into anywhere as well as to leave. The main protagonists are Georgia Mason and Shaun Mason who are adopted by a couple who son was killed by the virus. Georgia and Shaun are famous in their own right as news journalists that report from the front lines. Their blog/ news platform is called “After the End Times” The team’s fame and following are skyrocket as they join the campaign trail of the Republican nominee Senator Ryman. Georgia and Shaun being to uncover unbelievable conspiracies.  

 Shaun Mason is left struggling  after his loses the closest person to his heart. He wonders whether or not seeking out and telling the truth is really worth it.

Review: The prompting questions that this novel leaves reminds me of Allegory of the Cave. Is one happier living in bliss and fear or is the truth really worth all of the suffering.

Grant (the author) uses excellent descriptive elements and executes this future world to very damn believable.(Makes me more of a germaphobe >.<) Once I got into it, I could not stop turning the pages.

Highly recommended!

By Craig Bartholomew Strydom & Stephen “Sugar” Segerman.

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography

Rating 9/10

This is the story about the journey to fame of Detroit born Sixto Rodriguez. Unknown to most here in the United States, his music is a household name in South Africa and Australia. For a long time, it was assumed that Rodriguez was dead by setting himself on fire on stage.

If it wasn’t for dedicated fans (Craig and Sugar) his story and music may have remained apart of cult culture. Through years of diligent research as well as the involvement of an indefatigable Swedish film producer named Malik Benjelloul, Rodriguez’s life and journey is now known to the world.

I learned of Rodriguez’s story in South Africa through watching the Oscar winning documentary about his life and music. On the search to find his records in Cape Town, I came across the corresponding book and I decided to give up my search and settle for the book instead.

HIs two albums “Cold Fact”(1970) and “Coming to Reality” (1971) are two of my favorite albums of all time. Both poetically portray life in remarkably thoughtful and raw ways.

(Both albums are available on Spotify!! but if you make it to Cape Town, go to Mabu Vinyl)

By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Score 11/10

The Novel is one of the most honest books that I have ever read. The two protagonists Ifemelu and Obinze are young lovers living in Nigeria. Due to political tensions that get in the way of their education,  Obinze ends up in England and Ifemelu in America. Ifemelu's difficult beginning in America pushes her to slowly separates herself from her Nigerian life which includes Obinze. For both characters in their new lives, they both seem to be yearning for something that neither can put their finger on. Ifemelu gets a fellowship to Princeton and starts a successful blog. Obinze cannot seem to catch his footing and ultimately gets deported but soon became a wealthy businessman upon returning to Nigeria. Life and fate ultimately allow them to find one another again.
Thoughts: Late on the bandwagon in reading this book, I was delighted to finally find it in NMAFA's beautiful gift shop. I could not put it down. Adichie excellently executes their very different life's journeys while seamlessly intertwining one with the other . Every emotion from depression, anger and love is raw and brutally candid. I only also intrigued to view race and the whole experience of "America" from another point of view. I highly recommend this novel. 
 

This book is the 6th one of Steig Larsson’s Millennium Series. The story begins with Lisbeth Salander who is missing. Famed journalism Blomkvist needs her help in uncovering the mysterious death of a homeless man who somehow had his number in his pocket. They uncover deadly secrets and conspiracies involving the homeless man and in his involvement as a guide on an expedition on Mount Everest. Lisbeth has her own issues as she continues to plot her revenge on her sister Camila. In a lapse of judgement, Blomkvist gets kidnapped while trying to get to the truth of what happened on the expedition. Salander must choose Blomkvist or her sister in the ultimate decision of self-sacrifice.

This thriller is just as spell-bounding as the last and offers yet another fresh perspective in the genre of mystery and thriller. It is exceptional writing and I cannot wait to see what comes out next.