Monique L. Spearman’s-Fall Reading List
As we enter the season of fall, I wanted to share some of my favorite reads of 2019.
In January, i set out on a journey to read more books monthly, specifically ones with black or brown authors. As I find myself falling back in love with reading I’ve stumbled on several books that have made a great impact In my life this year. The books on this list have left me healed of pain, sexually satisfied, comically entertained, inspired and more.
This is the perfect book list for the times when you want to curl up in the bed and read the day away.
Pleasure- Eric Jerome Dickey
If you like non-stop sex in Erotic Fiction, this is for you.
Eric Jerome Dickey is a New York Times Best Selling author of the genre Literotica or Eroctic Fiction. Erotic fiction is stories written about the sexual journey of the characters and how this impacts them as individuals. In “Pleasure” the main character Nia finds herself at a cross roads of life, leaving a clingy ass relationship with a man who looks amazing on paper but just cannot satisfy her sexual needs. Upon her dramatic break up with the ex who doesn't know how to let go, Nia enters a sexuationship with several different people that leaves you speechless. Pleasure takes you on shocking twists and turns of Nia sexcapdes, as she explores her desire for sexual freedom.
As you read further into her journey, you find yourself questioning your sex drive, while clutching your pearls at the same time. This book leaves you wondering if you could make it even one night in Nia shoes and if there’s a limit to what can be considered “sexual freedom.” Pleasure is a long detailed read, perfect for those single or booed up nights. I would recommend this book if you’re already into Erotic fiction/ Literotica or if you’re looking to dive head first into the genre.
She has sooo much sex, it’s like the sex Olympics.
Literally the sex doesn’t stop!!
Trevor Noah- Born A Crime
Kindle $13.99/ Paperback $8.99
Trevor Noah is down right hysterical!!!! This man has a special way of telling a story that leaves you laughing till you cry! This memoir takes you on Trevor’s journey of being born literally a crime during the South African apartheid. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when mixed unions were punishable by prison time. Kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life because of his parents crime, Trevor was hidden from the world due to fear that he would be taken away by the police at any given time. Born A Crime is journey Of an extremely mischievous boy turned to man who was often treated differently because of his skin color.
Trevor’s mom is one of the most profound parts of his journey, always giving strong unconditional, unconventional love, while teaching Trevor how to whether the hardest storms both mentally and physically. I found myself amazed, inspired and moved by Trevor’s mothers strength to raise such a profound young man under such hardships! She has her own special way of teaching him lessons about life that helps you understand exactly where and how Trevor Noah got his sense of humor, wit and intelligence.
Born a Crime is a compelling memoir you won’t be able to put down!
Salt- Nayyirah Waheed
Salt is a collection of poems that I first ran into on Instagram. Nayyirah Waheed can be considered one the most famous poets on Instagram, with post that have been shared many times all over the world. Upon stumbling on Nayyirah’s IG and reading several pages of her poems online, I decided to purchase the book “Salt.” I read the whole collection of short poems in one sitting and was blown away! Salt is describe as a journey through warmth and sharpness. This collection of poetry explores the realities of multiple identities, language, diasporic life & pain, the self, community, healing, celebration and love.
Narriyah truly captures the essence of the pain, pride, uniqueness, sense of non-belonging and culture of African American women living in the diaspora. A well written beautiful piece of art, Salt serves you several layers of raw emotion in the most simplistic form. An easy read that will leave you breathless, Salt inspired me to think, write and unpack my emotions of navigating the world as an African American Woman in her early 30s still trying to find her way. There were times as I read that I felt angry, isolated, misunderstood, happy, inspired and optimistic. This “love letter” takes you on a journey of self-realization of the pains and traumas you may still be harboring as a person of color, while easing you into an ocean bed of peace, healing and forgiveness.
Anyone looking for comfort, release, understanding and healing should immerse themselves into this self-care bible.
Perfect Peace
Perfect Peace is probably one of my favorite novels of all time. I picked up this book not knowing what it was about and was immediately sucked into the Peace family’s story of the challenges that come when your children, community and family question traditional gender values. A gut wrenching portrayal of a large, rural southern family’s attempt of dealing with their mother’s selfish decision. Emma Jean, the mother of six boys decides that when her seventh boy is born, she will identify him as a girl named Perfect. Hiding Perfect’s true identity from him, family and the community. On Perfect’s eighth birthday, Emma Jean reveals his true identity to the world in a whirlwind of crazy events. Upon this discover, everyone is left questioning everything they thought they knew about gender, sexuality, unconditional love and true happiness.
Without revealing too much about this book, I found myself empathetic of Emma Jean’s pain and heartache. I understood why she felt the need to make such a selfish decision to change the gender of her child but also understood her community and family’s harsh reaction. I became extremely invested in the vividly written portrayal of each individuals character’s story. As I read further, I found myself on an emotional roller coaster, desperate for each characters story to have a happy ending.
Daniel Black finds the perfect way to address the traditions of the “old south” and African American community in a deeply psychological way while opening up social commentary extremely relevant in today’s society.
Manifest Now-Idil Ahmed
Kindle $9.99 / Paperback $29.70
Manifest now is a step-by-step guide with tools, techniques, and proven strategies to raise your frequency and create the reality you want. This book is designed to guide you through the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of manifesting and creating all that your heart desires. It will help you learn how to start removing mental and emotional blocks while you discover that manifesting is your natural birthright. I guarantee “Manifest Now” will leave you feeling more powerful as you turn every page. Every part of your life will begin to change as you begin to realize that you are a conscious creator and the thoughts and words that you use daily, controls your journey through life .
I have been reading Manifest Now for the past two months and it’s become apart of my daily morning and night routine. It literally gives you the words to speak positive energy into your life. It’s helped me to focus on current and future goals while raising my vibrations, one affirmation at a time.
If you’ve become the Bitter Betty or Negative Nancy, this book will guide you on the pathway to reorder your way of thinking more positive for the better!
Current read
Children of Blood and Bone- Tomi Adeyemi
Kindle $9.99/ Hardcover $10.89
“They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good” - (book description from Amazon.com)
I was immediately intrigued by Children Of Blood and Bone when I learned that it was a Fantasy Novel written by a Nigerian woman highly influenced by West African culture and African spirituality. I love that little black girls are at the forefront of the story and have remained fearless, strong and determined throughout the start of the book! I hope to do a more in-depth review upon finishing this magical piece of African literature!