August: What I’m Reading This Month

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It’s almost the end of summer and life is getting hectic again.  That’s why I didn’t have time to write a whole book review on one good read this month.  I had several interesting books find their way into my personal library this month. Why share one book when I can talk about all of them I picked up or had delivered to my door recently.  We’re gonna go through four great books that I recently picked up or were delivered to me.

I’m proud to say that my reading palate has increased a good bit after joining the book club and subscription service Feminist Book Club.  In the past four months I’ve been sent a series of books ranging from fiction to non-fiction and thrillers to contemplative, heart-wrenching stories.  On my latest excursion to my local Barnes & Nobles, I picked up a beautiful story about witches and a thought-provoking read on Christian dating.  The range of genres is definitely mind-boggling, but I love having an eclectic taste in books.  

If you’re looking for your next read then look no further as I have four books to add to your list for the end of this summer.  

Books Added to My Library This Month

1. “The Sentence” - Louise Erdrich  

Genre: Fictional ghost story

About the Author:

Louise Erdrich is the author of  "The Sentence" and several other critically acclaimed novels that feature Native American characters and themes. Due to her heritage as a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (a tribe of the Ojibwe), she brings awareness to Indigenous people through her writing.  She also owns a Minnesota bookstore, known as Birchbark Books, that hosts Native American literature and is the setting of this novel.  Erdrich is a Pulitzer Prize winner due to her well-known novel, "The Night Watchman." 		

About the Book

The title does not give much insight into all the chaos, madness, and turmoil that is neatly wrapped into this strangely realistic novel.  From the beginning, readers will be captured and held captive by the protagonist’s wildly shocking back story.  Tookie, our Native American heroine, is a bookseller who was sentenced to 60 years in prison for transporting the dead body of her crush’s married lover across state lines in a refrigerated truck.  That’s not even the worst part: the body secretly had drugs stashed into its armpits.  Reader’s don’t have long to process this scene before the storyline shifts focus to Tookie’s life after incarceration.   The bookstore Tookie works at is haunted by a recently deceased customer.  In the backdrop, Covid-19 and the killing of George Flloyd add realism to this mystery ghost story.  There’s a lot to process in this novel as it deals with various themes such as, the ill treatment of indigenous people, the isolation we all felt during the pandemic, the collective disturbance of George Flloyd’s death, and much more.  This is definitely a thought-provoking and exhilarating novel to add to your own collection

2. “South To America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation” - Imani Perry

Genre: Creative Non-fiction, Historical Travelogue

About the Author:

Imani Perry is an accomplished professor of African-American studies at Princeton University.  She has also taught at Harvard University and is a writer for The Atlantic.  Despite growing up in New England, Perry has roots in the Deep South, specifically Alabama.  

About the Book

In 1971, Albert Murray took reader’s on a tour of the South in his memoir "South to a Very Old Place."  Now Murray’s fellow Alabamian, Imani Perry, takes us on her tour of the indelible southern states.  In her own memoir-travelogue, Perry travels to 12 states and the Caribbean to challenge the national concept of the “backward other” South. She paints a picture of the realities and history of the South and reveals its influence on the rest of the nation.  

I haven’t finished reading this one yet.  However, I am enjoying Perry’s captivating writing and graceful style.  

3. “How Should a Christian Date? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think” - Eric Demeter

Genre: Christian Non-fiction 

About the Author: 

Eric Demeter is an author who has contributed to social justice by ministering to marginalized people in Europe with his background in conflict resolution and theological studies.  He’s also hosts his own blog, ericdemeter.com 	

About the Book

Demeter has gone out of his way to overthink the concept of dating as a Christian so that we don’t have to.  He’s put his very relatable and conversational advice in this under-200 page book.  Demeter has methodically broken down the science of Christian dating with searing honesty.  What sets this book apart from the hundreds of other instructional Christian dating books is that the author is and was single while writing it.  Meaning he understands, better than most, the current struggle on the dating scene right now.  I loved his witty humor and complete honesty in this book.  How could you not want to read this dating how-to with chapters like this?

Why Is Christian Dating So Weird?

Busting Twelve Christian Dating Myths

Make a List but Avoid Creating Frankenstein

4. “Black Candle Women” - Diane Marie Brown

Genre: Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism

About the Author:

Diane Marie Brown is not only a gifted author, but a professor and public health professional based in Long Beach, California.  Impressively, Black Candle Women is her first published novel. 

About the Book

This was definitely my favorite read on this list. You can probably surmise that the colorful artwork on the cover is what initially caught my interest as I browsed the New Fiction section of Barnes & Noble. Then the premise captured me and wouldn’t let go. A clan of independent, multigenerational, black women live in one house with a hive of long-kept tragic secrets while battling a deadly curse. Voodoo, tragedy, secret love, and a coming-of-age narrative are tightly woven into this story of familial bonds. Flashing between the present and a 1950s Voodoo shop in the French Quarter, readers discover all the secrets and history behind the generational curse that keeps the women in this family afraid of finding love. Who doesn't love a story full of tragedy and betrayal that has a heartwarming and happy ending?

For those who may not be avid readers, rejoice, for there is a possibility that you can also experience the magic of "Black Candle Women" through its television adaptation. Yes, you heard it right! Universal is currently in the process of developing this enchanting story for the small screen. If all goes as planned, we can anticipate full production, and before we know it, we'll be able to stream it from the comfort of our homes!
The idea of witnessing the captivating world of "Black Candle Women" unfold on television is absolutely exhilarating. The book, with its remarkable characters and mesmerizing plot, has captivated countless readers. And now, Universal's decision to bring this narrative to life on the small screen will surely allow a wider audience to immerse themselves in its allure.
Let us hold on to hope that the development of this adaptation progresses smoothly, paving the way for an enthralling television show that remains faithful to the essence of the original story. 
Stay tuned for further updates regarding the television adaptation of "Black Candle Women." In the meantime, let us keep our anticipation alive and hope for a remarkable translation of this magical tale onto our small screens.

If you have a similar taste in books, then perhaps a membership at Feminist Book Club is something you’d be interested in. They offer tons of diverse, culturally significant, and fun books like some of the books on this list. Click the button below to sign up for a membership. You can also find more info on Feminist Book Club on my review of them in my previous post.

Yours sincerely,
Erica
Love, Letters, & Lattes