Author: Katisha Smith

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

It’s still Banned Books Week, which means recommending another oft-challenged book that corresponds to this year’s theme of Censorship is a Dead End. Find Your Freedom to Read. The book that fits the bill is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Not only was it one of the Top 10 Challenged Books of 2019, The Handmaid’s Tale is #29 on the list of the 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books from the last decade.

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. Once a day, she is allowed to leave the Commander’s home and go to the food markets where the signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. Once a month, she prays for the Commander to make her pregnant. In a time of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are only as valuable as their viable ovaries. There was a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job and money of her own, but that is gone now.

I read The Handmaid’s Tale about a year after the election of President Trump, and this book was a serious gut punch. I’m sure if you read it in our current environment with both a generation-defining election and Supreme Court nomination in the balance, The Handmaid’s Tale would leave you with a similar feeling. Although I felt slightly underwhelmed by the novel as a whole since it seems to be white feminism’s cautionary tale, I enjoyed the disjointed narration between Offred’s life before Gilead and her current life as a Handmaid.

This story kept my attention from the beginning and made me wonder which women in The Handmaid’s Tale I would be, but I was unsatisfied with the ambiguous ending. Lately, I’ve been wondering if my questions were answered in The Testaments, but I’m not excited to read the sequel, so I guess I may never know.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Today is the second day of Banned Books Week, which began 40 years ago during a time of increased book challenges. In 1982, the Supreme Court case Island Trees School District v. Pico ruled school officials could not ban books in libraries simply based on their content. At BookExpo America in the same year, 500 banned books were showcased in large padlocked cages under signs warning attendants that some people considered these books dangerous. With that exhibit, an initiative was born, and the rest is history.

One aspect of Banned Books Week I enjoy the most is the list of the most frequently challenged books. It’s interesting to see both the evolution and the consistency year after year. Today’s recommendation The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was one of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books from 2017 to 2018.

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter lives in a poor, mostly Black neighborhood and attends a fancy suburban prep school full of mostly White students. Those two worlds collide when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend Khalil by a police officer. His death becomes a national headline, and protesters take to the streets. Everyone wants to know what really happened that night. Starr is the only person alive who can tell the truth, but what she does (or doesn’t) say could upend her community and endanger her life.

The Hate U Give is as relevant today as it was when the book first published. I both loved and hated this novel for the same reason: It spoke nothing but facts about Black life in America. After I finished, I couldn’t stop the tears and knew this book should be required reading both inside and outside of the classroom. Put down To Kill a Mockingbird and pick up The Hate U Give because it’s time to normalize learning about the Black American experience from those who live it.

When published in 2017, The Hate U Give was about “Oscar. Aiyana. Trayvon. Rekia. Michael. Eric. Tamir. John. Ezell. Sandra. Freddie. Alton. Philando. It’s even about that little boy in 1955 who nobody recognized at first–Emmett.” In 2020, the list continues. It’s also about Ahmaud. Elijah. George. It is absolutely about a young woman named Breonna.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Last week, we lost an American titan in Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away at 87 due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Despite the immense sadness felt from Gingsburg’s death, there was a silver lining in the passing of the first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court: “Rosh Hashanah began this evening. In Jewish tradition, it is believed a person who dies on a High Holy Day is a tzaddik – a righteous and saintly person by Jewish religious standards.”

Before RBG sat on the Supreme Court, she led the courtroom fight for gender equality. Women can now have credit cards in their own name, serve on juries, fight on the front lines, and even receive an Ivy League education because of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She will always be a rad American woman! If you want to learn about more amazing women, then I recommend reading Rad American Women A-Z written by Katie Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl.

Like other alphabet books, Rad American Women also illustrates the alphabet, but instead of “A is for Apple,” it is “A is for Angela” meaning Angela Davis, the iconic political activist. B is for groundbreaking tennis superstar Billie Jean King, and C is for Carol Burnett who defied the assumptions about women in comedy. The list continues with 23 more amazing, diverse women from various professions and eras who were all brave agents of change.

I don’t remember how I discovered this book, but I immediately fell in love with it. What I absolutely adored about Rad American Women is feeling kinship to so many of these phenomenal women. It was easy for me to see myself in heroic and smart Black women like the aforementioned Angela Davis along with Zora Neale Hurston and Queen Bessie Coleman. However, I also immediately gravitated to other women like the Grimke Sisters who believed in the liberation of all people regardless of gender or race as well as Nellie Bly who let nothing deter her determination and adventurous spirit.

What I especially enjoyed about Rad American Women was the end of the book that encourages and challenges readers with plenty of activities to celebrate and support rad women (and girls) everyday.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Did you know September is the busiest month for births? In fact, September 9th is the most common birthday in the United States, so shout out to the fellow September babies whose parents decided to bring in the new year with a bang. Heyo! Since September seems to be  all about new babies joining the world, I obviously have to recommend a book that lets readers know who really runs things once baby arrives, The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee.

From the moment he arrived, it was obvious the baby was the boss. This boss baby is used to getting his way whether it’s drinks made to order any time of the day or meetings that may last through the night. When his demands do not receive the proper response, the boss baby is not afraid to do whatever it takes to get the attention he wants and deserves.

I didn’t become familiar with The Boss Baby book until it was mentioned in the credits of The Boss Baby animated movie starring the voice talents of Alec Baldwin as The Boss Baby. This film was so silly and ridiculous while being absolutely entertaining I had to read the book that inspired it. While reading The Boss Baby, it quickly became evident the movie took all of the literary license with their story because this book is short and sweet.

Although the story is simple, The Boss Baby was quite an enjoyable read. I constantly found myself chuckling despite the fact I’m not a parent, and there is no boss baby ruling over me. However, the biggest strength of The Boss Baby lies in the illustrations, which should come as no surprise. Marla Frazee has previously won two Caldecott Honors for picture book illustration.

The Boss Baby is the perfect bookish baby shower gift for soon-to-be parents who are preparing for the new boss coming to town or a must-read book for big siblings awaiting their little sibs. The boss baby is small, but mighty demanding. Life will never be the same once they arrive. This is your final warning!

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Fall 2020 New York Fashion Week is almost over, but I have been in a fashion state of mind for months, y’all! During the past few months, I have been streaming America’s Next Top Model. I am currently on Cycle 18, where it’s the Brits versus the Yanks. Unfortunately, it’s the last cycle for noted, sexy fashion photographer Nigel Barker, runway diva coach extraordinaire Miss Jay Alexander, and creative director and model mentor Mr. Jay Manuel. That means, no more Jays Chat for me along with the inevitable downfall of ANTM because what is Top Model with the Jays, Nigel, and especially Tyra Banks? Since I am definitely not yet ready to let go of Mr. Jay, I was excited to read his debut novel, The Wig, The Bitch, and the Meltdown, colloquially referred to as The Meltdown.

Model Muse is a reality model competition show that has quickly become a global phenomenon. Behind the scenes is “The Fixer” Pablo Michaels who is the heart of production and the man everyone turns to in crisis. As Pablo struggles to hold the show together season after season, he must juggle the demands of his BFF, Supermodel Keisha Kash, who also happens to be his boss. As Keisha Kash’s true nature is revealed, will Pablo be able to maintain his moral compass and pursue his dreams?

If you love America’s Next Top Model, then this book is a must-read for you! I am so glad I found the Jays Chat or else I don’t think this book would have ever popped up on my radar. I bought it on the day it released and couldn’t put it down once I started. I appreciated all the ANTM Easter eggs, which made the story so much more enjoyable for me. Sometimes, it’s juicier to tell your truth through a work of fiction because it leaves the reader wondering how much of the book is truth and which parts of the story are literary license taken to the extreme. Even if you aren’t an ANTM fan, you can still enjoy this story as a hybrid of The Devil Wears Prada and Crazy Rich Asians.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Tomorrow is Agatha Christie’s birthday! On September 15, 1890, Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born into a wealthy upper middle-class family in Devon, England. She became Agatha Christie in 1914 after marrying her first husband Archibald Christie. However, she didn’t see success as a writer until 1920 when The Mysterious Affair at Styles, featuring Hercule Poirot, was published. Detective Poirot is also featured in today’s book recommendation, Murder on the Orient Express.

Included in the Mystery Writers of America’s Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time, Murder on the Orient Express is the 10th book in the Hercule Poirot series.

It is just after midnight, and a snowdrift has stopped the Orient Express in its tracks. This ride is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but it is now down one passenger. An American tycoon is dead in his compartment, but the door is locked from the inside. There is a killer in their midst who may have just committed the perfect murder. Detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer before they strike again.

Although I don’t read them often, I love a good mystery. Murder on the Orient Express is a good mystery. This was also the first time I read an Agatha Christie novel, and I am glad to say it didn’t disappoint. Something I enjoyed while reading Murder on the Orient Express is the humor sprinkled throughout the story. It would often sneak up on me with a throwaway line from a character that I didn’t see coming. Who can resist murder with a side of humor? I also liked that this story reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows, Monk. Specifically, it was the episode when Mr. Monk takes his first plane ride and basically foils a perfect murder. They would’ve gotten away with it too, if it hadn’t been for you meddling kids detectives.

If you are worried about not having read previous books in the Hercule Poirot series, then leave those worries behind! As previously mentioned, Murder on the Orient Express was my first Agatha Christie book, and I didn’t feel like I need information from other books. There may have been Easter eggs for people who have read other books in the series, but I didn’t feel I was missed anything if those went over my head.

Now, go forth and read Murder on the Orient Express, but avoid the adaptation like the plague because that is an abomination.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Did you know that today is Teddy Bear Day? Teddy bears date back to President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt? Apparently, the avid hunter refused to shoot an injured bear. In response, a New York candy store owner Morris Michtom displayed a stuffed toy bear created by his wife and called them Teddy’s bears. It is believed Teddy Bear Day began around 2002 to celebrate the 100th anniversary for the creation of the teddy bear.

Not only is Teddy Bear Day the perfect opportunity to spend some time with your special bear, but it’s the perfect day to read a book starring a bear. Now, there are plenty of beloved books with bears like Winnie the Pooh and Paddington, but if you are looking for a bear book off the beaten path, then we have the perfect recommendation: Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson.

Otto lives in a book and is happiest when children are reading his story, but when no one is looking, Otto comes to life. He spends that time outside the book pages exploring the house in which he resides. Then one day his book is taken away. Otto is left behind, but Otto isn’t worried. He is always ready for a big adventure, so Otto packs his bag and sets off to find a new place to live.

One of the simple things I loved about Otto was the size of the book. It’s a big book kids (and parents) can read sprawled out on the floor. It is also easy for young readers to quickly become engulfed in this simple, yet engaging story and illustrations. Otto is an excellent book to encourage kids to fall in love with books and reading. Plus, the story of Otto teaches an important lesson of not being afraid to go out and find one’s place in the world. In the end, Otto is able to find the place where he most belongs. Overall, this story will resonate with readers of all ages.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

My heart is still heavy from the recent passing of Chadwick Boseman. Although always sad, I am rarely this affected by a celebrity death, but reading Ryan Coogler’s statement and Danai Gurira’s loving tribute made me feel like I had also lost a close friend.

Since one of Chadwick’s most memorable roles was bringing Black Panther to life, I must recommend reading the recent Black Panther series written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, where T’Challa come to terms with being the ruler of Wakanda only to be torn away from his home and forced into slavery in the depths of outer space. Over the past few days, I took a step away from my current read to delve into Black Panther: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda.

For years, T’Challa protected Wakanda from the outside world. Now, he will discover his kingdom is larger than he ever imagined. Across the vast Multiverse lies an empire founded in T’Challa’s name. In the first of this three-part series, readers will learn the truth behind the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda.

T’Challa is a stranger in a strange land with no memory of his past. Presently, he toils as one of The Nameless in the Vibranium mines. All hope is not lost because a rebellion is growing. They have a plan, but they need a leader. Where is the Black Panther?

I am no comic book nerd, like I never read them. I’m not a hater. I just never got into them, so my only experience with Black Panther was through the films. It took me some time to get into the story because I felt out of my depth, but sprinkled throughout are important back stories. As a comic noob, I was grateful for that invaluable information.

If you are a huge sci-fi fan, then this is the Black Panther for you! The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda gave me serious Star Wars vibes. It’s also a great story for dealing with Chadwick’s death. As Maroons died, their spirits live on within the rebels left behind. Our hero Chadwick Boseman is gone, but the pride and joy he brought to Black Panther lives. Wakanda Forever!

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

August is coming to an end, and September is right around the corner … literally! Whenever I think of September, the first thing that comes to mind (besides my upcoming birthday) is the September Issue of Vogue magazine, namely the Beyoncé September Issue. Obviously, the only must-read book for this high time in high fashion is The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, the book supposedly inspired by Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Andrea “Andy” Sachs is a small-town girl fresh out of college who lands the job “a million girls would die for” when she’s hired as the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the editor of Runway magazine. Soon, Andy finds herself thrown into a world full of impossibly thin and incredibly stylish women while dealing with the boss from hell, but she’s determined to stick it out for a year. In the end, a recommendation from Miranda will get Andy her dream job at any top magazine. As the situation escalates from unacceptable to outrageous, Andy must decide whether the job a million girls would die for is worth the price of her soul.

I’ve always loved The Devil Wears Prada film, so I was excited to finally read the source material. While I enjoy both, it was surprising to see how the book and movie differ. In the novel, Miranda Priestly is a demanding taskmaster at Runway, but she enjoys a healthy work-life balance! At work, she is a boss bitch. Then she comes home to a loving and supportive spouse. Miranda Priestly is #winning, and it will make you hate her even more.

What I really enjoyed about The Devil Wears Prada is liking the story while absolutely hating all of the characters, even Andy. Whew chile … that girl is whiny. Her boyfriend Alex is annoying, and her family is neither supportive or understanding of Andy’s difficult and demanding job. The only person who seems slightly reasonable is Andy’s roommate Lily who is dealing with her own demons. Also, in the end, Andy seems to suffer real consequences for her actions, which makes the book more grounded in reality and less like the rom-com movie.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

Find more of me on Book Riot.

Find more books by subscribing to Book Riot Newsletters.

Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!

Last week, the United States commemorated the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which essentially granted (white) women in America the constitutional right to vote. Today is Women’s Equality Day, first designated as “Women Rights Day” by President Richard Nixon on August 26, 1972 and approved by Congress on August 16, 1973. Since then, Women’s Equality Day has been recognized on August 26th to not only commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment, but to also recognize the continued effort toward full equality of all women. For this auspicious occasion, I want to recommend reading some historical fiction inspired by the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Remember the Ladies by Gina L. Mulligan is set during America’s extravagant Gilded Age and explores the beginning fight for women’s equality.

Growing up in an orphanage prepared Amelia Cooke to succeed as a lobbyist surrounded by all the egos in Congress. When she is hired by the National Women’s Suffrage Association to help pass a proposed constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote, Amelia feels empowered to finally find a place for herself in her male-dominated world and to give all women a voice in society. On the other side is Senator Edward Stillman who must crush the women’s amendment (and anyone who gets in the way) in order to gain control of the Senate’s most dominant committee. Both must decide how low they’re willing to go and at what cost to win this political battle.

I hadn’t read much historical fiction when I read Remember the Ladies, so I was worried about reading a book where I kind of already knew how the story would end. However, I am happy to say I had no problem enjoying this story. The back and forth between Amelia and Edward reminded me of my favorite rom-coms, and the story showed just how much society (and the game of politics) really hasn’t changed. There was plenty of backroom deals, lies, bribery, and fighting to retain power just for the sake of it.

Also, I liked reading an often untold story in regards to women lobbyists. In fact, I felt stupid for being surprised about the idea of a woman being a lobbyist in Washington! The ingrained misogyny and patriarchy are real, y’all! The good news is Remember the Ladies makes me want to read more stories about the experience of being a woman working as a Washington lobbyist. If you are looking for historical fiction with a dash of romance and mystery that feels relevant, then pick up Remember the Ladies.

Until next time bookish friends,

Katisha

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