But first, how are you all doing? This year has been ridiculous. Ridiculously difficult and painful for many of us. Personally I can’t remember a year when I was more worried, exhausted, impatient, full of anxiety, confused. Even when my sweet mom died of cancer in 2011. At least then I could hug people and really feel connected.
I’m also grateful to be with my husband and kids and weird but cuddly dog during all of this. I’m grateful for technology, as much as it drives me crazy. I’m SUPER grateful for my kids’ teachers and teachers everywhere who went from teaching in person to online educating in a matter of days. Doctors and nurses, holy cow, they are warriors. And every single person out there protesting and fighting for your lives and the lives of Black people, I am humbled and empowered.
I am trying to be a better listener. I am constantly learning, and one of my favorite ways to learn is through story. Through books, through essay, through podcasts, through cookbooks, through conversations. I am one tiny person in this massive world but I want to be an ally. If this conversation isn’t for you, feel free to unsubscribe.
If you want to be a part of the conversation and you like what I offer here, I’d love to hear your thoughts. And pass it along for anyone you think might be interested.
Now let’s get to the fun stuff!
Books I’ve Been Reading
I just finished Slay by Brittney Morris.
Slay is AN AMAZING young adult novel about one brilliant senior in high school, Kiera, who has created a secret multiplayer, online virtual reality game for Black people. When a tragedy happens in connection with her game Kiera must figure out how to save herself & her game.
The writing in this book is stunning! The story grabs a hold and doesn’t let go until the last page. And Morris squeezes every single emotion from the readers. It’s a story to get lost in, but it’s so much more than that. It gave me a peek inside the life of a Black girl in a very white world and how she is learning to define herself.
Find purchase links at Brittney Morris’s website. https://www.authorbrittneymorris.com/slay.
Romance is my favorite genre and Farrah Rochon’s The Boyfriend Project will delight you in so many ways.
I loved the two main characters, Samiah and Daniel. They’re intelligent, confident, vulnerable, and amazing. Yes, they both have faults, but Rochon made them sophisticated even with their faults. The bonkers first chapter is epic and sets the stage for a great story. There’s lots of wooing, some intrigue and SECRETS!!! Gah! Oh, and cocktails!!!
I love it when romance novels have good friendships with fabulous side characters in them too, and the friendship Samiah forms with two other Black women in the story is lovely.
Plus there’s a guaranteed happy ending and who doesn’t need that right now?!
Find links to The Boyfriend Project at Farrah’s website, https://www.farrahrochon.com/
Cocktail of the Week
The Daiquiri
This cocktail is the perfect blend of sweet + tart + whatever rum you choose. It’s chilly, delicious and fresh! And the nice thing about it during a pandemic is that it doesn’t require too many odd ingredients. I never thought I’d be considering which cocktails to drink during a pandemic. Nope, never. But here we are.
2 ounces Rum. I usually use a light rum.
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2-3/4 ounce simple syrup
Sugar and lime for garnish
Instructions
Dust a bit of sugar onto a small plate. Rub a slice of lime around the rim of your glass. Dip rim in sugar. This step is completely optional but adds a bit of fancy to your stay-at-home cocktail.
Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add rum, lime juice and syrup. Shake. Strain over ice into glass, or just pour shaking ice and liquid into glass. We’re not strict here. It’s a pandemic, drink it in whatever glass you want with as much ice as you want. Add a slice of lime and enjoy.
