The Mother of Black Hollywood: a memoir by Jenifer Lewis

 

I read this memoir at a wonderful time! I have elected to heal and help others to deepen my healing. She's done so much living and I admire her honesty. She's aware of her grandiosity and flair for drama. She's willing to tell you that her theatrics were followed by despair for much of her life. One of my adolescent relatives is having a difficult time in her feelings about her mother. Her mother and I both have been diagnosed with a mental condition. She was aware of her mother's issue but I decided to disclose mine to draw more understanding of the perils of mental imbalance. We had that discussion last night. I had not discussed my condition with any of my cousins before last night. The cousin in question is young enough to be my child. I am surprised at myself. So that's a step.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Our healing doesn't exceed anyone else's until we have all been healed.

Tamara Drewe by Posy Simmonds

 

If the description on the lapel hadn't included "loosely inspired by Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd", I wouldn't have known that Posy Simmonds didn't originate the plot. It feels fresh. But greatness builds upon other greatness, so it's not gravely shocking.

No spoilers but my introduction to Posy Simmonds has been swell.

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

 

** spoiler alert ** Piecing Me Together was released two weeks before The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It definitely got overshadowed by the latter. I hadn't become aware of Piecing Me Together until reading multiple entries on a forum I frequent. This book is sweet and presents a protagonist who has an agreeable nature. (The rage stirred by Black Lives Matter no doubt pulled more readers towards The Hate U Give.) No one dies in this book. I think many people, at the time both books were released, wanted something heavy-hitting.

I enjoyed Piecing Me Together. I am grateful that the author presents change occurring in a peaceful manner. It's a gentle story. I need a story like that sometimes.