An Observation: Male Self Improvement Books

Here is a question. How many male authors who write/wrote self-help or advice books for women, write/wrote them for men, also. The only name coming to my mind as I write this is Bishop T. D. Jakes. And that is because I read some of his works. I know there are more. There has to be more. I hope there are more. Let me know in the comments, please.

After reading about Love languages, of course, Amazon Kindle recommended several books that are supposed to be similar. The theme I saw couldn't be ignored. If you are a regular reader of this blog, this is a topic I've teased at before. In a previous Post, I said;

"I'm tired of some of these male self-help authors writing books for ladies but have yet to write a book for men. I can "Act Like Lady & Think Like a Man" but what is the dude I'm dating suppose to do. ...he's Just Not Into Me but let him know I just may not be into him also. The dating reaction coin works the same for both genders."

I'm kinda weirded out. First, I thought because I'm so "woke" about daily learning about myself was why it bothered me. But no, common sense wouldn't let me not see it. You click on the author's page and see only books that give advice to women. What Gives?

I sometimes wish somebody would just release the stats that women read more than men and we can call some(I will say Some) of these male authors writing only to women, Opportunist. Early talks & workshops gears to young men are good. I can't knock that. Sometimes having men only social media post is ok. But what about a manual to help your brotherhood.

Writing only to women actually is a passive aggressive way that puts the social responsibility on the female gender. Whether these male authors know it or not. "If ladies change their response to negative male behavior, the gentlemen will show up" is the only message mostly put out. But until male writers talk directly to the humans of the same gender as them, the negative behavior can try to dwindle. Some negative behaviors won't be there to have a response.

But I know, boys will be boys!

Oh and to the male authors that do write positive self-improvement and advice books for men, Thank You!!!

As Always, Talking to You In Adult Terms.

Chicken Fried Amore (Book Review Spoiler Full)

I will read anything once. There is a box of unlked books, my laundry basket sits on to prove that statement. When I found out KFC released a 90+ page, romance novella called Tender Wings of Desire, I immediately went to Amazon to get my free copy. Let's see what the Colonel is into.

The cover is rather triggering. Who coined the terms "Mommy Porn" & "Housewife Literature"? I'm sending a cyborg to that time to thump that person. The cover has Col. Sanders is holding up a lady and her handbag on her shoulder in his arms. So instantly, you know who this book is for.

The story takes place in Victorian time, England. Lady Madeline Parker is not interested in most traditional lady-like things. Madeline is often a direct contrast to her younger sister, Victoria. Victoria also can’t wait to marry a man, while Madeline “would be perfectly happy to be a spinster all of her life.” Their socialite mother arranges for Madeline to marry a duke named Reginald. Madeleine decided to flee from her family's home the night before the wedding on horseback.

She settles in a faraway seaside town. And she gets a job at a tavern called The Admiral’s Arms. An American sailor with sea colored eyes & dark rimmed glasses, named Harland enters. Clearly, that man was Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). They have a quick moving & passionate affair. Then she finds out he has money & riches. She confronts him & he explained that he hid the truth after hearing about her past. She forgives him & the leave on his boat to live in Kentucky. Oh don't feel bad for Reginald. He marries Victoria.

Tender Wings of Desires is cute. It is a solid story. I did expect fried chicken to be made in the story, at least once. I was a tad disappointed. I also expected a digital coupon after the story. A little promotion couldn't have hurt. Oh well, it was free. We will see what KFC cranks out for Father's Day.

Don't Forget RIF!!!

And As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

One Down, Dear God (2017 Reading Challenge)

My 2017 Reading Challenge is Banned Books. I am reading 5 Books this year that were banned from libraries in the Pre-K thru 12 schools I attended. Those books are:

• Tom Sawyer
• Huckleberry Finn
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
• Chocolate War

And I plan to see why these works are so harmful for my young eyes back then. First up is Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

It's Me, Margaret. Are You There God? was written in 1970 by Judy Blume. It is a young adult novel, about a 6th grade girl, Margaret who has grown up without a religious connection, because of her parents' interfaith, Christian-Jewish, marriage. The most of the book is about her search for a single religion.

The other themes involved pre-teen girls go through like puberty (first bra & first period) and feeling attracted to boys. Starting in the 1980s, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret has been frequently censored, often due to its discussions of sex & religious tone.

Growing up, I thought the title was just a skit punchline on SNL. It wasn't until the book was talked about it in I Love the 70s, that I knew it was a real book. So, I had fresh eyes reading this book. I understand why it was banned for religion but not for sex.

I also do not understand why it was banned from All the schools. I understand it not being in the elementary schools but it could've be in the middle schools right next to the Sweet Valley High books.

Let's talk sex in this book. Whoever wanted this book because of it's sexual themes never knew a pre-teen a day in their life. The most vulgar thing they did was look at a penis in a textbook & the female form in a stolen Playgirl magazine.

At a boy/girl birthday party, a kissing game was played. Isn't that when kissing games start. They had bra & period pacts in the book. Matter fact, Margaret & friends were obsessed with starting their cycles. But that seems to be normal in some girl circles. There was a female classmate already more devoloped in book. I will say the honesty in her feelings about it was spot on. I being one of those girls feels there should be more stories about girls like her.

The religious tone of this book is very biased. "Religion is Confusing" is the message. The message is very easy to understand because it is being taught stereotypically. The Jewish paternal grandmother is overbearing and lays on a few layers of the guilt. The mostly estranged maternal grandparents are Christian.

They're pictured as closed-minded and not very accepting. Then there are religion-free parents. Margaret, who is being raised without religion, decides to do a project about religion. Her parents decided she will choose a religion, if she wants when she is an adult. Naturally, they are against her project but let her do it anyway. Here's my dilemma with them. The child, who secretly talks to God all the time, is on her own to study religion.

She goes to a synagogue, a few churches, and a confessional but only once I think did Margaret's parent ask her anything about her experience. The parents seemed quite neglectful for that. As if they wanted this child to feel the way she eventually feels from the start. So, I probably would've left this book off the school book shelves, too. If schools can't be open about religion, then don't talk about it. Religion is confusing enough.

All & All, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was decent. It was about a pre-teen girl navigating life. It was a strangley honest tale, I like that. I still prefer Blubber by Judy Blume better. That tale of bullying wasn't banned from my school.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

How to Save Money on Books (Wrapping Up 2016)

2016 2016ed us up and down. Yes, even I got 2016ed in parts of offline land. But 2016 allowed me to finally reach a personal reading goal. I'm an avid reader. Well, I am a avid fictional reader. Non-fiction doesn't hold my attention but I like to informed and know a variety of facts. So since 2011, I have been trying to at least read 5 non-fictional works for a year. I have failed ever year. Fiction would bring out a shiney nickle of make believe to distract me. This year I decided not to read any fiction until I read the 5. I couldn't have made this challenge any harder. Hence the post title. Could buy fiction because I was striving for a goal.

1. Unless I am reading the whole Bible, scriptures don't count
2. Cookbooks, Diet Trends and any other job related books don't count
3. Any books not on the Kindle before 2016 must be paid for. Free Books don't count

I finally got to read fiction in September. The reader in me is beaming with pride. I didn't read 5 books, I read 6. First I will feature the books already in the Kindle. Those were the most challenging. I tried to read the stuff that I started but put down. I understood why I put some of that stuff down. So, I moved to the works that were "in the que".

If These Shoes Could Talk by Tia McClollors 
This is actually a 30 day devotional. This was suppose to last a while. The next thing I know I was two chapters in. It encourages women to take steps forward in every aspect in their life. My favorite section is "The Ways if a Woodpecker". Tap Tap Tap Pause Tap Tap Tap Pause

80s Kids by Jade Heasley

Ok so, I live in a weird in between the age space of Generation X & Millennials. Researchers say it is common for those born in 1976 - 1981 to feel this way. Other than she was raised in the north and I was in the south our 80s memories were similar. I Love the trip down memory lane. The chapter "Mom vs Music Videos" reminded me of my grandmother. My grandmother felt like music videos were vile and no good to watch. She didn't approve of us watching them until we showed her Video Gospel on BET in the 90s. Oh her descriptions & love for 80s toys made me long for my old ones. In my opinion, 80s toys were the best. I literally smelled my Orange Blossom doll as I combed her hair as a child. #ChildhoodisCalling

Now to the non-fiction I paid for this year. They were mostly books in my book wish list that I didn't bought because of the sweet temptation of fiction.

If Only I Knew Then by DeLisha Sylvester

This is what I LOVE about Twitter. It puts me in contact with people who have a lot of similar interest as I. This author is the founder of Women's Elevation Magazine. We actually used to live tweet some of the shows on Black & Sexy TV for a little while. Her book is a gem to a person with a small buisness. I actually read it on my birthday. I wished I had this book when I started DS. I have a degree in Food & Nutrition. DS came because I was broke & bored. I was unemployed & my degree was almost a year old. This book was honest and helpful. "Stress" is the chapter that spoke to me the most. "If you don't control your stress, It will control you". And if you know me, I have to be in control of me.

The Wait by Devon Franklin & Meagan Good 

This probably the most known non-fiction work I read in 2016. As a celibate individual, many times you have to explain your stance. And allies in the celibate world that tell their honest stories are always needed. I waited (no pin intended) for this book's popularity died down to read it. I remember rocking back in forth reading this book like I was hearing a good sermon. The best part about this book is because they truly understand the message of "It Puts You Back in Control". Celibacy for many is not about body counts, STDs, being "holy", & not even the act of sex itself. It's about feeling like the authentic you. The Wait helped me tell folks, "I stopped so I could feel like my Real self".

Forget Boaz, I Want My Adam by Livi Adams 

I saw the title of this book on Instagram in 2015 & started following the author. I try hard not to be a know-it-all. And I was happy to find it was not just me. The "never been married" moaning "Where is My Boaz" is strange to me. Boaz was Ruth's 2nd husband. Too many never been married women out here trying to glean but you may need to find out what rib cage you match up with. And this book helps my feelings. It's a quick read and not hard to follow.

Lost & Found by Lyne V. Reider 

After I read this book, I started getting annoyed with so many people complaining on social media, especially Facebook. For two weeks, I unfollowed (still friends on FB but their posts don't come up on my TL) a few people. Most complain about the people they feel should support them more in life. The author goes through her journey to being a blessing to many through the grief of losing two sisters & a husband before the age of 40. I remember saying "Man" & holding my face throughout this book. Making your mess into a good message is the name of the game. So are you winning?

So, those are the non-fiction books I read in 2016. I am so happy to finally agree this book goal. My next book goal is reading 5 books that were banned from school libraries.

Yes, a paperback 😂

Yep, I'm going to find out what is so bad about Tom Sawyer & To Kill a Mockingbird. Starting that goal in 2017 but first I plan to finish The List by Sherri Lewis. Yep, some good ol' fiction. LoL

Did you meet any goals this year? Leave the story in the comments.

And As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

Book Title Help!!! Help Me, Please!!!

I used to love "Really Rosie" as a kid. I read the book first. Nickelodeon showed the “movie” all the time when I growing. I never saw the musical. But “Belieeeeve Meee”, I think I would have loved it. Gosh, if my age is not showing, I don’t know what is.

I remember when I took up reading as a hobby. After doing a stint (a grading period LoL) in “Chapter 1” (remedial reading resource) in the 1^st grade all because the teacher couldn't read my hand writing (Back in the good ol' days when it was thought that messy handwriting indicated...), I decide I didn't like people thinking I was stupid. A feeling that I have never shook. I threw myself into reading.

I wish I had made a list of All the books & stories I read as a child. I remember quite a few Plots but for the life of me don't remember the Titles. *sigh* Child OutSpoken_Diva didn’t know the importance of making lists like Adult OutSpoken_Diva does now. I have looked and looked at “Classic Children’s stories list. Came up with the same stuff mostly. But all is not a frustrated lost. I need you guys help. Maybe you guys read what I read what I read as child. Maybe you guys might remember the titles of what I read. Maybe might jog your memory. LoL

1.     A very disruptive elementary class gets a shock when their teacher is not in class and they get a stern substitute that makes them change their behavior. The teacher comes back and the class is forever well behaved. At the end, a mask resembling the face of the substitute is hanging in the teacher’s closet.

2.    A soccer player wants to improve her game. At home her parents are more concerned about the birth of her new sibling. She then gets some mysterious help in form of a note in a hallowed out egg. This goes on for weeks until the girl improves. She finds out it was her soccer coach all along.

3.     A boy refuses to sell chocolate for the school. His defiance trickles down to the other students. It also ticks off the school & the “secret" school gang.

4.    Girl decides to run away. Takes her little brother because he has money. They end up in a museum. The museum buys a statue that may not be real. So they go find the lady who sold it to the museum and they learn great things from her.

Though my hand writing is still not legible as many, my aptitude for reading is good. Reading has saved my life many time. Every time simple words don’t come to me in a conversation, I know that means turn the TV and Internet off and let the books pour into me. Thank you guys in Advance for your help!!! This should be fun.

Oh wait!!! Are there any plots (child, tween, teen, adult) of books that maybe I can help with? Leave them in the comments below.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

OUTSPOKEN_DIVA'S Best of 2013

So I decided to do a blog on My Best of 2013. I like a many things but some things I like a little bit more than others. No, there will not be a Worse of 2013 blog. Am I not critical enough? Even though I want in 2014, for World Star Hip Hop to destroy All the Ratchet, All the Ghetto, and All the Dysfunctional videos ever known to man on its website. I will not make a blog to highlight the gross stuff of 2013.  LoL

In 2013, I decided to make it a mission to try some new Restaurants and make different recipes. Because No one will make New Foods, I had to do something.  I’m a foodie at heart. Probably why I picked the major. So here is some Good food worth sharing

Favorite Restaurant Dish

Disco Fries (Houlihans)

I went here for my birthday dinner. French Fries, Pot Roast, Gravy, Green Onions and Cheddar Cheese make a great dish. I had a salad also that was delicious, but it didn’t make the picture (maybe I was eating it)

Favorite New Recipe

3 Ingredient Chicken

On Facebook my sister tags me when she shares some of the recipes she wants to try. That’s how I saw this one. It’s just Chicken, dry Italian Dressing mix and Brown Sugar. Bake it and you have a finger licking good meal. I pair it with a simple Wax Bean & Carrot medley.

Favorite Meatless Meal

Pasta Puttanesca

I try to go meatless once a week. Usually Mondays except during Lent, which I go meatless on Fridays. One day going through recipes for clients I ran across one I made in my Basic Foods class in college. It’s linguine with sautéed chili peppers, Spanish olives, zucchini, diced tomatoes and oregano in light olive oil & garlic over it.

 

Favorite New Fast Food

Taco Casa

I saw a cousin on Facebook talk about this place. Well on National Taco Day, I got try them. Yummy!!! 

 

 

Okay I know you know I spend an obscene amount of time watching TV. Of Course you know about TV Thursday but Sundays I’m a tad obsessive about my shows also.

Favorite Food Show

Cutthroat Kitchen I love this show!!! It is like Chopped, the childhood game Dare, meets Vegas slots. It speaks to the creativity of a chef because these challenges can be a doozy.

 

Favorite Instead of “Popular” Reality Show I Watch:

Boardwalk Empire and Treme I love these two shows. Hate that this the last season for Treme. If you keep up with life after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or at least watch the two Spike Lee Doc for HBO about it, you know Treme is very Accurate. Boardwalk Empire keeps my attention in a way that frightens me. It is full of violence yet it intrigues me. It’s like when Prohibition started and Atlantic City acted like it was not law. Nucky Thompson is the man. And there is Chalky White, the lone black guy in Nucky’s posse. How can one man be so upstanding and crooked at the same time, beats me. Right now all the key players are scattered away from Atlantic City so I can’t wait to see what brings them back to town.

Favorite Comedy:

Big Bang Theory Are you shocked? Especially since Raj now can talk to women without the use of Alcohol. Finally. That was bothering me. He was going to need rehab. Big Bang Theory are the people I knew and myself in high school. I can name someone for everyone on that show. Yes, I’m am Bernadette.

Favorite Rom Com:

Hart of Dixie Still Team Zeorge (George & Zoe) even though Zoe is with some writer named Joel & George is with the Mayor Lavon’s cousin Lynly. Zoe has finally connected to her birth father’s family, the Wilkes. Lemon is even seeing some promise in finding herself.

Favorite Drama:

Scandal & Greys Anatomy It is a tie. Both keep my heart pounding. Shonda Rhymes know the key to the drama side of my heart. Keep my suspense and tie up loose ends all at the same time. She does it well. Even though the Yang/Grey fighting stabs me in the heart and whenever Mama Pope calls Olivia, “Livie” scares me a bit, I have to watch these shows.

Favorite New Show:

Super Fun Night Nope it’s not Marvels Agents of Shield. It’s Super Fun Night. Little known fact about the Diva…I don’t go out that much. When I do it looks a lot like this show (Dollar to Donuts my friends will disagree but trust me I have stories to prove it). The first episode with Kimmie jumping around trying to put on her shape wear I died laughing. As a shape wearer I can totally relate.

I Miss the Most Show

Emily Owens Yep, a show that is about an awkward nerd that went against the grain of pop culture’s definition of Nerd on a Broadcast Station (The CW) that is filled with mostly shows that are geared to fans of pop culture. Dr. Emily Owens, I still miss you!!!

 

Web Shows are next. Y’all know I’m addicted to them. Vlogs also. I can’t go a day with watching something. I see a pattern I think my emotional & inner dating self is in its late 20's. Web Series might be my way of  finding out what went wrong. Just a guess!

Favorite Continuing Web Series (Tie)

Unwritten Rules Season 2 Link

Spoiler alert! Racy has a new boss. She thought it was going to be easier. Umm new boss, new issues.

That Guy Season 2 Link

Two guy Mike & Judah, somewhat trifling, but they have good hearts and they mean well. Season 2 delves into the emotions of That Guys. Hilarious stuff.

 

Favorite New Web Series (Tie)

No Strings, Please Link

Think living in a New city gets rid of you. Nope! You are still you.

Smoke & Mirrors Link

Dixon, Dixon, Dixon! Go through a journey of a man who finds out if relationships and the problems in them are illusions we make for ourselves.

Favorite Vlog

KevOnStage Link

You know those quirky churchy/non churchy articles we read or videos we watch and can’t believe they are real. Meet the man to discuss them. Also he make the “Cartoon Scandal” videos we all love so much.

Favorite Sketch Comedy

The Playmakers Link

The future of Christian Comedy is on YouTube. I first fell in love with The Playmakers with a video called “Stuff Black Church Girls Say” http://youtu.be/uGKWVv53eX0. Black Church Girls now have Web Series and also check out Music Videos by a group called Praydeci. Good Clean fun!!! Oh and KevonStage is member of The Playmakers

 

Yes I still read books. In 2004 I heard myself go stupid and was losing my grasp on the English language. Never again so of course I am still reading. I read some wonderful ones this year.

Best Fiction

The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men by Ernessa Carter

4 Women in 2 years get nothing they want but All that they need. Also look for cameos from Davie Jones, Main character of 32 Candles by the same author.

 

Best Non-Fiction

Ghettonation: A Journey Into the Land of Bling and Home of the Shameless by Cora Daniels

I wrote a blog about it sometime ago. Go read it Here

Best Sci-Fi

Long Division by  Kiese Laymon

Defying a patronizingly racist contest on live television, 14-year-old Citoyen “City” Coldson’s rant goes viral and becomes an embarrassment on a national scale. Sent to stay with family in the small town of Melahatchie, he distracts himself from Internet infamy, redneck racists, and a grandmother who’s not afraid to make him cut her a switch by reading a mysterious book where his name and the name of his grandmother's teenage missing neighbor appear.

 

Best Novella

I Met Him in the Ladies' Room (pt1) by Michelle Simpson

Where did you meet the Lord? Kerri Dalee met Him in the Restroom. That simple, right? Read it and find out. 

Favorite Memoir

Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation by Aisha Tyler

Okay only Memoir I read. Charging $12-$15 for your life on my Kindle is gross. No one is that interesting. When they go down, I’ll read more of those. The Nerd Queen proves why she is just that. I love this book. I know she and I would have been friends in Latter Elementary & Middle school.

For Lent, I’m giving up buying makeup. In 2013, I found myself buying product after product. So let me share my favorite lip products for my looks I experimented with this year. Yes, All lip products. I didn’t do anything new with my eyes.

Favorite Lip Stain

Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain

It stays on for many hours, moisturizes and has shine.

Favorite Go To Lip Stick

Maybelline Color Sensationals Vivids - Pink Pop

If I needed to add some color to a look it was my trusty bubby. It is smooth & long lasting.

Favorite Trend (Ombre’ Lips)

Two tone lips are not new. But 2013 was the year of doing more than red lip liner and pink lip color. I saw ladies adding different colors to their Ombre’ lips. And I am happy to say I think the Black eye liner on the lip phase may be going away (cuing the praise music, I’m going in, in advance),

My Autumn Ombre’ was done with SEPHORA COLLECTION Nano Lip Liner - Beau Bordeaux, then REVLON Colorburst Lip Butter – Sorbet then topped off with Maybelline Color Sensational High Gloss Shine - Captivating Coral.

 

My October Awareness Ombre’ I talked about in a  Blog earlier this fall, was achieve with COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipliner – Plum & Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain -  Rose On and On.

 

 

Yep, those looks were that simple!!!

Favorite MakeUp Vlog

Cosmetic Candies FYI Link

Oh I fell in love with another Makeup Vlog. She’s the only Vlog that made me truly understand Ombre’ Lips

 

Alright the video playing while you were reading is one of my favorites in Music for 2013

Favorite Sacred

Ultimate Relationship by Donald Lawrence (Ft Lalah Hathaway)

I follow Lalah Hathaway on Twitter and I saw tweets about this song. It’s remake of a song fame Gospel artist Donald Lawrence wrote for Mary J. Blige. Who is the Best Person to wake up and talk to in the morning? I added it to my worship playlist and never turned back.

Favorite Secular

Finally by Carolyn Malachi

Watch the Video Here

Y’all can play this at my funeral (Bishop might not mind) LoL On Sunday evening I listen to a Podcast called Black Girl Nerds http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackgirlnerds (Shout out to BGN) and this is the opening song. It’s simple, “Finally, I’m Finally Me. Finally, I’m Finally Free. Refreshing!!!

 

And that wraps up my favorite things of 2013. Hope you enjoyed it! What were some of your favorite things of 2013? Let me know in the comments below. If the Lord says the same I’ll see you in 2014.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

My Favorite Literary Awkward & Black Sheros: A Book Review

I am a total fan of Awkward Black women characters in fiction. I relate to them. You know the black chick that is not cool, maybe didn't get the best start in life and some way usually in a bumbling fashion she ends up with a great outcome. They are my imaginary heroes wait, no, sheroes. So I decided to reread two of my favorite books, 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter and Diva, Inc by Donna Hill. I was missing them so I decided to stop by and see how they were doing.

32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter kept me company one summer/fall when my grandmother was rushed to the hospital then placed in a nursing rehab three years ago. My mother had just retired and was with my grandmother most days. I had lots of downtime at home with my brother. After reading a review in Essence Magazine & A trip to Walmart for grocery I picked this literary gem. Loaning it to my sister, my niece picked it up and I have not seen that copy since. I have a Kindle now and uploaded it there. Here's its description:
This debut novel of longing for family, love, and acceptance finds some interesting territory before settling too early into inevitability. Davidia Jones, a nerdy child of poverty, is abused by her alcoholic mother and is the subject of merciless taunting at her high school. But it's the "Molly Ringwald Ending" that guides this fragile 15-year-old when she bolts town with a lesbian trucker named Mama Jane and lands a gig as a '40s-style chanteuse in L.A. With a little Hollywood stardust, she redefines herself and begins living the life she's dreamed of--until James, the rich golden boy she had a crush on back home, walks into her nightclub. Not knowing their connected past, James promptly goes gaga for the overhauled Davie, whose need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge to a trajectory toward self-empowerment.
If you are a fan of John Hughes movies, this book will give take you right down memory lane. Davie is a hoot. Such an attention grabber. Totally relatable. The Then & Now section dividers were brilliant The In-Between Now & Then (The Amendment) bowled me over. It made me wonder what could have the late John Hughes do with such a nice book like this.  After rereading it, I have decided they should make this into a movie. I have the perfect actress, the Awkward Black Girl herself, Issa Rae. If you know her, tell her I said so. I totally see her in a Strokes T-shirt, with quick quips and an atonement list giving this character life. I don't know if she can sing but that is minor.

Donna Hill is one of my favorites in Romance. I was "Black Friday" shopping years ago and I saw this Diva, Inc. and thought "Umm this one sounds different. Let's get it". I read it in one night. I loaned it out (yeah a pattern I've ended) to someone and never saw it again. I rebought it used and like the taste of soda after Lent, I quickly knew why I loved this book described here.
Tiffany Lane and Chantal Hollis are bonafide divas in every sense of the word. They've also been Margaret Drew's best friends since they were children. Margaret has always been the plain Jane of the threesome, living vicariously through the exploits of her friends. But when Tiffany and Chantal head to Europe on an extended vacation, leaving Margaret to tend their apartments, Margaret decides to see how the other half lives. Co-opting their apartments, their boyfriends (current and past), their fabulous lifestyles, and Tiffany's very savvy pooch, Virginia, Margaret finally feels like she has found the life she has always wanted and deserved. But her double living begins to catch up with her and Margaret might soon be homeless, manless, and friendless all in one swoop.
The description only speaks of Margaret Drew's Diva friends but she has a grandmother that will keep you chomping at the bit and in stitches also. She reminds me of an old family friend, Ms. Dorthy (RIP). Margaret's Diva Journey is very hilarious. She is a true ABG. She is so bumbling it is pitiful. It has a very quick and straightforward ending. Now with the invention of YouTube and Web series, I could see this as a web show or maybe an indie film. I wouldn't want Hollywood to touch this.

Maybe I should go looking for more reading gems like these. I love them. These characters exist and I am happy someone sees our story and helps us tell it. So what books help tell your story. Let me know if you dare in the comments.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

An Apology!!!

If you want to call this blog “Fifty Shades of an Apology”, Knock yourself out. Yeah, I’ve talked crap about the book but ended up reading it. BIG WHOOP!  Just know that only some that are into the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy get an apology, not all of you.

If you think/thought this book was good because it is/was so romantic and you swoon for Grey, You will get No Apology. I won’t call you Lonely.  I’m southern I’ll say “Bless Your Heart”. The "Love a Person Through it" part was not lost on me, but I told you I like my men as Whole as possible, even the fictional ones. Pick up  “What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day" or “Some Things I Never Thought I’d Do"  both by Pearl Cleage. Eddie and Blue will make you swoon.  If you thought it was good because it’s really kinky and freaky, You will get No Apology. I'll bet Dollars to Donuts you are waiting for HBO’s “Real Sex” to be a box set so you can have it for your library. The Sex scenes were scan-able after the first two for ME. Plus I’m not into the S&M lifestyle. Hit me, tie/lock me up, or gag me and that is a Fight and I’m calling the police. To Jail, you Go!!!

Now if you like this book for the Drama, Revenge, Crazy People, and the Who Done It, I APOLOGIZE to You.  This is a Good Book (still reading, trying to be done by Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics (may not make it)). Thank my friend R.B. (Close friend, About 65% similar tastes on the popular/trendy stuff) for urging me to read it. Now I thought Book 1 (took me a while to push through it,) ended wonderfully. I didn’t understand why there needed to be a Book 2 or 3. Then Book 2 made me understand what many saw in this Trilogy. Book 3 is cute also. I already know how this end (yes R.B. I cheated) because I read the last chapter after a Chapter 9 was not going my way (Yes I spoil myself not others). But I went back to Chapter 10 and I’m still reading. I’m going to see it through. I’ll even light a fire under one of my male best friends (Mr. White not Lorenzo for the nosey) & my “little brother” B.J. to catch up. It’s that Book 1 hump you have to get over.

So again I APOLOGIZE to those who Liked the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy for the Action. Note I’m still waiting for “Magic Mike” to come to cables, not Pay-Per-View cables, like Premium Cable channels or even Basic Cable channels.