January Reading List
The vibe is…New Year, New Me?
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
How Far You Have Come by Morgan Harper Nichols
Heart Talk by Cleo Wade
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
To Be Young, Gifted and Black by Lorraine Hansberry
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Find the complete list at Bookshop.
It’s a new year! As 2024 begins, you might be tempted to become a new person. You don’t have to do this, but if you’re interested in potentially growing in various areas of your life, these books might give you some perspective on what it means to have the courage to change your life.
In my science fiction novella pick, we meet the titular Binti, a brilliant young woman who must leave everything she’s every known to explore that brilliance at a university where she will be an outsider. However, her uniqueness ends up saving the day, and her groundedness in her own identity helps her to make it through. In the classic Their Eyes Were Watching God, a slightly older (than Binti) Janie, isn’t afraid to take risks in life and love to have the life that she really wants. May she inspire you to do the same through her journey. And in case you might think that’s it’s too late to go after whatever you really want, graphic novel Bingo Love tells the story of two lovers who are reunited after fifty years apart. It’s never too late to choose the life you really want.
If you’re looking for words to sit with for a while, Morgan Harper Nichols and Cleo Wade offer many short pieces of writing — poetry and essays and more — for you to chew on as you reflect on your own life and where you want to be. Similarly, Lorraine Hansberry’s essays and snippets of writing will inspire you to embrace the fullness of your brilliance as you try to navigate this life. And when you’re ready to do some self-work, The Gifts of Imperfection is a great place to start.
Happy reading!
