Guillermo Del Toro and his Creatures

I just wanted to do a quick article featuring Del Toro’s Creatures. His Imagination is astounding. As a lover of horror and gothic art I am drawn to his dark tales. He would be someone I’d love to have a conversation with.

The creature with the eyeballs in his hand gave me nightmares; and if you’ve ever seen the movie then you will know how creept he was. The actors body movements were just unsettling.

Here is the trailer:

The Shape of Water:

Here is the trailer:

I really can not wait to see the later so that I can compare it to the book. Also, I would love to see the costume for the creature upclose. It reminds me of the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

My Thoughts on “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People” by Reni Eddo - Lodge

It’s hard sometimes to talk about race. I am a 33 year old African American woman, who while privileged in some ways, also knows the limitations put on me because of my race. My race was no choice of my own but my race and my gender combined can be used against me in a way that sometimes no one other than an African American woman might be able to understand. So when I heard about Reni Eddo - Lodge’s “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race” I felt like at this moment in time I needed to read this book. I needed to read the experiences of another woman of color; and one who lives across the pond. Lodge uses this book to address everything from the history of migration and the slave trade to feminism and class. She even discusses entertainment; highlighting the casting of Norma Dumezweni as Hermonie in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
I came to this book expecting to learn that racism wasn’t as bad across the pond as it often seems in the States. However, I walked away believing that it may actually be worse. If you think people are tone deaf here at home you need to read this book. Some of what I read really shocked me. Of course, I understand that these are Lodge’s opinions, her perceptions. But in there is a nugget of the truth and that makes it all the worse. As I read the book I thought about how as a twenty something I internalized my race and I a kindred spirit in Lodge. I felt like I understood why she wanted to just stop talking about race; the logic for me made sense because some of my experiences had been the same. Particularly when it came to feminism.
Lodge addresses the topic of feminism in a very eyes wide open sort of way. She talks about how she feels feminism ignores and sidelines women of color. She talks about how even white feminist can fail to check their privilege and how that can lead to their refusal to understand problems that directly effect women of color. Or how this privilege leads to something even more troublesome; the white feminist belief that all women are on the same level. The latter is one that I feel like I have to explain over and over again in some of my conversations. Unlike Lodge, I do (and she actually still does) talk about race with white people; however, I have stopped talking about feminism with white women. After the 2016 election and the women’s march I decided to only speak about feminist topics in safe spaces. Lodge reminded me in her book that this attitude is not useful. And that my voice is needed the most because silence is desired and expected. Lodges book is a road map to understanding and an example on how and how not to have conversations on controversial topics.

I would recommend “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race” to anyone that feels ready to give up on the conversations that matter. As well as to anyone that needs some fresh perspective. I gave it 5/5 stars on goodreads.

Here are some of the quotes that resonated with me:

Look What Finally Showed Up?

Tomi Adeyemi‘s best selling book finally made it to my front door. I ordered it over two weeks ago, but I am guessing that it just to longer than normal for Book Depostiory to process the order for the book. It is a hot little tome right now! I am super excited to dive into it next weekend ♥️.

Here is some info about the book:
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for an enemy.

You can find out more about the author at :
http://www.tomiadeyemi.com

New Book on the way

Book Despository sent me a 10% code for my wish list; so I went strolling and decided to pick up the one book that would be most important to my current reading lists. “At the end of the street” has been on my To Buy List for over a year. I’ve heard great things about this book and I am so eager to read it.
Especially, because Recy Taylor’s story is included in this book. Ms. Taylor was raped during the Jim Crow era and took on her attackers. The attackers never saw the inside of a court room and Ms. Taylor died earlier this year never having experienced justice. Her is a synopsis of the book:

Rosa Parks was often described as a sweet and reticent elderly woman whose tired feet caused her to defy segregation on Montgomery’s city buses, and whose supposedly solitary, spontaneous act sparked the 1955 bus boycott that gave birth to the civil rights movement. The truth of who Rosa Parks was and what really lay beneath the 1955 boycott is far different from anything previously written.

In this groundbreaking and important book, Danielle McGuire writes about the rape in 1944 of a twenty-four-year-old mother and sharecropper, Recy Taylor, who strolled toward home after an evening of singing and praying at the Rock Hill Holiness Church in Abbeville, Alabama. Seven white men, armed with knives and shotguns, ordered the young woman into their green Chevrolet, raped her, and left her for dead. The president of the local NAACP branch office sent his best investigator and organizer--Rosa Parks--to Abbeville. In taking on this case, Parks launched a movement that exposed a ritualized history of sexual assault against black women and added fire to the growing call for change (amazon.com).

Well....I was just not impressed!

Well....
I didn’t like it. There where. Lot of reasons why I didn’t like Fifty Shades Freed but the main one is that it just fell flat. And I mean it dead panned for me. There was the sex...and all that; which is great but a majority of the honeymoon and all the self discovery they have as a couple just didnt happen. And then Mia....I mean she was pretty much ignored; just a person in the background. It was down right annoying. The biggest no no for me. The hospital scene. It reminded me of why I disliked Ana in the end. And after reading Darker I can definitely say this movie just fell flat. It did nothing for me and I can definitely see why the movie got bad reviews. It lacked a good plot and it just seemed rushed and badly put together. I do plan to see it again with another group of women and we’ll see if my views change by then. But right now....I am just not a fan.

Best thing about the movie:

Jamie’s beard....♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️! Yummy.

Happy Fall

Here's to good books, cozy sweaters, warm fires and lots of Pumpkin Goodness! Have a blessed Autumn Season!

First Impressions Are Everything: My thoughts on The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Five Chapters in)

I usually do not believe the hype of most new books but I did on this one. The Hate U Give is definitely not what I thought it would be. I expected it to be a safe, gentle book dealing with police brutality and the realities of African American life in a major city. I did not expect the first five chapters to be as raw and earth shifting as they were.
In this book we are introduced to Starr, a young African American teen living a typical American life in a bad neighborhood. Her parents have done all they can to protect her from the realities of the neighborhood that they live in. This includes sending her to a predominantly white private school that's almost an hour away from her home. Starr is not as sheltered as some may think; she has seen several things that no kid should. Things that would change most of us for the rest of our lives. Starr’s life shifts again when she goes to a party with her half sister and on the way home is witness to a police involved shooting. I am expecting this book to be a bit of a raw if not rude awakening for many that read it. Especially in the times that we live in. Just in 2017, 712 people have died at the hands of police. According to the Washington Post (link below) mental illness played a role in 1 in 5 of these deaths.
The Hate U Give presents us with a very important dilemma: Do POC (people of color) really have different experiences in America? Or is this all just hype? And when do we are a society say enough is enough; and will we be willing to put ourselves on the line to make sure real equality happens? Can some in our society ever truly acknowledge that race is a bigger issue then what we ever imagined it to be?
As a Person of color I definitely believe that Angie Thomas is tackling a subject that will make many uncomfortable but it a story that needs to be told nonetheless. I am looking forward to finishing this book.

For info on what inspired The Hate U Give Check out this video of Angie Thomas discussing the book:

Deadly Force Information:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/number-of-fatal-shootings-by-police-is-nearly-identical-to-last-year/2017/07/01/98726cc6-5b5f-11e7-9fc6-c7ef4bc58d13_story.html?utm_term=.1fa82493b089

Shiny New Book.....

Hey Lovelies I just recieved a beautiful new autographed copy of Jodi Meadows latest book Before She Ignites.

Can you see why I am so intrigued by this book ? Its YA (young adult), features dragons and the main character is a woman of color. Finally we are getting a sci fi YA character of color. I am really looking forward to curling up with this in the next few weeks. I will be sure to leave a first impressions post on here and on Litsy.

Here is the synopsis of the book:

Mira has always been a symbol of hope for the Fallen Isles, perfect and beautiful—or at least that’s how she’s forced to appear. But when she uncovers a dangerous secret, Mira is betrayed by those closest to her and sentenced to the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. Except Mira is over being a pawn. Fighting to survive against outer threats and inner demons of mental illness, Mira must find her inner fire and the scorching truth about her own endangered magic—before her very world collapses. And that’s all before she ignites (From Amazon).

Here is a fan made book trailer I found as well:

Just Live....Live Well! The Bookbabe reviews Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.

This book was not at all I expected it to be. I thought it would be an easy, quick romance. Instead I got laughs, romance and a ton of unexpected tears. Mind you I am reading this before seeing the movie and years after it was published. I only know of one friend that has read it; and she is not the type to ever post spoilers or ruin a plot for me. I only knew that the story was a romance and that it involved a man suffering from a spinal cord injury. Me Before You centers around Louisa Clark and her experiences with wheelchair bound William Traynor. Will was injured when a car hit him. Louisa is a young woman living a small life. She goes to work, comes home, spends time with her boyfriend Patrick and is just trying to get by. When she loses her job she finds herself at the door of the Traynor’s. Who are in need of someone to help them care for their son. Louisa takes the job and on her first day has the feeling that Will will never like her. He’s rude and mean and incredibly bossy. As the months wind down on her is month contract Louisa’s life begins to change; she and Will become close and before you know it they are both in love. However, Will’s plans to end his life could derail the love they share and change the lives of all those around them.
Upon reading this book I knew going in what the ending was; I knew that the book dealt with assisted suicide and the right to die. I was interested in seeing how the author would handle this delicate topic. The end result was a well written, well developed novel about love and loss.
At the same time I could see why disability advocates took issue with the novel. No matter how well developed the story was it seemed like the author romanticized the topic. Of course, some will disagree with me on that but I'm just calling it as I saw it. However, that did not stop me from loving the book. Mainly because I loved Will’s way of coaxing Louisa to live a big life. To live her life to the fullest.
I read this three weeks after the death of my grandmother and some of its themes seemed to be things I could hear her saying to me had she been able to communicate them at the end of her life. Which is why I believe this book will be an all time favorite of mine going forward. Another thing that I loved about this novel is that Moyes characters are flushed out, well developed. You really can connect to Louisa and will and you can see a part of yourself in their story. I definitely saw a lot of myself in Louisa. Me Before You would definitely be a book I would recommend to anyone looking for a lovely story on the importance of living in the moment and loving the life you have. I gave Me Before You five stars of Goodreads.

Quotes I loved:

“Believe me, when you've done shifts at a chicken processing factory, working in Guantanamo Bay for six months looks attractive.”

“And I cannot for the life of me see how you can be content to live this tiny life. This life that will take place almost entirely within a five mile radius and contain nobody who will ever surprise you or push you or show you things that will leave your head spinning and unable to sleep at night.”

“Just live….live well.”

Sometimes you just have to buy a book!

It Can't Happen Here is a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy, an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America. Written during the Great Depression when America was largely oblivious to Hitler's aggression, it juxtaposes sharp political satire with the chillingly realistic rise of a President who becomes a dictator to save the nation from welfare cheats, rampant promiscuity, crime, and a liberal press. Now finally back in print, It Can't Happen Here remains uniquely important, a shockingly prescient novel that's as fresh and contemporary as today's news.

It's America in 1962. Slavery is legal once again. The few Jews who still survive hide under assumed names. In San Francisco the I Ching is as common as the Yellow Pages. All because some 20 years earlier the United States lost a war, and is now occupied jointly by Nazi Germany and Japan.

Happy Harry Potter Day!

20 years ago today the magic begin; children and adults in the U.K. were introduced to Harry Potter and in the work of wizarding. A whole generation of children discovered the magic of reading. We all learned that Hogwarts will always be home!

👇🏾 Here is the gear that I wore to work today 🐍💚💛💚💛💚🐍! You know I had to rep my house!

When your TBR is Lit!

We all know I read a lot; in fact i average about 50 books a year. But when you look at my TBR list of 1701 books you know I simply am not reading at a fast enough pace! I've got to do better.

You can check out your TBR time results here:
http://www.readitforward.com/tbr-time/

The Bookbabe Reads A Classic....Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Okay, so....the choice of this book started with good intentions; it was supposed to be a Book club read. However, while me and one other person choose to read it others sat it out. This book was perhaps one of the most perplexing books I've ever been compelled to read. The prose was beautiful and the characters (to a point) were relatable. But none of them other than The Linton's, Lockwood (narrator) and Ms. Dean. (House keeper) are likable. All of the main characters are absolutely horrifying. The Story revolves around Catherine and Heathcliff; two young people who are very fond of one another. Heathcliff is moody and mean and his upbringing definitely has a lot to do with his hard demeanor. Catherine is a spoiled brat. She must have her way and she will abuse and use anyone to get what she wants. She treats those that she loves harshly and looks down upon them. She loves Heathcliff but will deny it in favor of someone richer. It's this acknowledgment of her feelings that drives Heathcliff away for three years and leads to her marrying Linton.
The Linton's seem to be good natured, sensible people. The glimpses we have of their upbringing verse that of Catherine and Heathcliff are stark to say the least. The Linton children seem to be loved and carefree and nurtured. While Catherine is tolerated and Heathcliff is down right hated. Isabella Linton is sweet and naive and easily taken in by Heathcliff's good looks and brooding ways. She fancies that she loves him. While Catherine is mean spirited and spiteful; she's also manipulative. Edgar Linton is gentle and sweet and a well bred gentlemen; while Heathcliff is a brute and vindictive. When Heathcliff finally returns home he is wealthy (no one knows how he came about the money) and he is out for revenge. He starts with Catherine's (Hindley Earnshaw) uncle; he begins to take advantage of the mans financial misfortune and is soon the owner of Catherine's family homestead. He makes sure that Hindley's son, Hareton, has no inheritance. Heathcliff than goes after the Linton's. He plays on the feelings of Isabella Linton. She ends up running away with him and marries him.
You'd think she'd stay away from him. She is warned not only by Catherine but by Ms. Dean. Not to mention on the night she runs off with Heathcliff she catches him in the act of hanging her dog. Yeah you read that right. The psycho was attempting to kill the dog of the woman who loves him. Isabella marries him and then runs away from her while pregnant. Heathcliff's revenge on Linton is far from complete. Things only get worse for them all because Catherine becomes ill and when she dies Heathcliff is determined to blame Edgar Linton for the loss of his beloved.
It's through the child Isabella bores that Heathcliff will have his ultimate revenge. At every turn Heathcliff makes sure everyone attached to him suffers; and even more so when it seems Catherine's spirit is haunting him.
Wuthering Heights is a story about so many things - its about pain, love, loss, revenge and most of all its about how our past deeds shall always come back to haunt us. This book was hard to like; but definitely is a classic I can say I appreciate. I gave this book 4/5 stars on good reads. The Book Babe Reads a Classic....My review of Wuthering Heights

Okay, so....the choice of this book started with good intentions; it was supposed to be a Book club read. However, while me and one other person choose to read it others sat it out. This book was perhaps one of the most perplexing books I've ever been compelled to read. The prose was beautiful and the characters (to a point) were relatable. But none of them other than The Linton's, Lockwood (narrator) and Ms. Dean. (House keeper) are likable. All of the main characters are absolutely horrifying. The Story revolves around Catherine and Heathcliff; two young people who are very fond of one another. Heathcliff is moody and mean and his upbringing definitely has a lot to do with his hard demeanor. Catherine is a spoiled brat. She must have her way and she will abuse and use anyone to get what she wants. She treats those that she loves harshly and looks down upon them. She loves Heathcliff but will deny it in favor of someone richer. It's this acknowledgment of her feelings that drives Heathcliff away for three years and leads to her marrying Linton.
The Linton's seem to be good natured, sensible people. The glimpses we have of their upbringing verse that of Catherine and Heathcliff are stark to say the least. The Linton children seem to be loved and carefree and nurtured. While Catherine is tolerated and Heathcliff is down right hated. Isabella Linton is sweet and naive and easily taken in by Heathcliff's good looks and brooding ways. She fancies that she loves him. While Catherine is mean spirited and spiteful; she's also manipulative. Edgar Linton is gentle and sweet and a well bred gentlemen; while Heathcliff is a brute and vindictive. When Heathcliff finally returns home he is wealthy (no one knows how he came about the money) and he is out for revenge. He starts with Catherine's (Hindley Earnshaw) uncle; he begins to take advantage of the mans financial misfortune and is soon the owner of Catherine's family homestead. He makes sure that Hindley's son, Hareton, has no inheritance. Heathcliff than goes after the Linton's. He plays on the feelings of Isabella Linton. She ends up running away with him and marries him.
You'd think she'd stay away from him. She is warned not only by Catherine but by Ms. Dean. Not to mention on the night she runs off with Heathcliff she catches him in the act of hanging her dog. Yeah you read that right. The psycho was attempting to kill the dog of the woman who loves him. Isabella marries him and then runs away from her while pregnant. Heathcliff's revenge on Linton is far from complete. Things only get worse for them all because Catherine becomes ill and when she dies Heathcliff is determined to blame Edgar Linton for the loss of his beloved.
It's through the child Isabella bores that Heathcliff will have his ultimate revenge. At every turn Heathcliff makes sure everyone attached to him suffers; and even more so when it seems Catherine's spirit is haunting him.
Wuthering Heights is a story about so many things - its about pain, love, loss, revenge and most of all its about how our past deeds shall always come back to haunt us. This book was hard to like; but definitely is a classic I can say I appreciate. I gave this book 4/5 stars on good reads.

Post Script:
I would caution any Book lovers that this book contains several scenes in which books are thrown about or thrown into fire places. This really pissed me off and actually made Heathcliff seem even more unkind to me.

Here are a few quotes I liked:

First rule of Book Club.....Read Classic Novels!

We're at it again...a few of the women in my group have let me know they are interested in reading Wuthering Heights along with my next month. So from 4/12-21st we will be reading and discussing this classic. I'll post the discussion questions here...and on Facebook. Feel free to join our book group The Bookbabes on Facebook...we're always looking for new, cool bookish friends!

I pray everyone's World Book Day was a happy one. I hope you read all the books you could.

Currently reading....Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

I am finally getting around to the next book (that I own) from the Lemonade Syllabus. I've owned There Eyes Were Watching God for a long time, it was just sitting and collecting dust so I decided to pick it up. Can't wait to dive in today.

Here is the synopsis for the book (from Amazon):
One of the most important works of twentieth-century American literature, Zora Neale Hurston's beloved 1937 classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is an enduring Southern love story sparkling with wit, beauty, and heartfelt wisdom. Told in the captivating voice of a woman who refuses to live in sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish romantic dreams, it is the story of fair-skinned, fiercely independent Janie Crawford, and her evolving selfhood through three marriages and a life marked by poverty, trials, and purpose. A true literary wonder, Hurston's masterwork remains as relevant and affecting today as when it was first published—perhaps the most widely read and highly regarded novel in the entire canon of African American literature.

The Immortal Henrietta Lacks Trailer

It looks like the Immortal Henrietta Lacks is coming to HBO this spring. This book was one of my favorite reads of 2015; the story shook me in a profound way. As an African American woman I felt like Henrietta could have been one of my ancestors, someone experimented on and stolen from. The story left me sad and angry. The Lacks family never recieved a dime from John Hopkins for the theft; and the book left me with questions about why things like this happens. And left me wondering if they still do. I can't wait to we the movie; I am glad the woman behind the cells is being talked about.

One Sit reads: An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunter & Denizens of Downworld

Sometimes a girl just needs a Shadowhunter fix; that's exactly what I got with this short little volume. This book covers every Shadowhunter and character that we have meant in all of Clare's books. What made this book so special is that it features the artwork of Cassandra Jean; who has been working along side Cassie Clare to bring the Shadowhunters to life for several years. Another magical thing about this little tome is that every blurb about the characters features something we didn't know about them. For instance, I loved the bit about Tatiana Blackthorn (sister to the Lightwood brothers in Infernal Devices); supposedly she was prone to nastiness. Throwing tantrums when she did not get her way etc. Well, if any of you remember the elder (father) Lightwood turned into a worm after contracting Demon Pox. According to this book Tatiana went into a rage after her father ate her fiancé in front of her.
I literally laughed. I remember that part of the book very well because her reaction was not one of horror or grief but childish anger. I laughed at that scene and I laughed at the blurb. Another thing that I found enjoyable was that the cats (Chairman Meow and Church) are featured. Not to mention my book boyfriend, Jen Carstairs, is featured twice. This book was a quick, easy read, and it took me two days to get through (it would have been one if I had not been so tired Monday night). This book is definitely a must have for all Cassandra Clare fans. I really can not wait to add it to my Shadowhunter shelf. I gave this 5/5 stars of goodreads.com

Below is some of the art work from the book:

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope all you bookies got lots of lovely gifts from those special in your life. I took part in Litsy's #CupidGoesPostal book swap. I received several lovely books (pictured below).

I also received a copy of End of Watch by Stephen King from my guy friend as well as some lovely bottles of wine. I feel like I have all that I could want this Valentine's Day.

SuperBowl 51's Best Ad!

If you're friends with me on Facebook or follow me on InstaGram you'll probably know I am a lover of all things Football. I am actually a Greenbay Packers fan (odd for a Delaware girl); this year my team did not make it to 51 so I was not at all invested in the game. However, I always pay attention to the half time show and the commercials. This year I missed the show but I did get to see the 84 Lumber commercial. And wow. Just wow. It left such an impression on me that I had to share it.
Sadly we live in a world now where the foreign is often pushed aside and demonized; but sometimes companies, celebrities, and every day people show us that we are all one people. This commercial showed the true spirit of the country that I am so proud to be a citizen of. I just wish more citizens in our country felt the same about those they see as "other".