by Torrie Oglesby | Feb 2, 2016 | Learn + Grow
February is Black History Month! While this month is controversial, I prefer finding the good and celebrating African-American history regardless of others opinions on the month! One way, that I’m incorporating African-American history in my month of February is taking a look at African-American literature! I’m an avid reader, however last year I realized that I tend to stay within certain genre’s and never explore other genres. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been intentionally buying books that are outside of my ordinary book buys, a lot being African-American literature based and I’ve been so blessed by reading outside of my norm that I wanted to encourage you guys to read outside of the lines that you have created for yourself as well.
This month, let’s try to focus on African-American literature. From classic like The Color Purple by Alice Walker to newbies like our latest feature in You Should Know Her, Author CP Patrick’s Awiti. If you pick up a book this month, at least have one that is based on African-American history to educate and empower yourself. Below I have created a list of 10 books, some fiction, some autobiographical, that you can start with if you happen to be at a complete lost! If you read or have read any of these, let us know in the comments your thoughts and opinions on the books! Happy reading!
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelo
- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gains
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coats
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- God Help The Child by Toni Morrison
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
by Taylor Gardner | Jan 18, 2016 | Learn + Grow
Like many others, sometimes I need a little motivation to keep from giving up on my dreams. Because the truth of the matter is, my dreams scare me. I have this huge vision of how I am going to help young girls and women see the beauty and the value of their existence, which is pretty empowering. However, I am not always so empowered my self. So instead of staying in the place of no motivation and drive, I turn to books to gain a little hope. Hearing others’ stories and visions give me the courage to continue. Because if someone can make their dreams happen, so can I.
Now while I am sure many authors write these books just to be heard or to release their inner most thoughts, I don’t think they understand the power it has on an individual. It is truly something to see a woman do her thing, especially in a world her that tells her she doesn’t matter. With that being said, I have gotten through my deepest mind blocks and lost of hope through reading and I hope it will help you as well.
So, here is my list of awesome GIRL POWER books that will have you seeing all the potential that you have waiting inside of you and will hopefully give you the power to chase those awesome dreams that keep you up at night!
- I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones
- #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- Be You and Live Civil by Karen Civil
- If You Have To Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mom Never Told You by Kelly Cutrone
- Do Cool Sh*t: Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, and Live Happily Ever After by Miki Agrawal
by Taylor Gardner | Jan 18, 2016 | Learn + Grow
Last year was a trying year for me and I haven’t always had the brightest attitude or outlook on life. So, to get myself out of the funk I decided to go to Barnes and Noble and get some books. The first book I came across was, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours. I read the description of the book and instantly went to checkout. A woman, by the name of Regina Brett wrote the book because she felt as though it took her 40 years to “find and hold on to happiness.†She says it is because she felt that God blinked when she was born, and that is why she never felt special or happy until later in her life. Which is an idea that many people can relate to. We’ve all experienced that feeling of being ordinary and doubtful at one point or another. And in my opinion, this book is not only an expression of those feelings, but also a remedy for them.
The book is separated into lessons. Each lesson is an idea that as women we all deal with. From how to deal with doubt to how to start saving for your retirement fund, this book has it all. Anything that you have felt, I guarantee that there is a lesson/chapter in the book that will speak to your feeling.
I have personally recommended this book to every one of my friends and have also read it about 3 times. Also, sometimes I just read one or two lessons, just to pick up my mood. Whether you are happy or going through something, this book will add to your life. So, check it out when you get it chance!
Taylor G.
by Torrie Oglesby | Jul 18, 2015 | Learn + Grow
“I stopped feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere, and realized that I actually belonged anywhere I wanted to be.”
—Sophia Amoruso
I’m an avid reader, but very rarely does a book make me stay up all night reading it until I’ve finished it. #GIRLBOSS definitely was one of those books that kept me up in the late hours of the night until I finished it from front cover to back cover. Sophia Amoruso is not your average CEO, therefore you immediately feel welcomed and comfortable around her. I say her, because #GIRLBOSS literally felt like you were sitting down and having coffee with a friend who had valuable information to share with you. Sophia didn’t come from a wealthy family, didn’t get a fancy college degree and wouldn’t have been anyone’s first choice for a CEO, but with a spirit of excellence, hard work, and trusting and believing herself and her own path, she managed to become the CEO of one of the world’s fastest growing companies, Nasty Gal, a $100 million plus online fashion retailer with more than 350 employees.
Her book is filled with advice on how to work hard even when no one is looking, how to handle your money, and how being an outsider is okay, and possibly your best weapon. She gives us lessons based on her life story, from digging in dumpsters for food, being a hitchhiker, stealing from stores and how all her valleys have helped her not only get to her mountain tops but also taught her how to handle her mountain tops with humility, grace and confidence. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t good enough, didn’t fit into the world, and an outsider then Sophia’s book is for you. It will encourage you that even YOU can have what you want if you are willing to believe in yourself and put in the sweating hours to achieve it. Her brand is not successful and excellent by chance, it’s that way because she put in the work to have it become that way. She teaches us to take chances, work at the beginning stages of your business as if it’s already a successful empire and to always stay true to yourself and your brand. If you are an entrepreneur, a business girl, an innovator or just a girl who wants to know how to be more confident in life and the work place, pick up this book! It will motivate you in every area of your life and inspire you to become a #GIRLBOSS with every move you make in life!
You create the world, blink by blink. It is entirely yours to discover and yours to create.”
–Sophia Amoruso
With love and big smiles,
Torrie.
by Jasmine Shirley | Jul 2, 2015 | Learn + Grow
Mackenzie Allen Philips had a difficult time wrestling with the existence of God and if he was good. Married to a woman with a relationship so close to God that she calls him “Papa”, Mac struggled believing that the same God she loved and believed in would allow their youngest daughter, Missy, to have such a fatal outcome. The loss of their child and a bruised childhood left Mac in a dark whirlwind of emotions for years…until he was invited to the shack.
William P. Young has a way of immersing you right in the midst of a life that you feel is your own. After you get past the slow beginning, this Fiction novel will take you on a ride of emotions. Out of the many emotions felt love is what you will enjoy unfolding with this novel and what you get out of this book about spirituality is really the gift. Treat yourself. Enjoy!
Jasmine
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