SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, July 24, 2023

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison



Reading banned books that stir controversy is a new passion of mine. In my readings so far books that are banned have stirred the most growth, and are often difficult to read. It is my firm opinion that having difficulty reading something shouldn't deter us from reading them. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is no exception.


Description from Goodreads:

The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison's first novel, a book heralded for its richness of language and boldness of vision. Set in the author's girlhood hometown of Lorain, Ohio, it tells the story of black, eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove. Pecola prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful and beloved as all the blond, blue-eyed children in America. In the autumn of 1941, the year the marigolds in the Breedloves' garden do not bloom. Pecola's life does change—in painful, devastating ways.

What its vivid evocation of the fear and loneliness at the heart of a child's yearning, and the tragedy of its fulfillment. The Bluest Eye remains one of Toni Morrisons's most powerful, unforgettable novels- and a significant work of American fiction.


Thoughts:

This moving, well written book will sit with me for a long time. According to Marshall University this book was banned due to child sexual assault. In its history according to Marshall University it has been challenged/banned across the United States fourteen times. The sexual assault was difficult to read, but it was an important part of the book that I applaud Toni Morrison for not leaving out. It's only a piece of the entire picture she was showing us.

This book gives us a raw glimpse of what like was like for black Americans in the early 1940's.This story drifts and connects each character brilliantly. We see the girls grapple with feelings of envy, shame and anger often at the same time as they navigate a world where the beauty standard is blonde and blue eyed, not black. Where it's straightened hair, not coyly. Where it's light skin, not dark. It goes beyond looks though, and delves into how these young girls' lives were so different from their white peers. 

Ya'll....this isn't supposed to be an enjoyable read. 

Pecola Breedlove's story is deep, and Toni Morrison gives us the a clear outline of how she is a victim of generational trauma. One that her parents also suffered, and the root of all of it is white supremacy and racism.

This book belongs in schools, even with it's the child sexual abuse..the message is just as important today as it was when it was originally written in 1970. Our students need to be taught history from a human perspective, with empathy and from black voices.


This story will benefit any reader because it will: 

  • Offer a raw personal glimpse of history for black Americans
  • Deepen knowledge of American History
  • Expose readers to themes of racism, and bigotry from the perspective of black voices.

For more resources for those who wish to continue an anti-racist journey:



The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison was published in 1970, and is available on Amazon and Bookshop and should be available in every public library in the United States, and if it isn't make some noise about it, and/or donate a copy. 

If you appreciated this post instead of buying me a coffee please head over to NAACP and make a donation.


Disclaimer: I borrowed this book from my local library. All opinions about this book are my own. Resources for further education are provided and there are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!


Monday, July 10, 2023

Barbarian's Mate by Ruby Dixon




I hope you're ready for the next beautiful cover update to Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarian Series. This cover is gorgeous!


Synopsis:

'Resonance' is supposed to be a dream - that's when your soulmate is chosen for you. And everyone on the ice planet has hooked up with a big, hunky soulmate of their own...except me. So do I want a mate? Heck yeah. More than anything, all I've ever wanted is to be loved by someone.

Except that the soulmate chosen for me? My least favorite person on the darn ice planet. Haeden's the most cranky, disapproving, unpleasant, overbearing male alien...so why is it that my body sings when he gets close? Why is he working so hard to prove to me that he's not as awful as I think he is?

I hate him...don't I?

Thoughts:

I read this book immediately after finishing ACOSF, and maybe this book was the breather I needed right after that. If you're looking for depth, and soul, and emotional growth in a book...you're looking in the wrong place. The goal of anyone in this book is to find a mate, and make babies with them. That's their sole purpose.

There's a bit of an enemies to lovers feel to the book because they didn't like each other at first, but they end up working through that. She sets off on a tantrum and leaves the community and he chases after her, saves her, and then has lots of crazy sex. He has a tail. He knows how to use it, ya'll.

Overall, if you want to read a quick steamy story about a grumpy alien who's completely devoted to a mate who's not so sure about him at first. Did I mention tail action? TAIL ACTION.

Barbarian's Mate was originally released March 25, 2016, but this special edition cover is being released July 11, 2023 and is available on Amazon.




Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

Monday, July 3, 2023

Coffee Talk -- A Video Game Review

 




It's been a bit since I've done a video game review, and book friends and video game friends I think will like this game.


It's set in a world where elves, orcs, and other fantasy creatures have moved into our cities and towns trying to make a life just like the rest of us.  They come to the coffee shop and share their stories while you make them their warm and cozy drink.



One of our main characters, Freya is an aspiring author and she comes into the shop every day.  She has decided the stories she hears in the shop will be a big part of her book. So she listens to the stories and gossip to give her writing the extra boost it needs. She loves her espresso, which is one of the first drinks we learn how to make. 




The mechanics of making the drinks is simple. Add three ingredients and brew. If you forget what the ingredients are you have a log in your phone that keeps them all on the bottom left corner of your screen. You start off only knowing a few recipes and learn more along your way, and if you mess up it's not really a big deal. With drinks with foamy milk tops you can practice your artistry skills with latte art.  Playing this on my computer I've found the latte art is awful, but I hear it's much better on a switch with touch screen.


Overall the atmosphere is great, with gentle music and it's always raining. So if you enjoy a no stress game with a fun storyline, and gentle rain in the background be sure to try out Coffee Talk. Once I finish Coffee Talk, I'll be sure to grab Coffee Talk Episode 2, which just came out in April 2023.




Difficulty level: Easy

Publisher: Toge Productions

Release date: January 29, 2020

Genre: Visual Novel

Available on  Xbox, Playstation (spring 23), Switch (spring 23), PC (through Steam or Xbox).

Photo Credit: Toge Presskit