Welcome to the end of 2019! I’ve spent the last few weeks going through my intentions, my plan for the year and more. Q1 2020 is all about working on yourself. I’m starting by finding some new books to add to my shelf and read this quarter. I’m not one for resolutions, more towards lifestyle changes. One of the lifestyle changes that I want to implement in this year is to read more. I’ve been really busy lately, between studying for the LSAT, toughing it through finals, and a host of other things. I’ve missed how much I love to read. Which is something I haven’t been able to do since I finished middle school.
Reading is my bread and butter. Part of why I started this blog was because I loved to read other pieces. My goal for the year is to read five books for each quarter of the year. The final total being twenty books overall. That’s doable right? Some will be harder than others, but I’m up for the challenge. I’ll be sharing what each book is, why I want to read it, and how many books I read from each quarter. Here’s my first list and I hope you can let me know which books you’re reading too.
Elaine Welteroth’s More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)
Elaine Welteroth is one of the powerhouses of the fashion industry and has been a mover and shaker for years. While I don’t think my life will lead me to go into the fashion industry anymore, she is a legend and a great show of resilience and breaking barriers. As a black woman moving through spaces where she’s not accepted entirely, Elaine has led the newest faces into the industry and given young girls someone to look up to. Visibility and intersectionality matter and Elaine Welteroth’s book is a testament for young women, everywhere, who want to do anything they put their minds to.
Michelle Obama’s Becoming
Do I need to explain why I want to read this book? I’ve been dying to read this one since it came out. Mostly to soothe my sorrows for not getting tickets to see her in person. Michelle Obama is an inspiration, both before, during, and after her role as First Lady. She will always be someone I look to. This book is an exquisite detailing of her life and how she became the amazing lawyer, activist, and woman she is today. Plus, she’s been voted the Most Admired Woman in America. How do you not love her??!!?
Angela Davis’ Blues et Féminisme Noir
This book was one that I picked up during my study abroad and it’s been on my bookshelf for a year. I have been dying to read a book in French as a way of maintaining my language skills. When you don’t use it everyday, language skills die quickly. Angela Davis is not only one of my favourite activists, but also writers. I was excited to find her work across the world. I’ve read the book in English, Blues Legacies and Black Feminism, so it’s very nice to have context and know what I should be reading. This is a great book to read in English or French, but will be one of the more challenging reads for this quarter. I’m already a chapter in, so let’s see if I can keep up the pace.
Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up : The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Organizing has been one of my big things of 2019. I have read parts of this book and her other book, Spark Joy, but I’ve never read this in its entirety. I’ve done a major clear out of my wardrobe and other items. Putting things in a new order has helped refresh my space for this year and prep me for an amazing end to college. A friend put me to shame about it and I definitely need it on my life. It’s not a long read, but definitely a good one, so I’m really looking forward to it. In addition, if you have read the book, she has a new Netflix series where she brings these practices into a reality for CA families.
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451
I was always mad that in all of the English classes I took, never once did we read this book. It’s been on my list for the last 10 years, but I’ve never gotten around to it. As a book that has been banned in some places around the US, I think it would be an interesting read, especially when there are major historical implications in the present. I’ve always wanted to learn more about censorship and how books play a role in how ideas and morals are disseminated through words. While I don’t plan on testing the burning temperature of book paper, I do plan on learning all that I can from the book and seeing if it lives up to the hype.
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