June TBR
- Chynna Williams
- Jun 9, 2020
- 5 min read
Hello everybody, and welcome to the CW Torch. I know it's been a while since I last posted anything, and honestly, there are many reasons because of that. There is a lot going on in the world that has distracted me from reading. I've been very distracted and anxious about the current world events from the pandemic still looming, and recently the up rise and protests of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
I just wanted to take a moment and mention that I am a huge supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, as a bi-racial woman. I am proud to be half black, even when throughout most of my childhood I've felt different from both sides of my races. I've never really fit in, and have always grown up not knowing who I was, because of the color of my skin. Because I didn't look like my black and/or white family or fit in with those specific communities. Sometimes, I felt like I didn't even speak enough for the black community around me, as I felt I grew up in a relatively liberal area. Where I didn't see the fear up close and personal.
But, I think it is important to tell these stories and fight for the lives of the black community, who have been suffering for nearly 400 years. To me, it's hard to realize that we are still going back in time and talking about racism and police brutality. When you think we've had enough time to say that Black Lives Matter and to progress and change, but people are still living in fear.
Before, we can say all lives matter, we have to say black lives matter. I have been pretty silent these last couple of weeks, petitioning as much as I can to organizations that I believe in. But, I was staying silent, because I wanted to make sure that what I was writing made sense, and I didn't offend anyone. As I have seen both sides of the equation, being that I am bi-racial. But, I have now come to realize and have always known that now is not the time to be silent. I will stand in solidarity with my black brothers and sisters, father, cousins, and grandparents. I will stand in solidarity with my black community, until our voices are finally heard.
With that being said, I hope people educate themselves and listen to our stories. It is extremely important for people who have white privilege to learn about systemic racism. Something I even have come to realize that I need to do more for myself. As I have lived somewhat of a life of white privilege, living with my white family for most of my life. Even though, growing up has not been easy for me, I know now that I can't be silent anymore, and I have to speak more about my black community. So, at the end of this post I will be sharing resources, petitions, funds, that have special meaning to myself and the black community. I hope people will read and educate themselves during these difficult times, because they can be and are very difficult conversations to have. But, they are necessary to have.
Now, I have been putting off this post for a while, as I wanted to post this at the beginning of the month. But, I didn't think it was the right time with everything going on in the world. Yet, at the same time, I have been in a reading mood and wanted to share my passions, and get back into writing and reading. While, I do get more into blogging, I have plans to share some of my favorite reads written by black authors, movies involving the black community, and much more. Because, as a bi-racial writer, I think it is important to share those stories that need to be more prevalent in the reading community.
With all that being said, here are the books that I plan to be reading in the month of June.
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Genre: Adult Romance
Synopsis: A story of when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales.
Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. There is only one problem: Alex has a beef with an actual Prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex/Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.
What at first begins as a fake, friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have ever imagined. Soon, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the presidential campaign and upend two nations.
A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Synopsis: As this is the third book of a fantasy series, I will not get into the details of the synopsis. To avoid any spoilers.
Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Synopsis: When Marvin Johnson's Twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by the police. The next day, Tyler has gone missing, and it's up to Marvin to find him. But when Tyler is found dead, a video leaked online tells an even more chilling story: Tyler has been shot and killed by a police officer. Terrified as his mother unravels and mourning a brother who is now a hashtag, Marvin must learn what justice and freedom really mean.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Synopsis: Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship-- the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
Before, I close out this post, I just wanted to thank you all for sticking with me. Even when I haven't been posting so much lately. I hope that I was also able to bring some awareness to what is going on in the world. All that I wish is for everyone to educate themselves during this time and stands with the black community. With that being said, I also hope that you all have a wonderful reading month and continue to read diverse reads. As I am trying to do more of that myself, with it also being Pride month.
Black Lives Matter Resources, Petitions, and Funds.
^^Anti-Racism Resources
留言