I Read Black Books All Year

Black History Month is officially over, but I read Black books all year!

I celebrate Black writers and the monumental impact they have had in my life. Because of Black writers I have been able to see the greatness within myself, cultivate creativity within my spirit and quite literally heal my soul.

Below is a list of books by Black authors that I read at times I was desperately seeking healing. While turning the pages I not only found healing, I discovered my strength and resilience. I also gained the tools that aided me in becoming a better writer.

For more books by Black authors both past and present, fiction and non-fiction, follow my #bookstagram account @amirasbookclub

The legacy of Black writers is a legacy I hope to carry. As I continue to read their words I hope to one day be able to write a work of art that inspires in the same way.

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Ashanti Curls

After only 25+ years my hair is finally starting to love me back! After untwisting my hair this morning and seeing how perfectly defined each curl was, I thought to myself this must be the joy felt by a new mother who has given birth to their first child. My natural hair journey has been a long one. I cringe when I think back to how I used to "care" for it. I'm embarrassed to admit that I used to keep braids in for 5 months! Yes honey, you read that right five months! I also used to drench my hair in extra strength relaxer, dye it and glue tracks to my scalp. Yikes! I basically had about eight strands of hair on my head holding on for dear life. I didn't really have a choice in going natural. Like a real genius, twenty-one year old Amira decided to dye her hair after relaxing it. I know, I know, BIG MISTAKE. Of course the inevitable happened; my hair started coming out in chunks. That was the last time I put relaxer in my hair, but even after that I still wasn...

Bruxelles, Belgium 8

I was so relieved the moment I found the perfect camouflage jacket at Mission Thrift in the city. I know, super basic Bay Area wannabe hipster right? But before you judge me, just know this item was a vital addition to my wardrobe. I had already planned an entire outfit around it. Honestly, this wasn't just any outfit, this was my layover outfit. This wasn't just any layover, it was an international layover in Brussels, Belgium for 8 hours. If you know me at all, then you know I play no games when it comes to my layover excursion outfits. When choosing the perfect international layover excursion outfit, the key is to make it look effortless. Obviously, it's clear I put a lot of effort into mine. But no one in Belgium knew that. I'm pretty sure everyone who saw me thought, "wow what and effortless urban-street-chic-edgy look". The time spent clearing customs and taking the train down to Bruxelles Central, left me with only 6.5 hours to eat a Belgian w...

Grandma's Bungalow

Grandma’s Bungalow An excerpt from my working memoir, “Memoirs of a Lost Ashanti Soul” My sanctuary is located in Kumasi at Mbrom. Grandma’s bungalow is refuge for my soul. The African bungalow where the family matriarch resides is a place many feel at home. There is not a place I have lived where I have felt at home other than grandma’s bungalow. There are few places we can go in this world where we feel a strong connection to our souls. For me, the overwhelming connection to my soul and this bungalow is a result of my first experiences with the things that bring our souls back to us. Here in...

ASHANTIGYAL

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