Starting off like always! By taking out a small amount of time to once again express my appreciation for all the authors that I’ve read this week.
I see your time, efforts, and dedication to your expression of art.
And
Some stats about my week
- I completed 10 books this week (4 not posted)
- by 7 different authors
- totaling 2.722 pages
- making it around 277.2 pages per book
- averaging 388.9 pages read per day
Would you look at that, I actually took it easy this week!
Overview of the Books read
- Curvy Girl Summer by Mrs. Danielle Allen
- Plus Size Player by Mrs. Danielle Allen
- Quasim: King Inferno by Mrs. Jahquel J.
- A Beautiful Disaster by Mrs. Talese Nicole
Week Opener
I opened this week with Mrs. Danielle Allen‘s first book in her Curve Series, Curvy Girl Summer.
About Aaliyah, FMC, just about to turn 30, and single. And Ahmad in his 30s. They both are dealing with the loss of a loved one, which expresses itself in different ways. For Ahmad he avoids cars and relationships, for Aaliyah it expresses itself in her need to have her life follow a certain path all at the strike of 30.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: We enjoyed this one, a lot!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: It wasn’t without frustration however!
SheReadsaLot: Sure wasn’t! Aaliyah let a whole lot of disrespect get directed at her, without speaking up.
“No, Macy’s weight is the problem!” “So, she told you all that other stuff, but she didn’t tell you that her weight was the problem. And yet you’re still saying her weight is the problem?” “She didn’t have to tell me; I have eyes!” he exclaimed, his voice getting louder. “It’s because of her size, and I don’t want that for you. I mean it.”
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: You know how it goes, you can’t disrespect your elders… And standing up for yourself equals disrespect.
SheReadsaLot: I mean… How are you the one being violated and disrespected, but when you defend yourself or clap back, you are the one in the wrong?
SheReadsaLot and SheReadsaLot: I don’t care if you do it with the best intentions, and you are family!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: It wasn’t only with her elders that she stayed quiet however.
“That actually looks really good on you.” My lips parted, but words didn’t come out. What the fuck? It wasn’t the first time that backhanded compliment had been thrown at me. It always held the tone of condescension. But each time, it grated on my nerves more. Because it wasn’t about my confidence. It was about their perceived judgment of my body and their disbelief that I managed
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: The way Aaliyah had to deal with all the backhanded compliments was triggering!
SheReadsaLot: Yup. The good old tactic of working in perceived insecurities so the woman will be grateful for the attention and sleep with the good for nothing person.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: But her remaining quiet, and internalizing the actions of others?
Besides the frustrating part, that got handled. There were lessons
Existing in my body and not being ashamed of who I was and how I looked was only an act of confidence to people who viewed me as if something was wrong with me.
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: We loved the lessons, even though we already received them, never hurts to receive them once more.
There was lovely banter!
“You look good in green,” Ahmad stated with a straight face. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously but decided to take the compliment. “It’s my favorite color.” As soon as I opened my mouth to thank him, he continued, “Over here looking like the sexy M&M.”
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: All the banter had us laughing it up!
SheReadsaLot: And it was respectful banter at that!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
There was healing
I didn’t realize until we were halfway home that it wasn’t just about me wanting to make sure we got there safely. I also just wanted to make sure he knew he was safe with me.
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsalot to SheReadsaLot: Which wasn’t only healing, but also romance!
SheReadsaLot: More healing!
“At some point over the last five years, you stopped wanting me to be me and you started wanting me to be Aniyah. And I’m not her. I’ll never be her. And I want you to be okay with that.”
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: She spoke up!
SheReadsaLot: Also, being the one that’s left behind is a trauma in and of itself. Survivors guilt for Ahmad, it makes plain that life can end unexpectedly, and the way people are exalted when they die?
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: It’s impossible to live up to exalted version of the deceased.
SheReadsaLot: It was a journey for Aaliyah however, her buffer and protector being gone? It was something that she had to figure out for herself. And along her journey she found her voice, spoke up for herself, and set and enforced her boundaries.
I reflected on the conversations I had with my family as I took the scenic route to Dowdy Lake. With each passing mile, I realized how much lighter I felt. A weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Saying what needed to be said to my parents and my uncle was the best gift I could’ve given myself. Because in my gut, I knew that no one would ever get in the way of me being me again. With a huge smile on my face, I exhaled. I felt a peace I hadn’t felt since before Aniyah died.
Allen, Danielle. Curvy Girl Summer (Curve Book 1). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot and SheReadsaLot:
I sticked with Mrs. Allen, and picked up her latest release, Plus Size Player, which is the second book in Mrs. Allen’s Curve series.
About Nina, one of Aaliyah’s best friends.
“I can’t tolerate disrespect.”
Allen, Danielle. Plus Size Player (Curve Book 2). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
…
“I might be fat, but I’ll never be the bigger person.”
SheReadsaLot to Nina: You tell them, Nina!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: I Approve.
SheReadsaLot: Petty for the win!
“Oh, sweetie,” I said in a saccharine- sweet tone. “What you want doesn’t matter. Do you understand what I already told you? You were never eligible.”
Allen, Danielle. Plus Size Player (Curve Book 2). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
He got off his stool in a huff. “Like I said, I don’t date fat bitches,” he muttered under his breath as he stormed away.
I smiled in disbelief. “Okay, twin!” I called behind him, watching his childbearing hips as he walked away.
“Sir, you too are a fat bitch!”
SheReadsaLot and SheReadsaLot:
who is just enjoying her life to the fullest while dating. Nina is confident!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: She is truly confident.
I tilted my head and gave him a look. “If you can’t afford this drink, why do you think you can afford to go back and forth with me?”.
Allen, Danielle. Plus Size Player (Curve Book 2). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition
SheReadsaLot: Yes she is, no one can diminish her light!
And in the case somebody dares try, she will have her man, Russ, to stand in the gap.
“I love that energy.” She swooned, ignoring my protests. “He stood up for you. He had your back.
Allen, Danielle. Plus Size Player (Curve Book 2). Tor Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: He sure did!
SheReadsaLot: While everyone stood there silent, letting it happen.
There was a situation, and choices made keeping them apart, but it all ended on a happy note for the both of them without sacrifices!
Mrs. Jahquel J. released the finale to Quasim: King Inferno, first in her Inferno Gods season, meaning I could finally dive in.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Dodging spoilers for almost 6 months was a task!
SheReadsaLot: Add to that the FOMO…
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Which still didn’t trump our…
SheReadsaLot: We did well waiting, because those cliffhangers we’re H-A-N-G-I-N-G!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Sure were! Now, on to Quasim: King Inferno!
Quasim, MMC, King of the Inferno Gods, who after life’s experiences doesn’t feel deserving of happiness and love.
“…Sim, you deserve happiness and love. You’ve spent so many years punishing yourself and asking God for forgiveness that you can’t even see when he’s actually blessing you.”
Jahquel J. . Quasim II : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 2). urban chapters publications . Kindle Edition.
And Blair, FMC, doula, who has went through a lot, and is still open and ready for love.
“”…I had my own share of trauma and trust issues; however, I was a catch. I was worth the chase, worth lowering his walls down to let me in.”
Jahquel J. . Quasim : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 1). Kindle Edition.
Their story was a ride!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: The back and forth was frustrating at times!
SheReadsaLot: Their back and forth was in line with their lived experiences however!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And their lived experiences were a lot!
SheReadsaLot: But Mrs. J. has proved time and time again, that she knows how to cook!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: She sure does!
Because she balanced out the heartbreak
“When it’s your time to be with me, you will be. It’s not that time now…”
Jahquel J., Quasim III: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 3). Kindle Edition.
Life
“Thank you for your service,” one of the officers thanked him when he noticed the tattoo on his forearm.
Jahquel J., Quasim II : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 2). urban chapters publications . Kindle Edition.
“Before or after you tried to take my life?” Wylie replied, not for the fake shit they wanted to be on.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: As if the way they escalated the situation will be forgotten with solely an apology based on his service.
SheReadsaLot: They do be having some audacity… don’t they…
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: As if the way they they yell and induce anxiety isn’t a tactic they use to escalate as well.
SheReadsaLot: As if they don’t leave trauma behind.
“My fucking daughter is gonna be traumatized seeing police aiming guns at her father… I ain’t never wanted her to see that shit.
Jahquel J. . Quasim II : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 2). urban chapters publications . Kindle Edition.
I fucking froze and couldn’t even do what they were screaming at me.”
Conversation’s about life among friends.
“I’m happy and I’m so in love with the life me and Meer have, but I feel like I’m watching myself from across the room. Like she’s there, and I just want her to jump back into my body so we can feel like normal again. I feel so guilty for even thinking like that because I love my baby so much. I have more help than anyone, and I still feel sad at times because I want to feel like the old me… it’s weird.”
Jahquel J. . Quasim II : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 2). urban chapters publications . Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: It isn’t discussed often enough!
SheReadsaLot: I’m thankful for having my friends, because motherhood/parenthood isn’t easy. And you need your village.
With so much laughs
I leaned my head back and raised my brow. “That nigga do that dog food?”
Jahquel J. Quasim : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 1). Kindle Edition.
“Dog food? Baby, I said he does heroin… you know.” S
he started slapping her fucking arm, and I started laughing because she was so serious while trying to explain what that junkie was on.
Disrespect.
“Red, I hear you,” Papa lowered his head and then slowly lifted it as he stared at his brother, smirking with gold in his mouth. “Nothing can ever be right until you get yo ass down in that casket and I take a piss on you.”
Jahquel J. . Quasim II : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 2). urban chapters publications . Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Papa’s mouth was so disrespectful!
SheReadsaLot: So disrespectful!
SheReadsaLot and SheReadsaLot:
Showing the next generations being raised with emotional intelligence.
“You can’t be a man without showing emotions… that’s what makes you, you. It’s what makes you strong.”
Jahquel J. . Quasim II : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 2). urban chapters publications . Kindle Edition.
While breaking generational curses.
When I used to get my hair braided, my mother would tell the braider not to make my braids long. She couldn’t help but make them long because my actual hair was long. I never understood how or what was associated with being grown. “We’re not doing that with our girls, Meer. I told you that I want her to be free to explore whatever, as long as you and Brandi are cool with it
Jahquel J. . Quasim III: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 3). Kindle Edition.
Showcasing a secure love.
Fuck soft girl era. He put me in my secure girl era. A place where I felt safe, seen, and secured. Although I had been married in the past, it was a place that I had never visited.
Jahquel J. . Quasim III: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 3) (p. 103). Kindle Edition.
Standing on your worth.
“The problem with chasing someone is, they tend to get used to that. … I need you to show up for me.”
Jahquel J. . Quasim III: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 3). Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to Blair: You tell’em
Also nipping some discussions in the bud.
It wasn’t about Aimee taking accountability for her actions, it was that she put the work in to change them. She never stayed that way. Instead of being the victim, she went on to become victorious. With the odds stacked against her and a mountain of trauma, she accomplished what many couldn’t say they did.
Jahquel J. . Quasim III: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 3). Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Aimee got some undeserved harshness thrown her way indeed, and it needed to be said!
SheReadsaLot: It sure did!
And also giving us some words throughout the three books
“My mom used to say, ‘Whenever someone unveils their true colors, don’t repaint them with your imagination…’”
Jahquel J. Quasim : King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 1). Kindle Edition.
And in dedication.
The moment you borrow another’s flame to light your path, you’ve already dimmed your own. Imitation isn’t inspiration — it’s desperation. There’s only one me. Like there is one you.
Jahquel J. . Quasim III: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods Book 3). Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to Mrs. Jahquel J.:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Reading this will have you on a rollercoaster of emotions, and a well worth one!
Week Closer
And I closed out my week with Mrs. Talese Nicole‘s A Beautiful Disaster, her official authors debut.
Mrs. Nicole decided to open her first sole authored book up with a bang…
To the one I could never seem to get it right with. I named a character after you and ended him with a hammer. Thank you for the inspiration. You earned every blow.
Nicole, Talese. A Beautiful Disaster (p. 3). B. Love Publications. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: We immediately sat up while reading that part.
SheReadsaLot: We sure did, because it sure did not take the direction I was expecting.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
We got to read the story about Nicole, FMC, who isn’t afraid of burning everything down, to start from zero.
I didn’t feel like the kind of girl boys would stay for. But I felt I could grow something beautiful. And if I couldn’t? I would watch it burn.
Nicole, A Beautiful Disaster by Mrs. Talese Nicole
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And she sure did grow a lot of beautiful things!
SheReadsaLot: Corbin, Jay, Tez….
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And she got better over the years….
I had subconsciously grown better through practice over the previous years.
Nicole, Talese. A Beautiful Disaster. B. Love Publications. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot:
And she had some words to live by…
“You know . . . when something stops growing, you have two choices: nurture it . . . or get rid of it.”
Nicole, Talese. A Beautiful Disaster (p. 139). B. Love Publications. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Those people will side eye you when they read this book!
SheReadsaLot: I said the words were something to live by… not the actions!
And we’ve come to the end of this Week in Review!
Looking forward to what next week will bring, and hope to see you there!
👩🏾SheReadsaLot 