Summer Reading update

Hello,

Maybe I should take a summer hiatus from the blog. Why? It’s so hard to find time to sit and write. I can read all day, finish books, and enjoy the summer sun, but ask me to take an hour out of my day to write a blog.  It’s over.  I would also like to be honest; I have eased up on drinking wine over the last year. I want to lose weight; I have gained, and I do not really have the same time and space that I did when I first started this blog to enjoy wine the way I used to. I will still pair a book with wine when I feel led. In addition, I can’t sit and read like I used to; all my reading happens at appointments or during lunch breaks. I do not want to explain to my boss why I am tipsy after reading the heroine of a story defeat the big bad guy.  As in life, everything transitions. You may not see as many posts about wine and books.  I want to get back into posting regularly, and shocker, even start scheduling posts out.  Also, I saw one person recently end their blog after a few years.  I have been asking myself the same question. Should I stop posting if it’s getting harder to write due to time constraints and my final thoughts? No, I would rather downgrade from a paid site to a free one and make this space a place where I come to talk about books.

Now for what you came for LOL: book reviews. I started several books this summer, and so far, only one has finished. I want to finish the other ones by the end of August. I had this great idea to write and post about books based in Greek mythology in the lead-up to Christopher Nolan’s version of Homer’s “Odyssey”.  Well, that did not work; it was like my two jobs realized I am using my personal time on something fun, and they require all my free time to be dedicated to their side quest.  One of the books I did finish and adored was Nikita Gill’s epic poem “Hekate: The Witch”.

The book is written in verse and is hauntingly beautiful.  I loved how she portrayed Hekate, showing her growth from a young Girl to an adult woman.  I am not going into all the details, because this book deserves a full post.  I think everyone who loves Greek Mythology should read this version of Gill’s interpretation.   It’s a work of art that, in my opinion, should be used to introduce the next generation to mythology written in verse.

Another book I have been reading and adoring is Diahann Carroll’s book “The Legs are the Last to Go,” the memoir of her life. I know in the 80s she had a memoir/autobiography. I enjoy this version, as you can tell she has been through therapy and accepted her responsibility in her life.  I love her voice, her storytelling, and reflections on life. It’s a quick read, only ten chapters, but each chapter is packed with emotion, humor, and lessons.  I wanted to have this book done by Mrs. Carroll’s birthday, July 18. Unfortunately, I was still in chapter five and decided, like a good wine, to take my time. I do enjoy it when black women who have been in the business for years start sharing their experiences.  All I can say is Sidney Poiter is a CAD!

I have been reading Baltimore Native R. Eric Thomas’s “Congratulations, The Best is Over”. In my head, he is my essay-writing mentor, secretly helping me craft my first book of essays. I love his writing style, his charm, wit, and sarcasm.  The millennial reference that keeps you hooked and the understanding of what it feels like to find love and to accept that your parents are getting older.  One of the best parts of the book was him sharing the fear of Covid-19.  Thomas’ book is perfect for unraveling anxiety, laughing at life’s absurdity, and holding space for the changes you experience.  I want to interview Thomas on one of the podcasts, pick his brain for wisdom, trivia, and lessons. Also, I would ask him if we could co-host a millennial-based trivia night.

I am currently reading L’Oreal Thompson Payton’s “Stop Waiting for Perfect”.  I concluded, after talking with a friend, that I am holding on to all my writing for the wrong reasons. I remember last year that another friend told me about this book and that I should go to one of Payton’s book events when she was in town. She was right; I should have gone, but I let obligation and fear control my thoughts and decided not to go. Now, a year later, I am watching someone who is waiting for perfection hinder their process. I had a conversation with myself and said Read the book. Let’s put the writing and everything out to the world.  Why? Well, I have another essay for that and will be happy to link it below once I publish it.  I want to finish this book this week so I can start living by the Nike motto: “Just Do It!”

Now, there are a few other books I have read, as we venture into the last quarter of 2026.  I have decided those books will be posted later in the year. I think I will reach out for three interviews by the end of 2026.  Why? Because I had a plan for this blog, and wanted to start interviewing authors and people who published books or had a hand in the book process.  Thank you for reading this post. I just wanted to post something in case the rest of August turns into me chasing the sun and living life.  I want to read a book about weddings. My cousin is getting married, and I would like to post something to honor that, but you never know.

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle