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ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
BET ON BLACK is part memoir, part self-help, and part essay that offers a refreshing take on being black in America today.
Williams breaks down the typical tropes of Black women on screens as a caretaker (Mammy) or a seductress (Jezebel). She calls out the harmful and limiting stereotypes in the everyday lives of Black women. It's inspiring to read about her personal journey and how Williams overcame these stereotypes while working in the entertainment industry, including Fox News and The Real Housewives of New York.
I also greatly appreciated how Williams outlines steps to center on Black history and excellence in a fun & approachable way, especially for those with children. While BET ON BLACK focuses on Black Americans, her suggestions of starting with a topic you're interested in and finding contributors of color often forgotten in history can be applied to other minorities to celebrate their uniqueness, heritage, and identity.
Williams also suggests we assemble our personal boards—people who can see things through our lens but can offer honest advice with their experience—and lean on them for important life decisions.
Finally, I appreciate how Williams delves into Blackness and patriotism and challenges the notion that Black Americans can't be both proud of their heritage and love their country. Her concept of redefining what it means to be proud of America while keeping the momentum to fight for justice is fascinating and thought-provoking.
BET ON BLACK is a celebration of Black America. It's easy to read, casual in tone, and packed with practical advice and inspiration.
Thank you Hachette Book Group for the gifted copy.
Williams breaks down the typical tropes of Black women on screens as a caretaker (Mammy) or a seductress (Jezebel). She calls out the harmful and limiting stereotypes in the everyday lives of Black women. It's inspiring to read about her personal journey and how Williams overcame these stereotypes while working in the entertainment industry, including Fox News and The Real Housewives of New York.
I also greatly appreciated how Williams outlines steps to center on Black history and excellence in a fun & approachable way, especially for those with children. While BET ON BLACK focuses on Black Americans, her suggestions of starting with a topic you're interested in and finding contributors of color often forgotten in history can be applied to other minorities to celebrate their uniqueness, heritage, and identity.
Williams also suggests we assemble our personal boards—people who can see things through our lens but can offer honest advice with their experience—and lean on them for important life decisions.
Finally, I appreciate how Williams delves into Blackness and patriotism and challenges the notion that Black Americans can't be both proud of their heritage and love their country. Her concept of redefining what it means to be proud of America while keeping the momentum to fight for justice is fascinating and thought-provoking.
BET ON BLACK is a celebration of Black America. It's easy to read, casual in tone, and packed with practical advice and inspiration.
Thank you Hachette Book Group for the gifted copy.
In a future dystopia, the US gets rid of incarceration and instead gives wrongdoers extra shadows to remind them of their crimes. This new population, called Shadesters, is publicly shamed and deprived of civil rights. As a single mother and a Shadester, Kris navigates a world increasingly prejudiced against her while raising a child born with a second shadow and grieving the loss of her wife. Kris must find the courage within and draws strength from her community to raise her precocious child and protect the spark that the harsh reality can’t dampen.
EXOSKELETON is a profoundly intimate story that explores the intricacies of grief, loss, and parenthood. One of the emotional anchors of the book is Kris’ memories of her wife and the conversations with her newborn.
Written in the second person and addressed to Kris’ wife, EXOSKELETON is a slow burn about finding love when you're lost and learning to live with the pain of loss. The vibe is similar to ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS (Ocean Vuong), and the book's emotional resonance is one of its strengths.
For those with children, EXOSKELETON will likely resonate more deeply as they explore the nuance of parenting, pouring everything you have into a little human and worrying whether that will be enough. ngl I got a little anxious about having a kid when reading this book
EXOSKELETON is a profoundly intimate story that explores the intricacies of grief, loss, and parenthood. One of the emotional anchors of the book is Kris’ memories of her wife and the conversations with her newborn.
Written in the second person and addressed to Kris’ wife, EXOSKELETON is a slow burn about finding love when you're lost and learning to live with the pain of loss. The vibe is similar to ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS (Ocean Vuong), and the book's emotional resonance is one of its strengths.
For those with children, EXOSKELETON will likely resonate more deeply as they explore the nuance of parenting, pouring everything you have into a little human and worrying whether that will be enough. ngl I got a little anxious about having a kid when reading this book
