Tag: Books

Sisterhood Powers Through It All

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A Book Review

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Last night, I finished reading the second of the three books by Tracy Brown, purchased for my birthday as gifts from my best friend, and I truly like this one so much more than Hold You Down.

Don’t get me wrong, both books are sensational and the author does a great job introducing developed and layered characters to us in each delivery. Still, something about Single Black Female will stick with me for many years to come.

Below is the Amazon review I submitted:

“I Got Emotional So Many Times

And I am not afraid to admit that. “Single Black Female” is the story so many Black women can relate to.

I love how the author, Tracy Brown, depicts each character. We get a full view of each of their personalities, and it’s a believable fictional tale. I found myself connecting with each of the four women: Ivy, Coco, Nikki, & Deja. I feel like there’s a sliver of each of them within me.

Their bond and closeness reminded me of true friendship and sisterhood. I got so emotional during several chapters and at the very end as well.

It is a breath of fresh air reading a happy and positive ending. One that showcases the women having a delightful conversation and enjoying themselves amongst the peace and somewhat quiet of Brooklyn for a “picnic.”

I teared up simply thinking about the women closest to me and about my brothers and my baby sister, and how hard I would war for all of them if I had to–be it against authoritative figures or their friends and loved ones.

The power and authenticity of love and its effectiveness of a genuine friendship know no bounds and can withstand any evil. And Tracy Brown does such an amazing job portraying that with this book.

I highly recommend it!”

If you’re looking to pick up a book that will stir something alive in you and make you remember just how grateful you are for friendship and love amid turmoil, this book will do exactly that.

“Hold You Down” Held Me Captive

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A Book Review

Hold You Down by Tracy Brown. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

A co-worker recommended this book several months back, and I told my best friend (when asked) to please get it for my birthday. She did exactly that, along with two more books the author wrote.

It took me about a week and two days to read this one. That is because I had to sit with some scenes for a while and allow them to run through me, to take their course, so to speak. It is a heavy read.

However, I truly did not want to turn away from it, I simply had to in order to preserve my peace.

Below is the Amazon review:

“An Ending I Did Not Envision for the Book

“Hold You Down” reminds me of my summers spent in The Bronx or on Long Island, and my time growing up on the east side of Savannah, Georgia.

I cried. I got upset. I shook my head in disgust. There were so many chapters that rendered me speechless and appalled in this book. And not in a bad way, but more like a reflection of the teenage boys I knew up north and the slightly older young men I knew from around the way.

Lenox reminds me of one of my aunts. I smiled thinking about how alive and untameable she always has been, but also how she brings so much joy to others around her.

This book is not only breathtaking, it will have you feeling devastated about the trials life throws our way, aggravated about the many labels we toss at Black boys and men, and yearning for family you miss and will never see again.

The author was calculated in her language selection and writes in a way that is relatable and connects with the reader. I found myself not wanting to put the book down many nights.

Although it was such a great read, the ending left me feeling like something is amiss; it seems unfinished–unsettled.

But overall, I look forward to reading it again. I am sure there is much more to be dissected the second time around.”

I have already started reading one of the other books written by Tracy Brown, and I’m toes deep into the plot. I think this is another page-turner. Stay tuned.

Séduire (It’s Almost Time)

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Publishing date is October 30, 2024

Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Action
Séduire Video announcement. Created by Tremaine L. Loadholt

Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales
and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period
of three years. I want you to feel something,
and with these stories, you will.

For those of you who have always supported me, thank you. I hope you will do so again when Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction is published on October 30, 2024.

Are you interested in reading my previously published books? You can do so here.

Stay Tuned.

Exploring New Worlds: Shonda Rhimes, Year of Yes

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I read the book and now, I want more!

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I love the fact that I have family members and friends who recommend books or buy them for me when they KNOW I’ll love the content.

In the book, Shonda speaks about how a comment from her sister about her limitations of herself regarding fears prevents her from saying yes to anything, and that jolted something alive in her to change that.

A younger cousin of mine told me about Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes because she truly enjoyed it in its audiobook form. She gave me the gist of it and hyped it up enthusiastically, too.

I had to see for myself, and I’m glad I did. Here is the Amazon review for it:

“My Cousin Recommended This Book!

And I’m awfully glad she did! Firstly, I didn’t expect to read what I just read. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect.

It’s Shonda Rhimes! Of course, I was thinking, in the back of my mind, the woman can downright write, so it ought to be good. But this was/is much better than good. It’s phenomenal!

Secondly, I hadn’t factored in the reality that she’d let us into her personal life just a bit with this book, and lo and behold, she did!

I felt like a member of her family thumbing through the pages, laughing, sighing, and crying. Not only is Year of Yes well-written, it is full of humor and grit and witty retorts.

I sank into so many scenes as they were told from the writer’s point of view and recollection. I connected with various happenings in her life as a writer, and her love life reminded me of mine as well.

There is so much to explore and unpack in this book, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to do so. I assure you, it IS a work of art that is worth your time.”

I absolutely adore it when a recommendation does not steer me wrong. And this book is now a favorite of mine!

Is Books Anonymous a Thing?

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At this point, I’m definitely an addict.

Back in the day, the author and I used to participate on a music & writing platform and occasionally connected via AIM. I always felt she’d do what she was meant to do with her artwork. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Stop Telling Women To Smile by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh is a gut punch of a book, and I enjoyed reading it!

I had no doubt that I would. It has the author’s voice, her passion, and the intensity for the importance of the topic at hand shines through each page effortlessly.

The Amazon review is below:

“STWTS Should Be Taught In Sex & Gender Courses.

And I say this, having had my stent in one such class while in college, and if I was assigned this book to read, I probably would have felt as if I learned more.

It is a beautiful thing to be able to see words within pages that perfectly describe what I have felt–still feel sometimes about street harassment and the various interactions I’ve had with men while in public.

It is a VERY real thing and should not be brushed aside or swept under the proverbial rug.

The artwork accompanying the stories helps to drive the power of the words home as well as what every woman, non-binary person, and trans-woman has experienced and how street harassment has shaped their lives. You can see the strain and exhaustion on every face.

It also opens a door to dialogue and the changes men must make for this issue to become a non-issue.

The author/artist did a phenomenal job with this book, and I am happy to have it as a part of my collection and favorite reads.”

Being a Woman: Forthcoming. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

The final book to Michele Lee Sefton‘s Being a Woman project is Forthcoming.

It is the perfect way to complete a series. Out of all three, though, the first book is my favorite. It set the tone for the project and had the most impactful words within it.

Below is my Amazon review:

“Emotionally Charged, Binding Poetry.

In this third offering from the “Being a Woman,” project, “Forthcoming” took what I thought was a completely different turn, but this did not dampen or lessen the strength and depth of the poems shared.

Michele shone a light on the dearly departed, the forgotten, the worried, the weakened, and the powerful in this book.

It was easy to connect with quite a few poems and allow my emotions to get the best of me: I felt something. And I assume that’s exactly what the author wants.

Ending the collection, “Forthcoming” finishes on a high note with its last offering, “Return Home”, which solidifies the book in a huge way, and allows the reader to breathe a sigh of relief.

If you haven’t already made this book one of your own, I suggest that you do, and soon.”

Does anyone else need to attend a Books Anonymous meeting or two or three?!

Two Things Thursday #25

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1. The Sheltering. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. Teddy Pendergrass, Latest, Greatest Inspiration

1. The Sheltering by Khaya Ronkainen is a book of poetry I read recently. I knew I would love every minute of this read, and I DID!

Below is the review I left for the book via Amazon:

“Not Fooled By the Cover

At first glance, regarding the cover, I didn’t know what to expect. My first thoughts were, “Will the poetry be gentle and childlike?” Or, “Will I actually need to take cover from its power once I’ve read it?” And after reading this work of literary art, it’s clearly the latter.

There is nothing lacking here. Every poem is a hard-hitter, dragging you down a rabbit hole of reminiscent recollections of pandemic’s past while battling the many paths we walk with grief.

A few haibun and visually structured poems struck several chords with me.

I knew the author would share something poignant and superb, but “The Sheltering” is practically flawless.

At just under 80 pages, there are various opportunities to connect and be alerted to spend more time with one’s thoughts while devouring the words shared in this book.

I agree with another commenter, “The world should read this book.” We were all there, and we still are.”

2. Teddy Pendergrass‘s Latest, Greatest Inspiration is such an incredible song. It’s the second share for this post, and if you listened to it via the YouTube video above, you’ll understand why I chose this song.

First off, I am a huge Teddy Pendergrass fan. I really hate that he’s not still around anymore to belt out beautiful ballads such as this one.

He died in January 2010 at the age of 59.

Why do I love this song so much? It is in the lyrics, the melody, and Teddy’s “Smooth-Like-Buttah” voice. One particular part melts my heart every single time,

Things never looked clearer, peace within never felt nearer
My burden’s gone, it’s turned to a song
Tender as a baby’s touch, I needed you, oh, so much
At last, my load is so light.

Now if that doesn’t connect with you, I can’t help you.

Latest, Greatest Inspiration will always be a top contender on my favorite songs list. I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to it just as much as I do each time I hear/play it.

You inspire me,
Inspire me!
Don’t you know it?
My latest, my greatest inspiration.

This concludes the Two Things Thursday series. Thank you for joining me every week for it.