In September I was able to listen to more audiobooks, and I even read some physical books!

Like I mentioned in last month’s post, a lot of my books will be nonfiction, but I still have some fiction sprinkled through.

As I do fuller book reviews for the ones on this list, I will link to them. I hope you find a new read to check out!

You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson

Summary:
Phoebe Robinson is a stand-up comic, which means that, often, her everyday experiences become points of comedic fodder. And as a black woman in America, she maintains, sometimes you need to have a sense of humor to deal with the absurdity you are handed on the daily. Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years.

Now, she’s ready to take these topics to the page and she’s going to make you laugh as she’s doing it. Using her trademark wit alongside pop-culture references galore, Robinson explores everything from why Lisa Bonet is “Queen. Bae. Jesus,” to breaking down the terrible nature of casting calls, to giving her less-than-traditional advice to the future female president, and demanding that the NFL clean up its act, all told in the same conversational voice that launched her podcast, “2 Dope Queens,” to the top spot on iTunes.

Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed my reading of this book. I listened to it on audiobook, and that was one of the best decisions I could have made. Her comedy was great, and the life experiences she told were relatable in many situations. Her personality and humor really shone through in this book.

Rating:
5/5

Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves Edited by Glory Edim

Summary:
Remember that moment when you first encountered a character who seemed to be written just for you? That feeling of belonging can stick with readers the rest of their lives–but it doesn’t come around as frequently for all of us. In this timely anthology, “well-read black girl” Glory Edim brings together original essays by some of our best black female writers and creative voices to shine a light on how we search for ourselves in literature, and how important it is that everyone–no matter their gender, race, religion, or abilities–can find themselves there.

Review:
This collection of essays did its job in showcasing the diversity and affect books have on women of color. Every single essay mentioned how important it is to have different representation in literature, even if you have to be the one to start that revolution.

As I listened to the different essays, I would constantly reflect back on my history and connection with reading and writing. Getting to hear from some authors that wrote some of my favorite books was very enlightening.

Rating:
4/5

Unashamed by Lecrae Moore

Summary:
Two-time Grammy winning rap artist, Lecrae, learned this lesson through more than his share of adversity—childhood abuse, drugs and alcoholism, a stint in rehab, an abortion, and an unsuccessful suicide attempt.

Along the way, Lecrae attained an unwavering faith in Jesus and began looking to God for affirmation. Now as a chart-topping industry anomaly, he has learned to ignore the haters and make peace with his craft. The rap artist holds nothing back as he divulges the most sensitive details of his life, answers his critics, shares intimate handwritten journal entries, and powerfully models how to be a Christian in a secular age.

This is the story of one man’s journey to faith and freedom.

Review:
Like a lot of current and new fans of Lecrae, I was introduced to him when he reached more mainstream success. Specifically, I first heard him when he sang with Tori Kelly. So, this memoir gave me an opportunity to learn more about the singer behind some of my favorite songs.

Listening to this on audiobook was one of the best decisions I could have made. Not only did I get a chance to hear his voice tell his story, but I was able to naturally hear the music that was produced because of the different parts of his life.

He was able to give a good picture of his life and his journey. I do feel like there is more information that could be discussed (more on his music journey or more on certain events in life), but for a comprehensive look at who he is, this is a good starting point.

Rating:
4/5

I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith by Lecrae Moore

Summary:
I Am Restored tells the untold story of how Lecrae’s past nearly ruined his future–until he learned that the wounds we carry can have the potential to be unlikely guides to healing and freedom for ourselves and others.

Throughout I Am Restored, Lecrae documents the shattering yet hopeful story of how he faced the scars of his past–sexual abuse, physical trauma, addiction, and depression–and emerged more fully human than ever before. With remarkable transparency and vulnerability, Lecrae reveals that at the height of his professional success, his life was spinning out of control, driven by a past that he had never confronted and a religious perspective that was incapable of meeting the challenge.

I Am Restored takes an unflinching look at the personal and public spaces that are too often at the societal core of our pain and heartache–culture, politics, family, church, and more–and teaches us that forgiveness can be the birthplace of the life that God has created for us.

Review:
I listened to this audiobook right after his first one, and the first thing I noticed was the voice change when Lecrae read it. In the first book, he had some lighter moments even when talking about his dark times. In this book, the world weary tone was evident from the first sentence.

This book delved much deeper into those dark moments he experienced both before he became famous and especially after.

There were many points that he made that resonated with me, and his “Restored” album takes on a new look when listening to it now.

Rating:
5/5

Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West

Summary:
From Forrest Gump, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Bad Boys II, to Face/Off, Top Gun, and The Notebook, Lindy combines her razor-sharp wit and trademark humor with a genuine adoration for nostalgic trash to shed new critical light on some of our defining cultural touchstones-the stories we’ve long been telling ourselves about who we are. At once outrageously funny and piercingly incisive, Shit, Actually reminds us to pause and ask, “How does this movie hold up?”, all while teaching us how to laugh at the things we love without ever letting them or ourselves off the hook.

Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Again, I listened to it on audiobook, and made my drives home so much more enjoyable.

The author presents all of the movies in a hilarious and critical light, even if it’s one she really enjoyed. I love watching the YouTube channel CinemaSins, and this book reminded me of that.

Do I agree with all of her opinions? No. Did I love the commentary presented with different layers of jokes? Yes, I did. I will definitely look into more of her writing after this one for sure.

Rating:
5/5

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu

Summary:
Marvel’s newest recruit shares his own inspiring and unexpected origin story, from China to the bright lights of Hollywood. An immigrant who battles everything from parental expectations to cultural stereotypes, Simu Liu struggles to forge a path for himself, rising from the ashes of a failed accounting career (yes, you read that right) to become Shang-Chi.

Review:
I really enjoyed learning about Simu Liu, and the journey he and his family took to get him where he is now.

Before he was cast in the MCU, I knew nothing about him, but the life he lived is one very reminiscent of others who have entered my life. His relationship with his parents was the most impactful part of his life journey, and while he infuses humor into some of the darker times, you can tell the profound impact it had on him then and now.

While I wasn’t as eager to listen to it, mostly due to some of the abuse detailed from his younger years, his story and journey was fascinating.

Rating:
4/5

4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie

Summary:
For an instant the two trains ran together, going in the same direction side by side. In that frozen moment, Elspeth, riding in the one train, witnessed a murder in the other. Helplessly, she stared out her carriage window as a man remorselessly tightened his grip around a woman’s throat. The body crumpled. Then the other train drew away.

Who, apart from Miss Marple, would take her story seriously? After all, there were no suspects, no other witnesses… and no corpse. Not the police.

Review:
One of the downsides of having watched the entire Miss Marple series is that I know how most cases will end. Despite my brain constantly going back to who the person was, I still enjoyed myself, and I found myself questioning the prior knowledge I did have.

This is one of the stories where Miss Marple is more involved in the case due to her connections, and it allows the reader to easily become invested.

Rating:
4/5