Find Your Joy!
“Every soul is to be cherished; every flower is to bloom.” Alice Walker
Greetings, we’re glad you’re here! Thank you to those who sent pictures after our request last month. We’re international y’all…thanks B.W. for your picture of Why Not Us? in Cinque Terre, Italy. We’d love to see your “book exploration” pictures. Share images of THIS: A Simple, Complex Love Story or Why Not Us? from near and far to @naomiriversbooks on Facebook and Instagram or email, naomi@naomiriversbooks.com.
Recently, our local library ran a “Finding your joy at the library” campaign that reminded us of the value of having free access to books and community resources. The “public” in public library is incredibly important and must be preserved. Speaking of protecting access, have you watched The Librarians? This documentary follows librarians across the country as they navigate organized efforts to ban books centered on race and LGBTQIA+ identities. It’s a powerful look at the current fight for intellectual freedom. You can stream it for free on PBS through Saturday, May 9.
Do you remember last month’s discussion about H.R. 7661, the “Stop the Sexualization of Children’s Act?” Well, the Author’s Guild has added its voice to the conversation. Their opposition reads in part, “…the true purpose of H.R. 7661 is not to protect children but to silence LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized voices. Young people who are already targets of escalating political attacks from their own government would be further erased from the books to which they have access. That is not child protection. That is censorship.” You can make your voice heard—urge your representative to vote “NO.”
Despite the grimness of our current reality—wars, high gas and grocery prices, political violence and partisanship run amok—we want you to find a little joy. Maybe that’s in a book; maybe it’s outside in nature; maybe you’re outside in a nature searching for a book. There are many opportunities to do just that on the horizon. Stop by to say, “Hello”:
Reisterstown Bloomin’ ArtFest May 9, 10-5pm
DC Black Pride Writers Forum May 23, 1-3pm
Charm City Books Book Talk May 28, 6:30-8pm (register here)
Pride LitCon ACCA Shriner’s Center – Richmond, VA June 13, 10-4pm
**Information about all events may also be found on our website.
Lastly, we wanted to share what we’re working on. You’re hearing it here first…the working title of book three is Jael’s Story. If you read THIS, you may remember meeting Jael, a naval officer who was about to deploy. With nearly 50 years of military service between the two of us, we thought it was time to explore a story line or two about folks wearing the cloth of our nation. We’ll keep you posted on our progress and we’ll share a sneak peak in a few months.
Until then, count it all joy,
Naomi + Rivers
