Happy Pride!
There’s no better month to talk about community than June. The build up to Pride Month is palpable for many of us. Bookstore window displays are decked out, friends and corporate allies are eager to support the notion that “Love is Love,” and who doesn’t like rainbows? Haters! That’s who. The month-long festivities that we see in June today make it easy to forget that we owe a large debt of gratitude to Marsha P. Johnson and other freedom fighters who, during the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, courageously stepped up and said, “ENOUGH!”
‘Pride’ is both a noun and a verb, a thing and an action. This year, the targeted political attacks on the LGBTQ+ community because of who we are and who we love makes Pride feel like a necessary declaration and an act of resistance in addition to a celebration!
AND SPEAKING OF CELEBRATIONS…
I’m celebrating these highlights from a recent BookLife review for THIS: A Simple Complex Love Story “…this is a phenomenally diverse love story that explores the early 2000s LGBTQ+ scene with a critical, yet celebratory eye. The challenges that the couple faces are unique and intriguing. Rivers seamlessly weaves time period accurate vernacular into her novel that provides an authentic mood. The prose style is light and conversational. Both Teresa and Jasmine are electrifying on their own, with quirky backstories and a well rounded cast of supportive friends.”
There are more Jasmine and Teresa adventures to come; I’ll be releasing a bonus chapter for THIS soon, so watch for it in your inbox. If you aren’t a subscriber, please consider becoming one.
ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY
The flagship of the Enoch Pratt Library system. Stunningly beautiful!
I had the opportunity to fangirl Stacey Abrams! A fact that I am not ashamed of. The extraordinarily brilliant activist and author was at the beautiful central library in Baltimore in May as part of the Enoch Pratt Brown Lecture Series discussing, among other things, her latest novel Rogue Justice. (I haven’t started reading it yet, but I will certainly let you know what I think in a future newsletter.) Anyhoo, the insights, glimpses into her writing process, and calls to action that she shared were inspiring!
I was thrilled to be a guest on the podcast “Office Hours with Dr. Mario.” The episode will honor Pride and I will certainly share a link on social media when it’s available.
Since numbers do matter for authors and it helps others find this wonderful community of readers, I would appreciate: a follow on social media, a book review on the platform of your choice with feedback, and if you tell a friend if you enjoyed the book. Finally, shout out to Kelly Aten for sharing her author resources so freely. Check out Kelly’s website if you’re looking for new reads.
HAPPY PRIDE FAMILY!
Naomi
P.S. I can’t leave without sharing my latest garden lovely.
DID I MENTION THAT I LOVE FLOWERS?
ASIATIC LILY, Vermeer
