Book Gyal Magic | Bookstagram, Currently Reading, and Supporting Black Owned Bookstores

Since being in quarantine, so many people have either taken on new hobbies or had time to dedicate to things they already love; I am of the latter crowd. With so much going on in the world and suddenly not having sports to turn to, I was looking for an escape, because it was all becoming so heavy and mental health is vital, probably now more than ever. Most of my days are spent cuddled up with my dog and a good book. Beyond that, I want always make sure I'm maximizing my time as much as I can. Knowledge is wealth and even in reading fiction, truth can be found there. 

Growing up, I absolutely hated reading and my mom can attest to this, but I've developed a love for reading over time; it's something like a miracle. And with sports being gone for so long, I've had nothing but time to dive deeper into something I now wish I spent more time doing as a kid. 

Because of the content I naturally find myself reaching for these days, I was inspired to create a bookstagram account, Book Gyal Magic (accompanied by a tumblr and Goodreads accounts as well), which I've coined as a safespace for avid readers and book lovers. It's been on my mind for quite some time and I finally decided to do it, especially with it being the year of execution and all. Also, in terms of building community, while it's not my goal exclude anyone or make anyone feel excluded, it is extremely important for me to intentionally seek out and promote black content creators in this realm, who too often get washed out by the machines of algorithms and overlooked on varying platforms. 

And I think there's no better time than now to get back to blogging, because...why not? 

So in honor of my new project, here's a compilation of books I've read, reading, books I'm anticipating, all that jazz:  

Books I've read so far in 2020:

• The Autobiography of Malcolm X - as told by Alex Haley (2nd time reading)
• Queen of the Conquered - Kacen Callender
• Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Children of Blood & Bone (Legacy of Orisha, Book 1) - Tomi Adeyemi
• Pride - Ibi Zoboi
• Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams
• More Than Enough - Elaine Welteroth
• Becoming - Michelle Obama (still reading, technically)
• The Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo
• On Beauty - Zadie Smith

Currently reading: 

• Children of Virtue and Vengeance, book no.02 in the CBB series by Tomi Adeyemi
• River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

TBR:

• How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Voices - Julia Alvarez
• Creative Quest - QuestLove
• Assata: an autobiography - Assata Shakur
• Ship It - Britta Lundin

A short list of black-owned bookstores I've supported/will continue to support: 

Harriett's Bookshop: 

 258 E. Girard Ave. 

Philadelphia, Pa. 19125

Mahogany Books:

1231 Good Hope Rd., S.E.

Washington, DC 20020

Charis Books and More: 

184 S Candler St. 

Decatur, GA 30030

What books have you been reading and loving lately?