A. Idle Book Reviews: Recent Episodes
A. Idle
Take a journey with me each week into a different book. I break down the structure and impact, closing it out with a personal review.
COUNTING THE COST: A MEMOIR by Jill (Duggar) Dillard
Jill Dillard, the oldest married daughter of the Duggar clan, reveals the details behind her estrangement from her family. As much as reality TV can be blamed for Duggar family issues, IBLP also contributed to the toxic family values. ‘Counting the Cost’ is perhaps the most authentic memoir to come out this year. Jill’s true voice has been uncovered.
Further reading: ‘Becoming Free, Indeed’ by Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo
Similar on TV: Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime
Thank you!
THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by Zakiya Dalila Harris
When being black in the workplace goes wrong… Nella swallows covert racism in her editorial position as the only black woman in the company until Hazel arrives. Invoking the best friend to enemy trope, this book slowly reveals the conspiracy that Nella is up against. SPOILER ALERT: Hair grease is the weapon. Jesus be a fence!
Further reading: ‘When No One is Watching’ by Alyssa Cole & ‘The Sellout’ by Paul Beatty
Similar movies” ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ & ‘US’
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THE PRESIDENT AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTER: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and their battle to save America’s soul by Brian Kilmeade
This piece details Lincoln & Douglass’ proximity to abolitionism, the executive office & the US Civil War. The issue surrounding federal power & the president’s ability to free those enslaved, created a deep division that threatened the union established less than a century prior. In comparison to Peniel E. Joseph’s Sword & Shield, this book [& writing] failed to impress me with the overall structure. Obviously, Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass remain important historical figures regardless.
Further reading to checkout: ‘The Columbian Orator’, ‘Lincoln’ by David Herbert Donald & ‘Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass’ by Frederick Douglass
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HUMBLE THE POET - Book Trilogy for Life
Unlearn (2014), Thing No One Else Can Teach Us (2019) & How To Be Love(d) (2022) are all pieces by Humble The Poet that discuss growth and introspection. The trilogy encourages the removal of bad habits, focus within the current journey & aiming to become a vessel of love. They build off of one another by expanding on the best practices for personal peace. Humble has alluded to a pause on writing books, but I think everything he’s produced thus far has been worthy of publication. Here’s to hoping we see more from in the future!
Playlist for reading: To Feel Love/d by Luke James
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THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson
The Piano Lesson is a dramatic stage play exploring legacy, family, ambition & dreams; all symbolized by the family’s piano. Popularized recently by it’s 2023 Broadway run with an all-star cast, this is an important reflection of what many black families dealt with a few generations removed from slavery.
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THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE by Tupac Shakur
Tupac, the activist, the poet, the artist, the rapper, the lover, the human. ‘The Rose That Grew From Concrete’ is a compilation of poems written by Pac between 1989 - 1991.
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THE TIPPING POINT: HOW LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE by Malcolm Gladwell
The tipping point is the catalyst for any epidemic. Gladwell explains the science behind word of mouth & Paul Revere’s successful journey; the power of context & the Zimbardo experiment; and the stickiness factor & Sesame Street’s successful curation. Ultimately, the Tipping Point preemptively foretold why Social Media Influencers would be successful & necessary for the corporate ecosystem.
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BAD BOY: A MEMOIR by Walter Dean Myers
‘Bad Boy’ is a memoir covering Walter Dean Myers’ childhood up to the beginnings of his successful career in writing. From Harlem to the army to New Jersey, this man always communicated in creativity. Dean Myers published his 1st book “Where Does The Day Go?” after winning a literature contest in 1969; he continued to publish books for over 40 years. Bad Boy serves not only as a reflective piece for him, but a masterclass on the evolution of a great author.
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The Unbothered King has spoken! Omarion details his internal process of maintaining a peaceful mentality in his writer’s debut. Flying high above internet beefs, O reflects on fear, masculinity, emotions & more while encouraging readers to be introspective. As a longtime Omarion fan, I was pleasantly surprised in learning about his more personal side. As a book reviewer, I was delighted to observe the various affirmations & prayers sprinkled in the plot. Overall, I had a well spent afternoon reading this & I’m looking forward to more music O!
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gJb1vGoc9Gez06Nmz89Bf
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-idle/id1501703673#episodeGuid=0be7a2e3-7aec-4f26-8ad8-f3743edbe2b0
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DEATH IN THE CLOUDS by Agatha ChristieMoneylender Madame Giselle has been murdered on Prometheus Air. Was it poison? Insects? Heart Attack? Certainly foul play.. Detective Hercule Poirot will put it all in perspective. Act 3 surprises us with a culprit whose motive is exceptionally cruel & without redeeming qualities. Analysis: There is a surprising overlap with Detective Hercule’s process & the 48 Laws of Power. Stick around to learn more.All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms. Want to stay in touch?Twitter: @AIdlePodcastIG: @A.IdlePodcastWordPress: aidlepodcast.wordpress.comGmail: A.IdlePodcast@gmail.com Thank you!
THE SWORD AND THE SHIELD by Peniel E. Joseph PART 2The revolutionary lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. In various ways they represent the political sword and shield of the Civil Rights Movement. This book also acknowledges the strategic development of Malcolm & Martin and the alliances they formed for the greater good of black people. Peniel E. Joseph penned a much needed nuanced narrative on these figures. Side Note: This is your weekly reminder that black education can happen outside of February; you can start by reading this book.All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms. Want to stay in touch?IG: @A.IdlePodcastWordPress: aidlepodcast.wordpress.comGmail: A.IdlePodcast@gmail.com Thank you!
The revolutionary lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. In various ways they represent the political sword and shield of the Civil Rights Movement. This book also acknowledges the strategic development of Malcolm & Martin and the alliances they formed for the greater good of black people. Peniel E. Joseph penned a much needed nuanced narrative on these figures. Side Note: This is your weekly reminder that black education can happen outside of February; you can start by reading this book.
All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms.
Want to stay in touch?
IG: @A.IdlePodcast
WordPress: aidlepodcast.wordpress.com
Gmail: A.IdlePodcast@gmail.com
Thank you!
THE 7 ½ DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE by Stuart Turton
This murder mystery dances with the premise of Groundhog Day by purposely changing the character perspective every day. Because the audience is continuously off balance, the thrill is heightened & the mystery’s captivation is strong. What we find leads us through a gruesome redemption story. But perhaps, we are left with more questions than answers?
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SHOOK ONE by Charlamagne Tha God
In times of mental health awareness, Charlamagne delivers an intriguing reflection of his struggles with anxiety. Coupled with clinical correlations by Dr. Ish Major and a plethora of hip hop references, this book has truly earned it’s NYT Bestselling position.
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Jinger Vuolo, nee Duggar, is discussing her religious path to following the true word of God. In her own words, this memoir is “How I’ve had to figure out what I believe & why I believe it”. Although foreign to most, Bill Gothard’s teachings have proved incredibly harmful & disjointed. Jinger’s breakdown of her disentanglement from his reign is quite captivating for someone looking in. NOTE: In the world of emotionally charged judgements, I ask everyone to read this book with only the intention to hear from Jinger herself.
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Released in 1997 this Toltec Wisdom Book explains the spirituality of the Naguals through 4 key self agreements. Ruiz imparts his esoteric knowledge that you haven’t encountered in most other self help novels. Adjacent to The Alchemist, ths novel emphasizes self regulation & accountability through concise phrases. Renowned for its impact on readers, this piece has been praised by many influential figures & influenced a large part of the world.
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In an alternate Earth timeline, humans now have 9 chances to come back to life. Of course there has to be some government regulating this process, thrusting the world into a new society based on life scores. Our main character, Julian, is a teen who uncovers a wild conspiracy where many are forced to die to maintain natural resources. This YA novel is very reminiscent of the ‘Divergent’ & ‘Hunger Games’ plot profile where kids are positioned to save the world. Overall Hines’ has a fair debut, looking out for a sequel though!
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Ashley Coleman’s pens a young black love story serving healthy conversation on creativity and career paths, music industry navigation, and a hint of a love triangle. Carli is a young writer trying to break into the music industry with a hit. But NYC is expensive so she’s stuck working several hours a day at a 9 to 5. When she meets Tau Anderson, several things seem to change expeditiously. But the moral of the story isn’t about chasing some man, it’s about working hard to receive the best fruits of your gifts. Why should you read this book? Well, “we all need to be encouraged in our greatness once in a while”.
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Released in 2021 this YA Murder Mystery surrounds a few boarding school students & the death of the polarizing 2nd wife of the Dean. Carrie Doyle delivers an Agatha Christie level of thrill for the audience as they slowly draw out the suspect. By the last page we receive an answer to the crime mystery but is it really the end to the story? What we know for sure is 1. Joanna Heckler was murdered 2. Pippa is a sketchy cold teenager running from something 3. Luke never received closure post kidnap & 4. Mr. Tadeckis is weirdly effective.
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This week’s non-fiction piece discusses the defining characteristics and detriments of High Conflict Personalities (HCP). Classified as a self-help book, the intent falls on informing the public on how to deal with an HCP in the least disruptive way. While this book is certainly informative, it falls to the side of speculation with little scientific data to boost the conclusions. Nevertheless you may encounter someone with high conflict tendencies & this book will bolster your defense against becoming a Target of Blame.
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Set in the late 1800’s, this stage play depicts the duplicitous nature of Jack Worthing & Algernon Moncrieff. These two goofy characters have spun a web of lies in order to enjoy life elsewhere. Ironically, these lies led them to realize who exactly who they really are. Accompanied by dramatically grandiose side characters, this play is a most comical narrative of life in the Victorian era.
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Officially ratified in March of 1781, this piece elaborates on The Declaration of Independence released years earlier. This document established the foundation of the United States of America as we know it today. Mostly dictating the behavior of each state in relation to the whole union & general conduct of an American representative. This short read is another historical document that can be easily read & understood by the masses.
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The fourth novel by urban fiction legend Donald Goines continues the gritty voice of the streets established in previous works. Describing the life of a prominent pimp, Earl the Black Pearl, we get an insider’s view of a prostitution network. The nature of pimping mixed with the blunt descriptions of Goines paints an unnerving picture of street life that will certainly not hold to the social standards of 2022.
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Caleb Azumah Nelson debuted with a vulnerable poetic piece on trauma & healing. Set in Southeast London, we watch our main character fall in love while treading ‘open waters’ within himself. With consistent background references of black artists, musicians & writers alike the vibe of this book is a perfect read for the creative searching for a deeper meaning.
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Former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best released this piece in 2021 detailing her time as the first black woman to hold the position. As the self proclaimed, “Proud black voice [speaking] of the thin blue line” this book highlights the unique struggles she faced during the 2020 police brutality crisis. Amongst her story, she presents an inside perspective on ‘defund the police’ & used detailed analysis to describe the negative impact this could impose on the community. As a prominent public servant, this book serves as a special channel to connect with the community & explain the complex crisis of policing America.
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The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America is a historical document that officially separated the colonies from Great Britain. Provided is a brief analysis of this ever so important piece, in today’s terms. (Basically the 13 colonies read King George for filth. Enjoy!)
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Hercule Poirot is back at it again! This time on the Nile River, solving the death of a most envied socialite. Love, deceit & money circle our characters’ trip on the Nile; a trip which ends with three deaths. Agatha Christie’s descriptive dialogue & suggestive explanation build a firm tension for the reader. Of the group of entertaining mystery writers today, Christie still remains at the top.
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The second book of the Bridgerton book series displays the courtship and marriage between Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sheifield (Sharma). This regency era appeals to many readers because of the respectful romantic encounters & enticing character backstories. I’ll be honest, I only read this in preparation for the season 2 of Netflix’s Bridgerton.. But it was a cool romance read.
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Five strangers, a catastrophic snow blizzard and a sketchy desolate rest stop. No Exit is a textbook thriller, delivering twist after twist. The reader finds comfort in rooting for the protagonist, Darby, to solve this mysterious crime & come out of it unscathed. Thus eliciting engaged reading until the very last page.
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Mansa Musa, reportedly the richest man to ever live, resided over the Empire of Mali during the 1300’s. However, history has glided past the expansive developments of this civilization. P. James Oliver has introduced readers to a summary of the legacy Mansa Musa left behind, hopefully striking the world enough to rediscover more of this African Empire. This piece is easily read within an afternoon and appropriate for all levels of curious readers.
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Nothing like the present to get acquainted with one of the most respected pieces on military strategy. The Art of War, written in the 6th century, is the road map of victorious military conduct which carries true to this day. Sun Tzu cunningly explains the opportunities for success on the battlefield in this expository piece. The edition reviewed today was originally published in 1944 with an introduction by Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Phillips.
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Gifty, our main character, reflects on the tragic unraveling of her mother’s mental health & her brother’s addiction. Now an established candidate for a PHD in the neuroscience field, she is wishing to recreate the environment of addiction to solve the only question that matters..’WHY?’. As a child of Ghanian immigrants to the US, she grew up in the bible belt of the south. Her religious foundation demolished her sense of the world when her brother overdosed. Gyasi pens a tragic tale from a scientific view point, leaving the readers to decide if Gifty’s experiment was indeed successful.
To donate to the Black Seed Scholarship, visit them on IG @TheBlackSeedScholarship
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When we talk about free speech, what we often mean is the speech protected under the First Amendment. Cose informs us just how long FREE speech in America actually lasted. From Sedition Acts to Cancel Culture, you can say just about anything you want, but expect varying reactions (so, not protected). In this piece we never discover what should be considered free speech, just the road to the current position the US has on these freedoms.
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This is an expose of a bunch of illegal and unsavory acts happening between a handful of characters. Goines, famous for his urban fiction contribution, delivers another gritty portrayal of street life during the 60’s/70’s. The character arcs are flat yet effective, proving nuance isn’t always necessary. This short read was adapted into a film starring the greats, DMX, Michael Ealy & Clifton Powell. Check out this review for a breakdown on this masterpiece.
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Opportunity comes to those who create it. In his debut, Charlamagne assesses the innate, but unique skill set we each have within. The idea that privilege only applies to a few is null & void. Tapping into the assets we have will ultimately put you on YOUR path to success. And if you’re blinded by the smoke screen of celebrity..F your dreams. Don’t chase someone else’s life, achieve your own.
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Changez crashed through every obstacle to earn a spot at Princeton & one of the top business valuation firms, Underwood & Samson. Unfortunately the terrorist attacks of 9/11 left him in a reactory position to the hostility surrounding his everyday tasks. He narrates this story to an unnamed American while sitting in a market in Lahore, Pakistan. On the surface this is a long monologue from a friendly man to someone clearly out of place. Once you dive deeper, you see just how terrorism flings its’ tentacles of destruction & instability throughout the world.
Side note: I am very thankful for those that listen. May you have a wonderful holiday season!
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A tale of racial passing where Clare Kendry & Irene Redfield are afforded two very different lives. Clare chooses to pass as white for the rest of her days alongside her adamantly racist husband, while Irene struggles to protect her quiet family life, blackness intact. Through these characters author Nella Larsen writes the consequences of denying a part of your existence. Most recently, Passing has gained new popularity with the release of the film adaptation on Netflix, starring Ruth Negga & Tessa Thompson respectively. As time passes, let us reflect on the implications of passing over the race line in a world where race determines everything.
Side note: I am very thankful for those that listen. May you have a wonderful holiday season!
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How much does circumstance contribute to your success? According to Malcolm Gladwell, there are an array of hidden opportunities, out of your control, that should be the focal point of this discussion. Gladwell writes the backstory for achievement, with the help of data from many psycho-social studies. Historical events have ultimately set the stage for the creation of a few famous outliers. In conclusion, Gladwell has produced nothing less than another informative piece with the utmost integrity. Thanks Mr. G!!
Side note: I am very thankful for those that listen. May you have a wonderful holiday season!
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Lucy Hutton & Josh Templeman are the most childish characters I have ever read about. Their progression from sworn rival to confidant serves as a nice contemporary love story though. Sally Thorne incorporates workplace competition and love/hate relations that has been adapted to a film, releasing Friday Dec 10. Before you run to see this romantic comedy, get to know the characters a little more with this review.
Side note: I am very thankful for those that listen. May you have a wonderful holiday season!
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The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller that plays with the perception of the audience. There is a crime to solve and the protagonist, Anna Fox, is an unreliable narrator. Although Fox is incapable of fundamental functions in the world, she is still a child psychologist who can sniff out trauma. She just happens to be surrounded by her own cloud of darkness. Newly adapted into a film streaming on Netflix, this book is maintaining a fair level of attention. Readers generally enjoy the book, and some are even able to guess the twist at the end. Listen to this review to bolster your interpretation of A. J. Finn’s work.
Side note: I am very thankful for those that listen. May you have a wonderful holiday season!
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Released in 1963 James Baldwin penned a pure essay of the black consciousness in America. His unfiltered commentary on race, religion & their respective roles in the destruction of a nation will preserve the knowledge of American society for generations in the future. I encourage you to reflect, in this season of giving, on the climate of hostility that produces the fear holding us back from maintaining our sense of self.
Side note: I am very thankful for those that listen. May you have a wonderful holiday season!
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Paulo Coelho released The Archer in 2003, which explains life, goals & professional mastery through archery. A topic many are not familiar with, Coelho uses metaphors and shorthand writing to reach his audience. This conversation between mentor & mentee resonates with many because the advice is universal. Coelho is successful because he himself has mastered simple storytelling. And with that gift, he can explain every mystery under the sun.
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Sula Peace invented hot girl summer, sleeping with husbands & leaving them for the next tryst. On her trail lay many un-Christian like descriptions & vengeful townsfolk. Only encountering suffering upon her death bed, she lived a life without regret. Her former best friend, Nel Wright, is the picture perfect wife who maintained a level reputation in Medallion. Both women’s experiences reflect authentic hardships black women faced during this time period. Toni Morrison released this novel almost 50 years ago & the themes can still teach us lessons on the impact of relationships with family, friends & lovers.
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Curtis Jackson remains one of the most successful rappers of the early 2000’s. His success being the ability to remain relevant, wealthy & alive. Prior to this book it was easy to assume 50 Cent to be callous & short-sighted, but his business strategy laid out for all to see proves otherwise. ‘Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter’ may as well be a textbook for first year entrepreneur students. Every business lesson you need can be found in these few pages (at a much lower price than those outdated textbooks your professor wrote). Side Note: Dear ‘Fofty’, if you’re reading this...please don’t curse me out!
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Stuart Turton is in the running for my favorite fiction author of all time. Delivering a well placed follow up on the darkness of The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Turton wrote a narrative of an entire ship being hunted by the Devil, like Tom hunts Jerry. The difference however is the cold calculated & complex moves of the Devil. Discovering the true evil that lurked in dark places took my breath away. I would tell you, but I’d rather you support this AMAZING author & find out for yourselves.
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Tiffany D. Jackson writes the story of a young Enchanted Jones who is taken advantage of by a wealthy, older musician, Korey Fields. Abusive relationships are no joke, especially when it contains a power imbalance. This display of fictional trauma may be a little too real for some readers, but in the times of ‘Me Too’ & ‘Time’s Up’, it is imperative our literature reflects the reactions of the public to sexual manipulation cases.
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Shout out to Agatha Christie showing the kids how it’s done. Christie’s efficient writing created the typical murder mystery trope, successfully providing a thrilling story line. Monsieur Hercule Poirot is the Dr. Gregory House of his generation, easily seeing through smoke screen facades & diagnosing the situation at hand. For the reader learning how each character has come to such a state on the Orient Express holds interest & adds suspense. Read through this real classic, and tell me, was justice served in the end?
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J. D. Salinger penned this novel in the late 40’s depicting the internal conflicts of Holden Caulfield. Holden’s story reflects the struggles of many teens trying to find their way in the world. However, this tedious narrative is but a page in the book of life. A page that includes no excitement, power, strength, ambition or laughs, only miserable excuses. There is nothing to learn from a character who refuses to learn themselves. Undoubtedly Salinger is a good writer, but this piece isn’t something worthy of high praise. So what’s the lesson here? We should stop labeling books as classics, just because they ruffled a few feathers upon release.
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Here we are folks, the reason I’ve continued to review books & analyze thoughts. It’s beyond imperative for us all to comprehend meaning through written language. Arrangement of words matters, exclusion of specific verbiage matters, and from the words of Harold Evans, this book explains exactly “Why Writing Well Matters”.
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In this contemporary fiction story, Olivia Monroe & Max Powell fall in love from opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Making up most of the book is their love journey, with an introspective look at their career paths. This week I took a break from the heavy topics discussed last week to relax with this fun read from Jasmine Guillory. Hope you enjoy the review!
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Howard Fineman debuted as an author in 2008 with The Thirteen American Arguments. Detailing centuries of disagreements, Fineman solves the complex equation where America equals a paradox. You see, this country cannot exist without divergence. What pushes us to greatness is not hate, but debates.
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Josh Kaufman uses the Greek mythical creature, hydra, as a metaphor for achieving one’s goals. Along the lines of The Alchemist, this story teaches many a lesson without sounding self righteous. As it turns out, you can learn quite a lot by following one fictitious character on their journey to greatness.
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Anita Kopacz frames the spiritual path of kidnapped Africans as they journey through the Middle Passage. The historical storytelling of Yemaya, Goddess of the sea, acknowledges the strength enslaved people maintained through African religions. Their spirituality further strengthened the pride of those who, on the surface, were stripped of everything material. Shallow Waters is teaching a new generation the root of black womanhood by way of Yemaya. If nothing else the audience will be awarded a hold on their own divinity.
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Ernest J. Gaines maps another take to the ‘wrongful convicted black man’ narrative. The character of Jefferson is given the painful task to await his own death in a jail cell. Those around him encourage Jefferson to align himself with God & dignity. We have all heard stories of injustice before, what makes this special is the explanation of the ripple effect it has on a community.
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Alexandra Andrews’ debut novel hit the market this past March. It follows the naive Florence Darrow as she navigates the literary world in NYC. Ultimately we end up with a couple unexplained mental breakdowns, a few dead bodies & a nice publishing deal. Odd doesn’t begin to cover this plot…
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Julia Quinn gave us the gift of the Bridgerton Book Series. Shonda Rhimes gave us the Bridgerton Netflix Series. And both gave us the gift of Regé-Jean Page as Simon Bassett. In turn I read The Duke & I to placate my Bridgerton withdrawal. Although this is just a book review, spoilers lay ahead for the series as well.
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Communication is led by headlines & social media posts. Alas “How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times” has legitimacy. Roy Peter Clark delivered a 240 page explanation on concise writing. In honor, this description is complete. Enjoy the review!
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Mike Duncan lays out the events in the Roman Republic from 146 BC to 78 BC. Often we are taught the importance of Julius Caesar, but not the events preceding his fall. In truth, Rome was a hot mess! In no way was I expecting to learn of such atrocities that continued for decades. The imperialist nation accomplished almost too much, with too little concentration on caring for the land (& people) conquered. For all the history buffs out there, take a deep dive into the Roman Republic with this informative read!
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Michelle Williams walks us through her personal battle with depression in this reflective memoir. She explains how her faith based foundation interacts with her therapeutic ventures to provide her the best opportunities to remain mentally healthy. It cannot be easy to be so vulnerable, especially in an era of trolls. But Ms. Williams draws back the curtains on her life, so we can better understand this ugly disease. In an era of shallow ‘self help gurus’, her book is a breath of fresh air. (If you’re reading this, we love you Michelle!)
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Coming off the heels of a successful series debut, it is only right that I review Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff this week. This novel originally blends other worldly happenings with the reality of the 1950’s. Although inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, this is not the work of the late writer. This piece instead structures an anthology-like view of the plot by following a group of black adults as they prepare to take on greed motivated wizards. Relevantly, this shows us that inclusion is possible in fantasy writing. Thank you Matt Ruff, for saying in so many words that black leads have a place in sci-fi.
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The Time Machine by H. G. Wells cautions against laziness and overall ignorance. By thrusting himself into the future the Time Traveler exposes a bleak end to civilized humanity as we know it. The depiction of two classes of species is heartbreaking, but intriguing. Wells manages to address social status, degeneration & law breaking time travel in under 100 pages. Standing the test of time, this piece has earned it’s classic status.
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Pretty Things shows us the psychological impacts of greed. Nina & Vanessa base their entire persona on their respective resentments from childhood. When they later cross cunning Lachlan’s path we see a full display of dysfunction & deception. Not one healthy relationship here folks. As we follow the same story but framed through each set of eyes, we find our culprit [or should I say mark?]. Under all the bravado, the toughness, the sweet acts of kindness & makeup we realize the prettiest things are full of the ugliest secrets.
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Neil DeGrasse Tyson released Astrophysics for People in a Hurry in 2017 in an effort to inform us normal people. We get a front row seat to the events immediately after the big bang, framing how the universe came to be so complex. Do not be fooled, this is not an explanation on why things are the way they are. This is simply an astrophysicist’s explanation of what we know thus far.
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King of the World captures the inspiring impossibility of Muhammad Ali’s historic wins over Sonny Liston. David Remnick manages to capture a wide vantage point from the news coverage during that period, displaying quite an objective view of Ali’s legendary position in boxing history. Without a doubt, boxing can never be defined without Muhammad Ali’s excellency on full display.
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Remembrance is the debut novel from Rita Woods that follows four black women across centuries as they formulate their own freedom. These characters are challenged with manipulating the energy around them to provide peace & protection. Their stories intertwine science fiction with historical facts to redeem those wronged by the horrific system of oppression.
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Of Mice and Men is one of those concise classics that everyone should read once in their life. The unyielding dreams of our main characters makes up only half of the story. In recent years the outrageous arguments for this work's place on the 'Banned Book' list has only increased it's notoriety. Let's take a trip back to high school literature to discuss. Spoiler Alert
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How fitting to review a book on Christopher Columbus in the current state of America. On top of Columbus being beyond problematic.. this book has the nerve to tell the driest version of America's "discovery". I reviewed it so you don't have to read it. Happy 2021.
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The Alchemist depicts the familiar journey of success & achievement. We can all learn from the wise words of Paulo Coelho specifically regarding motivation & perseverance. It is up to each and everyone one of use to determine what our personal legend is.. The Alchemist may be the perfect piece to start your new year!
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Happy Holidays! This week I take a dive into The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Known as one of the 'Banned Books' in the education world, Morrison eloquently depicts Pecola Breedlove's struggle with internalized racism. 50 years later, this gem can still teach us all lessons on compassion & humanity. Please be advised: Sensitive topics are discussed
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Throwing it back on a Thursday, we are looking at Twilight's core to determine if the popularity was valid. This episode is centered on comparing the differing perspectives on the Twilight Saga. [Side note: In Stephenie Meyer's defense..I've read this series far too many times & bought multiple copies over the years.] Let's discuss..
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Alyssa Cole's talented writing creates an unsettling journey through gentrification. Sticking true to the reviews, this thriller delivers adequate coverage of the [racial] investment in property across the country. This ominous topic is kept alive by the storytelling and character arc Cole has created.
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Eugene Robinson maps the fracturing ideology of Black America through important historical events. Being centered on the notion of blackness, these events frame pivotal points in the evolution of Black diversity. Let's take a look at 'Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America'..
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This week we follow the feminist icon that is Rhiannon Hunter. Her battle through glass ceilings is supplemented by her relationship with love, legacy & commitment. This is a wild ride y’all.
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This week we dive into Humble The Poet’s spectacular mind. The notable rapper & poet sparks important conversation on privilege, happiness & opportunity through ‘101 Simple Truths’.
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The first ever guest on A. Idle joins us in conversation on Collins’ latest work of art. SPOILER ALERT
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Before Katniss was thought of, a young Coriolanus coldly calculated his way to the top. Suzanne Collins finally gives her fans the most anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games Trilogy.
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Little Fires Everywhere provided a weekend of thoughtfulness. Celeste Ng gives us an inside look into the Shaker Heights scandals of the 90’s. Spoiler Alert! Check out the series and give us your thoughts @AIdlePodcast
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Life Lessons.. But Funny. Reviewing ‘I Cant’t Make This Up’ by Kevin Hart.
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This week I look at Stuart Turton’s work, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. This murder mystery with a touch of the Groundhog Day, leads us through a gruesome redemption story.
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To kick off the launch of A. Idle, today we will are analyzing Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks On Me by Charlamagne Tha God. In times of mental health awareness, Charlamagne delivers an intriguing reflection of his struggles with anxiety. Coupled with clinical correlations and a plethora of hip hop references, this book earns it’s NYT Best Sellers listing.
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Welcome! Listen for a short summary of what to expect from our book reviews. Stay tuned for our first official episode.