Welcome to November!
Hey y’all,
I can’t believe we are already in November. 2022 has been moving like no one's business so it’s time to start preparing for the holidays and 2023. I’m working on some exciting things happening in the new year that I can’t wait to share with y’all. In the meantime, in between time, let’s get into the roundup.
News and Insights:
I’ve been working on my novel again and it is slow-moving. I’m doing NaNoWriMo and not hitting the word count but I’m doing it! Little progress is better than no progress. I have a tendency to take on too many projects, which overwhelms me, and I proceed to get nothing done on any project. How does one actually go about prioritizing? It hasn’t always been a struggle but as a multi-passionate individual, I want to do it all. I think I have my answer but choosing it means putting another dream on hold. You know what they say though, a delay is not a denial.
Books I’m Reading:
Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest- a psychic travel agent and songstress helps a Seattle police detective solve a murder. It had me at psychic travel agent. It’s funny and relatable, except for the psychic part. It is definitely worth reading as it does provide some good entertainment.
The Skeleton Crew by Deborah Habler- The writing immediately draws you in from the first few pages. Deborah Habler is a fantastic writer in my opinion. The Skeleton Crew is about amateur sleuths (real people), who have helped solve crimes and cold cases. It’s worth a read if you fancy yourself a sleuth and/or if you are doing research for a novel.
Unorganized Crime: New Orleans in the 1920s by Louis Vyhnanek- I have been fascinated with how we are constantly repeating the past and have a tendency to find books that can give me insight; this is one of those books. I haven’t deep-dived into it yet but stories about Mob ties, prostitution, prohibition, and more intrigued me. Not to mention, I’m still looking to write my Madams trilogy series (think prostitute world war) and information about how unorganized and organized crime was during that period is important.
On the Hunt:
I’m looking for Alabama cookbooks written by Black chefs and/or community cookbooks written by Black folks. This project is near and dear to me as too often, the Black stories from Alabama are never highlighted or known (the Clotilda-the last slave ship to arrive in the United States AFTER slavery was ended and Africatown- founded by those who were on the ship and where the descendants still live comes to mind). Alabama is slowly starting to highlight Black people's contribution to Southern cuisine. If y’all know someone or know where I can purchase and/or see the books, that would be great! Please share with your Alabama friends or any friends that could assist ya girl. I’m planning on taking a trip to The University of Alabama to check out their African American Cookbook Collection that was donated to the university. Becoming a paid subscriber will help with this project!
Mystery books written by Black people: I’ve been on the hunt for mystery books by younger Black people. I’m looking at Gen X, Gen Y, and Millennials. Yeah, I know Gen Y and Millennials can be classified as the same but there is a distinct difference. I want to find and share stories that I can relate to but also explain how others can relate. I’ve found a few but need more! I will be keeping a running directory of said books. You can send me an author's name, the title of the novel, or a copy of the book. I will be reading and reviewing as well.
Food:
I’ve not been in the kitchen cooking as much lately. Life has been exhausting and the last thing on my mind is food. Not good but it is what it is. I’ve also been preparing for 2023 with regard to the cookbooks I will highlight. I’m still working on what recipes I will be sharing. Some will be for paid subscribers only (recipes from restaurants mostly) however others will be for everyone. Let me know what you would like to see more of food wise in the comments. I always welcome y’alls suggestions.
As always, thanks for rocking with ya girl.
Until next time,
Xoxo~Christilisa