A. Idle Book Reviews A. Idle

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



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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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