#LetYourGirlChildRead2019: Not Your Regular Book Review (An Intro)

Alright! So! For some reason I always find myself being overly inspired by the people around me. While I'm writing this, I am coming to accept that this might be another form of peer pressure. Well, the right kind of peer pressure.

So my friend from work is an avid reader, and she challenged her self to read 50 books this year. Not 1 not 5 but a whole 50. WHO YOU KNOW READS 50 BOOKS A YEAR? I'LL WAIT! I stan a well-read queen! I was, and I still am impressed. At the beginning of the year, I had a goal to read more. You know your girl was thinking a cool three books or something. I had just purchased the Alchemist, Auntie Michelle's book had been dropped, and the Slumflower had blessed us with a gem. There it is! My three books for the year 2019.

In a conversation about books with the girls one lunch break, another friend shared that she wanted to read more this year and was trying to read at least 10 books this year. Another friend who is on 30 book challenge (Another queen we stan), challenged her to do better. "Read 15!" said the 30 book challenge queen. Here comes big mouth me, "I will do 15 if you do 15!" WHO SENT ME! This may not have been the exact way it happened, but it happened.

So my good friend and I are doing a 15 book challenge. Honestly, I am 5 books in, and I am really enjoying it. Yes, I said 5 books! I remember how my friends and I enjoyed reading back them and all the Mary-Kate and Ashley books we passed around. I forgot how much I liked to read until I started reading again. I said like and not love because sometimes I would instead be scrolling down the gram enjoying having a glimpse of the lives of my rich friends. Quick question,  who do I pitch the "Rich Kids of Accra" TV show to? I think we can grow and have different spin-offs. Think Lagos, Banana Island, Kumasi, and the likes. We may have a hit reality show on our hands dear friends. Anyway back to reading.

I started using the hashtag #LetYourGirlChildRead2019 on Instagram every time I posted about the challenge and about a book. This is coming from a joke that will take a while to tell so let's just act like we know where it came from. I am specialized in the creation of hashtags, and I think this is an excellent example of that so if you don't agree YOU CAN DEBATE YOUR UNCLE'S WIFE. Okay! Focus Candy!

From the creation of hashtags to convincing some friends to take on a challenge as well and having really light, fun and funny discussions about books with friends, I had an Oprah moment. I thought about a book club, but really that looks like a lot of work. Instead, I decided to bring the book discussions to this blog. That is what I have been trying to say all this while. Long-windedness is what runs through my veins, and it's ok.

I will be sharing very untraditional reviews of the books I read and other reading and book related things. This is really not your regular book review. So if you come across any of this for your school work... I can't help you there boo. I can also assure you that we will not be doing any protagonist and antagonist or climax or any of that here. Address that with your AP lit teacher, please.

I am sure in the beginning none of these books will be the latest releases but bear with me. We will get there! I have so many ideas on how this can become something else which I believe aligns with my purpose, but I won't share now. I am very protective of my vision friends, but I am sure you understand.

At this point, I believe I might actually go over 15 books so say a prayer for my pocket cause books are not beans, and they are not cheap. I also need suggestions and more accountability partners because laziness and busyness are alive and well. Also, for some weird reason, I cannot read biographies or even self-help books, so please put that on your prayer list as well. We need to diversify you know.

I am excited about this and can't wait to just have fun with this!

Until then,
Stay Read Up Friends!

xxCandy