Sponsored by Amazon Original Stories.
Jessica Simpson knew she needed to confront her fears. She made a to-do list for the life she wanted. No more struggling to please everyone else. No more dulling the pain. No more avoiding the scary stuff. From now on, she’s focusing only on the expectations she has for herself. With her trademark warmth, Jessica reflects on motherhood, self-acceptance, and overcoming the fears that hold you back. Read Take The Lead: An Essay, an inspiring short memoir from the musician, actress, and New York Times bestselling author of Open Book. Prime members read and listen for free.
WELP here we are with some A+ new releases once more. I’m v. excited about all of them, so let’s get into it:
Queer Icons and Their Cats by Alison Nastasi, PJ Nastasi
CAN YOU EVEN. Jujubee is on the cover! Famed drag artist and lover of cats! The description of this is filled with cat puns like “amewsing” anecdotes and “impawtent” moments (I was especially impressed by the latter) from the lives of queer heroes. If you love queer icons and also photos of cats, this feels like a must. *looks at the cover again* Ahahaha I love it so much.
African Europeans: An Untold History by Olivette Otele
Otele is Professor of the History of Slavery at Bristol University and the first Black woman to be appointed to a professorial chair in history in the United Kingdom. Here she tells the story of African Europeans, “from Emperor Septimius Severus, to enslaved Africans living in Europe during the Renaissance, and all the way to present-day migrants moving to Europe’s cities.” So much history! I’m so glad this book exists!
They Better Call Me Sugar: My Journey from the Hood to the Hardwood by Sugar Rodgers
My work bestie loves the WNBA so THIS IS FOR YOU, LINDSEY (she doesn’t subscribe to this newsletter). Rodgers was recruited out of high school to play college basketball, and was then drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in 2013. She was the first of her family to attend college and “speaks of her struggles both academically and as an athlete with raw honesty.” TW for early mom death (Rodgers was 14), but more WNBA books, please. They do amazing work!! And they deserve for their stories to be told.
For more nonfiction new releases, check out the For Real podcast which I co-host with the excellent Kim here at Book Riot. If you have any questions/comments/book suggestions, you can find me on social media @itsalicetime. Until next time, enjoy those facts, fellow nerds.