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Curated Thoughts is a digital salon centered on the literature of the Black diaspora—where reading is intentional, reflective, and lived with.
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Hard Doesn't Mean Not Worth It: On Reading Classical Black Literature
Reading James Baldwin shouldn't feel impossible, but for many millennials and Gen Z readers, it does. Not because these books aren't worth it—but because we weren't given the tools to read them. Here's why classical Black literature is hard to comprehend, and why pushing through matters now more than ever.
Feb 255 min read
Did this book need to be a series?
The pressure readers put on authors to satisfy our thirst for more stories about beloved characters raises a question: does this backfire when a book never meant to be a series fails to recapture the magic of its predecessor? Maybe the best series are those that were always intended to be series, and perhaps the greatest gift we can offer authors—and ourselves—is allowing some stories to end when they're ready.
Jan 95 min read
What Gets Counted in a Year of Reading
Year-end reading statistics often tell a story beyond mere numbers—they reveal whose narratives we collectively value and amplify. When Black authors remain consistently underrepresented across major reading platforms' wrap-ups, we're witnessing not just a data point, but a reflection of deeper structural biases in literary culture.
Jan 22 min read
The Critique
literary and cultural criticism exploring how stories are written, shaped, and understood within the Black diaspora and beyond
Black Romance is my Valentine
These books have had me crying and laughing out loud—just me and a book, alone in my house. If you've never given Black indie romance a chance, consider this your invitation. Here's the Valentine's Day reading list I'd hand to anyone willing to listen.
Feb 144 min read
Black History. American History.
Black History Month will probably be hitting differently for a lot of us this year. Given the current climate of the United States, it goes without saying how much a society can be changed in such little time. Whether it's policy shifts, cultural backlash, or the weight of watching progress unravel, the ground feels unstable right now. Maybe that's why it feels more urgent than ever to return to the books that remind us where we've been—and why that matters.
Feb 14 min read
New Voices to Watch: Q1 Debuts
Here are some new voices to watch for in Q1 2026, from a legal thriller by civil rights attorney Ben Crump to a speculative medical drama that reimagines healthcare in a post-apocalyptic world. These debuts span romance, horror, and fiction that refuses easy categorization—all worth keeping on your radar this winter.
Jan 255 min read
On Building Relationships: Black Authors and Booksellers
As a bookseller, I've learned that relationships matter most—not just with customers, but with the authors whose work we carry and the publishers who decide whether we're part of the conversation. When Sadeqa Johnson's team invited Black booksellers into an intimate chat about her upcoming novel, it felt like a rare acknowledgment: that we're not just venues, but collaborators in how stories reach readers.
Jan 173 min read
The Reading
Room
explores the atmosphere of reading—books chosen by mood, feeling, and the rituals that shape a life well-read
Reading Apps vs. Notion Reading Trackers: Which is Right for You
Apps, spreadsheets, Notion, or paper journals? Most readers don't need more than Goodreads or StoryGraph—but if you want deeper customization, here's the honest breakdown of every reading tracker option, including pros, cons, and when to choose each one (or use them together).
2 days ago8 min read
Organized Reading in Practice
Organized reading isn't about turning books into a school project. It's about honoring the time you spend reading by building a system that helps you remember what you learn, hit your goals, and look back on your reading life with clarity instead of brain fog.
Feb 276 min read
Hard Doesn't Mean Not Worth It: On Reading Classical Black Literature
Reading James Baldwin shouldn't feel impossible, but for many millennials and Gen Z readers, it does. Not because these books aren't worth it—but because we weren't given the tools to read them. Here's why classical Black literature is hard to comprehend, and why pushing through matters now more than ever.
Feb 255 min read
5 Things Reading Apps Can't Do
Reading apps are great for tracking books. But what if you need to build a reading curriculum, track multiple goals at once, or deeply reflect on what you've read? Some readers need tools built for depth, not just convenience. Here are 5 things your reading app can't do—and why that matters.
Feb 205 min read
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