Love stories and recommendations

Notes on Kennedy Ryan's latest novel, Score, other love stories and recommendations.

Hi friends —

The holiday weekend was perfect. I spent the weekend napping, reading, and playing around with coffee since I got a new Nespresso machine. While quite an impulsive purchase, it was fun playing around with flavors to get the perfect cup.

On the reading front, I finally got to Kennedy Ryan's new novel, Score, and I loved it. It’s a second-chance romance between Verity Hill and Wright “Monk” Bellamy, two people who dated in college and never quite got over each other. More than a decade later, they’re commissioned to work together on a Harlem Renaissance biopic, the kind of project that could change everything for both of them. The question is whether they can put the past behind them for the sake of the film... and maybe for something more.

When I say I was kicking my feet and smiling while reading, that could be an understatement because I know I was doing the most. Kennedy has a way with words and crafts stories with complex themes woven within. Not only did I enjoy the characters and the story, but I also felt like I learned something about people and mental health.

Nonetheless, it was a great read, which made me think of a newsletter edition I wrote a few months ago about love deserving its soundtrack. In that piece, I wrote about the evolution of how Black people show up in romance novels, as well as the evolution of soul music, which was a beautiful element of Kennedy’s new book.

So instead of rewriting something with similar sentiments, I wanted to reshare that piece this week:

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In addition, here are a few things I thought were worth sharing this week:

🎧 Kennedy Ryan curated a playlist for Score, which you can find the songs here.

🔗 Also, if you have not, be sure to read her interview in The New York Times.

🔗 One of the people I miss the most, Barack Obama, on honoring the music that made us for Rolling Stone.

🎧 I have a literary crush on Jason Reynolds, so naturally I enjoyed his interview on Nina Westbrook’s Do Tell Relationship podcast.

🔗 I did both giggle and make a note at Bow Wow getting a Tiny Desk during Black Music Month.

🎧 If you haven’t yet, listen to my conversation with Carlie of She’s Becoming Bookish.

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Also, I was on my friend Bookwild’s podcast discussing Patmeena Sabit’s debut novel, Good People. If you haven’t read the book, please do. In addition, please watch/listen to our conversation.