Black Books Matter
Every other week, I find myself saying the same thing: the bookish community this year has been off the chainnnnnnn! For real, it’s been such an amazing season for us bookworm girlies and for connecting with other women who love books just as much. There’s something special about being surrounded by people who just get that joy of diving into a story, swapping recommendations, and celebrating our favorite authors.
August 2nd was one of those unforgettable moments: the Black Books Matter Festival, hosted by Mahogany Books at National Harbor. And let me tell you, the energy was unmatched.
The festival featured some heavy hitters in the literary world: Kennedy Ryan, Sadeqa Johnson, Victoria Christopher Murray, and so many more. These are women whose words have moved us, challenged us, and reminded us of the power of storytelling. Hearing them speak in person? Whew, goosebumps.
There was a line to get into Kennedy Ryan’s panel, but thankfully I made it in for the last 15 minutes. She shared how romance also encompasses friendships, families, and the connections that shape us, which was central to her Skyland series. I was surprised by her process: months of research, surveys, interviews, and curating her own reading list all happen well before the actual writing begins. This process even before the drafting itself can take 3–6 months. A great reminder to slow down, be intentional, and honor the time a project needs.
To avoid standing in line again, I stayed in the auditorium for the Past, Present, and Future panel, focused on historical fiction with Sadeqa Johnson, Victoria Christopher Murray, and Dolan Perkins-Valdez. Historical fiction is so important, it preserves stories, uncovers overlooked experiences, and connects us to the richness of our past. Absolutely powerful! I’ve read Happyland and loved it. At the festival, I picked up The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson to dive into next.
Beyond the panels and signings, what made the festival so special was the sense of community. Black women (and men, too!) coming together to celebrate stories that reflect our lives, histories, and imaginations. It wasn’t just about buying books (though, yes, my TBR pile grew a lot that day 😅). It was about belonging to a legacy of readers and writers who understand the importance of seeing ourselves on the page.
I walked away feeling full: full of inspiration, connection, and excitement for what’s next in this literary movement. The Black bookish community isn’t just thriving, it’s glowing. And I’m so grateful to be part of it.
It took me a bit longer than expected to get this blog up… Last week was Banned Books Week, and I was honestly shocked at some of the titles considered banned, from literary classics to beloved children’s books! It reminded me how important it is to read these books anyway, to challenge our thinking, explore different perspectives, and celebrate the freedom to read.
📚Upcoming Bookish events:
107 Days Book Tour: Former Vice President Kamala Harris is hitting the road with her new book! This book gives insight into her historic campaign run, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a ticket. Hosted by Mahogany Books, she was in DC October 9th at 7:00 PM, a second session was added due to high demand. Be sure to check her out in your city!
Book-it Around DC: I can’t make it every month, but this audio walking book club is one of my favorites! Each month, this bookish community explores the DMV while chatting and listening to audiobooks, led by Kit and Morgan. The next meet-up is October 25th!
Please feel free to share favorite reads and any other upcoming events!
Yours truly,
💋Courtney, stay in touch personally @fabulouscoco__
in love, in flow and service - for studio updates, classes and events @flowwithcoco__
