Book Radar: President Barack Obama Announces Memoir, ‘A Promised Land’

After his wife, the former First Lady Michelle Obama released her highly anticipated memoir, Becoming, the 44th President, Barack Obama has announced the release of his tome, entitled A Promised Land.

A Promised Land by Barack Obama book cover
Image Credit: Obamabook.com

Book Description:

In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

Reflecting on the presidency, he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy. Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room, and to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, and points beyond. We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet, wrestles with a global financial crisis, takes the measure of Vladimir Putin, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act, clashes with generals about U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform, responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout, and authorizes Operation Neptune’s Spear, which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden.

A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage. Obama is candid about the balancing act of running for office as a Black American, bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change,” and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad, open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible (Obamabook.com).

A Promised Land is available now for pre-order and is set to be released on November 17, 2020.

For more info, head to Obamabook.com.

Book Radar: New Releases from Stephenie Meyer, Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Bevy Smith

Stephenie Meyer released a new book earlier this month based on the #TwighlightSaga. Midnight Sun allows us to dive into the world of Edward Cullen before and after meeting Bella Swan. It is available now.

There are also new releases on the horizon from Luvvie Ajayi and Bevy Smith, respectively.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is following up to her debut book, I’m Judging You, The Do Better Manual with Professional Troublemaker, The Fear-Fighter Manual.

Pre-Order here.

Bevy Smith, everyone’s fashionable auntie in their heads, has decided to gift us with life lessons in Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, and Bestie.

Pre-Order here.

Image Credit: Midnight Sun Twighlight Saga, Luvvie.org, Bevy Smith/Publishers Weekly

Entertainment News: Spotify Announces The Michelle Obama Podcast


The former First Lady is starting a new conversation – and you’re invited to join. Hear Michelle Obama’s most candid and personal conversations as they happen, and discover what’s possible when we let ourselves be vulnerable, open up, and focus on what matters most. (Spotify)

Follow The Michelle Obama podcast on Spotify and start listening July 29, 2020.

4 Shows I’m Binge-Watching While on Quarantine

I have been getting my money’s worth from all of my streaming services as of late. I have been watching a couple of new shows and took a trip down memory lane for the rest.

1. Little Fires Everywhere

www.gstatic.com/tv/thumb/tvbanners/17741125/p17...

I finished the series and whew! This was a good one. Both leading ladies did wellm but Reese took me there towards the end. Little Fires features drama and secrets and how it all blows up when two wordls collide.

2. Cooked with Canabis

ALL ABOUT THE NETFLIX'S COOKED WITH CANNABIS - Release Date and ...

Marijuana has been a hot topic in the past few years with a few states legalizing it all together. The show is like top chefs with a special ingredient added. To see what chefs come up with and displaying while showing off their cultural and scientific knowledge of cannabis has been interesting to watch.

3. Insecure

Insecure (TV Series 2016– ) - IMDb

I tune in every Sunday to watch Issa and Molly dance around their friendship issues, Kelli’s humor, and to see if the block party will ever happen.

4. The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls' Turns 30: Facts You May Not Know About the ...

This is an oldie but a goodie. It is just feel good humor and snarky quips. I have been getting my fill on Hulu and have been laughing ever since.

I have also been told to watch Ozark, Big Little Lies, and few documentaries. What are you streaming?

 

4 Things I Learned Watching Uncorked on Netflix

alcohol bar beverage black background
Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

1. The Label Tells All

The label on a wine bottle tells you everything about the wine inside. It is divided into five parts. The producer’s name, the region it is from, the varietal, the vintage (year grapes were pulled), and the alcohol level.

2. The Meaning of “Grand Cru”

Wines designated as Grand Cru means they are the most superior grade of wine.

3. There’s Old World and New World Wines? Who Knew? Not Me.

Apparently, most wines fall into these two categories.  The movie didn’t dive deep into which qualified a wine to be designated old or new world, but a quick Google search explained that “Old World” wines refer to those from the traditional wine growing regions of Europe, while “New World” refer to everywhere else.

“These distinctions can also refer to differences in style. The climates of New World wine regions are often warmer, which tends to result in riper, more alcoholic, full-bodied and fruit-centered wines. These wines are often made in a more highly extracted and oak-influenced style. Old World wines tend to be lighter-bodied, exhibiting more herb, earth, mineral and floral components. While these are gross generalizations, that’s how these terms are commonly used.

These days, the terms “Old World” and “New World” can take on even broader connotations and spark debates among wine lovers, usually about tradition vs. modernization. “Old World” implies tradition, history, and an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality, while the term “New World” invokes technology, science, corporations and marketing.” (Wine Spectator)

4. Sommelier School is Hard AF!

The movie made it clear that the Master Sommelier exam is hard. Those who have passed have had to take the test more than once. Elijah’s mentor and boss at the local spirits store, Raymond, stated he took the test three times. This article tells of personal accounts on just how tough it really is. Whew!

 

Cover Image: IMBD

 

Book Radar: Symone Sanders’ No, You Shut Up |Speaking the Truth to Power and Reclaiming America

Symone Sanders hit the political scene seemingly out of nowhere. She is notable because at the age of 25, she became the youngest presidential press secretary in United States history when she signed on to work for Senator Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. Symone is currently working as the senior advisor to Vice President Joe Biden in his current presidential campaign for 2020. Before this role, she was commonly seen giving political commentary online and live on stations like CNN.

Symone Sanders No, You Shut Up

Synopsis:

“No, You Shut Up goes beyond the surplus of “Vote-Or-Die” books we’ve seen before. Because change doesn’t just happen at the ballot box. We need people fighting oppression, injustice, and inequality—in the workplace, on the cultural battlefield, in government, in every corner of the world. With spirited storytelling filtered through a voice that cannot and will not be ignored, Symone inspires you to start now. You don’t need to have all the answers, or wait your turn to help create the change you want to see. All you need is a new toolbox, an unshakeable commitment, and the confidence and guidance to wield those tools effectively.” (Symone Sanders.com)

No, You Shut Up is available for pre-order and will be released on May 19, 2020.

 

Image Credit: Symone Sanders.com

 

 

 

Book Radar: Elaine Welteroth’s More Than Enough

How could you not love the bespectacled, quirky, white boot loving, former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue? Elaine Welteroth was the youngest EIC at the helm of a Condé Nast magazine, and by the time of her departure, she had made a name for herself in the fashion industry. I highly doubt her process to get to that point was easy, and being a woman of color running a national publication, I’m sure didn’t not come without it’s own challenges. Though I won’t know for sure until I get my hands on More Than Enough.

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