Showing posts with label Staceyann Chin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Staceyann Chin. Show all posts

May 15, 2017

Live your best life

Memoirs and autobiographies are quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. I love being able to see into these women's incredible lives and I'm grateful that they chose to share their stories. Here are some amazing and inspiring quotes from 4 great memoirs/autobiographies to motivate you this week




 "I will claim myself for myself."



"I told a student today: You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Praise yourself as much as you fuss at yourself.' And I could have been talking to myself. And I was. And I will."





"I'm just really into walking in my purpose and saying yes to life right now. Ya know?"
 
"Change was in the air like a cloud and it was finally raining on me."

"Don't let anyone else take away your joy. If they don't want to be with you or around you, let them go. Pick up your shit and keep going. You came into the world by yourself, and the next person's lungs don't help you breathe."


“Love heals. Heals and liberates. I use the word love, not meaning sentimentality, but a condition so strong that it may be that which holds the stars in their heavenly positions, which causes the blood to flow orderly in our veins.”

 “Don't do anything that you think is wrong. Do what you think is right, and then be ready to back it up even with your life.” 
 

"Read everything. The more knowledge you have, the less a man can use you for poppy-show" 

 "I go from place to place spouting the gospel of courage and survival. I encourage victims to take hold of destiny and chart it for themselves."

July 13, 2014

The Other Side of Paradise


I recently finished reading "The Other Side of Paradise" by Staceyann Chin. I really enjoyed it. There were parts that made me laugh. There were parts that made me cry and gave me goosebumps. It had all the things I loved. The Other Side of Paradise, a memoir, was honest and left me wanting more. I've always been a big fan of Staceyann Chin. She has a wonderful way with words. You can always feel her passion and energy in her words. This book is no different.

♥ 

Quotes I loved:

"It tickles me to think that from my very first breath, everyone expected me to stop breathing. Against the odds, I surprised everybody. And I must admit that in some of the moments of my life so far, no one has been more taken aback by my own breath than me." (p.13)


"What you don't know is older than you! Sometimes your eyes fail you--sometimes what you see is not what is there." (p.44)


"...a man who only want to bring you down on you back is a man who will want to bring you down in life." (p.51)


"Read everything. The more knowledge you have, the less a man can use you for poppy-show" (p.51)


"Suddenly it dawns on me that, though leaving is hard, this is something I want to do. The choice to go is my decision. For the first time in my life my leaving is something I want to be happening to me. (p.271)


"I go from place to place spouting the gospel of courage and survival. I encourage victims to take hold of destiny and chart it for themselves." (p.274)





I recommend this book for people who:
  • enjoy reading memoirs
  • enjoy diversity in books
  • want to read about queer people of color/women of color
  • love Staceyann Chin
  • want to read a story that takes place in Jamaica
  • love real and honest readings
  • want to read about real people and real imperfect families
  • enjoy poetry and spoken word
  • enjoy reading stories written by black women