A. Idle Book Reviews

COUNTING THE COST: A MEMOIR by Jill (Duggar) Dillard Jill Dillard, the oldest married daughter of the Duggar clan, reveals the details behind her estrangement from her family. As much as reality TV can be blamed for Duggar family issues, IBLP also contributed to the toxic family values. ‘Counting the Cost’ is perhaps the most authentic memoir to come out this year. Jill’s true voice has been uncovered. Further reading: ‘Becoming Free, Indeed’ by Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo Similar on TV: Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime Thank you!

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by Zakiya Dalila Harris When being black in the workplace goes wrong… Nella swallows covert racism in her editorial position as the only black woman in the company until Hazel arrives. Invoking the best friend to enemy trope, this book slowly reveals the conspiracy that Nella is up against. SPOILER ALERT: Hair grease is the weapon. Jesus be a fence! Further reading: ‘When No One is Watching’ by Alyssa Cole & ‘The Sellout’ by Paul Beatty Similar movies” ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ & ‘US’ Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected] Thank you!

THE PRESIDENT AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTER: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and their battle to save America’s soul by Brian Kilmeade This piece details Lincoln & Douglass’ proximity to abolitionism, the executive office & the US Civil War. The issue surrounding federal power & the president’s ability to free those enslaved, created a deep division that threatened the union established less than a century prior. In comparison to Peniel E. Joseph’s Sword & Shield, this book [& writing] failed to impress me with the overall structure. Obviously, Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass remain important historical figures regardless.  Further reading to checkout: ‘The Columbian Orator’, ‘Lincoln’ by David Herbert Donald & ‘Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass’ by Frederick Douglass Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected] Thank you!

HUMBLE THE POET - Book Trilogy for Life Unlearn (2014), Thing No One Else Can Teach Us (2019) & How To Be Love(d) (2022) are all pieces by Humble The Poet that discuss growth and introspection. The trilogy encourages the removal of bad habits, focus within the current journey & aiming to become a vessel of love. They build off of one another by expanding on the best practices for personal peace. Humble has alluded to a pause on writing books, but I think everything he’s produced thus far has been worthy of publication. Here’s to hoping we see more from in the future! Playlist for reading: To Feel Love/d by Luke James Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected]   Thank you!

THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson The Piano Lesson is a dramatic stage play exploring legacy, family, ambition & dreams; all symbolized by the family’s piano. Popularized recently by it’s 2023 Broadway run with an all-star cast, this is an important reflection of what many black families dealt with  a few generations removed from slavery. Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected]   Thank you!

THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE by Tupac Shakur Tupac, the activist, the poet, the artist, the rapper, the lover, the human. ‘The Rose That Grew From Concrete’ is a compilation of poems written by Pac between 1989 - 1991.   Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected]   Thank you!

THE TIPPING POINT: HOW LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE by Malcolm Gladwell The tipping point is the catalyst for any epidemic. Gladwell explains the science behind word of mouth & Paul Revere’s successful journey; the power of context & the Zimbardo experiment; and the stickiness factor & Sesame Street’s successful curation. Ultimately, the Tipping Point preemptively foretold why Social Media Influencers would be successful & necessary for  the corporate ecosystem. All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms.   Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected]   Thank you!

BAD BOY: A MEMOIR by Walter Dean Myers ‘Bad Boy’ is a memoir covering Walter Dean Myers’ childhood up to the beginnings of his successful career in writing. From Harlem to the army to New Jersey, this man always communicated in creativity. Dean Myers published his 1st book “Where Does The Day Go?” after winning a literature contest in 1969; he continued to publish books for over 40 years. Bad Boy serves not only as a reflective piece for him, but a masterclass on the evolution of a great author. All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms.   Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.IdlePodcast Gmail: [email protected]   Thank you!

The Unbothered King has spoken! Omarion details his internal process of maintaining a peaceful mentality in his writer’s debut. Flying high above internet beefs, O reflects on fear, masculinity, emotions & more while encouraging readers to be introspective. As a longtime Omarion fan, I was pleasantly surprised in learning about his more personal side. As a book reviewer, I was delighted to observe the various affirmations & prayers sprinkled in the plot. Overall, I had a well spent afternoon reading this & I’m looking forward to more music O! All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gJb1vGoc9Gez06Nmz89Bf Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-idle/id1501703673#episodeGuid=0be7a2e3-7aec-4f26-8ad8-f3743edbe2b0   Want to stay in touch? IG: @A.idlebookreviews Gmail: [email protected]   Thank you!

DEATH IN THE CLOUDS by Agatha Christie Moneylender Madame Giselle has been murdered on Prometheus Air. Was it poison? Insects? Heart Attack? Certainly foul play.. Detective Hercule Poirot will put it all in perspective. Act 3 surprises us with a culprit whose motive is exceptionally cruel & without redeeming qualities. Analysis: There is a surprising overlap with Detective Hercule’s process & the 48 Laws of Power. Stick around to learn more. All Episodes currently streaming on most podcast platforms. Want to stay in touch? Twitter: @AIdlePodcast IG: @A.IdlePodcast WordPress: aidlepodcast.wordpress.com Gmail: [email protected] Thank you!