Tag: Book Review

BLOGMAS Day 14 | Audible Reading List

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

Hello Passionista,

I am a audible lover. I love listening to a good book while taking road trips or on my way home in the evening sitting in Atlanta traffic. Here’s my 2018 reading list: 

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

Currently listening on audible and I absolutely love it.

Don’t Settle for Safe by Sarah Jakes Roberts

This is the last audible I finished. Book review coming soon.

The Misadventures of a Awakard Black Girl by Issa Rae

We’re going to need more wine by Gabrielle Union

View my book review 


Black Privilege by Charlemagne Tha God

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

View my book review 

Around the way girl by Taraji P. Henson

View my book review

What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey 

View my book review 

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes 

View my book review

48 Laws of Power

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive commission for the purchase/ booking made through think link at no cost to you

Book Review | We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories, by Gabrielle Union

Published on by Kadi1 Comment

Hello Passionistas

 

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I know it’s been a while since I posted a book review. I still have my Audible subscription and I recently finished We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories, written and narrated by Gabrielle Union.  

 

I must say, I didn’t know what to expect from a book written by Gabrielle Union. Honestly, I thought it would be a hollywood tell all book. But it’s not that at all. Yet it’s still good. It’s like mini conversations with Gabby. Just stories of life and how it works – good times, hard times, sad times, and happy times… Just life in the form of a book.

 

img_0425I love a good story and this book is full of good, relatable stories. Gabrielle Union explains the details of her childhood up to her career as an actress. So many stories of so many things that have happened to her and how things came together in her life. She’s a regular person. She has a normal story. With all her riches, many of her stories are not only entertaining but honest and real.

The book hit topics of being black raised in a white community, being raped and the aftermath, marrying the wrong person, and family heartaches. I love that not all of it was bad, there are good stories as well… like life on set and behind the scenes of Bring it on and Being Mary Jane and being invited to Prince’s A list Dinner parties- but most of all Love and Happiness.  This is not a book written by a bitter black women, this is a book written by an evolved black women. It’s her truth.

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It’s hard to pick a favorite chapter but I will say I went back to listen to Chapter 11: Prescription for a break up after I finished the book. But Chapter 6: Who hates you most, is hilarious!!! I literally hollered out loud listening to this chapter. Every chapter has a good story to share and a lesson to be learned. I give this book 5 stars and recommend it to all of you. I wish I could get my friends to do a book club with me because this would be a really good book to read and discuss with you day ones.

 

 

 

 

Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those who Create It

Published on by KadiLeave a comment

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Hello Passionista!

 

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I am a huge fan of The Breakfast Club morning show on Power 105. I was put on to this radio show when I was in New York for a summer internship during undergrad. Every morning, I started my day with Starbucks and The Breakfast Club. Now that I’m back I’m back in Georgia, I listen to The Breakfast Club Podcast and watch their interviews on the Youtube channel. “Donkey of the Day” is my favorite segment of the show… LOL I’ve even had to personally give some of my friends the “Donkey of the Day”. But most of all, they have very interesting interviews with not only celebrities and artists but philanthropists and activists amongst others as well.

I like Charlemagne’s style, how he carries himself and handle his business. In my opinion, he’s the same asswhole each and every day, on and off The Breakfast Club. I can respect a person who can be themselves where ever they are and whoever they are around.

Before reading this book, I didn’t know what to expect. But as I started to read the book, I admired his road to success. He is a person who didn’t go to college but knew what he wanted out of life. He took many setbacks and sacrifices in his career. Even working for free on “The Wendy Williams” radio show just for the experience and opportunity in the industry. Many people would not do that- for the simple fact that bills need to be paid so money needs to be made. But he took that opportunity and made it work for him. The reward from that was the relationships he built within the industry to move up to where he wanted to be.


I don’t want to give away all the good juice in the book. So, I rate this book 5 stars!!! And I challenge you to purchase the book, Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those who Create It, and read it.

I would recommend Charlemagne’s book to anyone who is battling with the decisions of life and opportunities to take advantage of. No, not everyone’s story will turn out like Charlamagne after reading his book. But, I feel like it can give a young soul inspiration to keep pushing and working towards their dreams. You gotta make things happen for yourself and not let anything stop you or get in your way. Often times, I reflect on some of the decisions I’ve made and Iask myself, “did I make the right decision?” Reading this book I could relate to the disappointment naturally felt from one setback after another. I could also relate to the grind and hustle he put into being a radio personality. Shoot- I’m still hustle and putting in extra time into what I want to do in life. 

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Side Note: I respect how he handled the Birdman interview. He didn’t back down on the things he had said.

“Honesy is my best friend”

-Charlamagne Tha God

 

 

As always, I purchases this look on Audible.com, where you can sign up for a monthly subscription or purchase audible books whenever you like and listen from any device.

Continue reading “Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those who Create It” →

Book Review: THE MAGNOLIA STORY

Published on by Kadi1 Comment

GOOD DAY PASSIONISTAS!

I recently finished my latest audible, The Magnolia Story written and narrated by Chip and Joanna Gaines.

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So, if you live under a rock and do not know who Chip and Joanna are, they are the stars of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. I absolutely love their family, the show, their relationship and their business drive, and of course Joanna’s décor style. After reading this book, I have fallen even more in love with them as a couple. What you see is what you get with Chip and Joanna. It’s clear when you watch their show and even crystal clear when you read the book.

 

maxresdefaultMany people think they have this once in million years type love story, but they actually don’t. 17 chapters of hearing Chip and Joanna going back and forth in the book just exemplifies how real they are and how real the love they have for each other is as well. Granted, they do have a unique love story. But it something you’ll admire and learn from- not something you’ll strive to copy. Because you simply can’t.

x_tdy_fixer_upper_full_invu_161018.today-inline-vid-featured-desktopThe book gives you the back story to the faces you see on TV and the amazing story they both have to tell. The story is not all about Chip and Joanna as business partners and husband & wife. But tells their individuals stories before they met, before they got married and the individual pieces of them that makes their relationship and family so special and interesting to watch. I could only pray for a mate made so unique to me as they have found in each other.

Passion Locked gives The Magnolia Story 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this book to all my viewers. So head on over to your app store and download audible then purchase this read from Amazon or buy it from your local book store. I’m sure you’ll love it just as I.

I think my next read will be …. Black Privilege, Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It by Charlamagne Tha God… This one should be interesting.

If you haven’t already, check out my book review on Taraji P. Henson’s Around the Way Girl and Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be your Own Person.

Until Next Time

XOXOXO

Book Review: Around The Way Girl

Published on by Kadi2 Comments

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I just love, love, love Taraji P. Henson. I fell in love with her back when she played Evette in the 2001 film Baby Boy. Although, I was too young to understand her struggle when the film first came out. As a young adult now, I completely understand.

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rs_634x1024-150128131654-634-empire-ls-12815I have a bittersweet feeling about the success she has gotten from playing the role of Cookie in the Fox hit show Empire. Don’t get me wrong, I love that she is finally in the spotlight and getting the attention she deserves. But why did the role of Cookie have to be it for her. She has played some very interesting roles. Evette was award winning for me. But it took so much longer for the rest of the world to see that.

tumblr_nix31ossoi1qk08n1o1_500I love memoir’s written by celebrities I admire. But “Around the Way Girl” is a term I wasn’t ready for. I wanted to read Taraji’s book but I was not trying to shade my judgment of how amazing she is to me with the phrase, “around the way girl”. Where I’m from that phrase is used to describe the girls who get around with every fella in town. That’s not how I wanted to know Taraji P. Henson. So it took me a minute to want to read the book. But when I did decide to read it, I was completely wrong about her meaning of “Around the Way Girl”. Reading her memoir made me fall more in love with her. I love feeling connected to my favorite celebrities.  If you read this book you will see for yourself, it’s not a tell all book. It’s an inspirational story about her struggle to get to where she is today. She is a hustler. She fought her way from DC to Hollywood in a way that was fit just for her. She had many heartbreaks and set backs but she never gave up. Her story will make you cry, laugh and love her even more. I respect her craft and support her even more after reading this book.

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So if you haven’t already, read Around the Way Girl: A Memoir by Taraji P. Henson. I purchased the audible version from amazon. The audible is read by her, which makes the story extra special. Audible is a great innovative way to enjoy good books in a better way. You can listen to your favorite books anytime. You can sign up with amazon and purchase books straight from the app.

If you have read or plan on reading Taraji P. Henson’s memoir please share with me your thought and opinions about the book.

 

 

NEW !!!! BOOK REVIEW

Published on by Kadi2 Comments

Happy Friday’s EVE!!!!!

So, I’m back for another one…

I know I told y’all my next book review would be on Devon Franklin and Meagan Good’s book “The Wait”, BUT!!!

Click here What I Know for Sure

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FOLLOW Me on IG @passionlocked

Book Review: The Beauty of Branding in Business

Published on by Kadi1 Comment

Hey Lovely,

So I hold an undergrad degree in Marketing and I am working on my M.B.A. Just trying to be great in the world (lol). I’m always interested in professional development workshops and events. And now I am making more time to actually read books others than text books. So, I just finished The Beauty of Branding in Business- A guide for aspiring and Emerging Entrepreneurs by Yandy Smith Harris (Love & Hip Hop NY cast member).

    
When I saw Yandy post her book on Instagram, I thought it would be a great read for me. I watch her on the show and I love the work that she does. So I clicked the link to purchase the book. The book sales for like $10 I like but I Paid $7. I did not know it was a claimed “e-book”. So after you pay, the website tells you the book will be e-mailed to you. Okay! I’m thinking the download will be sent to me to download to my Kindle. No! It’s a PDF file and its only like 32 pages. Now, I have mixed feelings about this. First things first, as a business woman I look up to Yandy. I think she is a great business woman, who is self-less and shares her passion with everyone. But I expected more. Presentation is everything and my expectations were high. But on the flip side I don’t really like e-books, so I just printed the claimed “e-book” and read the hard copy, so I could highlight and take notes. I mean that’s how I read.

The book starts off slow for me. I mean the first chapter is about “what is a brand?” and it was all information that I already knew. And it was written in like a textbook style to me. But then I had to think about it, like “not everyone is a marketing major Kadii…” so I continued to read. As I completed the chapter, I analyzed some of the things she mentioned and about branding and I feel like her guide does not pertain to general branding. In my opinion, It’s more specific to her brand, Everything Girls Love. Again, not what I expected. I will say that reading the information I already learned in the classroom, refreshed my brain to think of way I can enhance my brand, PassionLocked- as I continue to build. So very informative and gives good insight into building brands. I did learn a few techniques or ideas I want to incorporate into PassionLocked. The book, guide, or claimed “e-book” (whatever!) gets good for me at the “Being ‘everywhere’ chapter. Which speaks about how to use your brand in your marketing.

 

Overall, It’s a nice short read, for someone who has a background in marketing or business. I would recommend this guide for anyone interested in marketing, starting a brand but has no experience, or even high school students interested in majoring in Marketing in college. Check it out for yourself and stay tuned for more book reviews in the future…