Welcome, welcome! Listen to Yasmine's Healing Journey
In her debut book, The Sugar Jar, Yasmine holds space for Black Women...
Hello there! Welcome, welcome!
Thank you for subscribing to The Last Word — a new virtual home for all things book club, creativity, and conversation - thoughtfully curated by * me * - Glory Edim, the founder of Well-Read Black Girl.
Now, I started this Substack for 3 MAIN REASONS:
1.) I want to share my creative journey with y’all. Like how I select my book club titles, research my writing projects, develop my podcast, and generally, make my little life on the internet. I’m eager to talk about the highs & lows of Instagram, community building, motherhood, and how to live authentically IRL! I’m truly a big believer in pep talks and using curiosity to shape your life. This space will serve as a playful space to share what I’m currently inspired by… (i.e. books, music, visual art, films, food…seriously, ALL THE THINGS!)
2.) BOOK CLUB! Over the years I’ve DIY’ed the model of our book club! Mainly because I love encouraging folks to meet and gather independently. But I’ve recieved numerous requests for more structure, similar to Roxane Gay’s The Audacity or our beloved book matriarch OPRAH. So with this Substack newsletter, I oblige.
Consider me your new book club bestie. I will post every Tuesday and Thursday. All book club deets and reviews will be shared within this newsletter. These are the rules. I will offer book club guidance, author interviews, and the occasional “book looks”. ** But please know there will be occasional typos and corny jokes.
Starting in Febuary ONLY paid subscribers will have access to virtual Zoom sessions, writing prompts, and pep talks. The Last Word is entirely affiliate-free and subscription-supported. A lot of work goes into maintianing the WRBG platform, so your support is deeply appreciated!
3.) Lastly, I READ A LOT of amazing BIPOC writers and not everything fits in the book club category. So, y’all are getting these reading recommendations and a glimpse of my bookshelf * and delightful personality.
OK, enough with the housekeeping — let’s get to our JANUARY BOOK CLUB PICK!
Listen to our January Book Club conversation with wellness advocate, Yasmine Cheyenne. She is a debut author, educator, and mental wellness advocate who helps people learn how to build healthy, joyful lives.
Our conversation was incredibly affirming - the number of times I shouted “GIRL!” in recognition can not be overlooked. We talked about the difference between a “should” and a “want,” creating our daily JOY LIST, dealing with life transitions like divorce, and how to set healthy boundaries instead of barriers.
Here are a few more themes we explored during our conversation:
Strategies to kick-start your self-healing journey
Giving yourself grace and overcoming perfectionism
How creating healthy boundaries can help you flourish and live more authentically
The importance of positive self-talk and honoring your boundaries in relationships
I’m a huge fan of Yasmine’s writing style and thoughtful approach to self-care. You can find our Last Word interview with her, along with my general book thoughts below:
To open our discussion, I have some starter questions:
What do you think of the Sugar Jar metaphor?
Did you find the affirmations & journal prompts helpful?
Do you have a difficult time setting boundaries? Why or why not?
Do you have specific questions for Yasmine?
Listen to our conversation and drop your thoughts in the comments below!
“We commit to healing so that we can live a life that’s filled with blessings, abundance, joy, peace, freedom, and everything that feels true to you.” ~ Yasmine Cheyenne
Extra, Extra 📚 Did you enjoy the Sugar Jar? Share the love and buy the book for a friend!
✨Download The Sugar Jar App ✨
Here's how the book club works:
1.) Join the Club. Follow our book club on the Well-Read Black Girl Instagram page, @wellreadblackgirl.
2.) Grab the book! Get a copy of the book from your local library or indie bookstore.
3.) Reach out to a friend, and read along with Glory. Join us monthly via Zoom and/or community chats on Stubstack.
4.) Each month join our virtual book club meetings and read our creative pep talks and author interviews.
Read a few snippets below:
Introducing Glory’s Pep Talk, An advice column on joy, creativity, and the art of living well.
Poet Rio Cortez is reading Neruda on the Park and is currently obsessed with Maldon salt & olive oil her chocolate ice cream.
Debut Author Tracey Rose Peyton is splurging on Diptyque candles and dancing to 90s R&B before each writing session.
Writer Evette Dionne shares her self-care tips, which include visiting the Four Seasons spa and peacefully sitting among the waves.
Remember, starting in FEBRUARY, only paid subscribers will have access to Live Zoom sessions, in-depth author interviews, and writing prompts.
Our February Book Club Pick is: Black Women Writers At Work by Claudia Tate
Thank you again for signing up for The Last Word! I promise every issue will be packed with inspiration, reading recommendations, and pure book club goodness.
Remember, this is a community space, so please share your comments & questions in the comments below. Like, how you discovered WRBG? What books have changed your life?
Good afternoon, Just wondering if you aren't a paying subscriber by February will you still have access to the book club conversations and zoom?