Timestamp is a collection of written works by Marcus Granderson, a Harvard Graduate and young black man.   As Marcus states in the introduction, the works are not related in any way.  The works range from essays, poetry, lists, observations as well as speeches.  The themes of the writings give a fresh perspective on what it's like to be coming of age in the world today with a highlight on racial disparity.  I was able to identify with many of the writings about life during and directly after college very well and remember those feeling. However, what I enjoyed reading the most were the pieces that gave insight to the author's experience a a young black person in today's world.  Oreo was a brilliant introduction to the collection and allowed me to get a clear view of his perspective. Some of my other favorite pieces were Hallelujah Anyhow, Last Night, Sunrise and Hair Like Mine.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Taking a chance, and doing a little updating and cleaning up around here. I added in and updated what I am currently reading. I tend to read multiple books at a time, so the list is on the big side. Also, I am doing some reading challenges this year, which I will post about as well. Hope to gradually add reviews here again and get the shelves back on track. We'll see if things hold. On a side note, I had to add some titles as the BL database did not have them.

When you lose your way in the middle of your journey,

When things start going wrong halfway through,

When there is an eclipse after a sunny morning,

That’s when you feel the pain so acutely.

But that’s also the time to remember and hope,

Because things get better only after they get worse,

Losing your way will lead to new enchanting roads,

Things going wrong will cause you to find new solutions,

And the sun will shine brightly after the eclipse.

Life is all about good, bad, and everything in between,

It is about the right, the wrong, and so much more,

It can be easy and difficult both at the same time,

All that matters is; we keep moving forward.

Be happy if you lose your way and find your soul,

Be glad if things go wrong and you discover life’s purpose,

Celebrate the solar eclipse, it doesn’t come that often,

More than that, don’t blame yourself for what’s meant to be.

© 2020, Fizza Younis.

Back in 2016 I turned out the lights here and walked out when BookLikes basically went unstable and no one was really sure if they were coming or going. I went on to other places, mainly my main book reviews and personal blog, The Itinerant Librarian.

On the one hand, I did miss the place, plus the Tumblr debacle meant one less place online (for those who may have missed it, here is a link). On the other, seems this place has managed to keep some stability (though I am skeptical as this is the second attempt at this post since it failed to post the first one just now), so I am going to make a go at it again here. We'll see how it goes.

As always, if you want to find me, you can also visit me in these other places:

As I mentioned, my main book reviews and personal blog is The Itinerant Librarian.

My Twitter is @bloodravenlib (yes, this has changed from @gypsylib, long story).

My commonplace blog at Alchemical Thoughts. This is mainly odds and ends and some cartomancy content (another thing that has happened since 2016 is I've taken up study of cartomancy, mainly Tarot and oracle cards. Some of that will likely appear here too in BookLikes here and there).

My "Tumblr refugee" blog at Alchemical Annex. This is where I exported my Tumblr before I took it down. Also odds and ends, mainly short things.

My newest experiment. This is one of the Tumblr alternatives recently available. I am still figuring it out. One of the features I like is their ability to rate posts by levels from family-friendly to explicit, which allows a degree of isolation (better effort to keep kiddies and busybodies out or at least out of certain areas). I did rate my blog on the X side (though I rarely post anything explicit if ever) just to try things out. So when you see blog without blogging in, it will show any content lower than X, of which I have plenty and prompt you to log in to see the rest. It is an interesting idea and effort to keep a bit of better control and allow better free expression. Want to check it out? My blog is Alchemical Annex on nT over at NewTumbl.

So anyhow that is some of what I've been up to since last I was here. I hope to get back to reviewing books here, keeping track of what I read, crossposting a bit from Itinerant Librarian, and slowly getting back into the book community here. If you followed me before, and you are still here, hope you will come along. If I am new to you, check things out, feel free to comment even if to say hello.

I've also updated my list of the books I am currently reading. You can find that on the right sidebar. Finally, in a bit of housecleaning, I slightly changed the title of the blog here (because. . . reasons). For me, I am likely going to find a few broken links in other places where I linked here; I'll just fix as I find them. For you, I hope the effect is minimal.

Paz y amor.

Blake starts a new job after thinking life is over as she knows it.  I sometimes think it is this anger that has her pushing through to pay her bills as she begins her new adventure.  She meets a girl at the office who is so jealous of her, it is kind of pathetic.

Silas is hot and gives her something to look at.  Man candy if you will.  It just does not seem to help the sheen that is all over this new job.  It is not a good gloss, and it is taking its toll on Blake.  What should she do?

I found this book to be funny at times.  I know that many will think it is too funny and just die of laughter.  I stopped laughing about two chapters in, since I found this character kind of pathetic.  I had a hard time pushing myself to finish the story.  Word to the wise - this book has language meant only for adult ears.  I personally think the humor would have come across better without the extra vulgarity, but maybe that is just me.  I give this one a 2/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.