Katura J. Hudson

For so many reasons, it’s a good time to get or renew your library card.  After I renewed mine at the East Orange Public Library, I visited the stacks, something I haven’t done in ages. Was glad to see my books plus titles from friends and fam. 

I’m A Big Sister Now is a featured title in the October 2020 Just Like Me subscription box. It’s great to team up with other Black-owned businesses that share Just Us Books’ goal of connecting readers with books that center and celebrate us!

Someone recently asked me for tips to help him read more. It’s funny because I feel I can use some tips myself.  As an author, editor, and communication strategist, I read a lot. I write a lot. I edit a lot. Manuscripts, blogs, articles, social media content. So much social media content. But I haven’t always spent that time reading books - at least not as much time as I’d like.  Over the past two years, I made it a goal to read and enjoy more books. And I have. These days, I read a book or two a month. I’m pretty happy with that. Here are a few tips that helped me find and make time to read more books: 1. Decrease screen time. I think many of us actually do have time to read. We just spend it doing things like watching TV, streaming, or scrolling on social. There's nothing wrong with those things, but if you're having trouble finding *extra* time, start there. (I took the TV out of my bedroom last year and that made a big difference. It eliminated a lot of mindless watching.)...

It was great to be back at Weeksville in Brooklyn for another wonderful event - this time Well-Read Black Girl's first ever Family Day.  I've been going to the Well-Read Black Girl Festival since its first year, and it's always an amazing and affirming experience. So I was beyond excited to learn that founder Glory Edim and her team were expanding the event to reach our community's youngest readers, and happy to participate as a featured author. In addition to author readings, we enjoyed storytelling, face painting, music and of course lots of books.  My mom, Cheryl Willis Hudson, was also a featured author and we got to hang out with award-winning author and friend Rita Williams-Garcia, so you know it was a great day!