Brown People Reading

Cleopatra has been turned into a symbol, a scandal, a punchline, and a warning story for centuries, so we wanted a version that finally lets her feel human. We talk about Cleopatra by Sarah L. Arifi and why it hits so hard when an Egyptian woman in the 2000s reimagines Cleopatra’s inner life, her voice, and her motives.  Ya'll, the set up was nice, but part II is where it gets JUICY! We need...

Motivation crashes, and the self-care keeping us sane — bikes, fresh air, and restorative yoga from the couch. This month Nadia brings Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun, a Korean novel asking whether you'd erase a painful memory and what you'd lose with it. Asher brings The Slightest Green by Sahar Mustafah — a raw Palestinian-American story about land, family, and survival. We'r...

Hey Yall! Mercury was skating backwards again but we got it together! “Respect my boundaries” can be a healthy sentence or a warning sign that we’re building a wall and calling it growth. We dig into The Balancing Act by Nedra Glover Tawwab and unpack what she’s really pointing to: healthy dependency, real connection, and the kind of boundaries that protect you without isolating you. Along the way...

Hey Y'all! This Episode we dive deep into a Korean bestseller where a mountainside bookstore quietly reshapes how people see their lives. Between healing scenes and hard truths, we share moments that changed us, from Guyana to Greece, and why small pivots last. • settling into new routines and letting go of urgency • what transformation means when it’s not dramatic • why the bookstore’s quiet...

We reflect on a year of unlearning stress, finding a steadier pace, and returning to the book that sparked our show. Reframing failure as feedback, feeding the right wolf, and practicing real gratitude reshape how we work, rest, and respond. • letting go of rigid timelines and listening to the body • reframing failure into feedback for bolder action • regulating the nervous system after hustle cul...

Hey Yall!  This month we sit with new beginnings and name the cost of fitting in, using Julissa Arce’s book to examine assimilation, representation, and cultural pride. Joy rises next to hard truths as we claim our names, challenge proximity to whiteness, and pick a read to start the new year strong. • New jobs, creative projects, intentionality • Emotional complexity and celebrating joy • You Sou...

Celebrations are in order and to say we are feeling good is an understatement! This month we talk about lifting invisible weights, and use Feel Good Productivity to rethink how we work, rest, and connect. Practical tools, honest reframes, and lots of laughter help us trade burnout for momentum that feels good to keep If you’re craving productivity that feels human, hopeful, and doable, this one’s...

This month we read and listened to the collection of stories by Issa Rae. We are both inspired by Issa's creativity and sense of community as she continues to build a beautiful ecosystem of creatives. Join us as we talk about what resonated with us and what it brought up. Author - @issarae Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.co...

Hey y’all! We got in our YA bag this month with I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang—and wow, it gave us everything we were looking for. Fun? Check. A little depth to dive into? Double check. This convo took us straight into the theme of pressures—family, identity, and all the weight that comes with figuring out who you really are. Come hang out with us as we unpack what this beautifully written boo...

This read was heavy, full stop. While it may have been hard to read the information is important to know. Trigger warning: Indo-Caribbeans the stories of abuse and SA are intense. These are stories that are important to know and we definitely take the time to digest them here.    Author - Gaiutra Bahadur Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereadin...

This book came at the right time in our journey both together and individually. Sahil's book gave us room to reflect and re-evaluate, and we are here for the growth! Check out this episode to see what types of wealth we are cultivating this season and let us know what type of wealth you are currently nurturing! Author - Sahil Bloom @sahilbloom   Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moor...

Y'all sometimes it takes a second to get it together, haha! We went a little rogue this month and we hope you take a moment to enjoy the ride! Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.com Follow us Instagram - @brownpeoplereading

This month, we’re talking all things astrology! And no—it’s not just about your Big 3. We get into the real stuff: the subtle layers of our birth charts, what we’ve been noticing in our lives, what’s showing up now, and where we feel like we’re headed. It’s a laid-back, honest convo about self-discovery, growth, and how astrology helps us make sense of it all. Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - D...

Now listen y'all, we don't know a lot about astrology but we're learning! From our big three, to how people use astrology in their everyday lives, on over to letting Social Media tell us our truth LOL! Join for the chat and stay for the vibes Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.com Follow us Instagram - @brownpeoplere...

We love a good discussion question! This month we dive into Keke Palmer's latest book and what it brought up for us! Keke is always encouraging us to be whoever we are and this book was no different. You can only do your best in each moment, and as long as you're being true to who you are and who you want to be then you're making the right move for you. What happens when interperson...

DONT TAKE IT PERSONAL!  This week we dive a little deeper into Keke Palmer and chat about "One of Them Days". Keke, SZA, Issa and company... we stan! Tune in to hear how the movie resonated with us and what else it brought up :) Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.com Follow us Instagram - @brownpeoplereading

Hey y’all! We hope you had some chai after our last episode—let us know what you thought! This week, we’re diving into our favorite cards from The Rest Deck , sharing how they made us feel and what they brought up for us. We also explore creative ways to incorporate these cards into daily life, turning rest into a ritual. Grab your deck (or just get cozy) and join the conversation! Author - @thena...

We're here with our first mid-month eppy (aka episode)! This year we want to be in your ears more and will be putting out TWO episodes a month. We hope you enjoy! This month, we're talking about rest and the Nap Ministry ahead of our larger discussion on the Rest Deck at the end of the month. We get into what else the Nap Ministry does, their mission, and more! Check it out and let us kn...

Hey yall, new year, new growth! We wanted to round out our conversation of the Jaipur trilogy and leave some time for a quick rundown of the books we read in 2024. It's been healing to watch our growth while we've been on this journey. Here's to another year of cultivating strength, balance, and connection! Author - @thealkajoshi Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dd...

The way we needed these words this month...Phew Chile! Make sure y'all are taking your Vitamin D <3 Author - @nedratawwab Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.com Follow us Instagram - @brownpeoplereading

Second book in the trilogy Y'all! We were super excited to read this book and it was just as juicy. We have new characters and new thoughts, let's get into it! Author - @thealkajoshi Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.com Follow us Instagram - @brownpeoplereading

This month we explored what an imaginary friend is, the different ways they manifest, and how they help people navigate their personal journeys. Exploration, imagination, creativity, and play are so important to our development and there are moments in life that feed that as well as moments that stifle it. Jay, we knew you were funny but we didn't realize you were FUNNY funny! Check out this...

Ya'll the way we consumed this book like it was a Publix Cake, iykyk! We weren't sure how shifting to a novel might land but this book was JUICY and we had a great time. Tune in to hear what we liked, what we thought, and what we're taking with us as we continue the journey! Author - @thealkajoshi Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeop...

This month was all about asking ourselves questions and thinking about what the answers used to be, what they are now, and what they could turn into. We had a lot of fun with this one! Author - @elainelinhering Music by - Asher Ahmahd Edited by - Donnie Moore  @dddonniemooreee Reach out brownpeoplereading@gmail.com Follow us Instagram - @brownpeoplereading

We didn't need photos to appreciate the impeccable style woven throughout the narrative; Tariq's flair for fashion, and art of all mediums, leapt off the pages and sparked our imaginations. Join us as we explore the communal energy that permeates this book, making us feel like we were part of Tariq's world. Relationships are complex, and he doesn't shy away from that reality. M...