The following recommended reading list features books that have inspired me to push harder, to dream bigger, and most importantly, to love myself entirely as I am.
My grandfather, the late Senator Calvin Ruck, was a storyteller. He’s also one of the most inspirational men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Strength was born out of a desire to share some of those stories that he told me as a young girl (including his own). They are stories of courage, strength, hope, and overcoming the odds to do great things.
The following recommended reading list features books that have inspired me to push harder, to dream bigger, and most importantly, to love myself entirely as I am. The titles range from simple children’s picture books to gritty memoirs that put it all on the page and leave you energized to kick up the dust, to take on the world, and to do away with the status quo. The power of the written word is quite remarkable, and I’m so grateful these authors have chosen words that have, and will continue to, inspire so many.
The following recommended reading list features books that have inspired me to push harder, to dream bigger, and most importantly, to love myself entirely as I am.
I can still remember the exact moment I heard Maxine Tynes read her beautiful poetry. I was captivated by her words, her composure, and her beauty. That’s the moment when I knew I wanted to write. And I wanted my writing to inspire; just like Maxine Tynes inspired me in that moment. Save the World for Me is a book of poetry Maxine wrote for younger readers. But anyone, young or old, can read the words in these poems and be inspired and uplifted.
As a mother of two young children, most of the books I have the time to read at the moment are board books that are filled with beautiful pictures and simple sentences. As soon as I heard about this book by Shauntay Grant I knew I needed a copy for my daughter’s library. I love the simplicity of the book. My daughter loves the beautiful, happy little girls that are featured on each page. I want my daughter to love her curly hair and to embrace it fully and this book promotes just that.
I cried the first time I read this book because I was so moved with the simple message and thought about how it could inspire so many children who feel just like its main character, Ian Goobie. I’ve been a hype girl for author Sheree Fitch since she read to my Grade 2 class many, many years ago. I was so excited to share her beautiful books with my own children, and have now fallen in love with her rhymes all over again. Pocket Rocks is a children’s book that seriously tugs at the heart strings. The book introduces a world of fantasy and imagination that makes day-to-day realities just a little bit easier for young Ian.
From the Ashes tells the incredible story of Metis-Cree man, Jesse Thistle, who was abandoned by his parents when he was just a toddler. From addictions and homelessness to racism and prejudices, Thistle's challenges evoked so many emotions for me. It’s a memoir that will break your heart and then mend it together again. It tackles some big issues that many minorities are all too familiar with. But it gives so much hope, so much strength, and demonstrates how the resilience of one can overcome what may seem like insurmountable obstacles.
I heard an interview with Rupi on CBC and she was talking about her own anxiety and depression and how she was working through these deep and overwhelming feelings while working on Home Body, which is her third book. I love Rupi’s honesty and Home Body really hits on the importance of self-love. “…everything i need, already exists in me…”. I think we all need to remind ourselves of that truth daily. This is a love letter that could be read over and over again.
When it comes to book recommendations, I may be breaking the rules with this one, but I couldn’t not include this publication when talking about literature that inspires. In 2017, I was asked to guest edit a special issue of Understorey Magazine that would feature all African Nova Scotian women. To say the request was a great honour would be an understatement. The issue features beautiful poetry, images of sculptures and quilts, paintings and short stories. It’s a celebration of artistic works created by some truly inspiring African Nova Scotian women.
This fascinating, full-colour illustrated book features over 50 amazing Black people from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, sharing their incredible stories and accomplishments, past and present.
Among these amazing Black Atlantic Canadians are people who saved lives, set sports records (Delmore William "Buddy" Daye), achieved international superstardom (Measha Brueggergosman), made change in their own neighbourhoods (Quentrel Provo), overcame injustice (Viola Desmond), and enacted many other inspiring deeds of courage and perseverance. With dozens of profiles on both historical and contemporary Black people from Atlantic Canada, Lindsay Ruck celebrates the accomplishments of some of our region's amazing Black heroes.
Featuring informative sidebars, an index, and 20 colour illustrations from artist James Bentley.
Comments here
comments powered by Disqus