Why you should add "We Don't Talk About Carol" to your TBR list

Out now, "We Don't Talk About Carol," by Kristen L. Berry. Let's talk about it.

Via Kristen’s Instagram

A few months ago, for Women’s History Month, I interviewed my friend and author

Kristen L. Berry

. At the time, she was just a few months out from releasing her debut novel, We Don’t Talk About Carol, and now the book is out.

I got a chance to read the book, and phew, what a book.

We Don’t Talk About Carol follows Sydney, a former journalist who makes an interesting discovery while cleaning through her grandmother’s house. This starts a mystery and journey of discovery into her family history and the disappearance of black female teens who disappeared from 1963 to 1965. The book hooked me from the beginning, as it has layers, and I loved following Sydney’s journey.

Here is Kristen describing the book in her own words:

Although we talked about this book in our interview, reading it was even better than I expected. This book definitely takes you on a journey. I started the book thinking it would end one way, and by the end I was like WTF? As what I thought was going to happen in the beginning was very different.

In honor of the release of this book, I’m hoping you can do a few things:

1. Buy We Don’t Talk About Carol

2. Read it with your book club. This would make a great book club pick because you could discuss so many different things e.g., family, motherhood, how race plays a part in media coverage

3. Listen to/watch my interview with Kristen below

4. Subscribe to Kristen’s newsletter,

   Books Are Life
   . This is perfect if you want to learn more about her process and the tools she utilized to write this book and find an agent.

5. Listen to my playlist inspired by the book via Spotify, here.

I am very proud of my friend. I have told everyone about this book, so I’m glad it’s finally out.

Listen:

Watch:

**As a random side note, one thing this book has reinforced to me is the importance of writing in my journal. With that, I am currently reading The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad from the suggestion of

Hitha Palepu

and using the essays, and prompts as a daily practice.

before you leave, check out past newsletters:

on female sports, confidence, and branding

Finding the beauty in loss

on memories and music

thank you so much for reading this week’s edition. be sure to connect with me on instagram, threads, or goodreads.

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