The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Category: BOOKS

  • It’s Not All Downhill From Here

    Hello Honeybees,

    You know how you can hear a song and it triggers certain memories? That song can take you back to a certain place, a special moment or time spent with special people. I have books that trigger certain memories too, some books I’ll reread not just because of the memories but because of the lasting effects that they have on my life. Every year I read Purpose Driven Life, and since discovering The Alchemist I had added it to the list. 

    I remember my first Zane read, my first Brenda Jackson read, my first J. California Cooper read, my first Toni Morrison read and my first Terry McMillan read. I remember what was happening in life at the time that I immersed myself in these books. The time that I sat aside to actually slow down and sit down with a book in hand and lose myself in the pages.

    Well, Terry McMillan’s It’s Not All Downhill From Here is the book for the current stage of my life. It’s about love, marriage, divorce, friendship, money, growing older, parenting, aging parents,loss and more. It’s the Waiting To Exhale for the 50 plus group. Chronicling the friendship of 5 women as they navigate this thing called life. You will find yourself in one or more of these characters. I think that I’m a combination of the main character Loretha and her girl Ko. Each lady has her own life circumstances and issues to deal with but they do it together. They each have their own flaws but hey who is perfect? We see how you can do your best as a parent but once your children are adults, especially adults, you have to let them fall. 

    We see the value in friendships, good friendships. The value in taking care of your body, at some point you won’t be able to drop it like Thee Stallion. If you do drop it you might need someone to help you up. We see the value in making good financial decisions that will enable you to leave a legacy for your loved ones. We learn that you are never too old and it is never too late for love. You are never too old for second chances and life is not all downhill no matter how many trips around the sun.

    I give this book 5 out of 5 honeypots. So grab a copy and a cocktail and read it with your girls. You will not regret it.

    For a while now I have been trying to think of a way to launch a series aimed at how life and your body changes as you get older. This book is the launch pad for that series. Still working on a name but it’s coming. Each month I will tackle a different topic. The first one next month (my birthday month) will be about menopause. Leave me a comment below with your menopause questions. Don’t worry I won’t be answering them based on my knowledge. I have some help from some experts.  

     

    Beewisdom-“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan 

  • To Have or To Listen?

    Hello Honeybees,

     

     

    I admit it I have been seriously slacking in taking the time to read. Taking the time to actually sit down with a REAL book in my hand.

    I love to read, always have thanks to my mother. I’m fortunate enough to have passed the love of books down to one of my sons. But finding, NO making, the time to sit still and read a book has been really hard for me lately. Whether it’s an actual book or an ebook sitting still is rough.

    I prefer an actual book to an ebook but lately I’ve been listening to books. I use the Libby app. It’s a free app that lets you check out books as long as you have a valid library card, from any library system that is participating. You can check out a book electronically to read or to listen. I don’t have the space in my home to store a lot of books so Libby is a good option for me.

    I read my forever First Lady’s, Becoming Michelle Obama when it first hit the shelves but I also wanted to hear her read it. I wanted to hear the emotion in her voice on certain parts. The book itself was a long read and the audio was a long listen, but I did it and I’m glad I did. It was worth it. Hearing the author read their words is a worthwhile  experience.

    Not every book is available on audio which is the biggest drawback. Also just like the regular library your book may not be available. You can put it on hold and it will pop into your “shelf” when it’s available. You have 21 days to listen. I like to listen when I’m cooking or cleaning and when I at work, especially when I’m working with numbers.

     

    I am challenging myself to read or listen to at least 24 books this year. So far I’m at 3! Some have been short but that’s okay, I’m expanding my genres this year to include a little of everything. Follow me on IG to keep up. Also, if a book really moves me I’ll do a review here on the blog.

    Drop me some suggestions of a few good books in the comments and I’ll add them to my library.

    Beewisdom- “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

  • My Favorite Podcasts

    Hello Honeybees,

    It seems that everyone is jumping on the podcast bandwagon and I am here for it. It’s a great way for me to get information but to also be entertained. My favorite time to listen is at night before bed or when I wake in the middle of the night & can’t get back to sleep. I have about 20 podcast in my library. Here is a list of my top 6 podcast. You will notice some themes, Girl Power, Career and Entrepreneurship. I’ve never really considered entrepreneurship but just listening to the advice and how people got started is really fascinating.

    My Taught You

    The owner of Curlbox, Myleik Teele shares real world advice that has helped her throughout her career. She doesn’t hold back. If you are looking for someone to tell you what you want to hear, she is not the one. If you are looking for someone to tell you what you need to hear then you need to subscribe. I recommend this podcast to every intern that I hire. Although I am older than her target audience I am still able to learn, use and pass the information on to others.

    The Cool Soror Podcast

    Hosted by Rashan Ali a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Cool Soror is a Cool podcast. Rashan interviews members of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) who are making a difference in their communities. She also interviews “cool people”. People making a difference but are not a member of a BGLO.

    Switch, Pivot or Quit

    Ready to make a career change? Not sure what to do next? This is a great podcast to help you. A former NBA executive Ahyiana Angel left to pursue her purpose. She has guest come on to share their Switch, Pivot or Quit moment. If you just want a quick pick me up she has the 7 min Sunday moment.

    The Influencer Podcast

    If you are an influencer or blogger, then this is the podcast for you. Julie Solomon offers some of the best advice on how to maintain & grow your brand. She explores the secrets behind the trends. If you are on Instagram and can’t keep up with the ever changing algorithm Julie can help it all make sense.

    NPR How I Built This

    Host Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs, idealists, and the movements they built.

    Business Insider Success! How I Did It

    Hosted by U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Alyson Shontell, interviews successful CEOs, entrepreneurs and business leaders about how they built successful companies, and the career paths that took them to the top.

    Do you listen to podcast? If so let me know which ones so that I can add them to my library.

    Beewisdon- “If you want to stand out as a leader, a good place to begin is by listening.” – Richard Branson