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Audiobooks offer a great alternative to reading a book especially now that we have to be super intentional about how we allocate our time. Being read to reminds me of the days my mom would tuck me in and lull me to sleep with her southern and endearing voice reading my favorite books. Don't get me wrong, I love cracking open a book and enjoying the unique smell of the pages and the structure of the spine but lately, audiobooks have become a creative way to avoid the unnerving news cycle.
Whether you're listening during a road trip, during a workout, or during a self-care session, audiobooks allow you to simply listen and give your eyes a break. Throw on your headphones or turn your speakers up as you listen to these gems we have rounded up.
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'No One Is Coming to Save Us: A Novel' by Stephanie Powell Watts
Audiobooks
No One is Coming to Save Us is a great novel telling the story of a Black family and their varying takes on the American Dream. This fictional story reimagines The Great Gatsby in the Black south.
'I Almost Forgot About You' by Terry McMillan
Audiobooks
We don't deserve Terry McMillan – she's a literary gift to multiple generations. In this novel, she pens a story about a woman who has it all but still feels stuck. Terry takes you along the journey as Georgia finds herself and love.
'Becoming' by Michelle Obama
Audiobooks
Do we really need to tell you that Michelle Obama's Becoming is a must-have? In case you need a push, the memoir of the greatest First Lady of the United States won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2020. Her ability to be so candid about her life living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue makes her even more charming.
'The Proposal' by Jasmine Guillory
Audiobooks
The Proposal– two words that weigh heavy on the hearts of so many women takes on a unique tale written by Jasmine Guillory. This New York Times Best Seller is a story about how a public proposal goes wrong. If you love romance, you'll love this audiobook.
'What We Lose' by Zinzi Clemmons
Audiobooks
Zinzi Clemmons' debut novel was deemed Novel of the Year by Vogue. It chronicles the the peaks and valleys of race, family and sex. The protaganist's life unfolds as she navigates how the life of her mother intersects with her own story of motherhood.
'White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism' by Robin Diangelo
Audiobooks
Anti-racism has become a hot topic since the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Geroge Floyd. We are sure you've seen this title on every 'How Not to Be Racist' list floating around social media. In the foreword by Michael Eric Dyson, he says the author is wise and withering. In the book, Robin says, "We live in a society that turns race over to people of color. They have a race, and we're just people. And so we see ourselves as outside of race."
'The Book of Night Women' by Marlon James
Audiobooks
Stories of women during slavery can be daunting, but Marlon James composed an empowering story of women who plan a slave revolt. It has trials and triumphs that don't play into the typical storyline of good and evil. The story is full of drama, violence, secrets and intense emotion.
'Queenie' by Candice Carty-Williams
Audiobooks
If Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah and Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary had a baby, it would be Queenie. It's a funny, inspirational and wise tale about Queenie, a name given to her in hopes she would rule the world. Like many of us, she struggles with self-worth in all areas of her life. She finds herself exploring her definition of being a modern woman.
'This Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America' by Morgan Jerkins
Audiobooks
We can all relate in someway to the subtitle, "Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America." Take a listen to Morgan Jerkins' linked essays as she recounts being a black woman today. Morgan has earned her stripes as a raw, penetrative writer and her stories of our existence in this world is both chilling and affirming.
'Naughty & Nasty' by Sabrina B. Scales
Audiobooks
We just had to add an African-American erotica option to the roundup. This audiobook includes two novellas – one naughty and one nasty. It will definitely leave you wanting more.
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you may have noticed that manicure lovers are putting new concepts surrounding their nails to the test. Last fall, the “red nail theory” took the internet by storm with promises to evoke male attention, compliments, and even a date or two on a subconscious level. And now, just a year later, a deeper and more mystic hue is being spotlighted for its alluring appeal.
@divashay888 #blacknails💅 #boldyblooming #blackspiritualists
What Is “Black Nail Theory”?
The concept of “black nail theory” is centered on the idea that applying black nail polish can significantly influence an individual's inner confidence and overall lure. Black nails are thought to possess a distinctive quality that communicates a sensual and captivating energy, bringing forth boldness and mystery. On a psychological level, black is said to be symbolic of “power, elegance, and sophistication.”
Personally, red has never quite been my color; so when I saw the black nail theory making its rounds, I immediately knew it could be an internet trend that I could get behind and try for myself.
Aley Arion/xoNecole
Testing Out The Theory
Deciding on the approach that I would take with my black nails came fairly easy. I’m a French tip girl to my core, so if I was going to commit to such a bold color like black, I’d have to take it gradually, and not commit to a fully blacked-out nail look.
Leaving the nail salon with my new set, I instantly felt myself channel my inner baddie. The black French tip complimented my complexion perfectly, and I was even able to test the theory out while on a date later that evening.
Throughout the night, I was complimented by both my date and the waitress on my nails, and I felt an inward motivation to share just enough about myself while leaving more to be discovered.
The following week, my friend and I went out to a party with the sole purpose of being cute and having fun, only to find a handful of men stopping to get my name and make conversation. One even went as far as to take my hand and examine nails that were adorned with gold rings.
On a more personal level, my time with black nails has been my handy reminder to trust my intuition and enter every room with confidence. Having my nails done naturally gives me an extra boost of confidence, but with the added touch of having them painted black, I’ve seen myself tap into the sultry and captivating "dark feminine" energy that I desire to embody.
Aley Arion/xoNecole
Would I Try This Again?
If all it took was a change in my nail color in order to attract love and confidence into myself, I would probably be married by now. But testing out black nail theory has been insightful to explore interpersonally.
How I present myself to the world and what I feel like I deserve all matters, and that doesn’t just start or end when my nails are freshly done.
Confidence is a full-package deal that comes wrapped in self-care, self-concept, and self-esteem. I get my nails done because that’s what makes me feel good, and whatever attention that draws in, I know that it’s a part of what I’m putting out into the world.
If I’m feeling fiery, I’ll test out a red design. If I’m in a girly mood, I’ll test out pink or ask for painted bows. And if I’m going for something more standout, I’ll let my nail tech take an idea and freestyle from there. All in all, nails are just another form of self-expression and should be a chance to showcase your inner world on the outside.
So yes, if red nails are the flashy antidote to drawing in attention, then black nails are the look to channel a “quiet” confidence that keeps them wanting more.
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