Why does it seem to be that women have to have a certain body type, shape, and size to be worthy of love? I grew up with Seventeen magazine and there was no diversity in there. None. Zero. I’ve always been thick or curvy my whole life and because of the layers of socioeconomic dynamics, white supremacy, and unrealistic beauty standards we all grew up with, I got stuck in the idea that there’s only one body type that is deserving of love.

How do romantic narratives explore or influence our ideas of which bodies are desirable or deserving of love or romantic partners? And who decides what those desirable bodies look like? Today’s discussion goes deep into what beauty, desire, and attractiveness really is and why black love is so revolutionary.

I have curated a list of recommendations featuring curvy bodies, chubby bodies, fat bodies, because all bodies are good bodies, and Ms. Fat Booty gets all the happy endings. Find these recommendations and others at The CultureLit Digital BookShop and support independent bookstores CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or website

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading. Email me at hello at culturelitpodcast.com

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our newsletter!

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

In this episode of Culture Lit, host Octavia Marie delves into Tia Williams' enchanting novel, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. This novel blends contemporary and historical fiction, magical realism, and a captivating love story.

Follow the journey of Ricki Wilde, a free-spirited florist who moves from Atlanta to Harlem to open her dream flower shop, and her magical encounter with musician Ezra Breeze Walker. Themes of family expectations, self-discovery, and timeless love are explored, with a rich historical backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance adding depth.

Find it and other recommendations at The CultureLit Digital BookShop and support independent bookstores CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or website

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading. Email me at hello at culturelitpodcast.com

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our newsletter!

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

Celebrating Black Cowboy Romance in Literature

In this episode of the Culture Lit podcast, Octavia Marie delves into the significance of Beyoncé's album 'Cowboy Carter' and its impact on challenging the historically white narratives of cowboy romances in literature. She highlights the importance of Black representation in the cowboy romance genre, acknowledging how the genre has largely overlooked the contributions and stories of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

Octavia introduces listeners to celebrated Black romance authors like Beverly Jenkins, Rebecca Weatherspoon, and Brenda Jackson, who have enriched the cowboy/western romance genre with their compelling and diverse narratives.

She recommends books that showcase Black cowboys and cowgirls in love, adventure, and resilience, offering listeners an opportunity to explore black cowboy and cowgirl romance novels that celebrate diversity and challenge stereotypes. The episode is a call to action to read with intention and support Black romance authors, ensuring their stories are recognized and valued.

Find it and other recommendations at The CultureLit Digital BookShop and support independent bookstores CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or website

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading. Email me at hello at culturelitpodcast.com

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our newsletter!

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

In this episode I briefly discuss my journey to recovery after cancer, emphasizing ease and self-care in my life. I share how I found solace in Black romance novels during treatment, introducing you to a few more of my favorite reads from 2023.

These books range from modern retellings and essays on Black love to stories that tackle themes like gentrification, race, and second chances. My recommendations include titles like 'Pride and Protest' by Nikki Payne, 'Black Love Matters' edited by Jessica Pryde, and 'Goal' by Alexandria House, among others.

This episode celebrates Black romance literature, offering insights and recommendations to enrich your romance reading experiences

Find these books and other recommendations at The CultureLit Digital BookShop, supporting independent bookstores.

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or website

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading. E-mail me at hello at culturelitpodcast.com

For more romance recs and news, sign up for our newsletter via our website www.culturelitpodcast.com!

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

The Hiatus is over and I finally getting into a groove. And what better time to come back than when one of my fave Black romance authors releases a new novel? One I couldn't put down and read over two days.

Today's show features a deep dive into 'This Could Be Us' by Kennedy Ryan with themes of self-love, empowerment, and resilience post-divorce.

I discuss how Soledad Barnes overcomes betrayal and divorce to rediscover her worth and power. Emphasizing the importance of self-partnering and setting boundaries, the story takes us on Soledad’s journey toward self-acceptance and the roles her supportive friends play in her healing process. 'This Could Be Us' challenges traditional romance narratives by focusing on self-love as the foundation for romantic love and introduces a relatable and realistic love interest, Judah Cross, a single dad of twins with autism.

Through Soledad’s story, I encourage listeners to prioritize self-care and embrace their journey of self-discovery and growth.

Find it and other recommendations at The CultureLit Digital BookShop and support independent bookstores

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please subscribe the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or website

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading. Email me at hello at culturelitpodcast.com

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our newsletter!

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

Welcome back! I’ve had a few curve balls thrown at me since my last episode and I’m glad you’re back with me.

The biggest thing I’ve had to deal with was a surprise diagnosis of Stage 3 colorectal cancer, which has influenced my approach to hardship and inspired me to dive deep into literature for solace. Among the books I read during treatment was Kennedy Ryan's 'Before I Let Go', a complex tale of love, grief, reconciliation and healing that uniquely highlights the experience of a divorced couple. The story's themes of self-compassion, therapy culmination into growth and resilience resonates deeply with me, encouraging me through my own recovery.

The book also makes a mark with its dual-narrative structure, realistic portrayals of flawed characters and the enticing inclusion of southern cuisine. It’s a lovely reminder that relationships are a journey, and that true love can find its way back even after devastating losses.

Find it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love, success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

Attribution Link: A Podcast Launch Bestie Production

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

We’ve been on a roller coaster of unprecedented times. Every time I think things are looking better, the world throws more chaos at us. During times like this, I turn to things that bring me joy. For me, that’s romance novels. Romance readers are often criticized, and the genre itself gets criticized. I would call romance novels my guilty pleasure but eventually I realized that I didn’t have to be ashamed of something that brings me so much joy.

Today I’m visiting with Kay P, author of the blog Melanin Mindscape, voracious reader of all things black, in all genres. We’ll talk about what “guilty pleasures” actually are and why we feel like we need to hide them. We’re unpacking some thoughts around rest and productivity, the literature hierarchy that puts romance at the bottom, and why we deserve to just enjoy things.

Find it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love, success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Connect with Kay P:

On Instagram: https://instagram.com/melaninmindscape

On her blog: https://melaninmindscape.com/

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

Attribution Link: A Podcast Launch Bestie Production

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community

Why does it seem to be that women have to have a certain body type, shape, and size to be worthy of love? I grew up with Seventeen magazine and there was no diversity in there. None. Zero. I’ve always been thick or curvy my whole life and because of the layers of socioeconomic dynamics, white supremacy, and unrealistic beauty standards we all grew up with, I got stuck in the idea that there’s only one body type that is deserving of love.

How do romantic narratives explore or influence our ideas of which bodies are desirable or deserving of love or romantic partners? And who decides what those desirable bodies look like? Today’s discussion goes deep into what beauty, desire, and attractiveness really is and why black love is so revolutionary.

I have curated a list of recommendations featuring curvy bodies, chubby bodies, fat bodies, because all bodies are good bodies, and Ms. Fat Booty gets all the happy endings. Find it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast

Culture Lit is a community in celebration of black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love, success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Connect on Socials:

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingoctaviamarie/

on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/xooctaviamarie

Attribution Link: A Podcast Launch Bestie Production

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Join Our Community