The Weekly: 17 January DMV Events + What I'm Reading
Cheers to an amazing and abundant 2024. Beyond The List is back!
Happy New Year!
Long time, no talk. I hope you had a great holiday season! Mine was lowkey, and that’s fine. I love my house.
Y’all made 2023 one of the best years ever. Thank you.
I’m not too big on resolutions anymore. This past year has far exceeded every goal or resolution I set at the end of 2022. What can I possibly dream up bigger and better than what God has in store for me?
OH YEAH! I owe y’all a promo code for the U Street Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour I previewed in December. It officially launches on Friday, and you can use code TaliaFizz for 15% off Blue Fern Travel until February 18.
-T
Talia Talk Tuesdays
Shoutout to everyone who joined the first two lives last month. We’ve had a time covering hot topics, pop culture, books and TV.
The next one is tomorrow, Tuesday, January 2 at 8 pm ET on TikTok.
January DMV Events (So Far)
January 4 (and every Thursday): Karaoke & Football (Glenn Dale)
January 5: First Fridays (National Harbor)
January 5: First Friday Vision Board Party (Baltimore)
January 7: Goal Planning + Vision Board Workshop (H Street)
January 10 (and every Wednesday): Karaoke DMV (National Harbor)
January 11: New Year, New Vibes Happy Hour (H Street)
January 11: Kicks & Cocktails Ladies Night Edition (National Harbor)
January 11: BLK Ass Trivia + Happy Hour (Baltimore)
January 13: DSTRKT Cabaret Day Party (Penn Quarter)
January 13: Sippin’ on Saturdaze (National Harbor)
January 13: No Standing Room One Year Anniversary (Mount Vernon)
January 19-28: The Washington Auto Show (Mount Vernon)
January 19: The Set (Shaw)
January 20: Annual Winter Hike (McLean)
January 21: Sippin’ Sunday Live Podcast (Baltimore)
January 21: Welcome Home Trinidad Carnival Send-Off (U Street)
January 24: The Reset Day Party (H Street)
11 Book Recommendations
Haven’t caught y’all up on my reading as of late. I read 105 books in 2023. You can follow my reading on Goodreads or Storygraph.
If you’re looking for something new, might I suggest:
The Art of Scandal by Regina Black. Read this if you love Tia Williams (Seven Days in June and The Perfect Find). This forbidden, reverse age gap romance takes place in the DC Suburbs.
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole. A thriller about a generations-old “revitalization” project (that is probably happening IRL in communities all across this nation).
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. A melanated, modern twist on Beauty & the Beast…I think.
The Oath by T.M. Richardson. This poly Why Choose romance is the smuttiest thing you’ll read in 2024 (and probably in life). I think I want to be Tatum?
Somebody’s Wife by Robbi Renee. The girls have been telling me about Zeke! I need to see for myself. Don’t let your husband keep you from finding the love of your life, OK?!
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow. This is my book club Fros & Prose’s January read. I don’t know what it’s about yet. I’ll know the week of.
The Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah. Such an eye-opening look at sexuality, self-discovery and healing on the continent and throughout the diaspora.
The Rise and Fall Series by A.E. Valdez. These four dual POV romance novels are perfect for hopeless romantics looking for a soft and fluffy, yet spicy, romance. The first book in the series, All I’ve Wanted, All I’ve Need will be available in audiobook form tomorrow.