The Weekly: Silk Press Chronicles + Books I Read in January
An eventful week full of wine, culture, girl time and heat damage. PLUS: The 15 books I read in January.
Happy Monday!
Today is the anniversary of another TikTok milestone. I posted 5 Things I’m Too Old for a year ago. A million views and viral cross-platform trend later, I decided to celebrate with a part two.
Hope you had a great week. Mine was eventful.
Wednesday, District Winery invited me and seven other DMV influencers to try its new Chef’s Call program. It’s exactly as the name suggests. Chef surprises your party of 8 to 20 with on- and off-menu dishes of his choosing. Of course, there’s wine! There’s even a brunch option.
Thursday, NatGeo invited me to the D.C. premiere of Genius: MLK/X at NMAAHC. The limited series looks at the lives of the two Civil Rights icons. It’s executive produced by Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood. The casting is on point. Episode one airs on February 1 on NatGeo. You can also stream on Hulu and Disney+.
Friday, I got my first silk press since 2018. And that’s been the only silk press I’ve gotten since returning natural in 2016. The main purpose of my hair salon visit was to get my hair trimmed professionally. It’s been almost two years. I was going to get a flexi-rod set for styling, but I went against my better judgment because I was pressiana to be a silkiana. The back was napping up 80 minutes after leaving the salon. My hair can’t 4C these things, and that’s OK. I’m not too interested in heat training. If I want to wear my hair straight, I can go back to relaxing. I loved relaxed Talia! I did flat iron my hair the next day. Sigh, but it’s been looking good since. I’ve been putting my hair into four bantu knots with satin scrunchies to preserve it and give it loose waves. It rained and I had [redacted] on Sunday, and I’m steel here thanks to all these products.
Saturday, I just ran errands and watched my shows Ready to Love, RuPaul’s Drag Race and Love & Marriage: DC.
Sunday, my book club Fros & Prose had its first meeting of 2024! We discussed Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow. Not our favorite read and the author is highly unlikeable, but we had a great discussion.
-T
Reminder: The Break + February Event Guide
Just reminding y’all! The last Talia Talk Tuesdays until March is tomorrow at 8 pm on TikTok Live. Here’s what you missed last week.
The last newsletter before vacation is the February DMV event guide. Expect that on Thursday. Look forward to 90+ social, wellness, and cultural events to get you right for Black History Month, Mardi Gras, and Valentine’s Day in the DMV. I’m also adding book, live music and theater events for the first time next month.
Books I Read in January
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow. Lots of trauma in this one. The audiobook’s dedication and acknowledgments are quite the treat.
The Mayor of Maxwell Street by Avery Cunningham. Out January 30. This historical fiction is what I’d imagine a Peggy Scott The Gilded Age spin-off would be like.
Someboy’s Wife by Robbi Renee. Dr. Ezekiel Greene is my first inductee into the 2024 Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame.
The Art of Scandal by Regina Black. This forbidden reverse age gap romance just got optioned for TV. Nate better be fine and the makeup department needs to recreate EVERY tattoo.
Lyric by Grey Huffington. This is the second book in The Eisenberg Effect series. Much filthier than Luca and Laike.
Zora Books Her Heavenly Ever After by Taj McCoy. But if I date two male best friends at the same time, you’re going to call me a hoe!
No Reservations by Sheryl Lister. A novel about friendship. Cathy had to remind y’all!
Strictly Professional by Christina C. Jones. I love a forbidden workplace romance!
Love After series by Alexandria House. This series follows three best friends who all get a second chance at love. I loved the first and third books.
The Book of Nyles by Alexandria House and Nyles Adams. I don’t remember the last time I read a book of poetry. This is part of the Love After book-o-matic universe.
The Games We Play by Alexandra Warren. A trope I don’t mind at all—sneaking around with your brother’s best friend. Lmaoooooo.
Midnight Stroke by Te Russ. A NYE novella I read on New Year’s Day. This couple has come a long way since their birthday “arrangement”.
Midnight by Skye Moon. Another NYE novella I started off the year with.