Shows
...But Make It BooksRomance as Medicine...(w/ Black Romance Book Festival)Join Niccara as she welcomes the masterminds behind one of the biggest Black book festivals, the Black Romance Book Festival. We talk about how this amazing event sold out in 30 minutes (30 MINUTES?!), why Black romance, the healing power of community and love and so much more. Lock in to this amazing conversation. Come for the vibes but stay for the healing. Remember tickets go on sale on August 15th. Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottieFollow & Find Black Romance Book Festival: instagram & websiteUse my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.2025-07-3153 min...But Make It BooksWriting the Books We Needed...(w/ Author Kristina Forest)Join Niccara as she welcomes USA Today bestselling author Kristina Forest, whose mission centers on writing the books she wished she had as a young Black teenager. In this powerful conversation, we explore how Black romance serves as a source of healing and affirmation for readers across both YA and adult genres. Kristina opens up about her journey of crafting stories that intentionally showcase Black joy, healthy family dynamics, and the transformative power of love through works like her Greene Sisters series, "The Neighbor Favor," "The Partner Plot," and her latest YA novel "Heartsick."Whether you're seeking...2025-07-1741 min...But Make It BooksWhen Motherhoods Gets Messy... (w/Author Desiree Moodie)Join Niccara as she welcomes indie thriller writer, Desiree Moodie to discuss her newest novel, "The Perfect Mother".*Some Spoilers*In this conversation, the desperation, the messiness, and the unspoken truths of motherhood through the pages and genre of her newest thriller following Dawn and Evelyn in an idyllic suburban town that hides more within the seemingly perfect lawns and picturesque homes. Make sure you get "The Perfect Mother" as well as her other works!Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottieFollow & Find Desiree : site, instagram, SubstackUse...2025-07-0342 min...But Make It BooksThe Journey to Self Through Books... (w/ Book Influencer LaKia Barr)Join Niccara as she welcomes a fellow Black book influencer, Lakia Barr at Kia's Korner who mission is focused on how to get people excited about reading, and increasing the visibility and support for Black authors and Black books. In this conversation, we talk hidden truths we find in the pages of our favorite reads, self discovery through literature, and how books have a way to bring squared with the realizations about ones' self. If you are looking for additional reflection through the pages of your favorite reads, this is an episode for you! 2025-06-1959 min...But Make It BooksFinding Home... (w/ Lex Reads)Join Niccara as she welcomes a fellow Black book influencer, Alexis Milton at Lex Reads who is a passionate literary advocate dedicated to amplifying Black voices in literature. In this conversation, we talk finding home in the pages of our favorite novels as well as community amongst other bookish folks and nurturing the wells of our communities where we are. If you want to find out how to build communities and sanctuaries where you are this is for you and other book lovers who are looking to grow their to be read lists. Follow us...2025-06-0548 min...But Make It BooksWriting Joy: The Corner of Press RevolutionJoin host Niccara as she welcomes the powerful bicoastal friend duo, Sujeiry Gonzalez and Krista Purnell, of Corner of Press as they continue to pioneer the romance genre for women of color. In this conversation, we talk about our favorite tropes, friendship in unlikely places, and how bar conversations can spark big ideas. Romance lovers this is for you but for anyone with big dreams and bigger hopes dive into this honest conversation. Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottieFollow the ladies of Corner of Press: @lovesujeiry @givethemromance @thekplifeUse m...2025-05-2200 min...But Make It BooksReclaiming the Page (with author and publisher MultiMind)Join host Niccara as she welcomes Baltimore native, author and publisher, MultiMind to "...But Make It Books."In this conversation, Niccara and MultiMind dive into her love of fountain pens, traveling, creating and owning your own vision and path and how everything you do in life can lead you to your purpose. With candid reflections on independent publishing, charting your own path, and the newest release of their book "The Harlequin" this is definitely a jam packed episode. Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie...2025-04-0346 min...But Make It BooksBuilding Rooms of Our Own (w/Felicia Pride)Join host Niccara as she welcomes acclaimed multi-hyphenate creative force Felicia Pride to "...But Make It Books."In this conversation, Pride discusses her remarkable journey from literature lover to award-winning filmmaker, TV writer, and founder of HONEY CHILE, her production company dedicated to Black women 40+. Pride, whose impressive credits include writing for "Queen Sugar," "Grey's Anatomy," and her current role as Co-Executive Producer on "Bel-Air," opens up about her creative evolution across different storytelling mediums. She shares insights on her upcoming projects, including the highly-anticipated series adaptation of "Seven Days in June" for Amazon.2025-03-2029 min...But Make It BooksTrusting in Your Magic...Join Niccara as she delves in with LaDarrion Williams, author of "Blood at the Root" to discuss all things magic, Black people, Black life, and the trusting in your own magic even when you are in doubt. As always, rate, subscribe, and review us wherever you are listening.
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2025-03-0651 min...But Make It BooksWill and Power...We are circling back to come our favorite theme: manhood, fatherhood, and entertainment surrounding Will Smith's autobiography "Will".
As always, rate, subscribe, and review us wherever you are listening.
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2025-01-0938 min...But Make It BooksRewriting the Narrative: Jada Pinkett Smith's 'Worthy' and the Journey to Radical Self-Acceptance...Happy New Year, Family! We are jumping back into the New Year with THE Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir, 'Worthy'. We are talking about the definition of worthy to us, what we received from her and the pages of her vulnerability, and so much more.
As always, rate, subscribe, and review us wherever you are listening. Check out our bookish partner over at Charm City Books!
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2025-01-0231 min...But Make It BooksPound for Pound: Brandon's Rec & The Youth Have Something to Say...In this episode, we are doing something new here at BMIB called "Pound for Pound" where Niccara and Brandon give out their suggested recommendations to the other. This episode is centered on Jason Reynolds "Stuntboy, in the Meantime" and the need to read cross generationally, how children are always watching, and what we can learn from them.
As always, rate, subscribe, and review. Check out our bookish partner Charm City Books!
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2024-12-1337 min...But Make It BooksPound for Pound: Niccara's Rec & The Need for More Young Black Love Stories...In this episode, we are doing something new here at BMIB called "Pound for Pound" where Niccara and Brandon give out their suggested recommendations to the other. This episode is centered on Jason Reynolds "Twenty-Four Seconds from Now...: A LOVE Story" and how can get more young boys to read, the need for more young Black love stories from the male perspective, and so much more.
As always, rate, subscribe, and review. Check out our bookish partner Charm City Books!
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@butmakeitbookspod
@thebookishhottie
@b_rad.bo...2024-11-2934 min...But Make It BooksAuthenticity and Cultural Appropriation...Authenticity and cultural appropriation... but make it books with Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.
Tap in with Brandon and Niccara as they explore all the themes and nuisances in Kuang's work Yellowface. What is authenticity? Who owns what and how do we decide?
Get any books discussed here: www.charmcitybooks.com (http://www.charmcitybooks.com/)
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Bookishlyhealing.com
2024-09-2635 min...But Make It BooksRespect on Her Name (w/ Sadeqa Johnson)...After a much needed break, we are back! As a bonus, we have a LIVE episode…But Make it Books! Join Niccara, Brandon, and Sadeqa Johnson, author of the NAACP Image Award nominated The House of Eve, as they discuss how Black women deserve bodily autonomy, the effects of classism, Sadeqa’s writing process, adoption, and dream casting ideas. Welcome back everyone!
Books Discussed:
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
Check out the visual discussion here
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Get any books discuss...2024-02-151h 04...But Make It BooksAmbition 3: Alongside Gratitude...The 3rd episode of the Ambition Trilogy has arrived on…But Make it Books! Join Niccara, Brandon, and Mateo Askaripour, author of Black Buck, as they discuss the plot of his coming novel “This Great Hemisphere”, people as products, "can we separate the creator from the work?", and mourning Kanye West.
Books Discussed:
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
This Great Hemisphere by Mateo Askaripour
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Check out the visual discussion here
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Get any books...2023-11-2337 min...But Make It BooksAmbition 2: The Mirror withMateo Askaripour...And now, a sequel episode of...But Make it Books! Join Niccara, Brandon, and Mateo Askaripour, author Black Buck, as they discuss Scarcity vs Abundance, the implications of the
word “buck", the double read, and the responsibility of satirical work.
Stay tuned for the conclusion of this trilogy to hear more about Mateo's upcoming novel!
Books Discussed:
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
This Great Hemisphere by Mateo Askaripour
Check out the visual discussion here!
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Get any books discussed here: ww...2023-11-0939 min...But Make It BooksThe Not-So Secret Live with Deesha Philyaw...We are all the way LIVE…But Make it Books! Join Niccara, Brandon, and Deesha Philyaw, author of a Finalist for the National Book Award for The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, as they discuss how the church fashions young Black women, the importance of intergenerational representation, Deesha’s writing process, and share light discourse about Greenleaf. This episode marks our first live event and we hope you can join us at the next one!
Books Discussed:
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
Special Thanks:
Balt...2023-10-121h 04...But Make It BooksThe Commune of Cooking...Smells like a fresh, hot episode of...But Make it Books! Join Niccara and Brandon as they discuss books, their best dishes, sugar as a nostalgic ingredient, why you should cook more, and what you can get out of reading cookbooks.
Books Discussed:
Notes From a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onuwachi
My America by Kwame Onuwachi
Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat
The Golden Girls Cookbook by Christopher Styler
Check out the visual discussion here
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Get any books discussed here: www.charmcitybooks...2023-09-2834 min...But Make It BooksFamily Recipes...Fresh out the oven, another episode of But Make It Books. Join Niccara and Brandon as they discuss generational recipes, the family table, the science behind cooking up a legacy, and the family recipes they love.
Check out the visual discussion here: Charm City Books YouTube!
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Get any books discussed here: www.charmcitybooks.com
Books discussed: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.
2023-09-1441 min...But Make It BooksD-N-FIt’s time to finish another episode of…But Make it Books! Join Niccara and Brandon as they discuss books they did not finish, potential varietal story telling, the importance of a multifaceted reader community, and taunt with another tbd conversation on Luster
Check out the visual discussion here: Charm City Books YouTube!
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Get any books discussed here: www.charmcitybooks.com
Thank you for listening and sharing!
2023-08-3136 min...But Make It BooksLay It Down . . .This week we get to take a little nap with …But Make it Books! Join Niccara and Brandon as they discuss a manifesto of rest, generational forms of rest, grind culture and the necessity of communion.
Books Discussed:
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
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Get any books discussed here: www.charmcitybooks.com
Thank you for listening and sharing!
2023-08-0333 min...But Make It BooksHalfway There . . .We’re half way through the year with …But Make it Books! Join Niccara and Brandon as they discuss book goal updates, TBR hopefuls, favorite reads thus far, and which Russell starred in Gladiator.
Books Discussed:
Black Cake by Charmaine WIlkerson
Glory by Noviolet Bulawayo
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Check out the visual discussion here:
Follow us on I...2023-07-2027 min