Melissa A Watkins – Equal Opportunity Reader

[Last While In Books] I’m Still Here And So Are You

The writer, a Black woman in a tall yellow headwrap, a yellow spaghetti strap dress and a t-shirt with the dictionary definition of "eclectic" printed on it, gazes playfully down at the camera.

Fellow readers! I’m still here, but a lot is changing in Mel The Bookworm land. As a result time, contrary to the way I usually fill my personal schedule, is at a fleeting premium. Reviews and posts have been thin on the ground but one of the changes that’s happened lately means I have aContinue reading “[Last While In Books] I’m Still Here And So Are You”

Last Week In Books: So Many Good Things Coming In 2024

A cute black girl with a fluffy afro holds a tall stack of books in a library.

Hello, fellow readers! 2024 is well and truly underway, which means there are many, many new reasons to expand our #tbr piles. Here’s my contribution to helping you keep those piles diverse! I used to be a regular attendee at the Seoul Book and Culture Club, a monthly chance for English speakers in Korea toContinue reading “Last Week In Books: So Many Good Things Coming In 2024”

Last Week In Books: Yes, That’s My Real Voice

The face of writer Melissa A Watkins, surrounded by the crumpled pages of writing drafts and musical scores. The image is titled "Artist Portrait No. 25: Melissa Watkins"

Fellow readers! Didya miss me? Whether or not you did, here I am again with one of my intermittent news updates covering the world of diverse books and diverse readers. Let’s jump right in! Last summer I attended the Prague Summer Writer’s Program and while there, met an opera singer with a podcast on whatContinue reading “Last Week In Books: Yes, That’s My Real Voice”