39 Comments
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Alexandria Williams's avatar

Here reading this again because it’s the most thoughtful read on Substack.

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

i'm making the "welling up with tears" emoji face!!

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Carrie Carrollo's avatar

tell me why I nearly burst into tears reading this? (maybe I really do love to cry)

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

secret's out!!

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Paige Collins's avatar

I love this so much. What a sweet and thoughtful guide! Saving so I can steal all of these gift ideas.

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Paige Collins's avatar

Also, my holds on Libby are full thanks to you!!!

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you!

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Kiani's avatar

I hadn’t heard of The Days of Afrekete nor had I ever seen myself so clearly in a book. I’m obsessed. Thank you.

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

it’s so so good, more people should read it

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Jude's avatar

I just placed 10 holds on Libby. Thank you!

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

love this

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TT's avatar

this is such a wonderful post. came for the cool literary recoms but was so moved by the thoughtfulness shown for each person. loved this a lot!!

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you so so much

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Leonor's avatar

I absolutely love this idea and enjoyed reading it so much!

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you!!

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Ksenia's avatar

Loved this format, thank you 🫶🏻

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

Glad you liked it!

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

lol, I am Siraad. Before 1990 🙌🏾. She might like the Street by Ann Petry. Written in 1940s. About a woman raising her son in Harlem during the 40s.

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

Oooh, that sounds interesting.

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Hanna Kozlowska's avatar

The books are great and the bags are beautiful, but more importantly, finally someone is talking about the fact that so many book lights -- even the ones recommended by Wirecutter et al -- turn on in your bag! I now have two that just are eternally out of battery because of this. This one looks promising!

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

You'll have to give me your review if you try it out.

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Ryann Stutz's avatar

my Goodreads wishlist just tripled from this post 🫶🏼

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

Always a good sign!

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Emma Kallok's avatar

This is wonderful! I placed holds on so many of the books at my library (and am now eyeing the Baggu carry-on bag). Love this innovative and thoughtful gift guide 👏🏽

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you :)

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Betsy S's avatar

So many great recommendations and touchingly personal to your friends!

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you!

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Barbara's avatar

Love this, thank you so much! Got some fun ideas, and now I really want to learn knitting so I can knit myself a reading cardingan 🧶

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

I'm considering doing the same. I hear there's a babaa dupe knitting contingency on tiktok.

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Barbara's avatar

👀👀 I am intrigued! Thanks for the tip ☺️

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Corinne Fay's avatar

This is such a great list! I don’t know how I’ve never seen that pleats please bag before but now I MUST HAVE IT.

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you so much! there's a wall of them IRL at the store and they're very very tempting.

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Ellie Rickard's avatar

Beautifully put together x

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Tembe Denton-Hurst's avatar

thank you so much <3

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