May 30, 2022
It's our 100th episode! Let's celebrate, but in the middle of the celebration, let's have an existential crisis!
It was tough to be happy this week, but I was able to do it because I had something special in my back pocket: an interview with Charnaie Gordon. Charnaie is a wife, mom, and former Computer Programmer turned full-time Content Creator and Author with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science/Information Technology. She’s also a Distinguished Toastmaster and huge literacy advocate/champion. Her blog, Here Wee Read, is where she expresses her creativity and passion for reading, diverse literature, and literacy. She’s also the founder of a children’s literacy organization, 50 States 50 Books, where her family collects and donates diverse children’s books to deserving kids in each of the 50 U.S. states. We also talked about the changes we've made in our life because of the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear.
Bookworms, there was simply no better way to celebrate 100 episodes than to hang out with Charnaie. Make sure you listen to the end of the episode to learn how you can help me celebrate 100 episodes by helping Charnaie out.
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Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Charnaie Gordon
HereWeeRead Website/Here Wee Read Instagram/50 States 50 Books Website/50 States 50 Books Instagram/Facebook/Twitter
Books by Charnaie Gordon:
Discussed in this episode:
Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship by Kayleen Schaefer
CONTEST INFORMATION
In celebration of the Best Book Ever 100th Episode, I’m going to invite you to join me in supporting Charnaie’s work. I’m donating $100 from the Best Book Ever podcast. If you want to help, here’s how to do it:
If you would like make a donation of any amount of cash or gently used books, go to 50States50Books.net/donate, and email me a screenshot of your donation.
Or you can promote her on your social media. On Instagram, post something about her work and tag @50States50Books and me @bestbookeverpodcast. I’m not on TikTok, Facebook or Twitter, but if you promote her work through those channels, just screenshot it and shoot me an email so I can see it.
Everyone who promotes her, whether it’s through money, books, or exposure, and then lets me know about it, will be entered into a drawing, and one randomly chosen winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to their favorite indie bookstore. This contest is only open to residents of the United States, no purchase necessary, and is not associated with 50 States 50 Books or any social media entity. The deadline to enter this drawing is June 30, 2022.
HOW TO SUPPORT GUN REFORM LEGISLATION IN AMERICA
Find your senators here.
Find your representatives here.
I know it can sound intimidating to call a lawmaker. But your calls MATTER. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your elected official. The person who answers your call will make note of your message and pass it on to the member of Congress. Their addresses are also listed if you would like to send something in writing. This script is easy to follow, though feel free to modify it so you feel comfortable:
"Good morning. My name is _____ and I live at _____. I am a constituent and have a deep love for my community and neighbors. I urge Senator/Representative _____, as an elected official who represents me, to protect our safety by leading the way toward gun violence prevention. Specifically, I am asking Senator/Rep _____ to advocate for the The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. Eight) and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 1446). I will be casting my next vote based on his or her legislative response to the gun violence epidemic in America. Thank you for your time."
(That part in bold is the really important part. It's time we let our lawmakers know that their response to gun violence will decide their future in politics.)
If you’d like to make a cash donation, I like these two organizations, both of which are rated highly on Charity Navigator:
(Note: Some of the above book links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. The links to charities are not affiliates; I get nothing from those. I just want to encourage you to support those who are doing good work in the world. But anytime you shop for books, you can use my affiliate link on Bookshop, which also supports Indie Bookstores around the country. If you’re shopping for everything else – clothes, office supplies, gluten-free pasta, couches – you can use my affiliate link for Amazon. Thank you for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)