Episode 4: Shelf Talk with EJ: How Romance & Fiction Help Us Heal

In this first episode of Shelf Talk, I sit down with EJ, a book influencer who shares how romance and fiction have been more than just stories — they’ve been a source of comfort, healing, and hope during difficult times.

We talk about how getting fully absorbed in a book can provide a much-needed escape, helping him process emotions, cope with challenges, and find the hope of love in both fiction and life.

You can find him at: 

@the_bookboyfriend or @_bookboyfriend

Your host is Jaclyn Tyson. For more information about Sacred Tea and Nourished Souls, visit www.soubirdcenter.com.

Transcript

0:20

Welcome to the first shelf Talk, a new segment of sacred tea and nourished souls. This is a space for stories because stories are how we learn about people, about ourselves, and what about connects us? They remind us that even in all of our differences, we share the same longings to be understood, to be seen, to belong. Shelf talk is where we slow down with those stories. The ones that move us question us or offer small truths about being human. Sometimes it comes through a novel, sometimes through conversation, but always about curiosity. For our first shelf talk, I spoke with ej, a book Influencer who celebrates reading as a way to connect with characters, with ideas and with each other. So pour a cup of tea, settle in and let's begin. I. welcome ej. Thank you for being on the podcast. Thank you for having me. Just for listeners, I learned about you, Through the Hooked on book, yes. Facebook group. Uh, for people who might not know, it is a Facebook group where book lovers, book readers, book reviewers are on Facebook and talking all about books. And so, there was a post that was on there that really, a. Drew me to reach out to you for the podcast. Oh, And so it was about your interest in reading and how it helps mental health. so can you tell us a little bit about your reading journey. how did he get into reading and how long have you been reading? Okay, so I started reading, of course very young and I enjoyed it when I was younger, but there were a lot of times where I had a lot of distractions, whether it was, hanging out with friends or, having girlfriends and raising a family and going to college and stuff like that. So I had a lot of distractions. On what kind of got in the way of me and Jordan reading full time. And so once I got older and I started being able to really just sit down and have more time to read, that's pretty much all I do now. I have a lot of authors that I enjoy reading. Nicholas Sparks, Karen Kingsbury, Karen Slaughter, El C Silver, Lauren Asher. I mean, the list just kind of goes on and on, but reading is something that I love doing and it is something that I will always do now, especially since I don't have any more distractions, you like to use reading, therapeutic and as a tool for mental health. Yes. Can you, can you talk a little bit about how, whether it's reading or specific type of genres that help you, in your mental health or just in your own journey? so with me, I'm a police officer and I've been a police officer for going on, 11 years. This November will be 11 years I've been a police officer. And, I've seen a lot of things. I've done a lot of things as far as, investigating crimes and things like that, and sometimes those things from the job kind of take a toll on you. And so a lot of times you have to do something to escape the reality that you're in. Pretty much. And reading has been that for me. So once I pick up a book. plots, the twists, things like that. Those are what I'm more focused on. I'm not too much worried about what goes on around me. I'm focused on the book and, how I relate to these characters, whether it's emotionally, spiritually, or whatever kind of relationship I bond with the characters. That's what I'm more focused on. Well, thank you so much by the way, for your service. Oh, thank you. And for the work that you do. it's not easy. I can tell you that. as a mental health therapist, I have had. a client who was a police officer as well. And, I do understand, the traumatic things that one goes through, on a daily level. And so, it's really great to hear, a way of coping that has really helped you. Yeah. Yeah. So in 2019, I really was in a dark place. when I mean dark, it was kind of bad. I had left the job that I had loved. I was, there four years. I left. And then shortly after I left, there were rumors being spread around about me. And of course the rumors weren't true. But you know, it is kind of hard to, prove that it's not true if you don't have any evidence to back it up, you know? And I didn't have any evidence to back up the, alleged acts that were being stole upon my name, but. I was real sad. I was real down at the time I was trying to overcome that struggle of trying to find another job and things like that. And I remember, I was sitting outside of my mom's residence one day and I picked up Nicholas Spark's, safe haven. And I opened that book and it just seemed like everything that I was going through just didn't matter, you know?'cause I started reading that book. I was feeling happy, I was feeling comfort. And after that I read 17 more of his other books after that. And it just, it put me in a better mood and, it saved me from. that dark place I was in, and I'm going to be forever grateful for reading and specifically for Mr. Nicholas Sparks because his books really, they got me through a lot of that and it was remarkable how I came out of that. just reading books. Thank you so much for sharing that story and how reading has really helped you, in your journey and really helping you, get out of a difficult time and dark space. you know, actually with what you're talking about, many people think of self-help or psychology books when it comes to healing, and you are showing how fiction and romance. Can be just as, transformative. you talked about Nicholas Sparks. are there any other books or authors that you feel really helps you, in your journey? So when I think of a. As far as a romantic journey or romance novel, I think about Lauren Asher, and the reason why I bring her up is because reading her books to me Make me believe in love, you know It makes me believe in that happily ever out. And the reason why I say that is because I know of people who they refuse to get in relationships again because they had a bad one, or they refuse to get married again because they had a nasty divorce or whatever the situation may be. But when I read a Lauren Asher book, I believe in love again. The characters in her books truly and genuinely love each other, and you're going to get a good cry out of it for sure. And so, there's been times where I've read one of her books and, and literally cried for 30 minutes straight. But it was the overall story that touched me. and like I said, I, always tell myself that if her characters can get through it. if her characters can find love again, so can I. You know, and that's even with Nicholas Sparks and, Karen Kingsbury. Karen Kingsbury is another author of mine that I read a lot of books. I've read over 50 of her books and all of her books surround love, but they surround it in a. Christianity type form. It's, basically a Christian romance genre is what it's called. And even in her books, you might have a sad and tragic event, but love pretty much pushes out all of the sadness and brings the characters close together. and I love that. I love that a romance book can, do that. Plus you get all the feels from a romance book, Thank you. So in terms of Lauren Asher out of her books. Is there one specific book that you really can say is like your top fave out of all of her books? Oh, man. actually, there are two of them. But you've asked for one, so I'll just give you one. And that is going to be, the final offer. it's many reasons why I say that, but I say it because of how I felt toward the main character. and the reason why I say is because. He was, that's one character I was really rooting for. I'm cheering him on. I'm telling him I'm actually talking to him like he's an actual real person, you know? I'm like, Hey man, you can do this. Don't give up. You know, she's worth it. And I'm cheering this guy on. And I understood the struggle that he was going through. He has a lot of things that happened in his past and he used substance abuse to try to get over it because he thought that it would help him get past his trauma and his hurt feelings, and it's really not helping him, but he's really not understanding that. Then he has someone that really loves and cares for him and wants him to be the best version of himself, but he's too blind to see that because of the substance. Abuse. And eventually he understands that, Hey, if I'm gonna be a better person, not only for me, but for who I love, I have to give this up. I have to try. And he starts doing what he said he was going to do. And as he's doing this, I am cheering him on. I'm clapping, I'm screaming hoorah. I mean, I'm doing all of that and. I really felt connected to him. if it was one of those questions where you said, if I had another book of hers, I would have to say wrecked. Rick is one of the ones that I really cried and shared tears on, and it was the same way for him. he was using substance abuse as well to try to get past the pain that he was feeling. And there was one part of Lauren Asher's book that she wrote, that after I read it I had to shut the book and just kind of stand there and just think. And he talked about being in his room. Self-loathing, basically self hating himself. And there's been times where I've done that to where I've hated myself for some of the, mistakes and decisions I've made. And I felt like that's how he was feeling. And it brought me back to how I felt at one point in time That was a remarkable chapter for me. I'm literally not lying. I, closed the book and I just sat there and was just like, man, I can't believe I just read. So if I had to choose, it would be the final offering regs as, as two of the Lauren Asher books. That just really just meant a lot to me. for listeners, final offer is the third book in the trilogy of the, dreamland Billionaire series, right? Dreamland, billionaire, And then what about wrecked? So wrecked is part of the Dirty Air series. It is the third book of the series. you know, more books to put on the TBR, you know? There you go. Okay. Yeah, that's, honestly, that's what I really love about books is that You can see yourself in some of these characters. you really can. I loved that one also too, in terms of final offer. Oh my goodness. Yes. I just, I loved it. I was like, wow, this is. Different than the first two books. It just felt more real, more authentic. Yes. Like it was really pulling at your heartstrings. yes. So, in terms of just fiction and romance, It doesn't have to be psychology books, it doesn't have to be self-help books, but there's something about being able to see yourself or people that you know in these books that can really heal and really help us in terms of, us kind of looking at ourselves or looking at where we used to be. Yes, for sure. for listeners who cannot see us, EJ is a black male who likes to read fiction and specifically romance books. And so that really caught my attention in that, He's not your typical person who might be the audience of this type of genre. And so, I didn't know if there was anything related to your race or your ethnicity that, has either deterred your reading or enhance your reading experience. And so I just wanted to identify and label and acknowledge that. Okay. So, for me, I get made fun of a lot when it comes to, reading Roman his books. For one, I don't know why it's being stigmatized, but I guess. People feel that men shouldn't read romance. I don't know where that came from. Just like, a lot of people think that men don't read books. I have a lot of men followers on my social media pages and I follow them right back. Who are men that read? of course most of them read. They don't read the kind of genres I read Most of'em read sci-fi or fantasy or, some other genre that I might not read. but for me, I read romance. I mean, I read, mystery, psychological thrillers, self-help books. Those are the kind of genres that I read. but specifically for romance, I get made fun of by all of my friends. I'm talking about all of my book friends'cause they're like, man, you're the only dude that we know that were romance. And I'm like. I can't help what I like, you know, romance has always been that comfort genre to me. There's been times where now I'll say, I need to take a break from romance and just read something else, and I might read a mystery or a psychological thriller and I'm right back to reading a romance book. And it's like, you know, I try my best or try to force myself to get away from that. but romance is just one of my preferred genres. It's my comfort genre, and I feel like, I'm one of those type of people that I believe in love. I have had a lot of bad relationships. there's been some relationships I stayed in that I shouldn't have, but that's another story for another time. But. I look at romance as a comfort read, and when I see fictional characters have a happily ever after that makes me have faith that one of these days I'll have a same story just like that, and I'm going to continue to read romance no matter how many times my friends make fun of me. They make fun of me all they want, but I'm still gonna read a romance. thank you so much for that. honest, authentic answer. It can be very stereotypical and, people can have their opinions and their judgments. yeah. And I can also imagine you being, part of a. Mostly male dominated field as well too. Mm-hmm. Right. Yes. So It's like you're surrounded by it Yeah, pretty much. So that's why I think it's fabulous you just stay true to yourself and who you are. I think it shows why you enjoy, romance. It feels like you have a big heart and you really look to, the books as inspiration and reminders. Yes, So, in terms of someone who might be listening and. Maybe they've never really read that much. Is there anything that you would say in terms of tips and, where do they even begin? If reading is good for coping with mental health but they're like, I don't know where to start. There's so many books. What would you say? I think that sometimes when we try to find books, they have a way of finding us. Some books really do come outta nowhere and we. Clip them in our hands and we are like, oh man, I think this was the book that I needed to read. So I think that if they're looking to read a book, I think that they should find what type of genre they want, and once they find what type of genre they want, then they can go and start searching for a specific book or a specific author. I think that people should read what they want to read. I'm a real big influencer about that. whenever I talk on TikTok or my book Instagram, I tell people, read the books that you want to read. Are there a lot of book talk books going around or a lot of famous or hot books? Yes, there are hard, but those books might not be the book for you. You don't have to read those books just because they're famous or just because everybody's throwing them in your face. So I would tell someone to read what they want to read. My second tip would be read when you want to read. everyone always asks me, man, how do you read so much? cause I've read 87 books this year. And a lot of people ask me, how do you read so much? You know, when do you find a time and stuff like that. And my answer always is, I read four hours daily. I read two hours in the morning and two hours at nighttime before I go to bed. And then there are times on my days off before I read more because I have more time to read on my day off. So there are times that I read more. So that would be my second tip, is to tell someone and read when they want to read. And my third tip is to not feel pressured by everyone around them. So what if someone read, 300 books this year? Hey, that's fine. If, you can't manage that, that's okay. Read what you want to read when you read, when you want to read, and just enjoy it. Enjoy the story. You know, take your time absorbing everything that the Arthur and the characters are trying to tell you. Connect with that book. That's what I do when I read. I'm trying to connect with the characters with the story. I'm trying to understand what the Arthur wants me to know, and that's what I would tell someone. Read what they want to read, read it when they want to read it and just absorb the story. Take your time. Beautiful, beautiful tips. You already, answered one of the questions that, I know many people have in terms of how do you read so much and how do you make time for reading. Talking about influencing and popular books, are there any books that you can think of that really have influenced you but maybe might not be as popular on like book talk or book tube? that you can think of that. Are not as popular. So, there is a book that I have read that I was going to recommend that isn't really popular and honestly I haven't, seen any videos of it on TikTok. And the book in question is Forgiven. What You Can't Forget is a wonderful book that I read, I think it was three years ago. it's by Lysa. I can't pronounce her last name. but I read this. it's a wonderful book. there are some spiritual. Aspects of it. But even if you're not a religious person, I still think that you will find something in that book that you really can use for your personal life. And it is basically, about giving you tools on how to forgive yourself for allowing other people to do what they have done to you. You know, a lot of the times we don't ask to get hurt, but sometimes we do. And we blame ourselves for doing that. But this book will give you tools on how to start forgiving yourself before you can forgive others. And then it gives you tips on how to forgive others who have done you wrong. So that's one of the books that I haven't seen on book Talk that I have never seen anybody talk about, and it's, one book that I definitely would recommend. I've actually bought it for someone and they loved it just as much as I did. In terms of also influencing, is there anything you do of either reviewing books or putting the book reviews in a book journal? Like how do influence? Like is it just videos or do you keep track of the books in any analog type of way? So, so for me, I use TikTok as a source. I use my Instagram, I use the book group that you and I are in, and what I typically do is I just tell people my. true feelings on how I felt about the book. I was talking to some friends of mine not too long ago, and one of my friends and I, we had went on a trip and she and I were talking and she said, I wonder how many people actually truly read books or do they just try to read the synopsis and try to. Just say things that, sound good, that would make people think that they read it and just to get more views. And she and I were having that conversation and I said, you know, some people might actually do that. There might be some book influencers who do. I said, but that's why I always. Be authentic With myself, I always, post my favorite quotes from the book that I read. So if I read a book and if I highlight something or annotate it, I like to put that favorite quote in my book review. rather it is me posting on my book Instagram, or if it's me doing a video. There's been times where I've done a video on a book review, and I will read my favorite quote from that book too. My book to the people that are viewing my videos, you know, and, I do that because I feel like if that book quote really, that book made me feel some type of way, made me happy or made me reflect on my life or anything like that, I always try to share that just in case someone else might feel the same way. And, so I always try to be true to myself as far as how I really felt about that book. Once I'm finished with a book, I ask myself, okay, how did I feel about it? once I got that in my mind, I start writing my review and that's when the answers come out. You know, that's when my true feelings of that book and the characters and the story and everything comes out. And there's been some book reviews where I even tell people, Hey, this book has some grammatical errors. However, it was still a great story that I think you should read if you're interested in this type of genre. So that's kind of how I influenced people. I find a book. If I loved it. I will go ahead and share the details of their book. Share the book cover. what? I think if I think the Arthur did a good job on the message they tried to deliver, or if they did a bad job, or if there was a certain message that they were trying to, show us that people didn't understand that I did, then I would tell them what I thought their message was. Have you ever considered running a book club? I actually have, two book clubs. they're both on the Fable app. the first book club. We actually had our one year. Anniversary yesterday. the first book club I ever created is called the Second Chance Book Club. That's on Fable. And, that book club is pretty much any kind of genre, whether it's historical fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery. We use all kind of genres then. Since I am a romance lover, I'm a romance breeder, I came with. My own book club just for me. But then there were other people who wanted to join and I said, okay, y'all can join. And that one is the Happily Ever After Book Club. Both of those are on. If anyone's listening, they're interested in joining our club Please do. we would love to have you. We're friendly and we love discussing books. So if people don't know what Fable is, can you explain what Fable is? fable is a book tracking app that you can use and it is pretty much just like good reads, but there's just few differences and I mean, I still use good REITs, but I'm starting to like Fable more. I mean, it's just like a normal booking tracking app that you can use. you can actually put some of your good res data into Fable, so it, kind of interconnects. So for those who don't know, you can do some research. they have a lot of cool things, like it even gives you a reader summary. I know there's another, book tracking app. It's called Story Graph. I like that one as well. And it gives you, data information on you as a reader. But the reader summaries on Fable, I'm gonna be honest, they're scary. Like, they're so accurate. When it comes to me as a reader, I'm like, oh my gosh. that is frightening how accurate. It's, but it is nice. I like it. So, yeah, guys, check out Fable. I think you'll like it. So we're almost coming to an end. Is there anything related to reading or mental health or healing that I didn't ask that you would like to share? Yeah, so when it comes to healing, I think that there are books out there that can help us heal. But you have to be willing to accept the advice that the book is giving you. there's been a lot of great books that I've read that have helped me along the way. the Purpose Driven Life, get outta your Head, healing the Soul of a Woman. The five love languages, Atomic habits, I mean, there are a lot of books that I can name that have helped me, whether it was a healing journey, whether it was reevaluating myself. There are a lot of books out there that can help us, but you have to be willing to accept the help You have to go in with an open mind, say, okay, I know this book can help me, but how can it help me? And once you start asking that question, you'll start finding the answers in that book. And sometimes they'll just come out of nowhere, but you'll be like, oh man, let me write that down, or, let me highlight that, or Let me remember that. Or Let me go and tell somebody about it. And as far as healing. I always tell people my true feelings on healing, and I feel that people should take their time. I don't think you should rush healing at all. I like to use an example as a scrape on a knee. if you're playing basketball or if you're riding a skateboard or something and you fall and scrape your knee, and now you have an injury, well, sometimes you might try to force that injury to heal and it doesn't heal all the way, or it doesn't heal correctly. And when you let that injury heal correctly in the way it's supposed to, then it doesn't hurt anymore. you're not having a limp. It's not as, it's not as swollen or as bruised as it used to be, and that's kind of how I look at healing. I look at is you have to take the time to heal. You can't rush yourself. The more you rush yourself to heal, the longer it's gonna take you to heal. you can't rush it. You have to sit back and say, okay, I'm going to heal, but I'm going to heal correctly. I'm going to take my time. And I will know when I'm healed, when the pain is no longer there, and that's how I feel about healing. Oh my goodness. I wanna make that as a sicker somehow. you can't rush healing, So, maybe two other questions. the first one is what is currently on your. Shelf what are you reading and or what is next on your reading list? one of my friends, he is on my Instagram and I talk, every so often, and his name is Brad. Brad was giving me a recommendation on the book that I have been seeing on book talk, and a lot of people have been talking about it. He was like, man, I really think you should give this book a try. And I love taking, book recommendations. I do. And so he gave me the recommendation of Wally Lamb's newest book, derivative waiting. I have started the first chapter and I'm, still reading and it is starting off pretty good. I kind of have a suspicion, I'm not gonna lie, I'm hoping I'm wrong. I'm not gonna give any spoilers, but I'm starting to think that maybe the main character's wife is having an affair. Don't know how true that is, but that's just kind of some of the vibes that I'm getting. then I'm also reading, Pucking Suite by Emily Wrath. This is part of her Jacksonville Ray series. Now this is on book talk, but I buddy read the first book of this with one of my friends, which was Pucking around and I've just been getting through the series. So this is book three. So once I finish this, I have book four until Book five comes out. And then as far as my second chance book club, we have a book that we're going to start and that is called the September House by Carissa Orlando, my happily ever after book club. We're going to read Abby Jimenez's, book in her friend zone series of friend zone. So I'll be juggling several books and that's what I do. So I read, about four books at one time and how I do that is. I'm real good at keeping up where I am in a story, whether it is annotating or sometimes I write notes in my phone of where I left off and what was going on and what happened, so I can always go back and pretty much. Pick back up on where I left off. there is one book that I'm currently reading, but I'm taking my time on it. I'm not trying to rush it. and someone actually gave me that suggestion of taking my time on that book, and that is, the body keeps the score. I'm doing like a chapter. every other day or, every week or somewhat. But I am highlighting a lot in this book. and one thing I learned in this book that was interesting and that I didn't know, is that when we're first created in our mother's room, the right part of our brain is what develops first. I didn't know that until I read this book. I thought that was very interesting. And then, one of my friends, there was a book that she read and she felt like the book was kind of like written for me. She said, because of some of the things I went through in my life. And she said that she thinks that I should give it a chance and that. She thinks I would love it. And that is Beneath the Stars by Emily McIntyre. I haven't read much about her. I know she has some other books that are out that people are loving and going crazy over, but she said that she thinks that I would really love this one. And she thinks that, I will see myself in the book. So. Some of these I'm reading now. Some of these I will get to next month, I'm also going to add Lauren Asher's, love Arrange and lc Silver's wild card to my September TV r as well. And then in October, there are only two books I'm planning on reading in October. I say that now, but I'm sure it will change. And that's, Lala say she's another female author that I really enjoy reading. she started a Cowboy Romance series. I read all her books and that, but she's releasing a new book called Soul Searching that comes out at the end of September. So I will be definitely reading that. And then Nicholas Sparks he released a new book in October and I'm looking forward to reading that one as well. That's pretty much everything I have for September and October. Awesome. Thank you. Oh my goodness. I feel like we could just keep talking forever and ever. I feel the same way. so four people who, you know, get lit up with talking about books just like you and me. how can they find you on social media? You talked about Fable, so what are your handles on TikTok and Instagram? So on Instagram, I am the book boyfriend, but, and before you put in book boyfriend, it's a underscore. So I am, underscore book boyfriend. And then on TikTok, I'm the book boyfriend and that's also my. Tag name on Fable. So those are some of the places you guys can find me and look for my book reviews, book recommendations and things like that. and if you do follow me, thank you in advance.'cause I, I love all of my fa my followers. they encourage me to read, honestly. they say, man, please keep the book reviews coming. people look forward to my book reviews and I don't mean to sound conceited or anything like that, but. that makes me feel important, you know, in the book world. And I really enjoy just talking books with people or if people see a book that I loved and they loved it, and we just talk about it and, there's been times where I've loved the book and people didn't like it. And we can have those discussions too. I'm like, Hey, it's okay not to like a book that I love and vice versa. There are some books that I've seen people love that I didn't like, you know what I mean? It happens reading its objectives. Mm-hmm. Oh, and that's one more thing I, I could have gave advice to. When you ask what advice I would give a reader is. Don't get upset if someone doesn't like a book that you recommend or doesn't like a book that you love, it's gonna happen. You know? Uh, there's a lot of romance books that I've loved that people seem to hate it on. I saw a review last night of someone saying that they didn't love, wild Love by El C Silver. And I'm like, how could you not? You know, but hey, to each their own, it's okay. It happens, but. I don't get it, but I mean it does happen. It does happen. I think that's what's beautiful about just books in general, right? Mm-hmm. That there's just so many different genres. Yes. And, you can like romance, another person can, can like, mystery, thriller. Another one might like sci-fi fantasy. Like there's just so many different kinds Just being able to just talk about books, and I think it's. Crazy how authors just have all of these ideas in their head. Yeah, I know, right? And can create like their, their imagination and coming up with all of the words to fill these books. I just give them so much credit. So much credit. I do too. I do too, for sure. It's definitely an art that I can't do. Yeah. Hey, I'm sure it's not easy. I'm sure it's difficult at times. I'm sure they've been stressed and overwhelmed, but I think all of the authors that, I read, some been in the game for a long time, some are just now starting. I read a indie book. Not too long ago called Wild Trout, and it was a German young lady growing up during the time of World War ii, and I really loved that. And the author reached out to me and asked me if I would be willing to read her book. And I read it and I loved it. And she and I talked about it and it was a loving story. So for those of, you're looking for a book recommendation. If you want something that's not, going crazy on book talk or anything like that, wild Trout is a good book that I think you will love. Tammy Borden is the author. You can find it on Amazon. There is an audio version. out now too. So if you're an audio book listener, you can check that out. Thank you. For indie books, how do people find these types of books? I know you said that the author had reached out to you, but if you're maybe interested in. Not so popular books and just trying to find indie books? So, I, I'm a real, big on my Instagram page. I correspond with a lot of other readers on there and authors. so that's where I found some of the, the people that I read, but then being a book influencer. Has given me the opportunity to where I've had authors reach out to me asking me to read their books for an honest review because they've seen some of the other reviews that I've done. So a lot of times I've had them actually reach out to me and when they reach out to me. If I read their synopsis of their book and think it's interesting, I start spreading the word out to my friends. I text the people in our book group, the Second Chance Book Club. I would message them, say, Hey guys, this book sounds interesting. I think we should check it out. Or maybe, somebody that's looking for a book recommendation, maybe they'll like this, or I will post. The art. So a lot of times I've gotten Arthur Mill and the authors will put their books and other stuff to go along with the book to me and I'll post it on my social media to basically, you know, market them to say, Hey guys, these, these authors, they're Indy Arthurs, they've written the books. These books sound very interesting. I'm not gonna lie, every book that I've gotten from an indie author sounds very interesting. it's just sometimes it's hard finding. All of the time to read.'cause I think I've gotten maybe seven books from Indie Arthurs. and some of'em are pretty thick, so it's hard trying to read all through of'em. But eventually I'm gonna get there and once I do, I'm just going to, you know, market them. I'm going to make a book review or a video and try to get their books out there. there are some Indie Arthurs, buck Turner. He is a romance Arthur. You guys can find him on Instagram and Facebook. He is on Amazon as well, and. He's just signed with a publisher that got him into bookstores like Barnes and Nobles and, and SEC Controls and, and other stores like that. His name is Buck Turner. He is on Instagram and Facebook and TikTok. Tammy Borden, that's the one that wrote Wild Trout. You guys can find her on there. there's some other Indie Arthurs, that I have. If anybody's looking for a book recommendation, you guys have my, social medias now. Just send me a message and I'll be happy to pass those along to you. Oh, thank you again so much, DJJ Of course, for this wonderful, wonderful conversation. I appreciate it. Well, so my, Instagram is. underscore the book boyfriend. And then the other ones are just the book boyfriend. So like TikTok is the book boyfriend. fable is the book boyfriend. you guys can find me on there. And like I said, I love to have you, I love to correspond with you about books. If, you're looking for a good book recommendation, I have plenty of them. So just let me know. Thank you for joining us for this shelf talk. I hope today's conversation sparked reflection, curiosity, or simply a quiet moment of connection with this story that lingered. If this resonated with you, I invite you to stay connected. You can join our sacred tea and nourish souls community and find links to upcoming shows in the show notes, which will be on www.soulbirdcenter.com. Until next time, may your teeth stay warm and your soul nourished.