Beginning Friday, June 15th, Conversations Book Club and the state of Mississippi have been fortunate to spend time with author Teresa Rae Butler--- and what a weekend it has been!
The 35 year old author of "DON'T EVEN TRIP" and "GOD,I RESPECT YA GANGSTA" did not meet a stranger at any of the stops that were a part of her journey.
On Friday, the day began with lunch at the Subway in Pearl (3000 Hwy 80 E), where we were able to enjoy the company of the owners Dorothy and Chris Lawson. Afterwards we visited Waldenbooks Metrocenter where Pam and Andrea greeted us with open arms and excitement.
From there we travelled to Genesis and Light Center where Ms. Butler was able to share her story with the 30 or so youth that attend their summer program. After answering their questions and signing autographs we were off to the Richard Wright Library in South Jackson, talking with the teens that make up the Teen Time program.
The last stop of the day was at the Medgar Evers Library for our book club discussion. Ms. Butler had everyone's attention as she told of the trails of her life and how they molded her into the person she has not begun. "I truly believe that everything happens for a reason," she told the group. "Things we go through are necessary to make us who we are."
The two books that Butler was promoting on her visit to Mississippi are part one and two of a trilogy. Though she admits you don't have to read the books in order to get the story, she does feel as though one book will definitely spark your attention and make you want to know more.
Marketed as fiction, the author did reveal that a large part of the story she is telling is actually based on her own experiences. Just in her sharing with the group we learned about her journey through racism, abuse, neglect and just a true search for self. But there is more to the story.
"When my personal bagagage seemed to be too much, God let me know I had to let it all go in order to move forward," she told Conversations. That was where her writing and eventually the books we are now able to hold in our hands come from. "You have to decide in your life what really matters," is something she repeated throughout the day.
On Saturday, June 16th, we were at Medgar Evers Library again for BREAKFAST WITH BOOKS. The majority of those in attendance for this discussion were members of the Savvy Book Club, lead by Ms. Rose Wright of Jackson. From there it was on to Subway in Pearl for lunch and the finish of what was a powerful weekend.
On behalf of Conversations Book Club and the state of Mississippi we just want to say: Ms. Butler, we can't 'even trip'! Believe us, 'we respect ya mission' and you have made friends and fans for life.
For more information about Ms. Butler and when she will be in your area, click here.
