Charnaie Gordon 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.
Bookworms, there is 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
Website/Instagram
Do you have a book you want to tell me about? Go HERE to apply to be a guest on the Best Book Ever Podcast.
Guest: Charnaie Gordon
HereWeeRead Website/Here Wee Read Instagram/50 States 50 Books Website/50 States 50 Books Instagram/Facebook/Twitter
Here Wee Read Podcast
DylPop’s Bookshop
Books by Charnaie Gordon:
A Friend Like You
A Kids Book About Diversity
Discussed in this episode:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Corduroy by Don Freeman
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 50 states 50 books dot net slash donate, and email me a screenshot of your donation to bestbookeverpodcast@gmail.com
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:
“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.”
The highlighted portion is especially important – it’s time we let our lawmakers know that if they don’t vote to keep us safe from guns, they won’t have a job much longer.
Please know that even if you live in a blue state, these calls and letters are still very important.
If you’d like to make a cash donation, I like these two organizations, both of which are rated highly on Charity Navigator:
Everytown.org
Sandy Hook Promise
(Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. 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!)
