On a frigid November evening, I called Mashariki to talk about books. Our paths first crossed during our undergraduate years at Sullivan County Community College in upstate New York. It was the late ’90s – I was deep in the spoken word poetry scene, attempting to channel my inner Saul Williams, while she was a self-proclaimed bookworm who spent her holiday breaks working at the Barnes & Noble on 53rd and Lex. She introduced me to Tazo Passion tea bags. Back then, it was a thing, and something I could only find at B&N through her; she was the plug. To this day, I still reach for it whenever I have a cold, and you should, too. This is not a commercial, but add some squeezed lemon and a little bourbon if ya got it, and thank me when you see me. Twenty-five years later, who else would I call at this hour to nerd out about our favorite books of the year? Nobody, just Mash.
Mashariki’s love affair with books started early. “I remember the Dick and Jane books, like ‘See Spot Run,'” she tells me over the phone. Her mother read them to her constantly until, at around age three or four, young Mashariki started reading them back. Born in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood and later raised in Queens, she was the kid who carried a pocketbook not for toys or snacks but specifically to hold her books.
“I try to find my joy wherever I can,” Mashariki tells me when I ask about her newest literary ventures. She’s just been named the Harlem Ambassador for Reading Rhythms, though she brushes off my congratulations with characteristic humility. As she describes their events, I can hear the excitement in her voice. “It’s not a book club. It’s a legit reading party,” she explains. For about twenty bucks, people gather in venues throughout New York City multiple times each month, with different chapters hosting their own reading sessions across Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. The community has expanded beyond the five boroughs, with chapters flourishing in London, Milan, and beyond. The format is simple but brilliant: sixty minutes of reading with ambient music playing, followed by organic discussions where people share what’s on their pages. “Sometimes people are reading ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,’ sometimes it’s just a script for an upcoming show,” she says. “That’s what makes it interesting.”
We talk about her favorite reading haunts between sirens wailing past my window. She tells me about Bibliotheque, where one of her many book clubs meets in their wine cellar, each discussion elevated by wines thoughtfully paired with characters from that month’s selection. This gathering merges literary analysis with carefully chosen vintages, creating an experience uniquely New York.
Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
When I ask which of the 33 books she’s devoured this year should people read in 2025, Mashariki doesn’t hesitate: “The House of Eve” by Sadeqa Johnson, a dual narrative set in 1950s Philadelphia and D.C. “It was very emotional for me,” she says, describing how the story touches on everything from forbidden romance to colorism in the Black community. Her voice grows animated as she explains how one of the main characters works as a library researcher at a Black college, weaving actual historical details into the narrative.
“Reading has improved my life so tremendously,” she says, explaining how books have enhanced her ability to connect with people. “Whether it’s right out on the surface or deep within their personality, you’re going to encounter these types of characters in real life.” It’s a perspective that’s pure Mashariki – always finding ways to bridge the gap between stories and real human connection.
Our conversation drifts to her upcoming reads. She’s planning to dive into the darker original source material of “Wicked” after seeing both the Broadway show and film adaptation. “The books got bad reviews initially – like one star – because they’re way darker than what people expect,” she tells me. But she’s got to finish three library books first. “After that, I’m giving myself a couple of months to read things I actually own,” she laughs.
I share my recent obsession with “Project Hail Mary,” explaining how the audiobook performance kept me company on long hikes. Mashariki admits she’s primarily a physical book person but will turn to audiobooks for non-fiction and self-help. “If I need to hurry up and finish a book for book club, I might listen to part of it,” she says. “I consume my books on all platforms.”
Novel by J. K. Rowling
Her latest discovery is “Did You Hear About Kitty Karr,” a story about old Hollywood and secret societies of women helping other women of color navigate segregated movie studios. She’s also quick to recommend “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow,” a novel that had her “sobbing” by the end.
By the end of our call, we’ve covered everything from the closing of that Barnes & Noble where she once worked (now shuttered, along with the neighboring Houston’s restaurant) to her excitement about Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys” being adapted for film. We’ve nerded out about Harry Potter – which she’s read three or four times through – and shared our mutual appreciation for the way good books can pull you through rough patches.
Twenty-five years after our college days, Mashariki is still doing what she’s always done: bringing people and books together, whether it’s in a wine cellar, at a reading party, or just over a late-night phone call with an old friend.
After Our Call: A Reading List
Mashariki’s Picks:
- “The House of Eve” by Sadeqa Johnson – A dual narrative exploring racism, colorism, and education in 1950s America that got her emotionally invested in both protagonists’ journeys.
- “Did You Hear About Kitty Karr” – A fascinating dive into old Hollywood and the secret networks of women helping other women of color navigate segregated movie studios.
- “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” – A story involving video game elements that left her in tears.
- “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead – Soon to be a film, this historical fiction based on a true story about a boys’ prison comes with a content warning but showcases excellent writing.
My Current Obsessions:
- “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert – A non-fiction game-changer about creativity that breaks down the writing process in refreshingly honest ways.
- “Project Hail Mary” – A space story that pulled me in so deep that I’d arrive at destinations with no memory of the drive getting there.
- “Dungeon Crawler Carl” series – A bizarre but brilliant mix of gaming elements and sci-fi that keeps getting better with each book.
- “Out There” by Kate Folk – A collection of wonderfully weird short stories, including one about a house that needs lotion, that got me through some rough patches.
Finding Reading Rhythms: Reading Rhythms hosts multiple monthly events throughout New York. Those interested in joining a reading party can discover events and updates on social media. As Mashariki puts it, “You don’t necessarily want to go to a bar, and you have an affinity for reading? You can come and join and meet some new, like-minded people. I always leave with smiles, a new book buddy, and some recommendations.”
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