New Beginnings 📚

Welcome to “Books With Brooks”!

Hi there, friend! My name is Justin Michael Ellis-Brooks, and it is my PLEASURE to welcome you to Books With Brooks. This space is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, and fostering a deeper understanding of the stories that shape our world! Our focus in literature will be centered on—yet not limited to—historically & contemporarily marginalized communities throughout the United States. This consists of authors representing the Black-American/African-American diaspora, Latinx & Chicano communities, as well as indigenous authors and writers from other minority groups. These works not only provide necessary representation but also serve as catalysts for critical inquiry, meaningful discourse, and activism in communities across the United States.

My story begins back in St. Louis, MO in October 1994. Raised in the remnants of a highly segregated metropolitan, I became familiar with inequities, power imbalances, & other forms of hierarchy very young. Seeking the validation of my classmates, I left home to serve in the military in 2013 shortly after graduating from high school. I would depart from service in July 2020, my experience leaving a deeply personal understanding of the pervasive reach, and destructive power of the military-industrial complex. My work as an Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator—or “drone” operator for short— permitted me a particularly special front-row seating to the destructive power and might of the U.S. military. With combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan—it was only a matter of time before my conscious wouldn’t allow me to idly serve. I needed to question the systems of power and their negative effects on equity for working class Americans, in addition to providing a voice for those marginalized and oppressed communities.

“The F.B.I. is also dedicated to ensuring that conversations that challenge the prevailing narratives and power structures in this country actually happen.”

At Books With Brooks, we’ll dive into stories that challenge dominant narratives and explore how systemic power has shaped lives historically and in contemporary times. This includes works that critically examine U.S. foreign policy and domestic practices, providing the context needed to inspire dialogue and action. These books go beyond entertainment; they invite us to question, reflect, and work toward a more just society.

The Free Book Initiative

In 2025, I’m launching the Free Book Initiative (F.B.I.) as a way to ensure more people have access to these transformative stories. For every book I read and review, I’ll purchase an additional copy to give away to a follower, free of charge. At the end of each book, I’ll host a raffle to select the recipient. Otherwise, a different book title will be raffled off at the end of each month.

The Free Book Initiative (F.B.I.) is about more than just gifting free books to you (the audience); it is about ensuring we do the work to erode barriers to access for working-class Americans who possess the desire to learn, grow, and challenge their own sensibilities, as well as that of society’s at large. The F.B.I. is also dedicated to ensuring that conversations that challenge the prevailing narratives and power structures in this country actually happen, and these institutions receive the scrutiny they are so deserving of.

Beyond Books

While books are central to this space, we’ll also explore other forms of storytelling, such as hip-hop and film. Hip-hop, with its rich tradition of cultural critique and social commentary, aligns perfectly with the themes we’ll discuss here. Occasionally, I’ll share reviews of albums and films that inspire reflection, discussion, and action.

Let’s Connect

Books With Brooks is more than just a blog; it’s a community. I invite you to visit my website, www.justinellisbrooks.com, where you’ll find updates, reviews, and details about the Free Book Initiative. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Bluesky under the handle @justinellisbrooks.

Use the hashtag #BooksWithBrooks to join the conversation, share your thoughts, and engage with a growing community of readers, thinkers, and changemakers. Together, we’ll celebrate representation, inspire critical inquiry, and work toward meaningful change in communities across the United States.

Thank you for being here. Let’s turn these pages together.

Warmly,

Justin