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‘You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.’ — James Baldwin
Here is to 2020 reads
Here is to 2020 reads
Book 1: In the Dream House by @carmenmmachado
I am undone by this book. This memoir -cum- archival work sees Machado narrate her experiences in an abusive same-sex relationship.
The writing is brillant, visceral at times and tender when it needs to be.
Wow. READ THIS BOOK!
I am undone by this book. This memoir -cum- archival work sees Machado narrate her experiences in an abusive same-sex relationship.
The writing is brillant, visceral at times and tender when it needs to be.
Wow. READ THIS BOOK!
Book 2: Wayward Lives: Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman
This book is a genre-bending radical examination of the lives of ‘ordinary’ Blackwomxn. In writing this historical account, Hartman speaks into the archival silence about the interior lives of Black womxn.
5
This book is a genre-bending radical examination of the lives of ‘ordinary’ Blackwomxn. In writing this historical account, Hartman speaks into the archival silence about the interior lives of Black womxn.
5
Book 3: There will be no miracles here by @CaseyGerald
There is an intimacy with which Casey writes, he writes to us, and for us. Writing to us means that Casey recognises that we, too, may find ourselves in his story.
Beautifully written. The prose is delightful.
There is an intimacy with which Casey writes, he writes to us, and for us. Writing to us means that Casey recognises that we, too, may find ourselves in his story.
Beautifully written. The prose is delightful.
Book 4: Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for radical movements by @CharleneCac
I know that this book will be close to me, it will aid me in my work, it will challenge me to do better to aspire to liberation. It will serve as a Black, Queer and Feminist guide.
I know that this book will be close to me, it will aid me in my work, it will challenge me to do better to aspire to liberation. It will serve as a Black, Queer and Feminist guide.
Book 5: How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America by @KieseLaymon
What a magnificent writer. Kiese’s mind, work and passion is really a gift to the world.
This book - like Heavy - shows undoubtedly that Laymon is one of the best writers in this generation
What a magnificent writer. Kiese’s mind, work and passion is really a gift to the world.
This book - like Heavy - shows undoubtedly that Laymon is one of the best writers in this generation
For Jan, I wanted to read nonfiction and I read:
– Unapologetic by @CharleneCac
– How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America by @KieseLaymon
– In the Dream House by @carmenmmachado
– Wayward Lives by Saidiya Hartman
– There will be no miracles here by @CaseyGerald
– Unapologetic by @CharleneCac
– How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America by @KieseLaymon
– In the Dream House by @carmenmmachado
– Wayward Lives by Saidiya Hartman
– There will be no miracles here by @CaseyGerald
Book 6: The Fatuous State of Severity by @scoutgumbee
The author vividly captures the life of young urban South Africans by exploring race, classism, politics, social media, mental illness, sexuality and relationships.
This is a weirdly beautiful debut.
The author vividly captures the life of young urban South Africans by exploring race, classism, politics, social media, mental illness, sexuality and relationships.
This is a weirdly beautiful debut.
Book 7: PET by @azemezi
This book was such a joy to read. It was really refreshing to read about a trans protoganist who was not subjected violence in the way the world has ‘normalized’ violence against queer people. The characters were quirky and memorable in many ways
This book was such a joy to read. It was really refreshing to read about a trans protoganist who was not subjected violence in the way the world has ‘normalized’ violence against queer people. The characters were quirky and memorable in many ways
Book 8: What it means when a man falls from the sky by @larimah
This collection of short stories is one of the most delicious things to read. The prose is out of this world. A wonderful collection.
This collection of short stories is one of the most delicious things to read. The prose is out of this world. A wonderful collection.
Book 9: Perils of Patriarchy ( @PatriarchyPO) edited by @Candice_Chirwa
This is a collection of essays that explore the perils of patriarchy. It explores this in the home, the church, the streets, the workplaces and even in the psychic. There are a few favorites in this book.
This is a collection of essays that explore the perils of patriarchy. It explores this in the home, the church, the streets, the workplaces and even in the psychic. There are a few favorites in this book.
Book 10: LOT by @brywashing
This debut is exquisite. It was such a beautiful journey to see myself in the pages of a book. A collection of stories about love in all its messy manifestations. A book rich with language.
As a gay boy. I loved this collection of stories.
This debut is exquisite. It was such a beautiful journey to see myself in the pages of a book. A collection of stories about love in all its messy manifestations. A book rich with language.
As a gay boy. I loved this collection of stories.
Book 11: Red at the Bone by @JackieWoodson
This book is divine. Fast paced. It challenges notions of motherhood, family, and it makes us ask meaningful and necessary questions about sexuality.
The form is so masterful. You want to read it.
This book is divine. Fast paced. It challenges notions of motherhood, family, and it makes us ask meaningful and necessary questions about sexuality.
The form is so masterful. You want to read it.
Book 12: All The Places by @Musa07Khanyile
This collection of poetry is crisp, letting us into the life of a man who survived the township. He writes to us, and for us. And often writes about the emptiness of his journey as a therapist.
An offering filled with nuances.
This collection of poetry is crisp, letting us into the life of a man who survived the township. He writes to us, and for us. And often writes about the emptiness of his journey as a therapist.
An offering filled with nuances.
Book 13: Khamr: The Makings of a Waterslams by @JamilFarouk is written with unflinching honesty and searing vulnerability that speaks to into the queer archival silence to declare we as queer people matter.
This book will certainly save lives.
This book will certainly save lives.
Book 14: Such a Fun Age by @kileyreid
This book was fun to read. It helped me out of my reading slump.
Though the ending feels abrupt and does not resonate as strongly as the rest of the novel, Such a Fun Age succeeds at the things it sets out to do with brilliance and verve.
This book was fun to read. It helped me out of my reading slump.
Though the ending feels abrupt and does not resonate as strongly as the rest of the novel, Such a Fun Age succeeds at the things it sets out to do with brilliance and verve.
Book 15: Convenience Store Woman by @sayakamurata
This book is quirky. It made me laugh out loud. It asks important questions human nature and how socialisation can be harmful.
Love learning about Japanese societies.
This book is quirky. It made me laugh out loud. It asks important questions human nature and how socialisation can be harmful.
Love learning about Japanese societies.
Book 16: House of Stone by @NovuyoRTshuma
This book is ambitious, witty and extraordinary. This debut novel is incredible. The history of Zimbabwe
honoured in these pages.
You have to read it. It’s really delicious!
This book is ambitious, witty and extraordinary. This debut novel is incredible. The history of Zimbabwe
honoured in these pages. You have to read it. It’s really delicious!
Book 17: Them Goon Rules by @marquisdbey
This book is brilliant. It made me feel seen, not in the representational sense but in a deep meaningful way.
Subversive. Radical. Challenging. Fugitive.
It’s really freeing.
You have to get it!
This book is brilliant. It made me feel seen, not in the representational sense but in a deep meaningful way.
Subversive. Radical. Challenging. Fugitive.
It’s really freeing.
You have to get it!
Book 18: Betting on a Darkie by @mteton
There is something about hearing about someone’s journey in their own words. Learning about Mteto’s life and ascent to Group CEO was very insightful and enjoyable.
If you are into learning about business leadership, this book is for you.
There is something about hearing about someone’s journey in their own words. Learning about Mteto’s life and ascent to Group CEO was very insightful and enjoyable.
If you are into learning about business leadership, this book is for you.
Book 19: Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
‘Systems do not change unless the people who uphold them change, and each person is responsible for upholding the system.’
This book is very useful for white people who are committed to starting the internal work of anti-racism.
‘Systems do not change unless the people who uphold them change, and each person is responsible for upholding the system.’
This book is very useful for white people who are committed to starting the internal work of anti-racism.
Book 20: The Girl with the Louding Voice
I wanted a different ending, one filled with justice and healing. My discomfort with the book stems from the fact that I want a different coming of age story, one that is not marred by hardship.
I wanted a different ending, one filled with justice and healing. My discomfort with the book stems from the fact that I want a different coming of age story, one that is not marred by hardship.
Book 21: The Pink Line by Mark Gevisser
This book moves across culture, space and geography to make sense of the interior lives of the LGBTI+ community in the age of human rights.
Here is a conversation I had with Mark about the book
https://www.crowdcast.io/e/thepinkline
This book moves across culture, space and geography to make sense of the interior lives of the LGBTI+ community in the age of human rights.
Here is a conversation I had with Mark about the book
https://www.crowdcast.io/e/thepinkline
Book 22: Because I Couldn’t Kill You by Kelly- Eve Koopman
This memoir grapples with the complex beauty and brutality of the everyday struggles of family.
Mental illness, race, abuse, gender, love, history, and the myth of memory feature strongly.
This memoir grapples with the complex beauty and brutality of the everyday struggles of family.
Mental illness, race, abuse, gender, love, history, and the myth of memory feature strongly.
Book 23: The Vanishing Half by @britrbennett
‘She hadn't realized how long it takes to become somebody else, or how lonely it can be living in a world not meant for you.’
Brit is an amazingly talented writer and this book cements that.
Listen for more: https://bit.ly/2Gedesl
‘She hadn't realized how long it takes to become somebody else, or how lonely it can be living in a world not meant for you.’
Brit is an amazingly talented writer and this book cements that.
Listen for more: https://bit.ly/2Gedesl
Book 24: All Rise by Dikgang Moseneke
‘And what of my life on the bench? Had I been a good judge?’
This book seeks to answer these questions in a textured manner through giving us the history of the Constitutional Court. Truly a gift.
Listen: https://bit.ly/3it7x6y
‘And what of my life on the bench? Had I been a good judge?’
This book seeks to answer these questions in a textured manner through giving us the history of the Constitutional Court. Truly a gift.
Listen: https://bit.ly/3it7x6y
Book 25: The Hundred Wells of Salaga by Ayesha Harruna Attah
‘His quietness was his essence, and it had a way of cushioning the rough edges of the room’
The way Ayesha writes about slavery, friendship and the interior lives of people that had me smiling.
‘His quietness was his essence, and it had a way of cushioning the rough edges of the room’
The way Ayesha writes about slavery, friendship and the interior lives of people that had me smiling.
Book 26: And Wrote My Story Anyway by @BobbiBoswell
Boswell brilliantly places Black womxn in conversation with each other and herself.
She writes loudly into the canon to declare that Black womxn have always theorised about the nation from their unique positionalities.
Boswell brilliantly places Black womxn in conversation with each other and herself.
She writes loudly into the canon to declare that Black womxn have always theorised about the nation from their unique positionalities.
Book 27: How We Fight For Our Lives by @theferocity
I greedily devoured this book in one sitting. I know that I will return to this book often because it allows me a queerly freedom to grief openly.
Thank you Saeed for the searingly beautiful vulnerability. Thank you.
I greedily devoured this book in one sitting. I know that I will return to this book often because it allows me a queerly freedom to grief openly.
Thank you Saeed for the searingly beautiful vulnerability. Thank you.
Book 28: The Tradition by @jerichobrown
‘I begin with love, hoping to end there.’
I will return to this collection often. Jericho’s word filled my empty spaces with delight and hope.
You simply have to read it.
Watch more
: @ItsLithaAfter9
‘I begin with love, hoping to end there.’
I will return to this collection often. Jericho’s word filled my empty spaces with delight and hope.
You simply have to read it.
Watch more
: @ItsLithaAfter9
Book 29: Real Life by @blgtylr
This is the best debut I’ve read in a long time. Wallace pulled at my heartstrings. There is so much in here that reflects my own life. This is real life indeed. A wondrous entry to the canon.
Loved every single moment. GET IT
This is the best debut I’ve read in a long time. Wallace pulled at my heartstrings. There is so much in here that reflects my own life. This is real life indeed. A wondrous entry to the canon.
Loved every single moment. GET IT
Book 30: Corridors of Death by @MalaikaWaAzania
‘And these universities are going to continue to be our resting places, where, daily, we die.’
This is a harrowing book. It is very triggering but necessary.
Watch: https://bit.ly/34p1vAa
‘And these universities are going to continue to be our resting places, where, daily, we die.’
This is a harrowing book. It is very triggering but necessary.
Watch: https://bit.ly/34p1vAa
Book 31: Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez
Rainbow Milk is a bold exploration of race, class, sexuality, freedom and religion across generations, time and cultures. Mendez writes beautifully and urgently about searching for self.
Mendez reads the book on audio - worth a listen.
Rainbow Milk is a bold exploration of race, class, sexuality, freedom and religion across generations, time and cultures. Mendez writes beautifully and urgently about searching for self.
Mendez reads the book on audio - worth a listen.
Book 32: #ThoseWhoLiveInCages by @TA_4Short
Die boek herskryf die binnelewe van bruin mense op ingewikkelde maniere. Die karakters in die boek is genuanseer en gee die plek lewe.
Hierdie boek is met die fynste sorg geskryf.
Dit was 'n vreugde om te lees.
Koop dit en lees
Die boek herskryf die binnelewe van bruin mense op ingewikkelde maniere. Die karakters in die boek is genuanseer en gee die plek lewe.
Hierdie boek is met die fynste sorg geskryf.
Dit was 'n vreugde om te lees.
Koop dit en lees
Book 33: Sacrament of Bodies by @SonOfOlokun
This collection of poetry is fantastic.
It gives space to hold all our contractions: our queer lives marred by violence and our insistence to love and receive tenderness.
This book seeks to remember and forget.
Read this Book!
This collection of poetry is fantastic.
It gives space to hold all our contractions: our queer lives marred by violence and our insistence to love and receive tenderness.
This book seeks to remember and forget.
Read this Book!
Book 34: No Be From Hia by @TashOmokhodion
Tenderly, Natasha (re)writes Black womn into the Zambian, London and Nigerian canon. These womn will steal your heart as the move through loss, grief, disappointment and connect through love.
A beautiful rendering.
Tenderly, Natasha (re)writes Black womn into the Zambian, London and Nigerian canon. These womn will steal your heart as the move through loss, grief, disappointment and connect through love.
A beautiful rendering.
Book 35: Critical But, Stable by @AngelaMakholwa
I finished this book in one sitting, I was so invested in the Iives of the Manamela, the Msibis and the Jiyas. There are so many twists and turns in this book. Angela gave us a light but complex story.
I finished this book in one sitting, I was so invested in the Iives of the Manamela, the Msibis and the Jiyas. There are so many twists and turns in this book. Angela gave us a light but complex story.
Book 36: A Family Affair by @SueNyathi
The last line of this book will stay with me for a long time.
This is a riveting complex story of sisterhood, family and the place of religion in our lives. It is also a book about society pushes us into.
A generational love story.
The last line of this book will stay with me for a long time.
This is a riveting complex story of sisterhood, family and the place of religion in our lives. It is also a book about society pushes us into.
A generational love story.