This month, I have rounded up some of my favourites of 2022.

Coincidentally, this list is comprised of entirely debut novelists or writers. Catching up on some reading or looking for the perfect gift, these five books are a testament to the wonderful future of Black British literature. 

Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde

Vagabonds! blends the fantastical and the real, presenting how subversive and underground cultures exist in Nigeria alongside the ancient and traditional. Osunde is a fresh voice in literature, and it is wonderful to read a piece of fiction about Nigerian culture that is rooted in its Nigerianness. 

Èkó, the spirit of Lagos, and his loyal minion Tatafo weave trouble through the streets of Lagos and through the lives of the ‘vagabonds’ powering modern Nigeria: the queer, the displaced and the footloose.

With Tatafo as our guide, we meet these people in the shadows. Among them is a driver for a debauched politician, a lesbian couple whose tender relationship sheds unexpected light on their experience with underground sex work, and a mother who attends a secret spiritual gathering that shifts her reality. As their lives begin to intertwine – in markets and underground clubs, in churches and hotel rooms – the vagabonds are seized and challenged by the spirits who command the city. A force is drawing them all together, but for what purpose?

In her debut novel, Vagabonds!, Eloghosa Osunde tackles the insidious nature of Nigerian capitalism, corruption and oppression, and offers a defiant, joyous and inventive tribute to all those for whom life itself is a form of resistance.

An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses McKenzie

I loved this bold and powerful novel by debut novelist Moses McKenzie. He brings the streets of Easton, Bristol and his characters to life on the page, and you are completely immersed in their world from start to finish. I look forward to seeing what else is to come! I chatted with Moses in April, have a listen to the interview here. 

Sayon Hughes, a young Black man from Bristol, dreams of a world far removed from the one in which he was raised. Far removed from the torn slips outside the bookies, the burnt spoons and the crooked solutions his community embraces; most of all, removed from the Christianity of his uncaring parents and the prejudice of law-makers.

Growing up, Sayon found respite from the chaos of his environment in the love and loyalty of his brother-in-arms, Cuba; in the example of his cousin Hakim, a man once known as the most infamous drug dealer in their neighbourhood, now a proselytising Muslim; and in the tenderness of his girl, Shona, whose own sense of purpose galvanises Sayon’s.

In return, Sayon wants to give the people he loves the world: a house atop a grand hill in the most affluent area of the city, a home in which they can forever find joy and safety. But after an altercation in which a boy is killed, Sayon finds his loyalties torn and his dream of a better life in peril.

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola 

I haven’t read anything that has given me the same warm and fuzzy feeling since Bolu Babalola’s last offering Love in Colour. Filled with romantic tension and misunderstanding, and an irresistible love interest, Honey & Spice is the perfect antidote to all woes. Never cynical and always loving, Bolu Babalola is a real gem!

I interviewed Bolu this summer, read it here. 

The sharp-tongued (and secretly soft-hearted) Kiki Banjo is an expert in relationship evasion and likes to keep her feelings close to her chest. As the host of the popular student radio show, Brown Sugar, it is her mission to make sure the women who make up the Afro-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University also do not fall into the mess of ‘situationships’, players and heartbreak.  

But when Kiki meets the distressingly handsome and charming newcomer Malakai Korede—who she has publicly denounced as ‘The Wasteman of Whitewell’—her defences are weakened and her heart is compromised. A clash embroils them in a fake relationship to salvage both their reputations and save their futures, and soon she finds herself in danger of falling for the very man she warned her girls about. 

A funny and sparkling debut, Honey & Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees.

None of the Above by Travis Alabanza 

Described as an anti-memoir, None of the Above is an outstanding and radical look at what it is to live beyond the binary. Their confident voice challenges the reader and unveils flaws at the root of society. 

After reading it, it felt as though there was so much more to reflect on than the way in which we view gender, but also how we view and contribute in a society which limits any scope for difference. 

In None of the Above, Travis Alabanza examines seven phrases people have directed at them about their gender identity. These phrases have stayed with them over the years. Some are deceptively innocuous, some deliberately loaded or offensive, some celebratory; sentences that have impacted them for better and for worse; sentences that speak to the broader issues raised by a world that insists that gender must be a binary.

Through these seven phrases, which include some of their most transformative experiences as a Black, mixed-race, non-binary person, Travis Alabanza turns a mirror back on society, giving us reason to question the very framework in which we live and the ways we treat each other.

Hope and Glory by Jendella Benson

Hilarious and heart-warming in equal measure, this novel is centred around a family struggling to cope with loss, buried secrets and collective trauma. At times, I felt genuinely concerned for Glory, her family and the status of her new romantic relationship. I was completely absorbed in Jendella Benson’s Peckham, and loved her unique narrative voice. 

Glory arrives back in Peckham, from her seemingly glamorous life in LA, to mourn the sudden death of her father and finds her previously close family has fallen apart in her absence. Her brother, Victor, has been jailed, her sister, Faith, appears to have lost her independence and ambition and their mother, Celeste, is headed towards a breakdown. Glory is thrown by their disarray, and rather than returning to America, she decides to stay and try to bring them all together again. However, when she unearths a huge family secret, Glory risks losing everyone she truly cares about in her pursuit of the truth.

Hope and Glory is a rich, heart-warming story of loss, love and family chaos and marks an exciting new voice in fiction.

Losing the Plot is a delightfully experimental and keenly observed work by the award-winning poet Derek Owusu. 

Hailing from North London, Owusu is a writer, poet and podcaster, he co-founded The Black Writers Guild in 2020, which seeks to tackle the lack of representation and inequalities that exist within mainstream publishing in the UK.

His first novel, That Reminds Me, was published by Stormzy’s imprint #Merky Books in 2019 and won the Desmond Elliott Prize. His latest offering, Losing the Plot, like its predecessor, dissects familial relationships and explores how feelings of displacement transcends generations.

Losing the Plot follows the relationship between a Ghanaian woman and her son in Tottenham, North London. Owusu’s prose poem follows the mother’s arrival in London, how she adapts to her new life and how she raises her children. From the margins speaks her son: the young British-Ghanian man who speaks candidly and colloquially about his relationship with his mother. Asterisks are scattered throughout the novel, often following Twi phrases or specific cultural references, and we hear the son’s voice in these asterisked sidenotes. Rather than glossing over these phrases for the reader, the young man interjects with tangential anecdotes and opinions. His voice disrupts the flow of Owusu’s poetic phrases with spoken English, explaining that he hasn’t been to Ghana because people have been ‘banging juj’ and that he is afraid of smelling like ‘Maggi cubes’ when he leaves the house. He doesn’t enjoy spending all day at church and isn’t convinced by his mother speaking in tongues. Owusu’s narrator struggles to connect with his mother, and he rejects aspects of the culture that she represents to him.

However, Owusu goes further and observes the familial relationship beyond these cultural clichés. Ultimately, the speaker must grapple with the way in which his mother demonstrates her love. There is some difficulty communicating with a reserved and almost-secretive mother, but the speaker grows in appreciation of the challenges that his mother has faced and acknowledges this, stating, ‘Being an immigrant is stress’. He also comes to the conclusion that his mother expresses love differently – ‘Small things like that is how you know. She does things her own way, I guess‘. He extends empathy to a woman who has faced her own challenges, a woman uprooted from what was familiar, a woman adapting to a hostile and isolating cultural environment.

At first, I found that multiple voices were hard to follow and that the asterisked phrases disrupted the flow of the narrative. As the story progressed, I adapted better to Owusu’s experimental style. Playing with the form, Owusu allows for a more dynamic reading experience. The contrasting voices of the mother and son initially clash but eventually complement each other. Owusu’s work is stylish and assured, and he builds a world that is relatable to young Black British people. With the use of a London dialect, Losing the Plot also marks how Black British people have created their own language, community and culture, distinct from both the cultures they’ve inherited and the dominant British culture. 

Whole chapters of our parents’ lives are unknown to us, and the snippets that we do know are carefully shared. Without intention, these secrets can create tension and distance. Owusu reimagines his mother’s journey to the UK in order to process generational trauma and find peace in empathy. Owusu’s writing is bold, wise, and generous; he amplifies and validates the complexities of inter-generational love.

Losing the Plot was published by Canongate Books on 3^rd November 2022.

Kesi Steven is a 25-year-old author from London.

Last year Steven published her book titled: A Guide To Life: African Proverbs Made Relevant Today. The book is to provide self-help/ life advice using traditional African proverbs in a modern-day context. In essence, she have taken 30 African proverbs and broken down the meaning, as well as provided a daily affirmation for the reader.

We spoke to Kesi about the book, how her readers should read it as a guide to life and her dreams and aspirations for the future …

Please introduce yourself …

I am Kesi Steven, a British born Caribbean creative. My family hails from St.Lucia and Dominica, and my Caribbean heritage greatly influences who I am as an individual from my outlook on life, morals, mindset, and work. I call myself a creative as it’s a broad term that allows me to freely explore the depth of my talents and abilities. At this moment in time I am a writer, a published author to be specific, but this year I’ve been on a new creative journey.

Please share a word or sentence which best describes your life right now.

‘Be still‘ – in the sense that I need to be patient, rest, slow down and allow things to be and flow as it’s meant to.

Can you tell us what initially drew you to writing A Guide To Life?

I had absolutely no intentions of being a writer, I grew up assuming I was talentless because I was only ever average at many things. But one thing I have always been great at is helping and teaching others. Being a helper can sometimes take a lot out of your personal energy, so I wanted to create something that people could always refer to throughout their life for support, advice, and inspiration. So when I was deciding on what to write for the original blog pieces I knew I wanted to incorporate my own personal teachings, affirmations, and African proverbs.

Once I started writing the words flowed like water so I knew this idea was meant to be, and writing was a new gift I unlocked. After the first few blog posts I was asked by a few readers to write a book, so I did the necessary research and continued writing until my book was completed.

This is your first book. What was the writing process like? Did you have a routine?

I can honestly say writing this book was the easiest thing I have ever done in my life. Everytime I wrote a new lesson I was shocked at how quickly I wrote it, and how deep the messages were – I still say to this day that I didn’t write this book alone and definitely had some divine support. I didn’t have a routine for the first month or so, and then with the pressure of lockdown, I created a routine just to help me mentally stay on track. So I started to write only 3 days a week at specific times. Throughout my time writing I was based in my room, I would always have a candle lit, incense burning and would say a prayer before I began for spiritual support. I would then have writing breaks from Friday to Sunday then Monday I would re-read the lessons I had written and edit them, then start the next lesson.

You discovered your love for writing after writing a short story in 2019 for Black History Month. Are you still drawn to writing fiction?

I love a bit of fiction and a good story. I am a storyteller at heart, and as I said earlier this year I’ve been on a new creative journey. At the beginning of the year, I did a short course in screenwriting as I wanted to research the different pathways a writer could take. I enjoyed the class so much and it inspired me to take the next big jump into screenwriting, so I have been working on my first feature film script and it’s centred around the Caribbean community here in London of course. How I felt writing my book, is how I feel writing this script so I know I am on the right track.

Your book was published in April. What responses have you received? I can imagine that you have introduced quite a few people to proverbs that are often forgotten.

Yes, it’s been over a year now since I released my book and I believe I have received a great response so far. I have had a lot of support from my family, friends and the local community. I have received great feedback on the lessons and proverbs used, many people are actually waiting for part 2 and have also requested a Caribbean proverbs version. But I set myself a book sales target of 150,000 sales which I have yet to achieve. I set a highly achievable target because I want to push this book out to the world as far as possible as I know a lot of people will benefit from this guidance – So part 2 will not be released until that is achieved.

Was there a particular proverb which inspired you, or is there a proverb that changed the way that you view your life?

Lesson 5 ‘If the full moon loves you, why worry about the stars?’ is the proverb that I really enjoyed writing and is the one that keeps me grounded, focused, and faithful on my path. I am very confident in myself, and my path and I am a big dreamer as you can probably tell. It’s taken a lot of healing, releasing and growth to get to this place mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am proud of who I am and shine bright, which can sometimes attract a lot of people who want to diminish that.

My interpretation of the proverb is that the moon represents me, my higher self, my inner self, my spiritual team, and the Creator. As long as I stay focused on the moon and follow the path that its light shines on I’ll be more than fine. I don’t need to entertain the stars (people) that tell me I’m unrealistic, I need to find a ‘normal’ job, or project their failures onto me.

Writing is not your only creative interest. You are also now passionate about film & TV writing. How have you found navigating this industry so far?

I have always had a passion for the TV and Film industry since I was a child. I wanted to be a TV presenter and host my own show like Trisha or create my own movies, even my mum wanted me to get into TV. I suppressed that dream later on in my childhood due to experiences that caused me to become insecure and lose parts of my personality and identity. Since turning 25 last year I decided to stop making excuses and take action on what I really and truly want to do, which is to get into the Film and TV industry as any of the following or all of them: writer, director, content creator, and presenter. Navigating the industry so far has been interesting, I suppose it is as hard as they say it is, but I know I’ll find the door that’ll open up for me. I know what I bring to the table creatively so my time will soon come.

You have a very positive and ambitious outlook toward life. Is this something that you have always had or has your attitude changed over time?

Not at all! This is 7 years of hard work, healing, growth, many mental breakdowns, a spiritual awakening, and therapy. I was battling with undiagnosed depression and social anxiety from the ages of 11 to 17. My outlook on life was dark, I was very miserable, and didn’t see much of a future for myself. It wasn’t until I was around 18 when I had a conversation with a family member who helped me identify that I needed help which led me on a journey of healing.

The positive outlook that I have now came into being in 2020, I tell people 2019 was the year that broke me and 2020 is the year that I found my true self hence why I wanted to write my book. I have learnt that this game of life is all about your mindset, attitude, and how you show up. Every “L” I take is a lesson, every obstacle I face is a challenge to overcome (and I do love challenges), rejection is redirection and every win is a divine blessing and there are many more of those to come. Life is hard, I know, but there are many tips and tricks to make it a little easier and they all start with working on your inner self.

What’s your current plan B? (if it all goes wrong what’s the plan?)

Nothing can go ‘wrong’, everything will work out for me the way it is intended in divine and perfect order. If I think about a plan B, then my plan A goes out the window because that’s me telling my spiritual team that I don’t believe in myself, I don’t believe in them and I don’t trust the process.

A book you have to have in your collection?

A book that I have in my collection and also recommended is Acts of faith, daily meditations for coloured people, by Iyanla Vanzant this is a great book to help you expand your mindset and actually inspired the format I created for A Guide To Life.

A song/album that defines the soundtrack of your life to date?

Golden – Jill Scott – Life is good right now, I’m not exactly where I want to be, but I am where I’m meant to be, and I am truly enjoying the journey.

A film / TV show that you can watch/have watched repeatedly?

The Frog Princess, I definitely share the same life lessons as Tiana, so it helps me ground myself, plus I love the songs, the story, and the visuals overall.

The first stage production you saw and what it meant to you (play, dance or concert)?

I am fortunate enough to have an Aunty/Godmother who ensured that we as a family went to the theatre every winter. I can’t remember the first stage production I saw but my favourite one was Into the hood, which was an urban-style Disney production with a Black cinderella who wore Nike hightops, and other spins on traditional Disney characters. I really loved the production, I even saw it twice! I enjoyed the storyline, the music, and the cast were great.

What’s made you sad, mad, and glad this week?

I have friends who are dealing with some difficult life situations which they don’t deserve which is making me sad. I am not mad about anything thankfully, and my mum has gone on a school trip for 3 days and there is peace in the house so I am very glad!

What’s on your bucket list?

I actually wrote a bucket list when I was in college of 100 things to complete, I’ve done about 10 so far. But I would say at this moment in time I would love to find my ideal role in the industry or become a presenter/host of my own show (TV, Youtube or podcast). I would love to move out into my own property, travel to all islands in the Caribbean, record the audio version of my book and reach my book sales target; Have my script be developed into a movie once it’s complete, be able to afford the lifestyle I have envisioned for myself, and continue to explore the depths of myself – Not asking for too much.

Celebrate someone else (who do you rate right now?)

I want to shout out Candice Carty-Williams, the casting for Queenie has just dropped, and this is a great movie for the culture, and Black British film. There are so many great Black British stories that are not being told, so many great writers and voices not being heard, so to see the casting for Queenie is a great achievement for us all. I am looking forward to seeing how this book manifests on screen – Also I am looking for a job/role so shout me!

Where can we find you and read your project?

I am where I have always been, at home in my bed writing. But you can find my work online either on my website: www.kesisteven.com, instagram: @kesi.sx, Linkedin: Kesi Steven, and Facebook: Kesi Steven.

This Black History Month, make sure to get your hands on some of these new releases…

A Visible Man by Edward Enninful

A Visible Man traces an astonishing journey into one of the world’s most exclusive industries. Edward Enninful candidly shares how as a Black, gay, working-class refugee, he found in fashion not only a home, but the freedom to share with people the world as he saw it. Written with style, grace and heart, this is the story of a visionary who changed not only an industry, but how we understand beauty.

In 2017, Enninful was appointed the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, and he has championed inclusion in the fashion industry. Now, whether it’s putting first responders, octogenarians or civil rights activists on the cover of Vogue, or championing designers and photographers of colour, Edward Enninful has cemented his status as one of the world’s most important change-makers. And he’s just getting started. Already a Sunday Times bestseller, get your hands on this wonderful memoir by a true visionary!

Praise for A Visible Man:

“Courageously truthful” Salman Rushdie

“Edward Enninful is a pioneer” Elizabeth Day

Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli

A remarkable debut by Nigerian-British writer Onyi Nwabineli, Someday, Maybe follows Eve unable to face the future following her husband’s unexpected death. Everyone around her seems to be pushing her to move on, but she must delve into the history of her marriage to understand where it went wrong. Stunningly honest and bursting with wit, Someday Maybe is the story of grief and resilience that you won’t be able to stop talking about.

Onyi Nwabineli is the co-founder of Surviving Out Loud, a fund that provides fiscal support for survivors of sexual assault, and the founder of Black Pens, a writing retreat for Black womxn. 

Praise for Someday, Maybe:

“An astonishing debut, rich in both heartbreak and humour” Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory

“A masterfully woven exposition on love and loss. Nwabineli is magic with words.” Bolu Babalola, author of Honey and Spice.

Letters to Gil by Malik Al Nasir 

Letters to Gil is Malik Al Nasir’s profound coming of age memoir – the story of surviving physical and racial abuse and discovering a new sense of self-worth under the wing of the great artist, poet and civil rights activist Gil Scott-Heron.

Letters to Gil will tell the story of Malik’s empowerment and awakening while mentored by Gil, from his introduction to the legacy of Black history to the development of his voice through poetry and music. Written with lyricism and power, it is a frank and moving memoir, highlighting how institutional racism can debilitate and disadvantage a child, as well as how mentoring, creativity, self-expression and solidarity helped him to uncover his potential.

Praise for Letters to Gil: 

“A searing, triumphant story. A testament to the tenacity of the human spirit as well as a beautiful ode to an iconic figure” Irenosen Okojie

“Tells the story of his life – including his brutal treatment in care homes as a child -and his friendship with the musician-poet [Gil Scott-Heron]. His candid, eye-opening story includes a joyously uplifting tale of the time he accompanied Scott-Heron to meet Stevie Wonder” Independent, Books of the Month

Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite

From Sunday Times best-selling author Candice Brathwaite, author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother, and Sista Sister comes Cuts Both Ways, a sharp and funny YA novel. Cuts Both Ways explores themes of race, class and the complexities of growing up as a black British teen.

After a traumatic incident, Cynthia is uprooted from London and finds herself at a private school in rural England. Cynthia attempts to navigate her way in her school as one of the only black students. She befriends goofy Thomas who seems kind and sweet, but she can’t help noticing Isaac, the only other black student in her year. 

But when it turns outboth boys have been keeping secrets from her, secrets that link back to the life Cynthia thought she had left behind in London, she realises that not everything is as it seems.

Will Cynthia be able to forgive the lies and follow her heart?

Praise for Cuts Both Ways:

“Emotional, page-turning and beautiful, I loved this book. Candice has created such a relatable character in Cynthia, who you can’t help but root for. Cuts Both Ways is a breathtaking YA love story that everyone needs to read” – Sara Jafari, author of The Mismatch.

Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook by Melissa Thompson

Not just a cookbook, Motherland charts the history of the people, influences and ingredients that uniquely united to create the wonderful patchwork cuisine that is Jamaican food today. , There are recipes for the classics, like saltfish fritters, curry goat and patties, as well as Melissa’s own twists and family favourites.

Running through the recipes are essays charting the origins and evolution of Jamaica’s famous dishes, from the contribution of indigenous Jamaicans, the Redware and Taino peoples; the impact of the Spanish and British colonisation; the inspiration and cooking techniques brought from West and Central Africa by enslaved men and women; and the influence of Indian and Chinese indentured workers who came to the island. Motherland does not shy away from the brutality of the colonial periods, but takes us on a journey through more than 500 years of history to give context to the beloved island and its cuisine.

“Melissa captures her love of food and its roots deliciously” – Ainsley Harriott

“Recipes that draw you to the kitchen and a story that expands your world” – Sheila Dillon

Home is Not a Place by Johny Pitts & Roger Robinson

A gorgeously produced, hugely original examination of Black Britishness in the 21st century.

In 2021, award-winning poet Roger Robinson and acclaimed photographer Johny Pitts rented a red Mini Cooper and decided to follow the coast clockwise in search of an answer to this question. Leaving London, they followed the River Thames east towards Tilbury, where the Empire Windrush docked in 1948. Too often, that is where the history told about Black Britain begins and ends – but Robinson and Pitts continued out of London, following the coast clockwise through Margate to Land’s End, Bristol to Blackpool, Glasgow to John O’Groats and Scarborough to Southend on Sea. Here, the authors found not only Black British culture long overlooked in official narratives of Britain, but also the history of Empire and transatlantic slavery to which every Briton is tethered.

Home Is Not a Place is the spectacular result of the journey they documented: a free-form composition of photography, poetry and essays that offers a book-length reflection upon Black Britishness – its complexity, strength and resilience – at the start of a new decade.

Praise for Roger Robinson’s poetry:

“Ranging from the most breath-taking poems about the Grenfell Tower fire to the most exquisitely moving poems about the premature birth of his son, who had to fight for his life in an incubator. His poems are deep, mature, moving and inventive.” – Bernadine Evaristo

From gender and sexuality to colonisation and climate change, this month’s reading challenges the status quo and calls for change.

None of the Above by Travis Alabanza

Through seven sentences addressed to them, acclaimed trans writer Alabanza enters upon a thought-provoking and articulate discussion of non-binary identity and the impact of society’s attitudes toward their existence.

None of the Above: Reflections on Life Beyond the Binary examines seven sentences people have directed at Alabanza over the years and how they have resonated with them. Travis Alabanza turns a mirror back on society and reflects on broader issues raised by a world that insists that gender must be binary. Their experiences as a Black mixed-race, working-class, non-binary trans person informs their views on lives that are defined by social markers. 

Alabanza is a performance artist, writer and theatre maker. Their show Burgerz toured internationally and won the Edinburgh Fringe Total Theatre award in 2019. In 2020 their theatre show Overflow debuted at the Bush Theatre to widespread acclaim and later streamed online in over 20 countries. Their writing has appeared in the Guardian, Vice, gal-dem and BBC Online, and they previously had a fortnightly column in the Metro. They have been published in numerous anthologies, including Black and Gay In the UK.

Praise for None of the Above:

“Travis Alabanza writes about gender and its possibilities with such generosity and ease even the most provocative suggestions start to seem obvious, despite their challenges to society at large. This anti-memoir, which is at times both profound and funny, will make anyone question the stories we tell about ourselves, how we tell them and even who the telling is for.” Shon Faye, author of The Transgender Issue

“Lucid and glorious. Truth that goes on and on making room for itself.” Yrsa Daley-Ward

The Last Gift of the Master Artists by Ben Okri

Two lovers meet for the first time. One is the son of a king, struggling to find his place in the world, and the other is the gifted daughter of a master craftsman from a famous but secretive tribe. The young people meet accidentally, just for a moment, by the river. They vow to meet again. 

Mysterious ships are glimpsed, like ghosts, on the horizon, hidden in bays, glanced between trees in the forest. A white wind begins to blow through the world. And with it, things begin to disappear, songs, stories, sculptures, and finally people.

Booker Prize-winning author of The Famished Road, Ben Okri’s new novel is about life in the time immediately before the arrival of the Atlantic slavers in Nigeria. This novel was previously published as Starbook in 2008, but it has been substantially rewritten. The first reception of the book did not reference the slavery aspects or saw them as allegorical. This re-publishing is a chance to put that right in the light of contemporary acknowledgement of historical and current injustices.

Praise for Ben Okri:

“Ben Okri is that rare thing, a literary and social visionary, a writer for whom all three – literature, culture and vision – are profoundly interwoven.” Ali Smith

Unearthed by Claire Ratinon

One of my favourite reads of the year so far, Unearthed: On Race and Roots, and How the Soil Taught Me I Belong, is a captivating mix of memoir and nature writing. Claire Ratinon is of Mauritian descent, and she weaves her experiences as a person of colour in Britain with her relationship to nature and the English countryside. It is an insightful, emotional, and beautiful read. 

Claire Ratinon is an organic food grower and writer based in East Sussex. Unearthed reflects on the trajectory of her career, her decision to move from London to the English countryside, and her experience of lockdown. Her writing is socially conscious, and Ratinon writes about pertinent contemporary issues, from climate change to the Black Lives Matter movement, and she reflects on the history of her homeland Mauritius. 

Unearthed is a stunning meditation on reclaiming one’s relationship with nature, the echoes of diasporic experience and reconnecting with one’s inheritance. It is a heartfelt call to reconsider our history, the way we think about nature and the complex relationships we all have with the land. 

Praise for Unearthed: 

“A beautiful book about nature, and how re-engaging with the foundational experience of our species of growing and cultivating crops can be a source of healing and spiritual truth… I recommend it.” Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish)

“Poignant and groundbreaking… we are tenderly offered a new possibility of deeper wonder, awe and profound hope as we unearth the truth that grows in all our garden.” The Garden

Without Warning and Only Sometimes: Scenes from an Unpredictable Childhood by Kit de Waal

Caught between three worlds, Irish, Caribbean and British in 1960s Birmingham, Kit and her brothers and sisters knew all the words to the best songs, caught sticklebacks in jam jars and braved hunger and hellfire until they could all escape. Kit de Waal grew up in a household of opposites and extremes. Her haphazard mother rarely cooked, forbade Christmas and birthdays, worked as a cleaner, nurse and childminder sometimes all at once and believed the world would end in 1975. Meanwhile, her father stuffed barrels full of goodies for his relatives in the Caribbean, cooked elaborate meals on a whim and splurged money they didn’t have on cars, suits and shoes fit for a prince. Both of her parents were waiting for paradise. It never came. Without Warning and Only Sometimes is a story of an extraordinary childhood and how a girl who grew up in a house where the Bible was the only book on offer went on to discover a love of reading that inspires her to this day.

Kit de Waal’s first novel, My Name is Leon, was published in 2016 and shortlisted for the Costa Book Award. It was recently adapted into a well-received BBC drama. She worked in criminal and family law for fifteen years and was a magistrate for several years. 

Praise for Without Warning and Only Sometimes:

“I knew Kit de Waal was special the moment I met her. And now I know why” Lemn Sissay

“Kit’s writing is beautiful – vivid and compelling, and so moving. Families are such a mix of joy and pain and Kit’s depiction of her parents’ dynamic was both painful and comforting to read. There’s so much love, warmth and hope. I wanted to keep reading this book forever.” Marian Keyes

God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu

In this stunning debut from one of Nigeria’s most promising young writers, the stakes of love meet society in flux.

A man revisits the university campus where he lost his first love, aware now of what he couldn’t understand then. A daughter returns home to Lagos after the death of her father, where she must face her past – and future -relationship with his longtime partner. A young musician rises to fame at the risk of losing himself and the man who loves him.

Generations collide, families break and are remade, languages and cultures intertwine, and lovers find their ways to futures; from childhood through adulthood; on university campuses, city centres, and neighbourhoods where church bells mingle with the morning call to prayer.

These nine stories of queer male intimacy brim with simmering secrecy, ecstasy, loneliness and love in their depictions of what it means to be gay in contemporary Nigeria.

Praise for God’s Children Are Little Broken Things: 

“God’s Children Are Little Broken Things remains subtle and measured even through massive emotional transitions, carrying the reader the whole way through. Arinze writes like a composer or an orchestral director, bringing notes together to form a staggering, heart-shattering show.” Eloghosa Osunde, author of Vagabonds!

“A beautiful, significant debut. Although he writes about queer lives and loves in Nigeria, Arinze Ifeakandu’s voice is sensually alert to the human and universal in every situation. These quietly transgressive stories are the work of a brilliant new talent.” Damon Galgut, author of The Promise

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

Reminiscent of the works of Margaret Atwood, Deborah Harkness, and Octavia E. Butler, The Women Could Fly is a feminist speculative novel that speaks to our times. A piercing dystopian tale about the unbreakable bond between a young woman and her absent mother, set in a world in which magic is real and single women are closely monitored in case they are shown to be witches . . .

The novel follows Josephine Thomas has heard every conceivable theory about her mother’s disappearance. That she was kidnapped. Murdered. That she took on a new identity to start a new family. That she was a witch. This is the most worrying charge because in a world where witches are real, peculiar behaviour raises suspicions and a woman – especially a Black woman – can find herself on trial for witchcraft

In this powerful and timely novel, Megan Giddings explores the limits women face – and the powers they have to transgress and transcend them. 

Praise for The Women Could Fly:

‘Megan Giddings’s prose is brimming with wonder. The Women Could Fly is a candid appraisal of grief, inheritance, and the merits of unruliness.’ – Raven Leilani, author of Luster

The Light Always Breaks by Angela Jackson-Brown

In 1947, few women own upscale restaurants in Washington, DC. Fewer still are twenty-four, Black, and wildly successful. But Eva Cardon is unwilling to serve only the wealthiest movers and shakers, and she plans to open a diner that serves Southern comfort to the working class.

A war hero and one of Georgia’s native sons, Courtland Hardiman Kingsley IV is a junior senator with great ambitions for his time in DC. But while his father is determined to see Courtland on a path to the White House, the young senator wants to use his office to make a difference in people’s lives, regardless of political consequences.
When equal-rights activism throws Eva and Courtland into each other’s paths, they can’t fight the attraction they feel, no matter how much it complicates their dreams.

For Eva, falling in love with a white Southerner is all but unforgivable—and undesirable. Her mother and grandmother fell in love with white men, and their families paid the price. Courtland is already under pressure for his liberal ideals, and his family has a line of smiling debutantes waiting for him on every visit. If his father found out about Eva, he’s not sure he’d be welcome home again.

Surrounded by the disapproval of their families and the scorn of the public, Eva and Courtland must decide if the values they hold most dear—including love—are worth the loss of their dreams . . . and everything else.

My Other Husband by Dorothy Koomson

Cleo Forsum is a bestselling novelist turned scriptwriter whose TV series, ‘The Baking Detective’ is a huge success. Writing is all she’s ever wanted to do, and baking and murder stories have proved a winning combination.

But now she has decided to walk away from it all – including divorcing her husband, Wallace – before her past secrets catch up with her. As Cleo drafts the final ever episodes of the series, people she knows start getting hurt. And it’s soon clear that someone is trying to frame her for murder.

She thinks she knows why, but Cleo can’t tell the police or prove her innocence. Because then she’d have to confess about her other husband…

Praise for My Other Husband:

‘The very definition of a page-turner, it’s suburban noir at its finest. A perfect holiday read‘ – Harriet Tyce

‘From the Queen of the Big Reveal… filled with chills, twists that make this the pacey domestic noir read‘ – My Weekly

‘The bestselling Queen of the Big Reveals never disappoints… Koomson hooks us from the very first page. This is another Koomson you won’t be able to put down‘ – Refinery29

The Missing Piece by Jordan Stephens illustrated by Beth Suzanna

Sunny loves jigsaw puzzles – the bigger the better. When she completes one, she gets a warm, happy honeybee buzz.

One day, her Gran gives her a ONE-THOUSAND-PIECE puzzle. Piece after piece, all by herself, she puts together the picture, until … DISASTER! The final piece is missing.

Sunny may be small, but she is very determined – so she sets off to find it. As the day whizzes by in a whirl of new places and friends, Sunny discovers that looking for something is every bit as fun as finding it, and that perhaps the missing piece was there all along …

The Missing Piece is available for purchase Thursday 18th August. You can purchase from Bookshop.org and other retailers.

Rene Germain is a careers writer, digital products manager and author of Black and Great: The Essential Workplace Toolkit published by Coronet Books.

In Black and Great ... Rene writes on topics including salary negotiation, overcoming imposter syndrome, creating your personal brand, preparing for the future of work and more. With years of experience in financial services and digital technology, Rene reflects on her own experience in the workplace. Her book is aimed at students, young professionals, and those entering the world of work, and she highlights the challenges Black people face in the workplace. She has been blogging careers advice on Blk & Great for many years, and her new book brings together the practical and encouraging advice of over twenty contributors with experience in different industries.

We spoke to Rene about her career thus far, and of course, for some advice…

Please introduce yourself …

My name is Rene, I was born here in the UK but my family are from Dominica and Jamaica. I’m an author, writer and mobile app product manager.

Please share a word or sentence which best describes your life right now. 

Purposeful.

Could you tell us more about your career background and when you conceived the idea for your book, Black and Great: The Essential Workplace Toolkit? 

I graduated from Loughborough University in 2016 and worked in Investment banking operations, before transitioning to technology consulting and now product management.

The idea for Black and Great came to me in 2017, a year after I had graduated. It didn’t take long for me to realise based on my own experience and what I could see, that the Black workplace experience was different, often times challenging and it was something that many of us were totally unprepared for.

I started to blog about my workplace learnings to share advice to Black students that were soon to graduate or at the beginning of their careers like myself and I’d get so many messages from people wanting further advice or thanking me for writing about experiences they could relate to. As I started to look for career advice in the form of books, podcasts and other mediums to help me with my own career, I noticed what existed was totally devoid of the Black experience. The “one size fits all” career advice that white writers were sharing didn’t work for us, not considering the unique challenges we faced. I believed I could create an alternative for our community that not only provided practical career advice but also acted as a source of inspiration, showcasing the career journey of over 20 successful Black British individuals in a variety of industries.

Growing up, you have said that you didn’t see many visible Black role models in the public eye or in schools, or in other professional roles. Is there anyone that you remember being inspired by growing up?

My Uncle David stands out to me. After college, he decided not to attend university and instead purchased some books on computer programming, teaching himself how to program at home. Today he is one of the most influential technology leaders in the UK and one of the youngest. His drive, hard work and dedication to excellence are something that always inspired me. Black and Great… is aimed toward students as well as career professionals.

What do you think is lacking in schools regarding inspiring students?

Black students aren’t introduced to a wide range of role models at school, so it almost limits what they believe they can aspire to be. Showcasing Black people who have achieved success in fields such as medicine, law, technology, advertising, architecture, sport and more helps Black students see that they too can be successful in these spaces and they are not just reserved for white people. Current role models are also key, as typically when Black role models are discussed at times such as Black history month, they are always people from a long time ago and are usually African American. Unfortunately, many Black British students can’t relate to them. Whilst knowing our history and understanding our foundations is key, we also shouldn’t neglect the Black British contributions of those who are alive and present today.

You have been blogging careers advice on different mediums for some time now. What types of advice did people often request or gained the most traction?

My articles on Salary negotiation, overcoming imposter syndrome and how to make a career pivot were popular. My article on salary negotiation led to lots of messages and direct messages from people wanting me to provide further insights which are why I wrote a chapter about it in Black and Great.

You address building confidence and imposter syndrome in the book. Were there any moments leading up to the publication of the book when you had to remind yourself of your own advice?

For sure, especially as a debut writer I had so many high and low days as it got closer to my book launch. With my book being something I wrote alongside my day job, I had some insecurities about not being seen as a real writer. Also, as someone who is not an online personality or with a large following, I was concerned that my book just wouldn’t reach the intended audience. I remember thinking to myself, who other than my friends and family will purchase my book. I was beyond overjoyed when I saw that it became an amazon best seller 2 days after release.

Black and Great features letters of advice from, such as Ashley Walters and Beverley Knight, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP and Alex Boateng. Did you notice any commonalities in advice across different industries? 

Community was a common theme, the importance of finding spaces where you feel safe to be your authentic self. Building and maintaining relationships also came up often across various industries as well as prioritising our mental health.

What’s next for you? Is there anything else that you are excited about this year? 

Since the book launch, I’ve been doing lots of school talks and company workshops around some of the key themes in the book which will continue throughout the rest of the year. I’m enjoying listening to the feedback about the book to think about what I can do next to support Black students and fellow professionals.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU …

• A book you have to have in your collection? Oooohh this is a tough one. A book I recently read and will go back to is called You are your best thing, a collection of essays edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown, about vulnerability, shame and resilience as a Black person.

• A song/album that defines the soundtrack of your life to date? This song doesn’t define my life, but when I was writing Black and Great, the song Young, Gifted and Black, by Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths was something I leaned on with its inspiring message and what I hoped to achieve with my book.

• A film / TV show that you can watch/have watched repeatedly? This is Us

• The first stage production you saw and what it meant to you (play, dance or concert)? Spice Girls was the first concert I went to and it meant everything to see 5 young women each with their own identity having fun and being unapologetically themselves.

• What’s made you sad, mad, and glad this week? Sad and Mad would be the impact of climate change; the extreme heat and the fires led to lots of people losing their homes in some parts of Europe and their lives. Glad would be my village, my close circle of friends who are always there when I need them.

Black and Great: The Essential Workplace Toolkit is available to purchase here.

Lyndon works for TFL alongside his creative pursuits and wrote ‘ROSA” during the pandemic in 2020. 

Lyndon began his career as a rapper over two decades ago as a part of The Sindecut, the first UK hip hop group signed to a major label, this came after appearing on screen and stage as a child actor, a journey he detailed in his memoir and debut novel This Functional Family.

Lyndon has self-published 3 books, his latest offering ROSA is a story about a young orphan fleeing her home life in Mexico.

Lyndon wrote ROSA during the 2020 pandemic, use to working for TFL, but as a Sickle Cell Sufferer, he was unable to go into an office during all of the lockdowns, which inadvertently allowed him the time he needed to complete write ROSA.

We caught up with Lyndon to talk about his career, his love of writing and what to expect from him next …

Please introduce yourself …

My name is Lyndon Haynes my heritage is half Guyanese and half Jamaican. I am an author screenwriter, songwriter and playwright.

Please share a word or sentence which best describes your life right now.

My life right now is productive, transitional and calm.

Before turning to fiction, you were a member of The Sindecut, which was the first UK Rap group signed to a label. How did you see the music industry change in your twenty-five years making music?

I think the authenticity in a lot of music has disappeared sadly, at the beginning of the hip-hop era we strived to be original and different. We were outside, grinding booking live performances, being seen and heard putting in the hard work to get our name out there. I think today because of the internet and social media it’s easier for artists to get recognised and to build an audience which can be seen as a plus but I’m struggling to accept the lack of originality, I think everyone just jumps on a formula and runs with it until the next formula comes along, we need to get back to being creative and setting trends.

How did you find turning from writing for performance to writing for a literary audience?

For me writing raps or songs is easy but you only have maybe three minutes to get your point or subject matter across. For a literary audience, I get the space to be creative, inventive and have the freedom to elaborate on my plot and delve into my characters and their world, I enjoy that more because you can take the storytelling so much further.

You published your memoir over ten years ago. How long had you considered writing your story, or writing novels in general?

Even when I was doing music I was writing short stories on the side and knew it would lead to a book one day. I took a creative writing course back in 2005/6 and was encouraged by friends to tell my story as they said it sounded interesting, we don’t always look at the inner workings of our personal lives as something people would find entertaining but we should, we all have unique life stories.

You write alongside working for TFL. When do you make the time to write? Are there designated times that you set aside or is it less regimented?

It’s less regimented, I tend to write on my days off or late at night it all depends on how I’m feeling, some days I’ll just jot notes and ideas in my notebook. My process is normally a late-night writing session that’s when I feel in my creative zone.

You wrote your novel ROSA during the various lockdowns and whilst shielding. How did the writing process compare to the writing of your other novels?

It was more liberating, although I still had limited time, it felt more freeing to be in my own space. I was working from home during the first lockdown so found it easier to give ROSA the time it deserved. I would transition from my day job to an author without leaving the room. I knew what I wanted to do and challenged myself to complete it during the pandemic and having no commute gave me the time I needed.

ROSA tells a story of a young woman coming to terms with the death of her parents in Mexico. What inspired you to tell this story?

I had the idea as early as 2013 to create a modern-day story based on a fairytale, ROSA being my take on Cinderella. I never got the chance to focus on it due to studying for my MA and work commitments. I wanted to tell a story of a young woman going through many hardships including grief who eventually finds the strength to develop her own identity and discover her voice via her crazy journey which is a narrative many women can relate to.

What is the process of self-publishing like?

It can be a positive process if you choose a company that aligns with your goals. I used Publishing Push based in the UK who provided a great affordable package but also helped with bringing my ideas and vision to life, they assisted with the format, editing and even the final cover design. There are several companies out there but you have to research and find the right fit for your work and make sure they support your visions from concept to completion.

You are in the process of writing your next book. Can you tell us anything about what’s next for you?

Yes, I am seventy-five per cent done so far, it’s called Paper Trail and will be the first of a trilogy. It’s about two siblings who are trying to make the right choices in life but their individual circumstances pull them both into a dark criminal underworld. I’m also working on some pet projects, a documentary about my musical history and finishing some screenplays which I started a couple of years ago.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU …

A book you have to have in your collection? The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.

A song/album that defines the soundtrack of your life to date? Lila Ike – Where I’m coming from.

A film/TV show that you can watch/have watched repeatedly? I love watching anything by Walter presents… on E4.

The first stage production you saw and what it meant to you (play, dance, or concert)? I was in a production of Bugsy Malone directed by The Monkees singer Mickey Dolenz when I was thirteen. Being in such a massive show at that age meant everything to me and opened my eyes to the world of theatre.

What has made you sad, mad, and glad this week? Sad. Work. Mad. Toxic people. Glad. My first trip abroad since covid (I’m on holiday as I write this)

ROSA is available to purchase now. Find out more on Lyndons Instagram.

This summer, immerse yourself in new worlds with these recommendations. 

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

From the Sunday Times bestselling author, Bolu Babalola, comes the romantic comedy we’ve all be waiting for.The sharp-tongued (and secretly soft-hearted) Kiki Banjo is an expert in relationship-evasion, and likes to keep her feelings close to her chest. As the host of the popular student radio show, Brown Sugar, it is her mission to make sure the women who make up the Afro-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University also do not fall into the mess of ‘situationships’, players and heartbreak.

But when Kiki meets the distressingly handsome and charming newcomer Malakai Korede – who she has publicly denounced as ‘The Wasteman of Whitewell’ – her defences are weakened and her heart is compromised. A clash embroils them in a fake relationship to salvage both their reputations and save their futures, and soon she finds herself in danger of falling for the very man she warned her girls about.

Praise for Honey & Spice: 

“A blissful celebration of first loves, second chances and sisterhood. Bolu is an expert at her craft.” — Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory

“Honey & Spice is the book many have been waiting for. Black love, Black joy and Black magic are all stirred into this succulent, addictive romance. Simply wonderful.” — Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

Have You Read George’s Podcast by George the Poet 

Have You Heard George’s Podcast? If you have, you may know that it is a mix of autobiographical, fiction and social commentary read aloud by rapper and poet George the Poet. His verse podcast delves into political histories and contemporary realities. George articulates his keen observations and visions for the future for his community and those like it across the country. 

This book contains the scripts from ‘Have You Heard George’s Podcast?’ plus bonus material from George the Poet. George the Poet grew up in Neasden, north-west London and is of Ugandan heritage. His podcast has won numerous awards, including Best Podcast at both the 2020 NME and Peabody Awards, and it picked up five wins at the British Podcast Awards in 2019. 

Praise for Have You Heard George’s Podcast: 

“A genre-defying piece of audio that pushes the limits of what a podcast can be.” — The New York Times 

“There can’t be many people out there who don’t think George the Poet is a bit of a genius.” — Charlie Phillips, The Guardian 

Oxygen Mask: A Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jason Griffin 

From author Jason Reynolds, and illustrator and street artist Jason Griffin, comes Oxygen Mask.

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, a Kirkus Award winner, and he won a Carnegie Medal for his 2019 book Look Both Ways. 

Intimately set within the walls of a family home, this book is an incredible artefact of the historic year we have all lived through. We travel from the depths of despair but not without hope; the mundane details contained within four walls becomes our sanctuary. This is a gift in commemoration of a time and place, of a world wide pandemic, of loss and of the murder of George Floyd. It is a reminder of how, in uncertain times, we can cling to the simple things for respite, for hope. A reminder of how comforting books and artworks are in times of extreme stress.

Praise for Jason Reynolds: 

“Jason Reynold’s crackling, witty prose is a joy to read” — Nalini Jones

Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan

Growing up in a rapidly changing Harlem, eight-year-old Malaya hates when her mother drags her to Weight Watchers meetings; she’d rather paint alone in her bedroom or enjoy forbidden street foods with her father. For Malaya, the pressures of her predominantly white Upper East Side prep school are relentless, as are the expectations passed down from her painfully proper mother and sharp-tongued grandmother. As she comes of age in the 1990s, she finds solace in the music of Biggie Smalls and Aaliyah, but her weight continues to climb―until a family tragedy forces her to face the source of her hunger, ultimately shattering her inherited stigmas surrounding women’s bodies, and embracing her own desire.

In her highly anticipated debut novel, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan explores the perils―and undeniable beauty―of insatiable longing. 

Praise for Big Girl: 

“Sullivan charms in her stunning debut novel about a Black girl’s coming-of-age… This is a treasure.” — Starred Review, Publisher’s Weekly

“A lyrical and important coming of age novel.” — Kirkus Reviews

Bolu Babalola is an author, screenwriter, and culture writer from London. Her best-selling short story collection, Love in Colour, retells ancient myths from around the world as modern love stories with more empowered female characters, taking a “step towards decolonizing tropes of love”.

Honey & Spice is Babalola’s debut novel, a collegiate rom-com set in an Afro-Caribbean Society. It has already received a TBB caught up with Bolu Babalola to ask her about her novel, building a community on Twitter, and what inspires her.

Please introduce yourself…

Bolu Babalola, British Nigerian, a storyteller, story weaver.

Please share a word or sentence which best describes your life right now.

Blessed, joyous, affirming, actualising. 

Your debut novel Honey & Spice is coming out soon. How are you feeling? Are you excited to hear all the responses to your work?

I am so excited for the essence of the story to be felt, for people to feel seen and heard, for it to speak to hearts, and for it to brighten visions of possibility. This has been part of my world for so long, and it’s time for me to share.

Love in Colour is a beautiful piece of work, and I often return to my favourite stories in it. How was your writing process different this time around, writing a novel?

It was the same, world-building and character crafting is meticulous work, and doing it for a short story shouldn’t be any different. I actually started writing and working on Honey & Spice way before Love in Colour was even an idea. Honey & Spice is my first baby, it’s just being shown to the world latterly.  But I guess, you’re immersed in the world for longer, and so the characters are seared into you more. Kiki & Malakai are part of me now, for better or worse. 

The romance genre is often looked down upon, not least because it is a genre associated with and enjoyed by women. Do you see/have you seen attitudes changing towards the genre in recent years?

I actually don’t really concern myself a lot with perceptions, I concern myself with my purpose and what I want to do well, but I do think that we’re going full circle in embracing the joy that a good romance can bring. We understood that in the 90s and 00s but there seemed to be a turn to cynicism. With movies like To All The Boys… and shows like Bridgerton, people seem to be remembering the joy that watching human connection can bring.

You are also a writer for television and a culture writer, are you constantly inspired by the television and media you consume, or are you selective in order to separate your work from your leisure viewing?

Everything is an inspiration! But I do try to watch and read things that I know are well done and well crafted, as an artist it’s important to be exposed to good skills. We are always in school. But as a storyteller, you can pull anything from anything. 

A self-titled “romcomisseur”, you have built quite a following on Twitter and have a lovely community of followers. What’s something you love and something you dislike about the app?

I love finding my diaspora of Black creative women globally. Oh, it’s so glorious, that community building. I have made tangible friendships and sisterhoods. It started in the early days. Now it has devolved a little, everyone is trying to drag someone down. There is so much misinformation too. I do love my little community though, but I am wary that it is only a matter of time till I bow out and only use it very sporadically for my creative wealth and mental health! I do wish I can do that and still touch base with my people though. Black women message me all the time saying my words resonate with them and that means the world to me.

In your professional (pop culture scholar) opinion, what’s something everyone should be watching or reading right now?

Everyone should be reading Honey & Spice! And I just finished reading Seven Days in June by Tia Williams which I adored!!!!!!

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

• A book you have to have in your collection? All About Love, Bell Hooks

• A song/album that defines the soundtrack of your life to date? Ah! Way too hard.  You know what? I’m gonna go for B’Day. Not because the songs explicitly define my life but because it was Bey’s [Beyonce] second album and when she was really defining and proclaiming herself as an artist. I feel like that’s me with Honey & Spice.

• A film/TV show that you can watch/have watched repeatedly? New Girl for a show, Brown Sugar or When Harry Met Sally for a movie.

• The first stage production you saw and what it meant to you (play, dance, concert)? I can’t remember the first stage production I saw, but the first one that spoke to me might have been Barbershop Chronicles by Inua Ellams. Black men being, blackness being.

• What’s made you sad, mad, and glad this week? Sad? Look at the world! Mad? Look at the world? Glad? My community. Look at my world.

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola is out now in hardback, priced £16.99 by Headline Review.

This month, my recommendations are a mix of new reads on my TBR and a few favourites of the past year released in paperback this month. 

I Heard What You Said by Jeffrey Boakye

Structured around the numerous prejudiced statements that Black writer and teacher Boakye encountered during his time in educational institutions, I Heard What You Said is a considered and ferociously intelligent riposte to systemic racism in the UK. Thought-provoking, witty and completely unafraid to call out some of the most pressing issues of our times, he offers sharp analysis, lively patter and a clear vision for how we can dismantle racism in the classroom and do better by all our students in the future.

Praise for I Heard What You Said: 

“I Heard What You Said makes a powerful case: until we have rid our educational system of its dominant whiteness (and, dare I say it, maleness) we cannot hope to give all our children (whatever their ethnicity or gender) the educational experience they need and deserve.” — Rt Hon Lady Hale

“Personal and political, profound and playful, Boakye’s sharp analysis of the classroom and the staffroom is essential reading for anyone with a stake in education. A book that should be discussed in every staffroom in the country; send a copy to the Secretary of State for Education!” — Darren Chetty, co-author of How to Disagree

I Heard What You Said will be published on 9th June 2022. It is available to pre-order on Hive and at other bookshops and retailers.

The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed 

Shortlisted for both the Booker Prize and Costa Novel Award in 2021, The Fortune Men follows the story of Mahmood, a petty criminal who finds himself wrongfully charged for murder in 1950s Cardiff. Initially convinced the his innocence will be proven and justice will prevail, Mahmood’s faith dwindles as he is confronted with the prejudices that face him. 

Nadifa Mohamed, author of The Orchard of Lost Souls and Black Mamba Boy, is a Somali-British novelist. She featured on Africa39’s list of the most promising writers under the age of 40 from sub-Saharan Africa in 2014. Alongside novel-writing, she writes essays, articles and poetry, and her writing features in the 2019 poetry anthology New Daughters of Africa. 

Praise for The Fortune Men:

“A writer of great humanity and intelligence. Nadifa Mohamed deeply understands how lives are shaped both by the grand sweep of history and the intimate encounters of human beings.” — Kamila Shamsie, author of Home Fire

“The Fortune Men confirms Mohamed as a literary star of her generation. When Mohamed’s prose – simple and full of soul – illuminated him, Mahmood emerges as a beacon of humour, hope and endurance.” — The Observer

Dele Weds Destiny by Tomi Obaro 

Zainab, Funmi and Enitan first meet at University in northern Nigeria, all learning how to become themselves. It’s an experience that binds the three very different women together. Over the course of thirty years, their lives and friendships diverge and change. But theirs is a friendship that can endure decades of distance. And in 2015, they are reunited for the first time for the wedding of Funmi’s daughter, Destiny. Here they will reflect on their pasts, the things they loved and lost – but the present brings unexpected surprises too, because their daughters, Remi and Destiny, might just be as rebellious and open-hearted as they once were.

Dele Weds Destiny is the heartfelt, vivid and sparkling debut novel by editor and writer Tomi Obaro. A story of three women, we witness the shared histories, betrayals and triumphs play out, and their unforgettable, enduring friendship.

Praise for Dele Weds Destiny: 

“Obaro writes beautifully about the complicated labor of friendship and parentage. Dele Weds Destiny explores caregiving as a kind of deferment, but also as discovery, of desire, of fury, of home” — Raven Leilani, author of Luster

“A generous and patient consideration of life, and of lives… I am so thankful for the world of this book, and so excited for everyone who gets to sit in it” — Hanif Abdurraqib

Dele Weds Destiny will be published on 28th June 2022. It is available to pre-order on Hive and at other bookshops and retailers.

The Island of Forgetting by Jasmine Sealy

The Island of Forgetting is a powerful story of family and hope from debut novelist Jasmine Sealy. An unknowable legacy passes through the generations of one family living in Barbados. Each family member longs for escape, but each finds that they are trapped by a history found only in whispers and half-remembered fragments. With little control over the course of their lives, every generation contends with the same doubts about their identity and place in the world. 

Jasmine Sealy is a Bajan-Canadian writer based in Vancouver. Her novel won the UBC/HarperCollins Best New Fiction Prize in 2020 and was published this spring. 

Praise for The Island of Forgetting: 

“The Island of Forgetting is an engrossing saga of love, family and the undying past – gorgeous at the sentence level and sweeping in both depth and scope” — Omar El Akkad, author of What Strange Paradise

“A brilliant richly absorbing tale on the repercussions of hidden familial legacies. A deeply evocative, stirring work” — Irenosen Okojie, author of Nudibranch

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley 

One of this year’s most anticipated debut novels, Leila Mottley’s Nightcrawling is a power debut novel following a seventeen-year-old girl who must navigate the adult world alone. With a dysfunctional family life,  Kiara is determined to survive in a world that refuses to protect her. Then one night Kiara is picked up by two police officers, and the gruesome deal she is offered in exchange for her freedom lands her at the centre of a media storm. If she agrees to testify in a grand jury trial, she could help expose the sickening corruption of a police department. But honesty comes at a price – one that could leave her family vulnerable to their retaliation, and endanger everyone she loves. 

Praise for Nightcrawling: 

“Leila Mottley’s commanding debut, inspired by the life events of one woman’s struggle for body and soul against crushing exploitation, is fierce and devastating, rendered with electrifying urgency by this colossal young talent” — Ayana Mathis

“Nightcrawling is a scorching, incredibly readable book that takes seriously the task of readerly provocation on every page. Get ready. Or don’t. It doesn’t matter. Leila Mottley is here” — Kiese Laymon

Nightcrawling will be published on 7th June 2022. It is available to pre-order on Hive and at other bookshops and retailers.