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