Yinka Where Is Your Huzband Book Review
I took the book with me on holiday, I was in full relaxation mode, I had on my good-good sandals. And the book wasn’t bland, and I’m happy that the industry is making way for more rom-com fictions but that fully purposed book feeling just never came.
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Released: 2022
Genre: Romance Fiction
Watch the Breakdown
Yinka has a whole lot going on. We’re introduced to yinka at her little sister’s baby show. Firstly, she’s prematurely told family and friends that she’s about to get promoted in her banking-ish role. Even though she actually gets made redundant the following week. Her little sister is married, and expecting her first child, whilst she’s huz-band-less! Her mum and aunties have made it their business to include her name in their public prayers, because in their eyes she should have been married yesterday. Afterall… “Yinka where is your huzband?” I don’t remember Yinka ever saying that she didn’t want to find one, but you can’t buy-a-huzband these days.
Pressure can either make diamonds or make you start moving sideways. So desperate to not attend another wedding alone she sets up a plan using a business model to secure a date. Along the way she meets men, some newcomers and some known to her who provide their own types of stresses along the way. Yinka brings us into the world of a thirty-one year old South Londoner, all whilst remaining unemployed for what feels like forever.
The story includes family relationships, friendships, friendzone ships, and a couple of hard knocks along the way!
Heads swoosh in my direction and despite my attemps to avoid eye contact with my aunties, I can tell they’re grinning at me encouragingly. ‘Lord I pray that this year will be the year… that Yinka finds her husband!’ I inhale to stay calm. My time will come. I know it will.
*Taken straight from the book blurb*
“Jo, every Black woman in Peckham is my aunty”
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
Ahhh, you know what yeah, I really wanted to enjoy this book. Let me just set the scene. I took the book with me on holiday, I was in full relaxation mode, I had on my good-good sandals. And the book wasn’t bland, and I’m happy that the industry is making way for more rom-com fictions but that fully purposed book feeling just never came. The book cover was popping but the story was mediocre, even thought I felt it had the potential to really bang! The mix up, yeah there was the right amount of that. And I love reading about mix up, I can’t lie!
Some good subjects were touched upon, colourism, therapy, marriage pressure, etc but they felt very much on the surface. I felt that too many important issues were trying to be stuffed into the pot that it became a struggle for anything to stand out long term. I simply wanted more depth. I liken it to english exams where you get 2 points for listing things, and then an extra 5 points for the analysis. The analysis just never came.
I will say though, it’s a not a bad read and the beautiful cover alone is a reason to have it on your book shelf.
“I know that the same night Jon broke up with you, he told you he had developed feelings for me. But then you told him you were pregnant, so he had to marry you. And what did I do after finding out this information? I didn’t laugh in your face as you’re laughing at me now”
Favourite Character
All of the characters had energy and were really relatable. Cousin Ola annoyed me, but that annoyance was because I really believed in the character and that she was spreading bad energy.
Asides from the main character Yinka, I would say best friend Nana was my favourite character. I enjoyed her being in her own world and walking to her own beat. She was definitely 3D and I would like to see more characters like Nana having being main characters! Nana is an aspiring fashion designer , asexual and that that friend who stages interventions when enough is enough.
It Hit me When
Yinka blew up the whole spot and aired out her cousin Ola. Sometimes people want to poke the bear, and then they get upset when the bear bites. Word to Kelechi Okafor, “sometimes when people go low, go lower.” Limbo time! It gave me a Nollywood energy and that whole part had my full attention! Actually on full reflection the whole book gave me Nollywood vibes and my feedback above in That’s How You’re Feeling Yeah reflects that. I don’t watch Nollywood for the best quality sound or videography, but I know that I’ll get my dose of excitement and mix up!
Side note, I giggled when Yinka’s mum kept remixing her job role. She worked in a bank but wasn’t a banker! Mum’s really will hear what they want and run with the story. My mum kept telling her friend’s that I had completed a business degree… * I 100% did not * so then I kept having to have conversations with these peoples children about the subject and having to deflate them when I told them I had zero knowledge for them!
Length
394 pages including the acknowledgement. It was a good length because the story held a good pace and definitely didn’t feel dragged.
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
The Deep Book Review
I visually jumbled together The Little Mermaid, the mer people in Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar, melanated them up and then I could see the Warinju.
GENRE: FANTASY | WRITTEN BY: RIVERS SOLOMON | RELEASED: 2019
Watch the Breakdown
Way down in the deep blue sea is where the Wajinru exist harmoniously. The Wajinru are the descendants of African slaves, who were thrown overboard by slave owners whilst pregnant. Whilst, the women died, their babies adapted and were born with fins.
Because of the Warinju’s traumatic past everything stretching back to the creation of their people, war, trauma and inbetween is forgotten by everyone expect for one. The book is focused on Yetu, a Warinju historian who has the sole role of holding all the ancestors memories.
On a yearly basis on rememberance day she is able to offload the memories throughout the community providing others with knowledge from the past. The issue is this knowledge is slowly killing Yetu, because as the years have progressed she has increasingly struggled to distinguish between her present and her ancestors memories. During this annual rememberance, Yetu flees her community for land, as the Warinju are synced up having received the memories she holds. With no memories or burden Yetu aims to discover the land for herself and comes into contact with the two legged people, one in particular she builds a bond with.
Whilst she’s discovering life above the sea, can her fellow Warinju cope with all the memories they’ve been exposed to?
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
You know what, I really did enjoy the book. I really liked how a random conversation that I could have on any given day became a bigger thought and equalled a whole book. I’ve been saying Yooo, how much do we really know about what lies in the sea. Barely anything! I mean I’m not saying there really are Warinju people, but I like how the story came about.
The plot itself is not complicated, and it’s super effective. I visually jumbled together The Little Mermaid, the mer people in Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar, melanated them up and then I could see the Warinju.
The thoughts and reflection this narrative drew up was really significant. This fantasy book, really highlighted for me the importance of being connected with your ancestry. And the strengths of memory and history, regardless of them being flattering or not. Also trauma. I talk about trauma quite often and I really connected with how this book explored trauma, and ways that people deal with theirs. Very strong and impactful. Not everyone wants to read a self help or mental health book and this book was able to go into the topic beautifully.
I also picked up on the elements of even though Yetu being described as a “she” there being fluid elements. For example the discussion of the Warinju people having both sexual organs.
My only annoyance was the confusion when a few chapters weren’t led by Yetu. They seemed out of the place and weren’t immediately clear, with several character names being brought in without a clear storyline. I came to understand them as random ancestral memories or events but I don’t think they complimented the flow of the story.
“All of these things had made Yetu. It wasn’t at all pretty, but it was hers. It it was a choice between the History and emptiness, maybe Yetu wanted the History. She’d always complained that the rememberings erased her, that Yetu didn’t exist because the ancestors took up too much space inside her.”
Favourite Character
Yetu was my favourite character. And she was also the main character. I didn’t have a strong connection to Yetu, but I appreciated her vulnerability.
It Hit me When
When I transferred a fictional fantasy book into real life. It kind of smacked me in the face as I thought about the dilemma. There’s a common phrase ‘ignorance is bliss’ right, and for near enough a whole year, these people live without any rememberance but most importantly any burden of the past.
I questioned what I would prefer. To be happy, but effectively empty, or to feel pain, suffering, and joy and grow resilient because of those memories.
Length
163 Pages long. The book isn’t big at all! The ending was super cute and although I didn’t feel the book/novella was long enough I appreciated the continuous flow throughout the story.
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
YOUTUBE
I have a whole book discussion about The Deep on my Youtube. Click HERE to watch it
Imperfect Arrangements Book Review
I came for the marriages and stayed for the sister-bond friendship. This book gave me the giggles, the hyped-up “don’t make me take my hoops off” vibes, the side-eye “sis you need to chill out” views, and so much more.
Frances MensahWilliams
Released: 2020
Genre: Romance Fiction
*Gifted
Watch the Breakdown
In the sun-soaked capital of Ghana, three best friends struggle with the arrangements that define their relationships.
Ambitious Theresa has gambled everything to move with her husband Tyler from London to cosmpolitan Accra. But when shocking developments threaten their plans, they also expose the hidden cracks in her fairytale marriage.
Fesity Maku is desperate for professional recognition- and her dream wedding. But how long can she wait for her laid-back partner Nortey to stop dreaming up pointless projects and stand up to his family?
Churchgoing Lyla married Kwesi in haste. But while she battles her attraction to the mysterious Reuben, her husband has bitten off more than he can chew with his latest mistress.
Facing lies, betrayal, and shattered illusions, each couple must confront the truth of who they have become and the arrangements they have enabled. Against the backdrop of a shifting culture, each woman must decide what- and who- she is willing to sacrafice for the perfect marriage.
*Taken straight from the book blurb*
“The ring was perfect (but not the suffering)”
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
I came for the marriages and stayed for the sister-bond friendship. This book gave me the giggles, the hyped-up “don’t make me take my hoops off” vibes, the side-eye “sis you need to chill out” views, and so much more.
This book was on my shelf for months, and all now I’m asking myself why I let it sit there for that long, because from picking up the book to finishing it was a continuously smooth read. I wasn’t trying to put the book down to entertain anybody. I love a good passa-passa/ mix up and I got my perfect blend of cussins, drama and glow ups. (I don’t want it for my life, but I love it in a book, I really do)
When I first started reading the book it reminded me of The Returnees, which I’d read just before this one. They were similar in the sense that the children of the African diaspora had gone back to their motherlands in West Africa to pursue ventures. However, I quickly came to know that they were different. The characters in The Returnees were young adults in their twenties, whereas in this novel I felt 100% luxury aunty vibes!
I appreciated the richness and details about life in Accra, Ghana. Especially, when you’ve never been to the country of the location in any book, you want to feel like you’re there. I was in Accra for sure, complaining at times about the lack of air conditioning. I’m all the way here for the emerging books that show people leaving the places that many family members came to for a “better life” way back when. And I’ll say it with my chest, I like locations in Africa being put into novels as luxurious. The narrative is important!
When I realised that 6 characters were having their own chapters I thought it would be too much, but it didn’t make the story dry. And even though the book is about marriage, friendship is also a dominant theme throughout, so you hear more from the women.
The book really explored modern views of love and relationship status, particularly with the couple Theresa and Tyler, who moved from London and were adapting to Ghana. So, watching scenarios play out from different viewpoints was really juicy. Some of the clashes really made me pause and think about what went on. Marriage really seems stressful. Seriously, should there be 3 people in a marriage… you, me and your mum?
Full disclosure: I was rolling my eyes at the regular bar meetups that the men had, muttering “chale go home!”
“‘You know who I am, don’t you? You know I’m Kwesi’s girlfriend?’
Lyla looked down at the hand gripping her and absently noted the long red fingernails. How obvious, she thought dismissively, I’d have hoped my husband would have gone for a bit more class. She shook off the hand and raised a cool eyebrow.”
Favourite Character
The characters in the story were all very realistic and complex beings, a little too realistic, to the point that I started thinking of people I knew. Without a doubt though, Lyla was my favourite character. All the characters had their moments don’t get it twisted, but I was rooting for Lyla’s happiness and a happy ending for her. Even though this character was more in the background, I have to say I really liked Reuben. I can’t see anyone reading the book and not warming to Reuben.
Well, I can actually. The people that are cheaters and think they deserve hundreds of chances, but that’s not my business… unless you’re writing a book about it haha. Their whole situation reminded me of social media, and the burning question everyone has had for singer/songwriter Ciara ever since she married NFL player Russell Wilson. Everyone has been asking what the exact prayer was that Ciara recited when she asked for a man like Russel. Wow, now that I think about it Lyla’s husband really was the twin of rapper Future.
I’ll spill the tea if you’re not familiar… Ciara was engaged to Future, and they have a child together. I actually think his name is Future, as in named after his dad’s rap name. Yeah anyway… they split up after she accused him of cheating on her. She then released music with some shots fired at future, *inserts Ciara- I Bet.* Then she met Mr Russell Wilson and they are now married with 3 children. His reputation is squeaky clean, he’s handsome, and he’s always uplifting Ciara on the socials. Meanwhile Future is living way too much in the present with 6 children, by 6 women and ongoing child support cases.
It Hit me When
Hayyyy, it hit me when I realised that the side chick had overstepped her place to the point of no return. Sorry, but imagine your man… nope HUSBAND, having the nerve to cheat on you, and get his side chick pregnant. I’m not finished…. And then she turns up to your house to rub it in when you can’t get pregnant. HELLLL to the nooooo!
I also took away the reminder that marriage is not the finale. Marriage is the start of a life-long commitment. But I mean that sounds boring, so let’s focus on the side chick cheekiness.
Length
450 pages. Typing it now that sounds like a really long book, and when I initially picked it up I thought it was really thick, but is genuinely not boring. I finished the book over a weekend.
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
The Returnees
The book opens in Osayuki’s house in Nigeria. She’s just given birth and family and friends are arriving for her baby’s naming ceremony. During the process of getting ready Osayuki watches TV, which is covering a news story of a British-Nigerian who has been found dead on the side of a road.
By Elizabeth Okoh
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Released: 2020
Genre: Fiction
*Gifted
Watch the Breakdown
The Returnees follows 3 individuals returning to Nigeria for 3 completely different reasons. Osayuki’s heartbreak in England drives her to relocate and take her career to the next level. In Lagos For Kian it’s the urge for motherland success in the Afrobeats genre, and his cousin’s highly exaggerated stories of his connections and the line-up of opportunities waiting for Kian. And Cynthia lands in Nigeria when the famous African parents favourite threat is actually carried out. She was sent back for a year to join the National Youth Service, as her father thought she was too sheltered and lazy.
The book opens with the end of the story, which is set in Osayuki’s house in Nigeria. She’s just given birth and family and friends are arriving for her baby’s naming ceremony. During the process of getting ready Osayuki watches TV, which is covering a news story of a British-Nigerian who has been found dead on the side of a road. The news triggers Osayuki, who can’t seem to enjoy her day with family and friends. The sauce spills, when she confesses to her good friend Cynthia, that she’s not sure if her husband is her child’s father of not. And just like that, the story rewinds all the way back to the beginning, which journeys through how each of the 3 characters were led to Nigeria.
The Returnees gives you an insight into Lagos and Abuja from various viewpoints, of those who have decided to return back to the motherland after living in England. A strong emphasis is put on the friendship of the female characters Osayuki and Cynthia, who are redefining what home is, and trying to find their footing as they jump between their clashing London and Lagos ways.
5 Words To Describe The Book
Dreams, adjustment, love, finnesse and assumptions.
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
This book was the perfect August read. I took it away with me on holiday and it just fit perfectly with the ‘suns out, funs out’ narrative I was riding on. It’s not my usual read. Or let me rephrase, it’s a lot lighter than the other books I’ve read recently. The book featured romance and new beginnings, which is what I like to read whilst on the beach.
I liked there being a different chapter for each character. They all came from a first-person narrative. However, I felt that Kian's chapters were the weakest. They were surface level and basic filler. Small talk dragged out for too long. Things would come up that I’d be interested in knowing more about, but it would be glazed over and then on to the next. The one thing I took away from his chapter was room for reflection. I didn’t care for Kian as a character but it made me think about the pressure people must feel to appear successful, keeping up pretences in the name of dignity.
Having Nigerian heritage and *peeps out* having never visited Nigeria before I especially loved being able to visualise the cities of Lagos and Abuja. The details of nightlife, Victoria Island, and the markets I really soaked up. I’ve come across a few people who have returned to Nigeria and are really winning out there so the book’s plot was timely and 100% filled a gap. It’s not hard to hear stories about people coming to England for better opportunities, but I’m proper happy that I’m being exposed to a rising number of stories of people from the African diaspora going back to their motherlands to live their best life. I’m all the way here for it.
Situations like Osayuki being quoted crazy high prices when wanting her hair done, because they could tell she wasn’t raised in Nigeria made me laugh, that would be me, hella stressed out. In Nigeria, they refer to those people as JJC (Johnny Just Come)
Ouuu, and the ending. It did sweet me. I genuinely didn’t expect that!
“She looked at my hair and then at me, from my head to my toes, and then offered a price. I almost doubled over but composed myself. If these women think I’m a JJC, then they’re mistaken. ”
Favourite Character
Cynthia was my favourite character. Her journey of feeling lost career-wise and then settling into a new environment made me build a real connection with her. I’m pretty sure if my dad had the opportunity to do so, I would have been sent to Nigeria to do the youth service too.
It Hit me When
When I started writing this review. Nigeria needs us to raise our voices right now! There are various #endsars protests around the world currently taking place documenting police brutality throughout Nigeria. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been around for more than 20 years. SARS incidents have included numerous human rights violations, Nigerian civilians being killed, money being demanded from them, civilians being tortured and more. Young Nigerians wanting change and a better life are being exploited by a system that should nourish and protect them. You find out during the book that a man’s body is found dead and it makes me think of those who have lost their lives because of SARS. Most recently the Lekki Gate massacre on 20th October 2020. Peaceful protests were taking place when the army ran up on protestors firing rounds. It was an execution where several people were killed and many injured, just for wanting a better life.
You can’t read this book in 2020 without acknowledging SARS.
Length
288 pages
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
Will you be adding The Returnees to your To Be Read list?
An American Marriage
On a surface level, An American Marriage’s plot is nothing out of the ordinary, saying that I could just be desensitized to the narrative of families being torn about when black men, in particular, get sent to prison on elongated sentences, pleading their innocence. But when you dig down, it is really deep.
By Tayari Jones
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Released: 2018
Genre: Domestic Fiction
If you want to watch a video review of this book instead click here. I tried a thing… Let me know if you want more of these.
Watch the Breakdown
Roy and Celestial are just out of the honeymoon period. They’ve been married for about 18 months and live together in Atlanta. Roy is new money and on the come up as an executive, whereas Celestial, an artist, is already accustomed to the lifestyle. One weekend the two drive down to Roy’s hometown of Eloe, Louisiana to visit Roy’s parents. The visit always causes tension between the two as Celestial is sure that Roy’s mum doesn’t like her. Mums, is anyone good enough for their boys? Insisting on keeping the peace Roy books a hotel for him and his wife to stay in. As you can imagine Roy’s mum isn’t impressed, but he wants to get the perfect balance.
During a heated argument between Roy and Celestial in their hotel room, Roy shouts a safeword - their first date, and they take a 15 minute break. Roy heads out to fill their ice bucket and bumps into a woman who needs assistance. He helps her out to her room and returns to his wife. That simple gesture costs him his freedom as in the middle of the night the police boot down him and his wife’s hotel room and he is arrested for rape. Except he couldn’t have done it as he was with Celestial during the alleged timeframe.
Denied bail, it’s just the beginning of what turns into a conviction and a 12 year sentence issued to Roy after the law determines that he is guilty.
Suddenly their roles change and heartbreak takes different forms. Celestial has to battle through trying to further her career without the man who has been her rock and has believed in her the most, as well as supporting her husband through his grief. Their marriage becomes prison visits, letter writing and voucher top ups. The one person she has to support her through this time is her best friend Andre who she leans on, they are childhood friends. 2 years into Roy’s sentence Celestial decides this is no longer a marriage. She can be a friend, but she’s had longer away from her husband than with her husband at this point.
5 years into Roy’s sentence, his lawyer gets the conviction overturned and Roy is released from prison. He wants his old life back. And at the very least his wife, who hasn’t divorced him. How true are the vows “for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part” in a situation like this?
“It isn’t it is a fiction book but, that is what hit me. You only have to look at the stories of the Exonerated 5/ Central Park 5, who were wrongly convicted of attempted murder, rape, assault and robbery and served 6+ years each before getting their sentences overturned to know it’s not fictional to everyone.”
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
This is one of those books that you’ll easily ignore on the bookshelf. Between the title and the cover it doesn’t stand out and it didn’t gas me up at all. They both came across too simple. But… if you overlook this book you will be missing out majorly. I have my Instagram book community to thank for putting me on to this title. It kept coming up on my timeline so I decided 2 years later to pick it up. I devoured this book within a day. Once you pick up this book, putting it down is a struggle. You want to keep reading, you feel like you must keep going. And just when you think you’re on track with the story, something happens that stresses you out all over again.
On a surface level, An American Marriage’s plot is nothing out of the ordinary, saying that I could just be desensitized to the narrative of families being torn about when black men, in particular, get sent to prison on elongated sentences, pleading their innocence. But when you dig down, it is really deep. The way that the author Tayari carries the story is something really special though. She covered issues with race and the legal system in such an inclusive way. African American’s make up 33% of the prison population, meanwhile only 12% of the United States population. That don’t make sense! Whilst people will have different views on the why to those statistics, I’m going to swerve because I could write a whole post about that sentence alone…
An American Marriage is the sort of the book that I think everyone who reads will be able to relate to on some level. More then, anyone, it makes you really think about what marriage means to you.
At some parts, I was shouting and cussin at the book because I was so enraged and moved and I don’t see myself being the exception in this case. Very much the rule. Exploring the ripple effect of a conviction on the lives of those closest to the person convicted created really intimate moments and unforgettable insight.
I appreciated the book covering the ongoing story, chapter to chapter first hand from the perspectives of three characters: Roy who gets convicted of a crime. Celestial, Roy’s wife. And Andre, Celestial’s childhood friend and Roy’s University homeboy. If it had just been from one perspective it wouldn’t have made the impact it did on me. One perspective would have just created sympathy. The three took it to a different level, and really drove home that despite the love and good intentions time really does not wait for anyone.
Empowering is definitely not a word I would use to describe the book. Reflective would be the best word, afterall A man has had years of his life taken from him, and is dealt with blows on blow when he comes out on the other side. He’s come out of prison a broken man.
“Ours was a love story, the kind that’s not supposed to happen to black girls anymore. This was vintage romance made scarce after Dr. King, along with Negro-owned dress shops, drugstores, and cafeterias.”
Favourite Character
I didn’t have a definite favourite character. As the story played out there were times that I sided with a character’s views or actions, and then there were instances that I side eyed them and then had to pause the book and question how I would respond being in the situation. I will say though that I respected Roy Senior the most. He wasn’t a core character but his heart and values were in the right place, and boy did he love his wife. Grab the tissues… it made me reflect on how I think love like that doesn’t exist anymore. The man refused to let the funeral people fill his wife’s grave. After the funeral he shovelled it all himself, he felt it was his duty as a husband. You know them people who don’t speak too much, but when they do their presence is strong. That is Roy Senior.
Although, I didn’t have a favourite character I had a character that I proper disliked. Andre- I couldn’t take to him at all, and felt from the beginning he had the potential to be an opportunist. In my notes I’ve written “Andre: Nasty. Sneaky as fuck”
It Hit me When
Whilst I was at my cousin’s house shouting at the book, she asked me if the book was non-fiction. And it isn’t it is a fiction book but, that is what hit me. You only have to look at the stories of the Exonerated 5/ Central Park 5, who were wrongly convicted of attempted murder, rape, assault and robbery and served 6+ years each before getting their sentences overturned to know it’s not fictional to everyone. The film on Netflix, When You See Us on is based on the Central Park 5. I’m currently watching a Netflix series looking at the World’s toughest prisons and the host, Raphael Rowe, was sentenced to life with no parole after getting convicted in the UK of murder and robbery. After 12 years his conviction was overturned. WILDDDDD!
Length
310 pages and wait for it…. It includes 15 book club questions. The questions featured are really thought provoking. For example: “You may have noticed that Tayari Jones does not specify the race of the woman who accuses Roy of rape. How did you picture this woman?”
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
my burning question
My scotch bonnet burning question would be to Celestial. What does marriage mean to you? I’ve read the book, and I soaked up her perspective and journey but I still struggle to truly knoe what marriage means to her. I mean this is a woman who knew that her husband didn’t commit the crime, so she wasn’t fighting the internal question of could he be guilty?
My First Audiobook Experience
I’m still undecided if I’m going to make audiobooks a regular thing. I have questions… I mean are audiobook experiences genre specific? What genres are audiobook gold? And what audiobooks should I abort the mission on?
I finally did it. I completed my first audiobook. Considering I’m an audio addict and book lover you’d think that I would have jumped on the audiobook trend years ago. But I’m so old school, I’ve always appreciated picking up a book, holding it and turning the pages.
I’m still undecided if I’m going to make audiobooks a regular thing. I have so many questions… I mean are great audiobook experiences genre specific? What genres are audiobook gold? And what audiobooks should I abort the mission on?
My first time had to be special, so I listened to a novel by Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison was an American novelist, book editor and University professor. She was also the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Cue in her novel… Beloved. The book was narrated by her, which I thought was extra special because she’s no longer alive. That’s the beauty of audio, it’s timeless. Anyway, go hard or go home, so I needed to start strong with a literary legend. I can feel the magic in listening to an audiobook written by an author. They know the story, they know what parts to emphasize. Where you need to pause and take a breather. And I felt that with Toni’s narration. Plus her voice and tone matched the book really setting the tone.
10 +hours of the audio seemed like a big commitment though and still does. Even though it probably takes the same amount of time to read a book I definitely felt more aware of the time. I like to read at my own pace, and I’m generally a fast reader, so audiobooks take away that freedom from me. Also, I noticed my mind drifting to other thoughts as I was listening to the book. “What is for dinner?” “I know people with the name of the people mentioned in the book.” With a physical book, my mind is so focused on reading and mentally I’m in the book.
With audio, I flip in and out of concentration after 30 minutes, whereas I can read for hours. For example, I’m writing this post now and listening to an RnB playlist. I can hear the music in the background. But only when I pause typing does the music come to the front of my mind and I start singing the lyrics.
I enjoyed Toni Morrison’s Beloved but I don’t recommend it as the best book to start your audiobook experience with. The plot is supposed to set you into a sense of confusion, and it took me a while to settle into what was going on. I’d recommend something lighter like Michelle Obama’s Becoming. Hearing her narrate is surely only a bonus as her memoir book is a fully seasoned read. You can find my full review here of Becoming as a warm up.
Are you an audiobook fan? Should I give audiobooks another try?
Kingdom of Souls - The Last Witchdoctor
The book is so refreshing. Partly because of the timing, and because it is just magical. How would I describe the book? Definitely intense, very intense…
By Rena Barron
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Released: 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Watch the Breakdown
This story is all about betrayal, love and adventure. Where myths and hear-say become reality or at least part of it. Magic is everywhere around Arrah, she can see it but she can’t use it. Arrah comes from a lineage of important witchdoctors on both sides of her family. Her father, the son of the Aatari tribe’s leader, even calls her ‘Little Priestess’ Which makes it all the more disappointing that she can’t channel what should be her birthright. She craves magic. And whilst lurking in the shadows, where she shouldn’t be, discovers that there is a way to call magic, but it comes at a proper cost. It takes years away from your life, literally.
Whilst visiting her family in the tribal area for the Blood Moon Festival, Arrah goes through a yearly ritual of tests with the Chieftain, her grandmother, to try and awaken her magic. She’s coming up to the age of sixteen, no one has ever come into magic naturally after that age. Even her grandmother breaking the ancestral ritual bringing Arrah into the magic circle doesn’t awaken it. One thing that does come out of that festival is a vision that her grandmother has, and the fact that there is a green-eyed serpent hovering around Arrah. A strong one that challenges her grandmother and brings fear to her.
When children start going missing from her town, Arrah makes the ultimate sacrifice in order to catch the child snatcher, by trading her years. Familiars keep appearing around her city. They are said to be the souls that got lost, where they appear death follows. Finding the child snatcher is just the beginning of Arrah’s worries though and the journey she sets out on is testing. The fate of the world is in her hands, and each time she uses magic she’s dying. Can she make things right before she runs out of time?
I don’t want to ruin the story. But I’ll say that when you insert green-eyed demons, cravens, orishas and a half-human half-demon into the mix the plot is popping.
“The green-eyed serpent.” Grandmother says after a weary breath, “is said to be a symbol of demon magic.”
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
The book is so refreshing. Partly because of the timing, and because it is just magical. The story is about magic but the plot, the content and the characters all added to the sparkle. How would I describe the book? Definitely intense, very intense, real dark, fascinating, and unpredictable. The book had me attention from start to finish, and one night I actually stayed up all night because finishing the book seemed more important than sleeping. (P.S: I like my sleep)
When I went to my bookcase I had one rule. I was not going to pick up a book about race or racism. That didn’t mean the book I picked up would be good though! Spoiler: this book is a full blown fireworks display litty! This is my first time reading Rena Barron and I connect with her writing.
I felt that there were quite a few characters but they all had a purpose. That’s usually my complaint, “why so many characters?” But the clear connection and bonds made even someone who wasn’t around for long like little Kofi make me feel emotion when he was killed. I enjoyed the other characters coming into their own more and more towards the end of the book. Because it’s a 3 part series, I’m hoping this is a set up to get to know them more.
The book was oozing in details. A lot of detail went into the characters physically, especially the 5 different tribes and their attributes. With all that detail, take away the fact that I can’t sew, I could definitely creatively direct the wardrobe for the cast if a movie were to be made. *Just throwing it out there*
I’m feeling sentimental but this is why I’m so big on diverse voices and authors. I was ready to rule out fantasy books. The few I’d read just didn’t do it for me. Even though the book is fantasy you can picture and clearly feel the inspiration from the African continent. I’d say in particular West Africa. The different tribes, calling on the ancestors for support when facing challanges and the overall spirituality throughout the book are uplifting and pay homage.
The Orisha’s/ God’s input were valuable. Every now and then there would be a dialogue, only a couple of pages, of them reflecting on things. I’d describe it as someone whispering in your ear a story whilst the main plot is brewing. I looked forward to those parts because I knew what was going on in the story, but the WHY element was sometimes unclear. The Orisha’s always knew why.
“The Aatiri do not walk or leap, for clouds of magic carry them. Grandmother’s silver locs coil on top of her head like a crown, and she wears half-dozen necklaces of teeth. The Aatiri are tall and lean with prominent cheekbones and wiry hair braided like mine. Their skin is as beautiful as the hour of ösana.”
Favourite Character
Arrah was my favourite character. She had so much depth to her and even though was scared she was always courageous. Arrah’s journey was really something. I think though that even if the children hadn’t disappeared she would have still found an excuse to call magic. Cravings and attachment really can be your downfall.
The bond between Arrah and her father made me love Arrah’s character even more, as a stand alone character he wasn’t special but how he loved and cherished her and knowing the love she had for him was everything.
It was a hard choice picking my favourite character in this book, because the characters all felt very real. They weren’t just names or faces. They had so much substance.
It Hit me When
When I read through my notes and thought about how the theme of love was explored throughout the book: The sacrifices people are willing to make for love. How those that claim to love you can hurt you the most. How love can make you blind. When the main character Arrah found out who was kidnapping the children, it was a heart stopping moment. Imagine thinking you know someone truly, then you find out the cruel things they are capable of doing.
Length
439 pages, which includes an interview right at the end with the author Rena Barron. It was the perfect length, and I saw on instagram that the sequel is coming out soon!
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
The big quote
“Blood rains down on the Kingdom. Puddles of it turn into lakes and lakes turn into raging rivers.”
Forced Out
This book questions to the core how an establishment with such clear prejudice and racism can really protect and serve the people? After all, this book shows that they don’t even respect the differences in ‘their own’.
By Kevin Maxwell
Genre: Non-fiction
Publisher: Granta Books
Gifted*
Watch the Breakdown
Forced Out is a memoir/ exposé providing an insight into the day-to-day operations of the British Police Force. Told from the experiences of Kevin Maxwell, a mixed-race/Black gay man. Kevin Maxwell was raised in a working-class home in Liverpool with a clear vision of his future career. Regardless of other peoples views growing up he believed in the work of the Police and wanted to join. He followed through and in 2001 started working for the Force. That wasn’t before he received a phone call just before his start date delaying it. It came out years later, unknown to Kevin, that Manchester police had stalled his application because Merseyside Police had troubled his brother who was in the process of holding them accountable. His brother received damages but was never apologised to.
Kevin quickly learned that his expectations and reality of the Police Force were in two different parties. During his training a memo was put out telling the ‘ethnic’ intake to meet up for a photo shoot, it was for a media campaign to show the public the police were committed to equal opportunities. Kevin declined, but the racial divide was clear even from then. Throughout his years working for both Greater Manchester and London’s Metropolitan Police forces, Kevin was subjected to homophobia, transparent racism and outright prejudice, by the hands of the force. Resulting in significant mental health problems and eventually an employment tribunal, which took what little of him he had left.
This book questions to the core how an establishment with such clear prejudice and racism can really protect and serve the people? After all, this book shows that they don’t even respect the differences in ‘their own’.
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
More than anything else I feel disappointment. I’ve had questionable experiences with the Police, read articles, and seen way too many videos that show how police discriminate certain groups of people, but to read so clear cut from an insider’s first-hand account how they treat their staff and intentionally target people is madness. I hate tick boxing exercises but HELLO!!! This is someone who could have really helped the force. A gay, black man, from the hood who signed up to the force off of his own back, and the results. STOP IT!
It takes it from potential paranoia, and cases being the exception to really acknowledging these things have been the norm not unrelated exceptions. More than anything it highlights popular belief, particularly in Black and Asian communities, that the police is institutionally racist and doesn’t serve the people. Big things said there, I know I know. Let me back my views up.
As a nation, Britain looks at America judging their police brutality and racism but you really don’t have to look ‘across the pond.’ This book was written before the murder of George Floyd in America. This is the police that was declared institutionally racist after the handling of the murder investigation of Stephen Lawrence in 1992. This year alone it’s gone public that a Black bank manager is suing the Metropolitan Police for racial discrimination and profiling after a 26-month investigation that saw charges of firearms, money laundering and terrorism rise and is dropped against him.
On a side note, I appreciated the information but found the writing tone of this book to be really bland. the exposé was informative, but the memoir was dry, there was no charisma to it. The information and insight that came from the book are the most important, so I can live without it being engaging.
It Hit me When
I realised that the Police job is a part sales gig. To learn that they have targets and league tables was a real shock to me. I’m all here wondering if they get a commission.
“Being the best cop in the station no longer meant being the one who could talk someone down from the rooftop or comfort a family after the death of a young child. Now, the best cop was the one who made the most arrests, gave out the most traffic tickets, and produced the most paperwork.”
Call me naive but I certainly didn’t realise that there were quotas and targets to be met within departments.I found 2 things in particular to be chilling: Landing cards, Stop & Search procedures.
“A young black person is walking or cycling along a high street when he is stopped by the police. The reasons for the stop don’t matter. The officer asks if he is known to the police. The young person says no. Because this is how he is programmed the officer doesn’t believe this. After the officer has made his checks, the young person is confirmed as ‘not known’ and sent on his way. The officer, not wanting a complaint, places the young person on the criminal intelligence database by recording the stop. Now we have a young person who is not a criminal, and has never been in trouble with the police, appearing on a criminal database. Two weeks pass, and the young person is walking along the same, or another street. Again, he is stopped, by different officers. He is again asked to account for his presence and if he is known to the police. He says no. Technically, he is right. But to the officers, he has lied. The database lists him as known.”
To have a target for Stop & Search/ Stop & Talk procedures is so dangerous. When it is was broken down in the book it hit me how the system is really affecting people. People are ending up with criminal records and being listed on the criminal database for no ethical or legal reason. They are being dragged into a system. And one potential wrong turn during these procedures can have major knock on effects.
“In order to keep up their stop figures, my colleagues would attend the immigration desks, mainly when they were unstaffed, and take a handful of landing cards that had been filled in by passengers who had long gone. They would sift through the cards, looking for what they considered non-white names. These passengers would then be processed, using the information from the cards, and put onto a police database as if they had been stopped.”
Imagine you enter England at Heathrow airport, you fill in your landing card as per the requirement and go about your day. To find out that peoples details are being used by the Police wrongly, to help them achieve their targets is mindblowing. The book talks about officers who have chilled in the booths in the airport all day, not even being bothered to do their jobs and then like clockwork towards the end of their shift going fishing for landing cards. C’mon this is clear behaviour of people who believe they are untouchable.
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
Length
332 pages, including the acknowledgement and notes. The book is way too long. The writing style isn’t engaging at all.
*Gifted by Granta Books
Becoming
Honestly, I tried so hard to stay level headed but the more I read the more I got lost in the sauce. By chapter 2 I was captivated by the autobiography. Michelle’s story isn’t an “I was saved and luck put me on” type of autobiography.
Michelle Obama
Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Viking
The Truth, and nothing but the truth
All I knew about Michelle Obama when I picked up the book was that she was the wife of Barack Obama, the first Black President of the United States. The end. I had no interest or knowledge of her as an individual but knew that everyone seemed to be really hyped over this woman. I was indifferent but in the back of mind thought it could all be overrated, like I’ve found other gassed up books. I’ve also read complaints online that people have rated this book 5* because of who Michelle is, rather than her book being able to stand on her own. I’m not American, or majorly in politics. Yes I’m Black and I’d be lying if I said having Barack Obama in his position didn’t ignite black pride, but Michelle’s book hasn’t got an automatic 5*… Nah you got to earn this All-Purpose Seasoning stamp! I had the book on my bookshelf for well over 2 years before deciding to read it. Fast forward to Rona season, May 2020 and like many I found myself with more time on my hands so I reached for the book. Totally coincidental that Netflix announced Michelle Obama’s documentary was coming out whilst I was reading her book.
The breakdown
Becoming is Michelle Obama’s autobiography. It’s all about the life of Michelle Robinson who was born and raised in South Side Chicago. Raised in an apartment, above her Great Aunt who taught piano lessons, with her parents and older brother. Michelle opens up her life, with even the smallest details from her childhood, her family members teachings and her journey to university and further. The most famous further being from 2009-2017 when she was the First Lady of the United States. Michelle paints her story in her own words and colourful it is. Including her heartbreak- the death of her father who had MS but kept on going right to the very end. And her career as an attorney in the type of buildings she used to be mesmerised by as a kid. The book is split into three sections: Becoming Me, Becoming Us and Becoming More, giving you her reflections on everything up to now.
Is That How You’re Feeling Yeah
Honestly, I tried so hard to stay level headed but the more I read the more I got lost in the sauce. By chapter 2 I was captivated by the autobiography. Michelle’s story isn’t an “I was saved and luck put me on” type of autobiography. I’m a detail lover and this book was definitely extremely detailed and written in a way that kept me super engaged. An example of nothing being overlooked is Michelle writing about every job she ever had. Did she run through her CV? Yeah, and I was here for it because I was able to see an overview of her progress and upward journey. My thing is if you’re going to give me a story you need to give me the full story. I don’t want 50% or even 85%!
I loved how through reading about Michelle’s life she went from being a person behind the glass to someone so relatable and in my case a wise aunty-like figure. The more I read, the closer she got towards me. Yes, she became the “lady in the White House'“ but she was also Michelle who had been about that life when she thumped the girl from her neighbourhood in the face. The girl was constantly being stink to Michelle so she levelled up the game. She was Michelle who let her man, Barack Obama, know if he wasn’t going to get used to speaking to her on the phone during their long-distance relationship she’d find another man “who would listen”, and she was Michelle who alongside her studies created a side hustle looking after the children of the staff in her university.
Michelle hasn’t forgotten that she’s black! Hold up, let me break it down before you say duh! I find that with a lot of celebrities and high profile people as they get higher they become or maintain silence on issues like race. The mindset that if they made it big then things like race disappear and no longer matter, but not with Michelle. She’s made it clear throughout the book her journey as a black woman navigating spaces, the demographic struggles, and most importantly for me she hasn’t used it for pity or to throw shade. And as she has risen she has made efforts to put a sister on. Be it by helping to hire them, celebrating and sharing memories of those that nurtured her, providing mentor sessions, or giving talks in underserved communities.
No competition though, her upbringing was one of my favourite things to read about. How her love of music came from her Grandad Southside who loved jazz and bought her first record. How she had regular piano lessons with her Great-aunt who lived underneath her. I was especially interested in learning about the way that her parents raised her and her brother. She recounted so vividly the tools she learned from early, and the family vibes she breathed.
“Even if we didn’t know the context, we were instructed to remember that context existed. Everyone on this earth, they’d tell us was carrying around an unseen history, and that alone deserved some tolerance.”
It Hit Me When
When it became clear to me of the many sacrifices Michelle made in order for Barack to get to his goal and overall vision. The times throughout the book where it seems like she was very much a single mother keeping everything together. You can tell she loves her husband, but she’s also not naive and put him on a pedal stool. She has reflected on the occasions where she has pulled back. She really invested, supported and championed Barack’s vision.
“Our decision to let Barack’s career proceed as it had - to give him the freedom to shape and pursue his dreams - led me to tamp down my own efforts at work. Almost deliberately, I’d numbed myself somewhat to my ambition, stepping back in moments I’d usually step forward.”
On a lighter note it also hit me when I realised Michelle had vivid nightmares like me. No joke, sometimes I wake up at 3 in the morning sweating, grab my phone or notepad and write out the horror I’ve experienced and then I pass out again. In her nightmare that she has written about the Secret Service have arranged a surprise for her family at the White House. In their garden there are 4 big cats: a lion, tiger, panther and cheetah. The staff assured Michelle that they were sedated and could be pet and as soon as the family went to touch them the animals started chasing the family. Listen, I don’t live that kind of lifestyle and she didn’t make it clear it was a dream at first so my jaw was hanging thinking about how crazy the situation must have been. Then she mic drops at the end that it was a nightmare and I was mad flustered, because I really thought it was real. Michelle had mt there. She’s funny, for sure!
“I saw the panther’s eyes tracking us, the tiger’s ears flattening just a little. Then, without warning, the cheetah shot out from the shade with blinding speed, rocketing right at us. I panicked, grabbing Sasha by the hand, sprinting with her back up the lawn to the house, trusting that Barack and Malia were doing the same.”
Spill the tea!
Barack baited Michelle into arguing with him about marriage at the dinner table before he proposed. He didn’t believe in marriage but for Michelle it was important. It was an ongoing argument they had and he wanted one last argument knowing full well the waiter was on his way with the engagement ring that he was going to propose with!
Who Should Read It
I think the book is universal, everyone needs a copy on their book shelf. I would especially recommend it to anyone who is questioning what they bring to the table because of their early beginnings though. And young black girls, of course, Michelle Obama is a role model to many but especially to young black girls.
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
Big Quote
“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously towards a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”
Have you read the book? Do you agree with me or do you think it’s overrated?
4 Poetry books that banged in 2019
Out of the poems I read some took me down memory lane, and a select few that were new to me screamed out fire in the booth leaving their mark. These 4 books that I am co-signing all comfortably bring their own seats to the table and the results are melanated magic.
2019 has really given me the opportunity to read a lot of poetry. Poetry throughout my school-life left me feeling disengaged and made me mentally lock poetry in a box that read ‘Do not open.’ I’m glad I unlocked the box this year. Out of the poems I read some took me down memory lane, and a select few that were new to me screamed out fire in the booth leaving their mark. These 4 books that I am co-signing all comfortably bring their own seats to the table and the results are melanated magic.
By Sophia Thakur
Book: Somebody Give This Heart A Pen
Publisher: Walkers Books
Release Date: October 2019
I’ve been following British-Gambian poet Sophia Thakur, on Instagram for a while now after coming across her spoken performances online and I was impatiently awaiting this collection.
Newsflash, this collection does not disappoint. To describe Sophia Thakur’s collection in one sentence, combining the soulful vibe of singer Jorja Smith and poet r.h Sin’s ability to mind read and you have Sophia Thakur's intimate and soulful collection. Insert Lauryn Hill - Killing Me Softly.
“Time away from belonging to an “us”
allowed my preferences to become personal again
and really I never liked your sharp tongue
nor the nature of your crew
those were the things I once contested
and then just became accustomed to.
”
The collection is broken down into 4 parts which make the process Grow, Wait, Break and Grow Again and provides a real intimate journey through universal topics such as love, loss, faith and self discovery. Most importantly, the collection has the power to make you want to look into yourself and evaluate where you’re currently. Risky Nostalgia was the ultimate stand out poem for me, I connected with it so deeply and it had me looking sideways whilst reading the poem out in public because it made me feel really vulnerable. I remember thinking that I was being watched because the poem seemed way too personal to me.
Bangalanging poems:
Risky Nostalgia, Excerpt from a Letter to My Little Black Girl and When to Write.
“Run your fingers through your Afro, a tree that this whole culture breathes from.”
By Morgan Parker
Book: Magical Negro
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Release Date: February 2019
Magical Negro is Morgan Parker’s second book and yo we have to protect Morgan Parker at all costs! This poetry collection is real raw leaving you with WOW spilling out of your mouth. I love how versatile Morgan’s poetry is. It definitely makes you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster. You could be reading a confrontational poem, followed immediately by a jokey poem that plays on stereotypes, and then be thrown deep into a poem about the politics in America. This work of art is dipped in vulnerability and explores everyday blackness, and at the very core both the pain and magic of being a Black woman in the US.
“Lead us not into white neighbourhoods,
Deliver us from microaggressions.
Blessed are those who mourn, we who
are a blood built on a hill of embers
We no mail-order hipster black wife.”
Magical Negro #80: Brooklyn really caught my eye with its twist on a popular Christian prayer ‘The Lord’s Prayer’, it had me laughing out way too loud when I connected the dots. The collection is really powerful and I love how structured the collection is, with it being split into 3 sections. The poem titles and the section titles don’t come to play! - Let Us Now praise Famous Magical Negroes, Field Negro Field Notes and Popular Negro Punchlines.
Bangalanging poems:
Magical Negro #3: The Strong Black Woman, Let’s Get Some Better Angels at This Party, If You Are Over Staying Woke.
“Be honest when you’re up to it. Otherwise
drink water
lie to yourself
turn off the news
skip the funerals”
By Jay Bernard
Book: Surge
Publisher: Chatto & Windus
Release Date: June 2019
In 2016 just after the Brexit vote, Jay was invited to become a writer at the George Padmore Institute, a centre that focuses on black radical history in Britain. They had a key interest in the New Cross Fire and the poetry collection Surge was born. The collection whilst drawing on some emotion provoking incidents finds a way to insert flavour and Jamaican patois.
“Mudda she ah cry an she nah have no shoes on
Man dem ah look but to help dem refuse
Fren dem shock by di scale ah di loss
”
There is a large focus on the 1981 New Cross Fire which took the lives of 13 young people, and draws similarities to the 2017 Grenfell tower fire. Even though over 30 years apart, the narrative surrounding the incidents mirror each other and the collection doesn’t shy away from highlighting how frightening and infuriating it is that incidents have lacked accountability!
Bangalanging poems:
+, Proof and Blank.
“It is said that several thousand people marched in the rain from -
And now what is there, ___? What do we have to show for -”
Robert M.Drake, rh.Sin
Book: Empty Bottles Full of Stories
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Release Date: March 2019
Chances are before you know who the poets are Robert M.Drake and r.h.Sin are you’ve read their poems and have screenshots of their words on your phone. I’ve definitely got more than I can count. Taking advantage of the social media medium both men with their relateable and empowering poetry have become females real life cheerleaders, therapists, healers and are a refreshing reminder that not “all men are trash.”
“I think
you care
too much
but you pretend
as if
nothing bothers you.
I think
you want people
to miss you
but only
the right ones.”
Teaming up the two authors have provided some heart and thought provoking poetry, with Robert M.Drake focusing on the Curse, with some political poems and r.h Sin dishing out the sort of poems that ‘G check’ you and pierce through layers screaming into your heart to get you away from any unhealthy relationships. Effectively helping to reignite the good old 90s RnB with some soulful poetry.
Bangalanging poems:
The first shot, Too late, Relateable through sex.
“You’re not weak. Why? Well because you’re strong enough to love even when that love isn’t returned.”
Sophia Thakur and Morgan Parker’s books were gifted*