Friday Book Debrief Vol 23

Every week we’re sharing what our some of our writers are currently reading.

For all of our US readers, we now have our own Bookshop! You can find the full list of the below books here and with every purchase you will be helping local independent bookstores! If you do not live in the US please support your local independent stores, lots are now doing local deliveries and they need your help more then ever in these uncertain times. - ❤️

Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma - Akilah

I didn't know about this book or author until Laila Lalami shared it on Twitter last year. The synopsis excited with its setting in both late 18th century Trinidad and early 19th century North America on Crow Nation land. It is so far as tantalising and beautifully complicated as I hoped.

Buy it here.

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In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware - Lauren

Currently one third of the way through this backlist novel of Ruth Ware’s, and enjoying it very much! Told in dual timelines amidst the setting of an isolated cabin in the woods, you know something bad has happened. I am on the edge of my seat because I know it’s about to go down!

Buy it here.

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The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin - Nikki

Finally getting into one of this sci-fi/fantasy legend's books! I've read five pages, but I'm already excited.

Buy it here.

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Untethered by Hayley Katzen - Courtney

An Australian migrant memoir which beautifully depicts life in a remote part of Australia. Katzen makes this tree-change in the hopes of truly finding “home.” But before she can do that she must confront preconceptions of her own identity in order to fully embrace this new one she has always longed for. I’ve only read 30 pages so far but the way Katzen writes really illuminates the Aussie rural landscape and makes you feel hopeful for the love story & life about to be presented before us.

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It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) by Nora McInerny — Mel

I couldn't agree more with the title, especially now. Though her story, losing her father and husband so close together, is a sad one, she imbues so much humor into her words that it's hard to put down as I laugh and cry along with her.

Buy it here.

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This Bridge Called My Back edited by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa - Marian

I am revisiting the classic feminist text This Bridge Called My Back this week. This pathbreaking collection of work put intersectional feminism on the map years before the concept even existed. This book has been just the shot of energetic feminism that I needed with poems and prose covering issues of race, class, culture, and sexuality.

Buy it here.

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Thresholes by Lara Mimosa Montes - Jessica Maria

I just opened to the first page and I'm already entranced by this poetry collection. And now I must go continue it... review coming soon!

Buy it here.

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She Regrets Nothing by Andrea Dunlop - PL

I needed some good old fashioned millennial New York upper east side D-R-A-M-A, and I am unable to commit to rewatching the entirety of Gossip Girl right now, so this will have to do. (I think it might be better than Gossip Girl anyway).

Buy it here.

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Dorian by Will Self - The Book Slut

Circumnavigating Dorian Gray in the Summer of 1981, the year of the Royal Wedding. Whilst Diana is walking up the aisle, Dorian is in 'what can only be described as a conga line of buggery' unbeknown to him injecting himself with needles contaminated with AIDS. reincarnations of our old friends are there but in new more elaborate drug-addled disguises; Henry Wooten drops the Lord and Basil becomes Baz. Hedonistic and debaucherous, with and an 80s twist and a Will Self flare.

Buy it here.

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SEE YOU NEXT FRIDAY FOR ANOTHER DEBRIEF!

Sending love to wherever you are in the world, from all of us at the book slut. x