HELLO HELLO Friday* is here and that means you get to read another Friday debrief!
You know the drill, every week some of our glorious writers let us know what they have been reading this week. As always the full list is also available for easy browsing in our US and UK Bookshops! If you buy any of the books in our shops, not only are you actively supporting us and our work but you are also supporting independent bookstores with 10% of your purchase going directly to them at no extra cost to yourself, and all carbon emissions are offset! Good vibes all round. Now enough chat, big love and here is this week's debrief!
The End of Policing by Alex Vitale - Maggie
Love expanding my learning on prison and police abolition, this one has me filling my discussion toolbox with policing alternatives like harm reduction, legalization, and restorative justice. Worth the read!
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner - Melissa
Jennifer Weiner is my favorite author; I will pick up her books without even reading the summaries! This one has an element of mystery, which I love, while also still retaining Weiner's humor and wit. I'm about halfway through and can't wait to know more!
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel - Nikki
Feel like I'm the only person who didn't absolutely adore Station Eleven (US & UK) when it came out years ago, but I am LOVING The Glass Hotel. Mandel's writing feels fluid and effortless, and the multiple narrative style is giving me very welcome Cloud Atlas (US & UK) vibes.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers - Mel
In the first few pages the main character, Grace, wakes up in Vegas the night after she got married to a woman whose name she doesn’t even know. Getting some Jasmine Guillory vibes and looking forward to seeing how the heck this turns out.
Buy it from our Bookshop - US.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston - Lucy
I have been anticipating the follow up to Red, White and Royal Blue (US & UK) for ages, it’s so satisfying to finally get my hands on it. I’m trying to read it slowly, to savour it, but it’s so damn devouring! It’s already my favourite read for 2021.
Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi - Karen
Despite everything that's happened or maybe because of it, I find myself thankful to live in the time of such wonderful writers as Emezi. Thankfully they have become a prolific writer with hints of three more books coming out soon which my hungry heart is happy to hear. The feeding that their words provide is unlike anything I've read before. I find myself feeling defensive of humans as a whole but also agreeing with a lot of what Emezi thinks and writes. There is no other writer like them out there and I'll forever be thankful for the satiation that their words bring to my heart and soul. Highly recommend all their words. I just finished reading Freshwater (US & UK) and had to jump to Dear Senthuran right away. The book is written as a series of letters written to people that have made an impact and it feels as if it's stripping the semi part of the semi-autobiographical novel, Freshwater, and allowing us into some recesses of Emezi. I am thankful that they allow us this glimpse, it is not easy to expose ourselves this way.
Antiman: A Hybrid Memoir by Rajiv Mohabir - Areeb
Mohabir is a queer Guyanese Indian immigrant in the US and his memoir explores his heritage as he tries to connect with his roots. The book has a lot of inventive use of language mixing English and Hindi, Bhojpuri and Creole. It's proving to be a fascinating read.
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi - Areeb
This is Emezi's debut novel and my third book by them. I liked both Pet (US & UK) and The Death of Vivek Oji (US & UK) and I am looking forward to Dear Senthuran (US & UK). This one is again very different and unique, I am particularly impressed by the narration and framing.
Rule Of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo - Courtney
So I guess sequels are my thing lately! I had put off reading Rule of Wolves (sequel to King of Scars (US & UK) by Leigh Bardugo) for a few months because I just knew it would be an emotional journey I wasn’t ready for. I was correct that it was going to be emotional but, as expected, I am loving it! It is always such a pleasure to dip back into a fantasy world I know and love!
Shoreditch by Miguel Murphy - Jessica Maria
These poems are visceral and vibrant, while referencing art and history and culture. Looking forward to reading more of Murphy's words.
Buy it from Barrow Street Press here.
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