June has been a strange, unsettling month, of high tension, of long overdue attention on black lives mattering, and of educating ourselves to learn more, do more and be better.
Award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race (34 of 52) is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary examination of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today, which is a powerfully moving read for people from other countries too. Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the inextricable link between class and race, the systemic racism that is so deeply entrenched in so many institutions, and the terrible way some white feminists treat black feminists (I was devastated to discover this), I definitely recommend it. It’s heartbreaking and devastating and uncomfortable to read, but it needs to be read, and heard, and then something needs to be done. I bought the audiobook, which is beautifully, passionately and clearly narrated by the author. The book grew out of a blog Reni wrote in 2014, called Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, about her frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were being led by those who weren’t affected by it. The post went viral, and she has, ironically, spent much of her time since having vital conversations with white people about race. The book won awards on its release in 2017, and last month it became the first book by a black British author to top the paperback non-fiction charts in the UK. The audiobook topped the Audible charts too. It’s awful that it took such tragedy and pain to get people to listen, but I’m glad we finally are. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Reni, then bought the paperback too so I can refer back to various parts. (And I just saw that Reni also has a podcast, About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge, which I’ll check out at some point…)
The Hand, The Eye & The Heart by Zoe Marriott (35 of 52) is a beautiful story of love, courage and discovering your true self. The characters are all richly drawn and complex, the plot is tightly woven with some great twists, and the gender fluidity of the MC is touchingly explored. I’m not the biggest fan of battles and training and warriors and warcraft, yet I was sucked in to the story and had to know what happened – there were a few very late nights staying up reading. It’s very loosely inspired by the Ballad of Mulan, but has little in common with Disney’s version – it’s its own story, with its own characters, situations and plot. Thank you @read3rz_revu for the gift! There has been some controversy over the English author setting the book in a fantasy world based on ancient China, and I admit this did make me feel a little uncomfortable about reading it, or sharing about it. I’m glad this is now a conversation and a consideration though, and it’s certainly something authors are discussing at great length. While writing, Zoe had several beta readers as well as sensitivity readers of Chinese and East Asian heritage, including a Chinese professor of English. And while she identifies as queer, she isn’t trans, so she had advice and support from several trans and non-binary people while she was writing, and once it was finished, had two trans sensitivity readers, including one of her closest friends. Knowledge and attitudes have shifted so much, and so quickly, in this area, which is a good thing. I’m not sure the vicious cancel culture of the YA community is the most positive way forward though, when an author who called out a fellow writer and got her book cancelled then had to pull his own for similar reasons, and when readers go around one-starring and commenting viciously about books they haven’t actually read. We are all learning and growing, and publishing is opening its doors to more writers, and people want to read more own-voices stories and experiences, which is all so wonderful. I hope the conversations will continue.
Growing Up Aboriginal In Australia (36 of 52), edited by wonderful author Anita Heiss, was awarded Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year at the ABIAs. It’s a heart-wrenching, sad, inspiring, awful, truthful, hopeful, eye-opening, educational and important anthology that showcases many diverse voices and experiences, and reveals the heartbreaking impacts of invasion and colonisation. Each piece speaks to the heart, calling for empathy, challenging stereotypes, and commanding respect, and sharing so many touching true stories about the lives of Aboriginal people in Australia today. Contributors include Tony Birch, Deborah Cheetham, Adam Goodes, Terri Janke, Patrick Johnson, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Jack Latimore, Celeste Liddle, Amy McQuire, Kerry Reed-Gilbert, Miranda Tapsell, Jared Thomas, Aileen Walsh, Alexis West, Tara June Winch, and many, many more. Dr Anita Heiss is the author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction, poetry, social commentary and travel articles, a Lifetime Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central NSW.
I don’t read a lot of women’s contemporary fiction, but I’ve been reading Canadian author Heather Wardell’s books since the first one came out in 2013 (Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo – which is free on all platforms), and have really enjoyed them all. One in particular I absolutely loved, and still think about (Planning To Live – although Heather told me this book is a love or hate one for her fans, which intrigues me). Her new book The Menopause Support Group (37 of 52) is a wonderful read – the characters are complex and real, all of them flawed and at times annoying, but as their pain and vulnerability is revealed, you can’t help but feel compassion for them and cheer them on as they learn more about themselves and each other. The friendships that develop are beautiful, and the support they give each other is really touching. It’s a wonderful read with lots of heart, the odd plot surprise, and a lovely message of love, friendship, support, second-chances, new dreams, and hope when you thought there would never be any again. And Heather’s newsletter is my favourite author one, with a free short story most months, pics of her adorable rescue cat, and a really engaging writing style and connection with her readers.
This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by Aurelia Durand (38 of 52), is definitely worth reading. I opened it to find a line to post for an Instagram challenge – and ended up reading half the book immediately. This line really touched me: “You are made up of all the stories you cannot wait to share, and those you don’t want to tell, and everything in between…” Although it was written for young people facing racism, it’s an important read for ALL people, simplifying complex issues and offering exercises to get you thinking about your own understanding, your own biases, your own privilege, and what you can do to help. It’s no longer enough to not be racist, we have to be anti-racist…
How could I not love a book about witches and wizards, kings and queens, evil forests and enchanted trees, that’s inspired by folk and faery tales, and has two awesome feisty young women at the centre? Uprooted by Naomi Novik (39 of 52) was a lovely read, despite me not especially caring about war and battle strategies, and I loved the way Agnieszka’s character and magic developed over the course of the story, and how connected she was to nature and the trees and the earth. It’s long, and a little grim (what faery tale isn’t!?), but beautifully written, and now I guess I should try to find where I put my copy of Naomi’s book Spinning Silver. (I have so many boxes of books to read, I really need to stop buying new ones and read what I have – but there are so many amazing new ones I just have to have too! My willpower is non-existent when it comes to books, but I guess it’s not the worse vice I could have!)
“The magic in Uprooted, with its realistic moral dimension, is so vividly believable that it almost seems you could work the spells. But the book will do that for you.” Ursula K. Le Guin
“Uprooted by Naomi Novik is enchanting, in every sense of that fine old word. A charming and inviting story that looks unflinchingly at the strangling roots of hurt and revenge.” Robin Hobb
Read about the eight books I read in May here.
Read about the twelve books I read in April here.
Read about the four books I read in March here.
Read about the four books I read in February here.
Read about the six books I read in January here.
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