Leaves are changing colour, it getting darker in the evenings and the weather, in the UK at least, remains delightfully erratic – one day sunny and fairly warm and the next overcast, cold and raining. October is most certainly in progress, and all I want to do is curl up in bed with a hot drink, snacks and a book.
But despite my hibernation tendencies, not only have I read, watched and listened to some great content, I have also actually managed to leave the house on occasion. Here’s some highlights of my October so far.
Where I’ve been
It’s Black History Month in the UK and what better way to celebrate than by heading to the Black British Book Festival at the Barbican. Main highlight for me was the session with Diane Abbott MP, where she spoke about resilience and her longetivity as Britain’s first Black woman to be elected to parliament.
What I’m listening to
Speaking of Diane Abbott, I just finished the audiobook of her memoir, A Woman Like Me, read by Diane herself. It was really very enjoyable, and left me in awe of how resilience and consistent she has been throughout her political career, amid much racism and mysogny. I came away very inspired.
What I’m reading
I’m currently reading Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks, about a young woman navigating her through love and loss against a backdrop of dub reggae and social unrest. I don’t want to say too much about it here because I’m probably going to review it. But I am looking forward to seeing Jacqueline in conversation with Alex Wheatle at the Wimbledon Book Festival later this month.
What I’m watching
I just watched a Channel 4 documentary called Defiance, which is all about the Britain Asian community standing up the the National Front in 1970s culminating in the Southall Riot, during which an East London teacher, Blair Peach, was killed, most likely by the Special Branch police force. It’s a very moving three-parter about a period of history, which like a lot of British history pertaining to minorities gets swept away. Coincidently, Fire Rush, which I’m reading at the moment, touches on the Southall Riot.
Just Read It 