Just Read It

I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of March already! One minute, I’m staring forlornly out the window at work as it’s tipping down with rain for the fortieth day running (I kid you not, we had over 40 days of rain in the UK at the start of the year!). Next, Spring has sprung, and I’m here, sitting, typing in my local Caffe Nero, marvelling at the blue skies and the feeling that something new, something good, is coming my way. At least that’s what I’m speaking into being!

Ink Book Prize

A great piece of news I’ve been meaning to share is that I’ve returned as one of the fiction judges for the Ink Book Prize for the second year running. I’m delighted to be part of this prize because it rightly affirms the self-publishing community and raises the profile of authors whose work might otherwise go unnoticed in a very crowded, competitive market. Also, I get a first-hand introduction to some great stories and authors. The shortlist will be announced in the summer, so in the meantime, I’ll keep ploughing through those submissions.

What I’m reading…

Even though I haven’t been reviewing books lately, rest assured, I have been reading, albeit sporadically. Obviously, I can’t talk about the Ink Book Prize submissions yet, but there are a couple of books I want to flag. Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite, the long-awaited follow-up to Braithwaite’s debut, My Sister, the Serial Killer.

Generational trauma, self-determinism vs fate are the main themes in this haunting, Nollywood-esque story, as a young woman tries to escape a family curse and the belief that she is the reincarnation of her dead aunt. I loved the story’s mystery, which kept me turning the pages. But towards the end, it felt like it was running out of steam, and by the plot twist/pay off, it didn’t arrive as I’d hoped. Even so, it did not detract from an original and bold story, so I’d definitely recommend.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, about estranged siblings who, after the death of their mother, reunite to find out the truth about her past and their heritage. Like Cursed Daughters, this novel is written in a way to keep you turning the page after several cliffhanging chapters. But as I’d watched the TV series first, I already knew what was coming, so I was more interested in what had been cut from the TV show and/or reframed.

Without giving away any spoilers, I think the right editorial choices were made for the TV show, as it ended quite ambiguously, presumably to leave the option for a second season, whereas the novel goes to great lengths to tie up all the loose ends, which, in some respects, I didn’t feel was necessary.

What I’m writing…

Much like my reading life, writing has been sporadic to the point of virtual absence. But I’ve been encouraged by friends to ‘pick up the pen’ and not give up on the dream! So to keep me honest, I’ve signed up for a writing club in the hopes that the creative juices will be stimulated enough to bring forth something good. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

What I’m listening to…

I’m listening to a lot of gospel music at the moment, as I’m in a pivotal season where much in my life feels very uncertain and uncomfortable.

Gospel music has always been my sanctuary, as the impossible slowly becomes possible, and I’m reminded of who I am and who I’m becoming. Inspiration starts to peek through the dark clouds of my mind, and joy returns to my spirit. Who knows, listening to gospel might even revive my creative inspiration to write that novel.

I’m going to leave it here, but I will be back soon with more book reviews, musings and some more music posts – because you all seem to enjoy those. Till then…