February 20, 2020, by Valentina

4 Books To Add To Your Reading List

Nothing is more satisfying to me than picking up some a good book – it relaxes the mind, it’s a source of brain development and learning and it’s an amazing way to unwind! Often when people tell me they don’t read, it’s down to the fact they haven’t found a book they like…

So today, I’m going to recommend four of my favourite titles in the hope that you’ll give them a try!

1. Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A story of love, separation and the experiences of African expatriates in the West. The novel addresses many of the contemporary issues faced by black women in white spaces. It tackles important topics such as interracial relationships, the immigrant experience, race relations in the West, the politics of blackness, etc. All the while, the protagonist attempts to balance her connection to her Nigerian heritage with making a life for herself in the USA – a balance which with every passing year, becomes increasingly difficult.

2. 100 Years of Solitude – Gabriel García Márquez

This is the story of generation after generation of the Buendía family, the founding family of the fictional ‘Macondo’. The town’s metaphorical story is written to reflect the history of the author’s native Colombia. A story of colonial violence, imperialism, tragedy, love, depravity, capitalist greed and the complex spectrum of human emotion – all told through beautifully written prose, magic and vivid symbolism.

3. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton

This is a murder mystery with one of the most page-turning plots I’ve ever come across. It’s complex and riddled with intriguing moments. The main character and narrator must solve a murder in order to escape a time-loop. The problem? They wake up in the body of a different person every single day, taking on their physical bodies and shards of their personalities – which makes solving the mystery that much harder.

4. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge

This book is Reni Eddo-Lodge’s spotlight on how racial issues are so frequently glossed over in British society – how this can range from ignoring everyday microaggressions to fortifying a system based on structural racism. She sheds light on Black British history – one often whitewashed or replaced by an American narrative which fools us into believing that Britain is a ‘post-racial’, ‘colour-blind’ safe haven…a misguided notion! This is a great, educational read. Super important!

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