I have finally succumbed to the audiobook. Although you cannot take the joy away from a physical book, nor the satisfaction of turning the last few pages and placing it on a bookshelf, when books are made available for free on Borrow Box and also conveniently in audio form, meaning I can make jewellery, listen in 1.2x speed and soak in incredible literature – I have become an audiobook convert. A different reading experience, perhaps I’d love it more if it was a physical book, or less if not read by the author itself. After listening to Reni Eddo-Lodge read Why I’m No Longer Talking about Race, there was a greater poignancy attached to her writing when read with her own nuances. Fiction as well takes on a different tone, as we naturally put on different intonations when we read ourself. It’s an interesting one.

A reflection on the way in which the 21st century treats women, in particular Black women, Queenie is a fiction book that highlights very non-fiction micro-aggressions and complicated family relations. It’s a very British book in terms of its humour, which came across when I was listening to it, possibly making me like the book more opposed to if I’d read the physical book. Regardless, I’d recommend it to everyone due to the infuriating but endearing choices of the narrator, internalised racism that is still endemic in today’s society and conversations regarding mental health.

Boy. Oh boy. This book broke my heart in terms of its beauty of form but also the sheer pain and destruction that can be bought to a marriage due to race, class and the American judicial system. Again, although it is fiction, one cannot separate this novel totally with reality; as black men in America are perpetually imprisoned for a crime they did not commit. Jones writes from the perspective of the main characters, perhaps reflecting that every story has not one but a multitude of angles; something which the government often fail to take into account and see only one – race. Out of all the books in this post, this was the most compelling and revealing of outer and inner conflict caused by racism and the long term effects on every facet of life.

A letter written from father to son, Between The World and Me isn’t the longest book so I consumed it in one evening’s listening. But gosh was it poignant. An intimate and revealing reflection on the concerns both for the future but also the history and present situation. From his experience of Howard University, to a report on the systematic racism in America – Coates presents a personal narrative that illuminates the present situation in light of what we hope for; a better future. After my Waterstones trip, I definitely want to pick up The Water Dancer; Coates writes with such fluidity.

After seeing Grace recommend Afropean on Instagram, I quickly downloaded it on Borrow Box. I mentioned it briefly on my post about learning a language in lockdown, but this book is an eye-opener or to quote the endorsement: ‘a revelation’. Johnny Pitts interrails a Europe where Africa is at the forefront and indeed illustrates that Europe is not a functioning continent without Africa’s influence. Every place Pitts visits, from Paris to Stockholm to Marseilles, takes us away from the mainstream narrative of a white Europe and a deeper understanding of Black Europe; a personal narrative as well as a broader one; there is a lyricism in his non-fiction prose. An exploration as well, of what Afropean means to himself and others, and how such elements of culture and lifestyle have been celebrated and subjected to continuing hardship in the 21st century. I may buy the physical copy, to read again and lend to friends.

After waiting for some reserved books on Borrow Box, I decided to give the free trial at Scribd a go (it is an okay subscription service but most of the books I desired weren’t on there so Borrow Box still remains top of my list). Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 lit up as available and recommended so I thought I’d dive in with really knowing the storyline (these are the kind of lockdown risks I’ll take). The structural sexism that is present within South Korea presents itself in this part-fiction, part case study of Kim Jiyoung, who at first disappointed her parents by not being a boy and then is repeatedly subjected to an omnipresent suppression imposed through such sexism.

Having not previously read any South Korean literature before, I was shocked but also compelled to know more about the clear inequalities that are so ingrained in their lives; a compulsion to change their lives leading to fatigue and mental illness. I think I’d have a slightly different view if I’d read the book – it conveyed so much about the inequalities facing women in South Korea, and the interwoven statistics on abortion, working conditions; listening brought this to the fore with huge clarity. Having the privilege to learn and listen to a beautiful translation and then learn of its subsequent debate caused after being published in Korean, in 2016. The context surrounding the book renders it hugely important in learning of Korean misogyny. Thanks to a browse of the reviews on Goodreads, The Vegetarian is heralded as being on a similar vein in breaking down the systematic miysogyny.

Yesterday was the first time I went into a physical bookstore. It was somewhat heartening to see the physical copies of the books I’ve been listening to, but I still stand strong in the fact you cannot beat a physical book. My local library isn’t opening till some point in July, but thanks to discovering the joy of the audiobook I’ve neglected my hoarded stack of library books, as well as those I have bought during lockdown. Naturally, I still bought a book; Women Don’t Owe You Pretty by Florence Given. The irony of this is, the ‘pretty’ cover was a contributory factor in this purchase. Equally, I have nearly finished it and again, would highly recommend. It told me what I needed, and not necessarily wanted, to know about myself and self-reflection in spaces, much like social media, that can both open up and create claustrophobic pockets. Also about self-worth and questioning Many notes being taken!

lots of love, eleanor xx