Mostly Lit

We sat down with a lot bae, Irenosen Okojie, to get the scoop on her upcoming books but also her writer's journey. We discussed: - Book faves - Bad-ass women of colour in publishing - Changing publishers - Writing process - Writing about London - The magic of short stories Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

This week’s episode is a one of a kind as we are joined in the studio by writer Kalaf Epalanga! You might recognise him as one of the Buraka Som Systema group members and co-founder of record label Enchufada. We discussed: Afrolusophone writing and music Being a member of the diaspora Living in Berlin/ Lisbon How is latest musical novel is an ode to Afrolusophone dances such as Kizomba, kuduro and why he thinks white people can dance too Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

This week’s episode we finally reveal the ins and outs of the Berlin festival both Postcolonial Child and Books and Rhymes attended and we tell you what festivals you need to save your coins and those you should be supporting. We discuss: Our favourite festivals Our worst festival experiences Gatekeepers at festivals Accessibility and audiences Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

We curled up to discuss our favourite reads, why some of us kiss our teeth at self-help, and why others just live for the genre. We discuss: - Queen Bee! Homecoming -What constitute self-help? -Is self-help for a particular demographic -Why is self-help mocked and not taken seriously? - Are self-help gurus dangerous? -Marie Kondo and the magical or not so art of tidying up? Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

Your girls are back again with sipping hot tea and more laughter and singing plus a few surprises for season 2. This week’s episode we dive into the non-fiction World and we come for some of your problematic faves. We discuss: What is nonfiction? The difference between Creative nonfiction and other types of non fiction. Any self help Queens in the building? The rise of African creative nonfiction and the narrative gaps in Black British nonfiction Books mentioned: - The Other Americans by Laila Lalami - David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa - Editing Africa by Keguro Macharia (in Popula.com) https://popula.com/2019/03/28/editing-africa/ - These Bones Will Rise Again by Panashe Chigumadzi -Widow Basquiat by Jennifer Clement Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

Back at it with a bonus episode to spoil you after such a long hiatus. We are talking about what it means to be a Muslim writer. We discuss: - The launch of the Critical Muslim issue 30: West Africa on May 15th at LSE. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/launch-of-cm30-west-africa-at-lse-tickets-61150405509 -What is a Muslim writer ? - Anti-blackness and perceptions of Muslim writers - West Africa's rich cultural historical links to the Islamic world Books mentioned: - Elsewhere, Home by Leila Aboulela - So long a letter and Scarlet Song by Mariama Bâ. - Born on A Tuesday by El Nathan John -Seasons of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim -Black Docker by Sembene Ousmane -Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih -The Wedding of Zein by Tayeb Salih -Too Black to Be Arab, Too Arab to be Black’ by Leena Habiballa publishes in ‘From the Lines of Dissent’ published by Media Diversified. -Zaynab Alkali Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

In this bonus episode, Books & Rhymes, PostColonialChild and BookShyBooksexpress our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for engaging with, and spreading the word about us. We share: Our journey so far. What to expect from us in the future Where you can find us during our hiatus. Keep in touch on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

This week’s episode is a real treat!  Books & Rhymes, PostColonialChild and BookShyBooks are in Bristol with Tomi Adeyemi, the amazing author of our unanimous favourite and highly recommended book, ‘Children of Blood and Bone’! We discuss: - Reimagining reality in fantasy fiction. - The inspiration behind the bookgasmic cover of ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ - Racial characterisations in the genre and whitewashing in literary adaptations.  - The importance of African mythology and Brazil in ‘Children of Blood and Bone’.  - The socio-cultural impact of Children of Blood and Bone, and readers responses to it. - Navigating the publishing industry as a debut author - including advice for writers. Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

EP 11 | Ordinary People: live recording with Diana Evans at ShoutOut Live! In our first live recorded episode, with our special guest, Diana Evans, author of Ordinary People. Fun fact: the book is named after a song of the same title by John Legend. We discuss: The process of writing ‘ordinary people’. Mixed-race identity and representations of ‘the Other’ in literature. The one-way traffic of gentrification, and Her best advice for aspiring writers looking to get published. Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

This week we dive into the world of kid lit and YA fiction courtesy of BookShyBooks ! We went down memory lane and came up with some interesting questions and debates on the two genres. We discuss and explore: Favourite books from childhood Adults reading children’s books or YA Adaptation of YA novels with adults playing teenagers Adults writing YA stories Children’s books or YA fiction recommendations for young people and adults

This week it's all about book covers and our love for them. Books & Rhymes, PostColonialChild andBookShyBooks argue about their respective decision to buy or read books based based on their covers. We discuss and explore: - What it means to be a coverhoe. - Is it superficial to judge Books by their covers? - Being catfished by stunning cover design. - Choosing NOT to buy a book based on its cover (and vice versa). - Favourite book covers. We also share more information relating to our live episode recording with Tomi Adeyemi, the author of Children of Blood and Bone on the 8th of August, at Waterstones, in Bristol Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

This week it's all about Japanese mangas and animes. PostColonialChild takes the Not Another Book Podcast on her favourite obssesion, Books & Rhymes loudly judges and BookShyBooks is loving it! We discuss and explore: - The difference between manga from anime? - Must watch anime and manga recommendations  - Representation in anime/ manga. E.g Black anime characters?? ( Y'all remember Mr. Popo in DragonBall) - Favourite Anime and manga characters - Best Anime soundtrack We also share more information relating to our live episode recording with Tomi Adeyemi, the author of Children of Blood and Bone on the 8th of August, at Waterstones, in Bristol Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

To celebrate Not Another Book Podcast’s being number 1 on iTunes Podcast literature chart, Books & Rhymes, BookShyBooks, and PostColonialChild  spotlight existing literary platforms, and writers’ collectives whose work we absolutely love and admire. We explore: - Inclusivity in literary spaces  - New media as means of making literature more accessible. - The realities of creating and hosting a new media platform or Podcast. - Supportive organisations and events available for writers and budding content creators. We also share more information relating to our first live show with Diana Evans, author Ordinary People atShout Out Live Podcast Festival on the 14th of July. We are also excitedly looking forward to our second live episode recording with Tomi Adeyemi, the author of Children of Blood and Bone on the 8th of August. Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook

This week, Books & Rhymes, BookShyBooks, and PostColonialChild discuss their relationship with science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction (SFF), afrofuturism, and the blurred line between fiction and reality within the genre. We explore: If science fiction, fantasy & speculative fiction are niche genres and the ways in which social media has expanded their readership. If fables and traditional folk tales should be classified as speculative fiction. How books by writers from the global south are marketed, and the ways in which their works are excluded from the genre. The ways in which we, as readers of colour, insert ourselves into the narrative - despite the absence of self-representation in most SFF. BooksShyBooks delivers the 'Mic Drop' on an important topic. Come through, and engage in literary shenanigans with us at our:  Live show at Shout Out Live Podcast Festival on the 14th of July. Live episode recording with Tomi Adeyemi, the author of Children of Blood and Bone on the 8th of August. 'Literature In Your Ear’ at Africa Writes Festival on the 1st of July.

This week, BooksAndRhymes, BookShyBooks and PostColonialChild debate ‘authenticity’ in translated books and the politics of language. We explore: The one-way traffic of literature from the west to the rest of the world.  The focus of translation from European languages into ‘dominant’ national languages and its adverse impact on lesser known indigenous languages. The ‘feel’ of translated works and how true they are to the original literature. I.e: Do we loose the beauty, depth, and meanings of the original work once it has been translated? The inclusion of books from other languages and cultures in the curricula. Whether a good translation should faithfully capture the original text, or should it interpret the work into something with a distinctive life of its own? Do the existence of translated work create a sense of community and empathy towards others? Should translators share the limelight with the author of the work? Books&Rhymes drops the mic on a controversial topic. Continue the conversation by tweeting us @nabookpodcast using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook. Follow us on instagram. Register for Shout Out Live Festival Get tickets to our live show with Tomi Adeyemi, the author of ‘Children of Blood and Bone’. Join our mailing list: 

Welcome to our fourth episode of "Not Another Book Podcast". This week, BooksAndRhymes, BookShyBooks, and PostcolonialChild debate the differences between independent publishers, big publishing houses, and writers who choose to self publish; as well as and the ways in which the actions of publishers and books sellers influence the books we read. Key takeaways: The blurred lines between independent and big publishing houses. Pros and Cons of indie, self publishing, and mainstream traditional publishing houses for writers. The treatment of under-represented groups within the industry. Gatekeeping between publishers and book retailers. Make sure you listen out for PostColonialChild’s ‘drop the mic’. We promise, it’s a REALLY good one! Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook. Drop us an email Join us for our live show recording with Tomi Adeyemi, the author of Children of Blood and Bone.

Welcome to the third episode of "Not Another Book Podcast".  This week, BooksAndRhymes, BookShyBooks and PostColonialChild provide an insight into the Windrush generation and the contributions of Caribbean writers to the [British] literary landscape.  Key takeaways: #MeToo movement in literature: Allegations of sexual misconduct against Junot Diaz, suspension of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature;  British politics and the forced extraction of Caribbean British citizens - including BookShyBook’s personal account of the impact of the Windrush legacy on her family. Our recommended literary works by Black British, Caribbean writers that offer deeper insights into the Caribbean experience in Britain. Get in touch and let us know your thoughts by following us on Instagram and Twitter@NABookPodcast; join the conversation using the hashtag #NotAnotherBook with your thoughts about this episode, the books we mentioned, and more importantly your wild reactions BookShyBooks' mic drop. Rate, Review and Subscribe to us on iTunes, Spotify, Acast and other podcast listening platforms.

Welcome to our second episode of "Not Another Book Podcast".  This week, BooksAndRhymes, BookShyBooks and PostColonialChild delve into the world of literary pleasures! They explore literary crushes, writer baes, and sapiosexuality in attempt to discover what constitutes ‘bookgasm’ and how to achieve it. Listen until the end to discover which literary bae cooked jollof rice for BooksandRhymes. Key takeaways: What is a BookGasm? Can writers also make you go Ouuuuh? Sapiosexuality or the art of crushing on a writer's intellect #CoverHoes vs #MinimalistCoverCaptain BookShops that are crushworthy .

A preview to episode two:Bookgasm AKA books that make you go ooooh. Full episode drops Tuesday 1st May. Make sure you leave a rating and review.

Welcome to our first episode of "Not Another Book Podcast".  This week, BooksandRhymes, bookshy and Postcolonialchild discuss their overhyped books and underrated writers to look out for and Postcolonialchild drops the mic on Chinua Achebe and African literature. Key takeaways: Are some African writers being overhyped ? Overhype vs quality of writing? How literature festivals contribute to the hype Who is behind the hype of some these overrated writers? The contribution of the school curriculum to hyping the western canons of literature Overrated white writers that we are ready to say "Boy Bye"   Overrated books: From Postcolonial Child Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: debut novel beginning in 18th century Ghana, and following the descendants of two half sisters until present day. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue: debut novel following the lives of two very different families living and working in New York during the 28 financial crisis – one’s an immigrant family from Cameroon and the other a wealthy American family. From bookshy Twilight Series by Stephanie Myers: Bella. Vampires. Edward. More Vampires. The Cullens. Werwolves. Jacob. More Vampires. Vulturi. From BooksandRhymes: White Tears by Hari Kunzru: A trust fund hipster and a suburban nobody united by a love of music. Underrated books we recommended: From BooksandRhymes: What it Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah: strange and wonderful debut short story collection with stories centred on the lives of women and girls, parents and children, lovers and friends – all told with elements of the fantastical.  Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: debut YA fantasy in a world of magic and danger inspired by West Africa and the African Diaspora. From bookshy A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar: fantasy fiction following the son of a merchant making his way for the first time to the distant land of Olondria. The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson: every time Molly bleeds, a new version of her is born. A horror novella with a twist. Speak Gigantular by Irenosen Okojie: a weird and wonderful debut short story collection. There are tales of suicide and ghosts haunting the London underground; twin sisters, impersonation, and inner demons coming to life; deadly foot fetishes and more. From Postcolonial Child Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: an epic historical novel following characters from Korea who eventually migrate to Japan. Confessions of a Lioness by Mia Cuoto: a dark, poetic mystery about the women of Kulumani and the lionesses that hunt them - through two interwoven diaries. Other books mentioned in the episode - in order of appearance: Idu by Flora Nwapa Foreign Gods, Inc. by Okey Ndibe Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon No Place to Call Home by J J Bola Small Island by Andrea Levy  50 Shades of Grey by E. L. James The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald William Shakespeare – in general Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Winged Histories by Sofia Samatar London, Cape Town Joburg by Zukiswa Wanner  Reflecting Rogue: Inside the Mind of a Feminist by Pumla Dineo Gqola Butterfly Fish by Irenosen Okojie Tweet us @@NABookPodcast  with the hashtag #NotAnotherBook your thoughts about our first episode, the books we mentioned and more importantly your wild reactions Postcolonialchild mic drop. Rate, Review and Subscribe to us on iTunes, Spotify, and Acast.