Despite the fact I actually read a few books over the past couple of months, I forgot to do my wrap-ups! So here I am, merging the two!

Books I read in April

A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mini-review: Levin never fails to wow me with his imagination! I read this in less than 24 hours (a rare occurrence for me) because it was so fast paced and exciting. Full review to come!

 

 

 

The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mini-review: Though I don’t feel this book was marketed particularly well (a dystopian feminist novel???) I did really enjoy the reading experience. It was unique & absolutely beautifully written. Full review to come!

 

 

 

Foe by Iain Reid

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mini-review: I enjoyed the reading experience of this one immensely. Reid is terrific at building tension. I was excited to the read this the whole way through. Read my full review here.

 

Currently reading 

I have a lot on my plate when it comes to what I’m reading at the moment. I can’t seem to stick with just one book and finish it before picking up something new!

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

Pre-review thoughts: a wildly fascinating read, however super data heavy which means I’m struggling to read this one over long periods of time.

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Fear by John D. McDonald

Pre-review thoughts: Scorsese really pulled a fast one on me by making the 2nd movie adaptation of this so fucking exciting considering this book is boring. I’m less than 100 pages from the end and I can’t bear to pick it up and finish it.

 

 

 

How To Argue With a Racist by Adam Rutherford

Pre-review thoughts: fascinating & educational. I’m so excited to learn so much more as I read through this, as I’ve only passed the introduction so far.

 

 

 

 

Everything else I did in April & May

Well, not a lot has really happened in my life due to Covid… however, I started a new job during quarantine! What an experience it’s been. Having to learn a new organisation & a whole new team via video calls has been tricky, but by no means impossible. My new team have all been wonderfully welcoming and made me feel at home instantly. I’m really enjoying the role so far and I can’t wait to be able to meet everyone in person eventually.

BLACK LIVES MATTER!

As everyone across the planet knows, huge BLM protests are going on worldwide in light of the murder of George Floyd by a scumbag policeman in Minneapolis. I have been standing up and against racism vocally on my social platforms, whilst also doing things behind the scenes to support POC in their plight for EQUALITY.

It’s time for me, as a white person, to stand loud & proud alongside POC to let them know that I don’t, and have never, tolerated the shit that they have had to deal with their entire lives, across hundreds of generations. Hence me reading a book that deals with fighting against racists. I have never been naive to think that systemic racism doesn’t exist, but I am on now a journey of learning further to equip myself with the knowledge of how the world treats black people, and minorities alike. I am also looking at and acknowledging my own white privilege and seeing how I can use it correctly to amplify the voices of black people & help get them the justice they deserve after having been treated like 2nd class citizens for far too long.

Follow this link to find a list of places to donate and petitions to sign to help fight racism.

Follow this link to find a list of books, films and podcasts about anti-racism.

Follow this link to find a list of black authors to read.