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The Mothers, a ‘dazzling debut novel’ from Brit Bennett is a sage, sanguine, and spectacular story. It is spectacular because Bennett’s portrayal of how hurt reverberates through communities is so tangible and so very relatable. Also because sadly, so few books are about middle-class black people. The Mothers is a 288 page-turner that poses the…

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom set in 1927 is an impressive play with an interesting history.  It centres on power dynamics: racism, self-determination, economics and change.  I enjoyed the London performance.  This play remains relevant on gender inequality and cultural appropriation.  I also went away with a better understanding of recent gang violence.  The play illustrates…

I read a recent story About our Prince Harry He told the media He could never go and tarry He could not drink alone People were like his tracking drones What Harry forgot to say There are hundreds of zones where the people are kept at bay He mixes with his own kind, rich, privileged,…

Lightning Strikes by Theresa Parker My rating: 1 of 5 stars I had come to the end of the latest Mattie Winston Mystery by Annelise Ryan. I needed a cosy friend. So I was excited when I found the book Lighting Strikes. Andromeda Spencer, the protagonist, sounded like a fun character in this new mystery…

The Dead Harlequin: A Short Story by Agatha Christie My rating: 3 of 5 stars The Dead Harlequin is classic Agatha Christie. It is a short story taken from The Mysterious Mr. Quin. It is not a Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple mystery but no less enjoyable for this. The Harley Quin stories have a…

Laying Down the Paw by Diane Kelly My rating: 4 of 5 stars When I came across Laying Down The Paw, the third book in the Brigit and Megan series, all other books were put aside. Not only because of International Women’s Day on March 8th and this book is about two females. It is…

Thursday 3rd March was World Book Day.   Wererat by Jonathan P. Brazee My rating: 3 of 5 stars Wererat deserves 3.5 stars I was attracted to the idea of this book. Instead of being a huge imposing werewolf or another big were-beast, the protagonist is a wererat! I imaged this book would be hilarious….

  Round up of this week’s ‘must do’ arts, exhibitions and events. Bare Lit Festival 26 –  28 Feb 2016 Betsey Trotwood and Freeword Centre London. The first UK festival dedicated to black and minority-ethnic writers debuts over three days in Farringdon, London.  Writers include the celebrated Sudanese-born novelist Leila Aboulela, winner of the Caine prize for…