Reading to survive & to thrive!
It’s been a minute. Hello to everyone checking out this page for the first time. Welcome to my world.
As usual, I’ve been reading a lot and I have a few choice apps that I use to read on because they’re the ones that bring me joy.
My favourite apps to read on are:
Apple Books
Reeden App
Libby
I’m a hardcore digital iPad/iPhone reader mainly because it helps me to stop scrolling on bs websites like IG that just contribute to internal violence, which we do not need to engage in. I have a Substack that I started up for my reading notes but I’m honestly just trying to get around the layout on there so I’ll kick it for awhile longer. Fuck, if it’s good enough for Frank Ocean, it’s good enough for me.
Anyway— what am I reading..
Lately, I’ve been reading A LOT of Clarice Lispector. I’m obsessed with her. Her mind is something else. It’s the interjections for me as well. She’s a trip. I’m currently reading Near to the Wild Heart and even tho I like it less than: both the Hour of the Star and A Breath of Life, it still hits
I’ve been reading this incredible work of weird girl fiction called Honey by this author Imani Thompson. If I’m keeping it a whole bean with you, I’m in love with it. The main character is giving Joe from You. She’s giving — ninjas don’t deserve to live and honestly— the weird girl rage inside is FEASTINGGGG.
Finally, I’ve also been working my way through Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih— it’s an NYRB, it slaps, it’s about a man who returns home to his village only to find a strange man there whose past is some bullshit. There’s a lot about the ways of colonialism of course, the story is told in a very lyrical and almost haunting sort of way. It’s brings about the same feelings as Cyprian Ekwensi’s work in me. Foreign and fascinating. Ekwensi’s work being way more sparkling tho.
Alright let’s talk music memoirs/biographies and also poetry collectionsssss—
Yo CALEB FEMIIIIII, bro! Sisterrrrr! His writing is so damn good. Like his writing is doing my head in innit. 🤣 okay but no for real — his poetry is beautiful, reflective of a real life that feels so similar to Rexdale to hoods in Toronto. His photography is giving Taking Myself Hostage. It’s hitting me because I relate to it, relate to the essence of it. It’s fantastic. I feel like I’m living in this book. There’s so much imagery that just works you know. It goes hard. I have so many poems that are just favourites out of this collection and I’m not even halfway
Monument — I’ve beeeen hearing about this book, one of my good friends read it and loved it. I’m reading it right now and it’s galvanizing my spirit and breaking my heart. It does feel like it’s a monument. So many questions are asked, I’m only at 22% in and she’s asking questions that got me asking questions as well! I been googling trying to learn her history as well!
Fab 5 Freddy is good, but I got a little sidetracked from it, so I went to Cosmic Music and I’ll tell you what. I have loved Alice Coltrane for years, one of the first YouTube videos I ever made talking about music back in 2010 was me talking about Alice Coltrane and how she got swagger jacked; and how incredibly influential she is as her own artist. Anyway, I just cracked this book. I’m very excited to read it.. the opening was fantastic so far. The author talks about their trip to India to go to their friend’s wedding and how they decided to visit the ashrams where Alice Coltrane was and then they put those things into context with the California wildfires; way more eloquently than I do here — anyway. It’s fire. The opening was fire and I’m excited to read more.
How have I been? I’ve been working hard. Reading. Doing all my jobs and due diligence. I fractured so many times trying to streamline. I realize now that if shit ain’t broke don’t fix it. Just keep going. Sometimes it’s hard to see that tho.
I’m quietly reading the Iliad as well. Real ones know I’m quietly reading a zillion books. I’m a mood reader we can’t help it. Still book clubbing, it’s one thing from the pandemic I’ll never give up, also I’ve met some of my best friends that way, so it’s whatever.
I’ll come back with more frequent updates and some notes on books finished, etc. Here’s a small list of finished books that I haven’t really put up on the GR yet.
I put some sweat stickers over some books I read privately that I ain’t finna talk about.
Haven’t reviewed the two poetry books in the top row. Haven’t reviewed full of myself, or Lindy West’s book just yet. Both of which were fantastic.
I loved the Godfather, haven’t reviewed that yet. The housemaid was iight. Haven’t done my Lispector’s yet.. will eventually get to it.
Anyway that’s mostly from the last month. I hope you’ve been enjoying your reads, whatever you’re reading and if you’re not reading— what the fuck are you waiting for. Oh snap— I almost forgot to say how Patriarchy Blues bitch!!! Whew. That was too good.
Yo I tried to try the Fable app, I can’t do that shit. Way overstimulating. Deleted it. I tried to do the Storygraph app and can never latch on. I might try again. Anyway, will catch you on the next page.