Hello and happy New year!
Readers, it’s that time again. Yes, we’ll be looking at the books on Madeline’s 2021 Must-Read List.
Before we do that. Let’s do a quick throwback to January 2020. I had seven must-read books on my list. Now let’s see, I did read Bernadine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other and Candice Brathwaite’s I Am Not Your Baby Mother, I managed to listen to half of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k, downloaded Love in Colour and have already started Slay In Your Lane Presents: Loud Black Girls. We can admit that two and a half out of seven is abysmal but can we also agree that 2020’s misgivings can be written off? Ok? Thank you.
It’s a fresh start now and I have a fresh list for 2021. I have found new books and authors for the TBR pile and some of last year’s entries have made a comeback.
So let’s take a look.
What’s on Madeline’s 2021 Must-Read List?
1. Love in Colour | Bolu Babalola
Carried forward from last year’s list, Love in Colour which debuted last year is described as “perfection in short story form”, but even before I saw this endorsement, I knew I had to read this book. Love in Colour is a short collection of mythical love stories retold and remodelled as contemporary tales.
Its author Bolu Babalola is someone I’ve followed on Twitter for a while and if her writing is anywhere as quick-witted as her tweets then I just know I’ll be in for a treat. Love in Colour will definitely be my next read (or next-next depending on my mood).
I’ve been thinking, if Michael B Jordan and I got married it would work out perfectly. Like his initials won’t even have to change once he takes on my surname. And Bolu Babalola-Jordan? It’s cute! Regal I might even venture
— Bolu Babalola (@BeeBabs) May 2, 2018
2. This Is Why I Resist | Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
The title of this one alone is such a mood! Written by Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, This Is Why I Resist is a direct challenge to a society that is sluggish in its progress in racial equality. When it comes out later this month you know I’ll definitely be grabbing a copy. I think it’s amazing how as black women, we are demanding more – more from our relationships, our employers and society in general, and this book encapsulates this (at least I think!)
I first met Dr. Shola through my screen early last year. She was sat on the This Morning (a morning chat show) couch opposite Phillip and Holly, where she participated in a discussion about racism against Meghan Markle. She held her own, not allowing the tv hosts to ruffle her (in the way they like to do) whilst keeping it assertive and informative. After that, I just knew I needed to know more about Dr. Shola so you know the first thing I did was to follow her on socials.
Dr. Shola, thank you ma’am for your continued fight for racial and social justice and thank you for writing This Is Why I Resist.
3. Sista Sister | Candice Brathwaite
Gosh I am the most excited about this! I read Candice Brathwaite’s first book, I Am Not Your Baby Mother last year and loved the author’s skill with words so much that when I saw the cover reveal of Sister Sistah, I almost fell out of my seat.
Much like the first book which tells Candice’s experiences of black motherhood, Sister Sistah shares Candice’s life lessons as a black woman. If you like storytelling as vibrant as Candice’s (as well as her Instagram feed) then you may want to read this one with me.
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4. Slay In Your Lane Presents: Loud Black Girls | edited by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené
I’m currently reading this and let’s just say that this is the best book one Audible credit can purchase. A couple of years ago, I raved so much about the ladies’ debut book, Slay In Your Lane that I did a small dance when they announced they had more to say – except this time, they have brought twenty additional black women with them – many of which I already follow on socials, and some I have worked with in the past.
The book is a collection of essays written by the women, spanning a wide range of topics from food to sexuality to Brexit. The single thread which binds all the essays is the fact that they are written through the prism of the Black British female experience.
If you are considering grabbing Loud Black Girls, please do! I’ll be writing my review soon.
5. Diane Abbott: The Authorised Biography | Robin Bunce and Samara Linton
So, here’s a book about the first black woman MP, a daughter of Jamaican immigrants, elected to the British parliament and you don’t think I’d want to read it? Come on now!
If you are a British resident, then the chances are you know who Dianne Abbott is. In fact, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum, Dianne Abbott’s symbolism for barrier smashing has got to be appreciated.
If you live outside the UK and don’t know who Dianne Abbott is, here’s a little introduction: since her election as an MP she has held the position for three decades and in that time she has stuck to her principles of fairness and socialism. I am aware she is not everyone’s favourite person, which I can accept but, the level of misogynistic abuse she has received is frankly abhorrent.
Anyway back to the book, the Diane Abbott biography draws on real-life interviews from herself, her friends and opponents as well as a documented history of her life.
6. Clever Girl Finance | Bola Sokunbi
A step away from Black British literature, this finance book by Nigerian American Youtuber and money expert is essential reading for me this year, so it has made it onto Madeline’s 2021 Must-Read List! My journey to better money management started in 2020 and Bola Sokunbi has been a large part of her journey. In fact, if you haven’t yet watched her 2021 goal setting video then I suggest you should.
The topics covered in this book are: monitoring your expenses, keeping your credit card in check, succeeding at your side hustle, transforming your money mindset and much more!
If you’d like to join me in reading Clever Girl Finance, let me know and I’ll definitely make an announcement when I am about to start.
And there you have it! Madeline’s 2021 Must-Read List. Will you be reading any of these books this year? Do you have any recommendations for me? Please let me know below!
