“But ignorance isn’t a luxury I can afford to have when blood is being shed every day in Kingston when Jamaica is under a tribal war.”
At the last book club, there were so many questions on how I chose the books we read. Finding and recommending great books are part of my everyday life, so naturally, I’m always on the lookout for books that will not only garner deep conversations but also impact our thinking and show a different perspective than the one we are so used to seeing.
With all that being said while I try to choose something for everyone, I know that I might fall short. If you have a book you’d like to recommend that you think might be a good choice please feel free to shoot me a message.
With that being said let’s chat about this month’s book!
With that being said let’s chat about this month’s book! This month’s pick is one that I know so many people will truly love; it is about friendship, family, love, and the ugly truth behind politics and poverty on the sweet island of Jamaica. With both reggae and rasta vibes, this book brings us back to one of the most historic times in Jamaica’s political history.
Book of the Month: Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield
Synopsis:
It’s 1976 and Jamaica is on fire. The country is on the eve of important elections and the warring political parties have made the divisions between the poor and the wealthy even wider. And Irie and Jilly come from very different backgrounds: Irie is from the heart of Kingston, where fighting in the streets is common. Jilly is from the hills, where mansions nestled within lush gardens remain safe behind gates. But the two bond through a shared love of Reggae music, spending time together at Irie’s father’s record store, listening to so-called rebel music that opens Jilly’s mind to a sound and a way of thinking she’s never heard before.
As tensions build in the streets, so do tensions between the two girls. A budding romance between them complicates things further as the push and pull between their two lives becomes impossible to bear. For Irie, fighting—with her words and her voice—is her only option. Blood is shed on the streets in front of her every day. She has no choice. But Jilly can always choose to escape.
Find the book here: https://amzn.to/3SlaFaf
Our discussion will take place via Google Meet on Friday, December 1st at 7pm. To register for the discussion go here.
Until then, if you have any questions or comments come join the discussion in our TBGR Book Club Facebook Group.
It’s great to have you with us. Happy Reading!
Sincerely,
Lalaa aka @ThisBlackGirlReads
What do you think?