It’s been a long and stressful week this week. Friday was a busy day and I had to work extra to get it done. Of course, as I’m working from home, I’m not getting paid for it. Not that I mind but it doesn’t help that I get the feeling my boss doesn’t think I’m working hard enough. I was asked to come back to work this week because he’d apparently forgotten that I was high risk. I mean we had that exact conversation when lockdown started but why the hell would he think to remember a thing like that? As you can tell, I’ve been in a pretty dire mood this weekend. I could not be bothered with anything yesterday. I doubt I’ll be in a better mood today. Which means I’ll be starting off the week in a terrible mood as well. I just really need a holiday.

Weekly Blog Posts

• BOOKISH POST – If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

Yep, I’m still going with this new reading list. As well as reading more non-fiction books, I’m reading more Black writers this month. James Baldwin is one of the most important figures of the civil rights movement but he was somewhat overlooked by other historic figures. Although, he has seen a rise in popularity again in recent years. The film adaptation of his novel If Beale Street Could Talk was one of the greatest releases in 2018. I decided it was time to see if the book was as good. To see if it lived up to Barry Jenkin’s film, check out my review.

• TUESDAY REVIEW – Da 5 Bloods (2020)

The last time we saw director Spike Lee was with his Oscar-nominated adaptation of Ron Stallworth’s memoir BlackKklansman. He’s finally back with a Vietnam war film that’s told from an African-American perspective. It looked and sounded great but, as we know, even the greatest of filmmakers can struggle when they make films for Netflix. Even Martin Scorsese struggled. Read my review to see if this is worth a watch or just another Netflix flop.

• BOOK REVIEW – The Blue Sky and I: An Anthology of Poems by Samiksha Tulika Ransom

One of the great things about being a book blogger is getting the chance to read books that you normally wouldn’t have known existed. I was approached by Samiksha Tulika Ransom on Instagram asking if I wanted to read her poetry collection. It sounded great and was free on KindleUnlimited. How could I say no? Head over to my review to see if it was a great new discovery.

• TBT REVIEW – I Am Not Your Negro (2017)

After reading If Beale Street Could Talk this week, I wanted to get more James Baldwin inside me. This 2017 documentary is something that I’ve been meaning to see for ages so I just went for it. I mean, how can you go wrong when you mix the words of Baldwin with the voice of Samuel L. Jackson? It’s also an incredibly timely film to be watching. If anyone could sum up why the Black Lives Matter movement is fighting then it would be James Baldwin. If you’re feeling nostalgic then check out my review.

Just Read

• If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

This lovely little novel didn’t take all that long to read. It’s a lovely romance but has a wave of underlying anger to it. It’s also a fantastic book to read at this time. This book doesn’t just talk of the innocent men who are targeted by the police but shows how their whole family is affected.

• The Blue Sky and I: An Anthology of Poems by Samiksha Tulika Ransom

You know I love a quick read so I can stick to my posting schedule and this collection worked out great. I finished it last Sunday night. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s short but impactful. It’s such a strong debut collection and I’m really glad I read it.

Currently Reading

• Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

I’d always been put off from reading this book for superficial reasons. The title and the colour of the cover just made me think of bad YA romantic-comedies. But I have seen such great things about it and I am trying to read more Black writers. So, I bought myself a copy on Kindle. I’ve not been very good at reading but I think I’m enjoying it.

Recently Purchased

• I was going to be good this week. Then I got an email from the Folio Society. I promised myself that I wasn’t going to look. Then, when I was looking at the website, I promised myself that I wasn’t going to buy anything. Then, as I added one book to my basket, I promised I wasn’t going to add another. Then, as I added a second book, I promised that I wouldn’t look for any more. To be fair to myself, I didn’t but I can’t promise that I won’t go back.
  • Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos – I bought this for the same reason I buy every Folio Society book I own. It’s bloody gorgeous. I expected it to sell out super quickly but, as of right now, there’s a few left.
  • The Writer’s Map Edited by Huw Lewis-Jones – I’ve wanted this book for ages but it was always too expensive. Thankfully, the Folio Society was offering for half price. How could I not? I’m afraid it’s sold out now because it was half price. Although, it’s not much more expensive on Amazon.

Recently Watched

• TV:
  • Drunk Histories UK – I think the whole Drunk Histories premise is genius. It has everything you could want and is so funny. I’ve been going through the UK version and it’s impossible not to laugh.
  • I honestly can’t remember what else I’ve been watching this week. I know I’ve been watching something but I cannot remember. Which probably shows how good it was.