These themes will vary! It could be based off of some book mail I just received, pop culture, something personal to me, a headline from the news, a trend I noticed when I was buying books for my library system, etc. I hope you stick around to see all the themes and book recs I come up with!
Today’s Theme: Jamaican Independence Day, 8/6
So I recently shared my book journal spread on this book on 8/6 not knowing that it was Jamaica’s Independence Day. A follower told me and I was so shocked! Another thing that shocked me was my husband randomly wanted Jamaican food the day I started on that journal spread. So I ended up posting the book because I really liked it. There’s a nod to Gil’s heritage in the very beginning when they’re celebrating at J’Overt, the type and way he eats his food, and his grandmother’s accent. *I listened to the audiobook* His dad went back to the island so that he wouldn’t get in trouble here in the US. There is a lot of talk about deportation from another character as well, so please be mindful of that before reading.
Another crazy thing that happened was I got this book as book-mail the Friday before! I haven’t read it yet, but the synopsis says its set in Jamaica and it’s set in the 70’s during a time of civil unrest. And it’s sapphic! So basically, it’s a coming of age historical fiction novel. If you know me, you know I don’t usually like historical fiction, but if it’s about Black people, you know I’mma read it. I really hope since it’s set there that we get “shown” through descriptors of the setting. It doesn’t have to be long, poetic words, I mean there are warring political parties right now, but I’d still like to “see” Jamaica. I’ve been only one time, but it was on a cruise so it was the touristy side, not the real places and neighborhoods. I am so ready to visit Jamaica again through this book!
Well, there you go! Here I’m just going to talk about why I grouped these two books together. I hope you enjoyed a look at this small part of the book. For a full synopsis of the book or to add it to your TBR, click the picture and it will take you to their Goodreads. The link on the caption will take you to it’s Storygraph.
What books have you read with a Jamaican character? Will you read these? Let me know in the comments!