own voices

The interconnected short stories in Celeste Mohammed's debut novel, Pleasantview, dispel the myth of Trinidad as a happy-go-lucky island nation, instead revealing it as a complex, troubled, multiracial society.  A lawyer turned writer, Celeste discusses the colorful characters in her book, growing up multiracial, writing in patois that is both authentic and readable and more!

Read more about Celeste on our episode page.

Learn about our low-residency in MFA in Creative Writing program.

Even though Lesley University MFA in Creative Writing alum Thato Mwosa grew up in Bostwana, her dolls were white and so were most of the faces on her TV. When American shows like "Sister, Sister," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and "Martin" began airing in her country, Thato was enthralled. Now, she is using her varied creative interests to celebrate Black and African people, from her award-winning film Memoirs of a Black Girl, to a book on accomplished African women and even an African trivia game.

Learn more about Thato Mwosa and about our low-residency Creative Writing MFA program.

BYOB, the Bring Your Own Book Podcast, is back for Season 2 featuring your favourite bookworms Nikki, Kelly, and Tilly! Every episode we'll discuss the book we read and pair it with a drink inspired by the book.

In this episode, we discuss Faridah Abike-Iyimide's debut novel, "Ace of Spades". We also have a very special guest for this episode, an American Booktuber we all know and love, who has a popular series called Book CommuniTEA, it’s Jess Owens! You can find Jess on Youtube at Jess Owens or instagram at @saidbyjess.

This episode's drink is a Last Chance cocktail! It’s made with two parts vodka, four parts orange juice, and one part triple sec. We thought it would be a good fit because of all the gambling themes in this book, as well as the threatening mystery of Aces.

** Content/trigger warnings include: systemic racism, racially and sexually motivated violence, homophobia, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. **

"Ace of Spades" by Faridah Abike-Iyimide: https://tinyurl.com/ywmxfhwx

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Want to support our podcast? Please consider donating to our Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/byobpodcast

Website: https://bringyourownbook.buzzsprout.com/

Tiktok: @bringyourownbookpodcast

Instagram: @byobookpodcast

Facebook: @byobookpodcast

Twitter: @byobookpodcast

This week on the KPL Podcast an episode filled with humor and heart. We are joined by the best-selling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor, Steven Rowley! We discuss his latest page turner The Guncle. Then hosts Jigisha and Ryan are joined by fellow librarian Alex in a conversation about our newest book club, Pride in Reading. All this and more this week on the KPL Podcast! Have a topic you'd like us to explore? Comments? Please write to us at podcast@kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org
1. A Star is Bored by Byron Lane
2. Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
3. Ace of Spades by Fariday Abike-Iyimide
4. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5. Cosmoknights by Hannah Templer
6. Fence by CS Picat
7. Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
8. One Hundred Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell
9 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
10 Runaways by Rainbow Rowell
11. Fire 

In this episode, New York Times Bestselling author, Alka Joshi, shares insights on "The Henna Artist" and "The Secret Keeper of Jaipur."

With thoughtfulness and an open dialog, Alka walks listeners through the development of her beloved characters in the first two books of the Jaipur Trilogy. She shares how the stories develop in her mind before they come to life on paper, and offers lessons to both the western and eastern listener.

Connect Online:

Website: https://alkajoshi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealkajoshi/

Episode 12  of BYOB, the Bring Your Own Book Podcast, featuring Nikki, Kelly, and Tilly! Every episode we'll discuss the book we read and pair it with a drink inspired by the book.

In this episode, the final episode of Season 1, we discuss R.F. Kuang's historical fiction fantasy, "The Poppy War".

This episode's drink is a Poppy Cocktail! It features gin, pomegranate juice, citrus vodka, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. We felt it was fitting given as pomegranates are ancient fruits, and given the importance of poppies and poppy seeds in the story, pomegranates are the closest things to put in a drink!

** Content/trigger warnings include: war, genocide, sexual assault, self-harm, and graphic violence. **

"The Poppy War" by R.F. Kuang: https://tinyurl.com/xzapz4kv

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Want to support our podcast? Please consider donating to our Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/byobpodcast

Website: https://bringyourownbook.buzzsprout.com/

Tiktok: @bringyourownbookpodcast

Instagram: @byobookpodcast

Facebook: @byobookpodcast

Twitter: @byobookpodcast

In this episode, Spanish Literature PhD candidate, Zach Glassett bring us "Don Quixote" by Cervantes. An epic tale of chivalry, a comedy of errors, and a tragedy- we can best compare this book to a combination of Homer's "Odyssey" and the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Zach brings great insights as an own voices reader, to make this classic still relevant today.
There are so many reasons that this work is considered the first, great novel of western literature. Published in 1605, it's numerous translations come in second only to the Bible.
With so many great things to talk about, you'll just have to listen in! 

And don't miss the great scifi/fantasy book recommendations at the end.

After the release of his debut novel Grumpy Bear, Slade James is interviewed by Kelly Fox.

We're talking about: 

• Slade's creative process,
• his favorite writing tool, Ulysses app,
• men's clothing optional campgrounds,
• being an own voices author,
• and real life romance.

LINKS

*Amazon Affiliate

SladeJames.com https://sladejames.com

Slade James | Amazon https://amzn.to/2OTiQw0

Slade James | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/slade.james.mm/
 

BOOKS by SLADE JAMES

Bear Camp Series

The Uncut Wood (A Bear Camp Short) -- Slade James https://amzn.to/2OT2ao8

Grumpy Bear (A Bear Camp Novel) -- Slade James https://amzn.to/2OS0taC

BOOKS by KELLY FOX

https://www.authorkellyfox.com/

Kelly Fox | Amazon https://amzn.to/3aCYY6y

Wrecked: Guardians Series

Hard Target (Wrecked: Guardians Book 1) -- Kelly Fox https://amzn.to/3ezmANX

Full Contact (Wrecked: Guardians Book 2) -- Kelly Fox https://amzn.to/3qJacxb

Most Wanted (Wrecked: Guardians Book 3) -- Kelly Fox https://amzn.to/3csBbbn

Deep Impact (Wrecked: Guardians Book 4) -- Kelly Fox https://amzn.to/3lg4vFP

SUBSCRIBE

Apple (iOS) | Spotify | Stitcher (Android)
 

Are you new to podcasts?

How to subscribe to my podcast — free
 

HOST LINKS

Slade James sladejames.com

MM Author Podcast gayromance.show

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Patreon patreon.com/sladejames

Episode 5 of BYOB, the Bring Your Own Book Podcast, featuring Nikki, Kelly, and Tilly! Every episode we'll discuss the book we read and pair it with a drink inspired by the book.

In this episode, we discuss Tomi Adeyemi's "Children of Blood and Bone". This episode's drink is Nigerian Chapman Punch!

Drink recipe: https://tinyurl.com/awjjtwxx

"Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi: https://tinyurl.com/vtkbz4

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Want to support our podcast? Please consider donating to our Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/byobpodcast

Website: https://bringyourownbook.buzzsprout.com/

Tiktok: @bringyourownbookpodcast

Instagram: @byobookpodcast

Facebook: @byobookpodcast

Twitter: @byobookpodcast

#booktube #podcast #yafantasy #ownvoices #bookreviews #books

In this episode, Emmy B and Tara Bleazard discuss why these 5 BOOKS w/ African American Authors, have our hearts! Wrapping up Black History Month, here are some great books to diversify your current book list. 

"If You Come Softly" by Jaqueline Woodson (Teen Romance)

"Punching The Air" By Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam (Fiction)

"Grown" by Tiffanie D Jackson (Adult Fiction)

"Between The World & Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Memoir)

"Ghost" by Jason Reynolds (Middle Grade)

In this episode, Pakistani American Kirin Nabi discusses the middle grade, own voices book: “A Place At The Table” by Saadia Faruqi & Laura Shovan. A real and honest discussion about prejudice, hate rhetoric, and code switching, Kirin openly discusses it all. Her invitation to reach across barriers to create unity, is genuine and full of hope. 

For all of us who want to do better- her voice is one to listen to. Kirin sums it up with this: “You don’t have to be best friends, but you can Be Kind.”

You can follow Kirin on:

Instagram: @islamicschoollibrarian
www.islamicschool librarian.wordpress.com

And more diverse books:
diversebookfinder.org

Author Interview with Amra Sabic-El-Rayess on her YA MEMOIR “The Cat I Never Named.” Short listed for YA Non-Fiction YASLA Award for Best Non-Fiction Book for 2021. Amra never thought she’d live in a city under siege for four years. She never thought she’d be targeted, as a 16 year old Bosnian Muslim for genocide. But she was. And this is her story. 

Heartbreaking, full of beauty and love.

Connect with Amra online:
Instagram: @amrasabicelrayess
Website: https://www.sabicelrayess.org/

In this episode, EmmyB discusses "The First Wife" by Paulina Chiziane with Kenyan Bookstagrammer: Frankie Omogo. Unlike previous episodes, this two part episode dives into one book and perspectives from two continents. Is it possible for a book written by a woman in Mozambique, to effectively share an intended message to a woman in Salt Lake City, UT USA. Or will cultural differences change in affect? 

Often, if we take the time to dig deeper with people who appear to be very different, we will find that we're not as different as we think.

Marissa chats with Aiden Thomas about his debut paranormal romance - CEMETERY BOYS - as well as the importance of exploring themes of self-acceptance and belonging in YA fiction, particularly for trans youth and other marginalized voices; avoiding the deux ex machina ending; the brilliant idea of commissioning art of your characters to help keep you inspired; and how Swoon Reads - a social media platform that can help non-agented books get noticed - played a role in Aiden's nonlinear publishing journey.

Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer

Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

It's a Showdown! Amy and Sean are going head to head over to Richard Curtis's film Notting Hill, with Alex caught in the middle. Except Alex is too obstreperous to stay above the fray, and Amy and Sean keep agreeing on everything. We can't even argue properly. This week we're looking at character, motivation, embedded sexisms and other isms in Notting Hill (a film from the Dark Ages that we keep finding ourselves arguing over at the pub), and a whole range of random logic holes in films that bear no resemblance to Notting Hill at all. This is peak Word Docs, where there's madness in the method, and we regret everything.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a Showdown! Amy and Sean are going head to head over to Richard Curtis's film Notting Hill, with Alex caught in the middle. Except Alex is too obstreperous to stay above the fray, and Amy and Sean keep agreeing on everything. We can't even argue properly. This week we're looking at character, motivation, embedded sexisms and other isms in Notting Hill (a film from the Dark Ages that we keep finding ourselves arguing over at the pub), and a whole range of random logic holes in films that bear no resemblance to Notting Hill at all. This is peak Word Docs, where there's madness in the method, and we regret everything.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marissa chats with Lori M. Lee about her YA fantasy FOREST OF SOULS, as well as awesome book trailers, a shared appreciation for R.L. Stine, and the increasing amount of cultural representation in fantasy literature as a result of the We Need Diverse Books movement.

Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer

Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Book Notes

Michael recommends:

• The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
• IQ by Joe Ide

Carrie recommends:

• Blanche on the Lam by Barbara Neely
• This Lovely City by Louise Hare

Adam recommends:

• Shuri Vol. 1: The Search for the Black Panther by Nnedi Okorafor
• Archival Quality; written by Ivy Noelle Weir, illustrated by Steenz

Bite Notes

• Pair Bayley Hazen Blue, a delicious blue cheese, from Vermont's own Jasper Hill Farm with Jennifer McMahon’s The Winter People.
• Piece together the clues with Isaiah and Dodson over a bowl of New Orleans-style gumbo with a recipe found on tastesbetterfromscratch.com.
• Add a kick to plain old sweet tea with Lemongrass and Ginger Iced Tea. This spicy, fragrant blend of black tea, lemongrass, fresh ginger, and honey is a great match for the sophisticated and straight-talking narrator of Blanche on the Lam. The recipe appears in North Carolina chef Ashley English's book Quench.
• In This Lovely City, Lawrie and his friends serve a version of rum punch at their gatherings, and it sounds like the perfect fruity summer cocktail to sip while you're reading this book. You can find AtoZ World Food on the databases page of our website.
• “Storm” into some snacking with Mandazi, an airy doughnut flavored with coconut, cardamom, and cinnamon. You’re “Shuri” to love it! Find the recipe on AtoZ World Food, available on our databases page.
• Accompany Archival Quality's slow-brewing mystery with a jar of Sun Tea. All you need is a clear jar, purified water, tea, and the warm summer sun! Add fresh mint, lavender, or chamomile for extra flavor. Instructions can be found on AtoZ World Food, available on our databases page.

Marissa chats with Robyn Schneider about her newest contemporary YOU DON'T LIVE HERE, as well as the #OwnVoices movement, being more open on social media, lots of love for Oscar Wilde, and... the SECRET-secret menu at In-N-Out Burger.   

Also mentioned: JoinCampaignZero.org as one option for those wanting to support the Black Lives Matter movement, and this list of Black-owned bookstore across America: https://www.elitedaily.com/p/22-black-owned-bookstores-you-can-order-from-online-22952386. (Happy shopping!)

Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer

Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/