In 2020 the Bocas Caribbean Literary Festival polled readers to suggest Caribbean books they grew up reading and loved, and published its 100 Caribbean Books That Made Us listing. In June 2022 for Caribbean American Heritage month and Read Caribbean month on Instagram, I decided to spend the month listing the 100 Caribbean books that…
Tag: herewereadforfun
Hope and Glory
Jendella Benson | Nigeria A young woman named Glory has returned home to the UK for her father’s funeral. She’s very insecure about her past choices that took her to Los Angeles, and this insecurity manifests itself in periodic bouts of anxiety. Returning has opened her eyes to the realization that her family is fractured…
In Conversation with Simfoni Nibbs
Simfoni Nibbs, the founder of Books ‘n Bush Tea, first came on my radar in 2020 when she was interviewed on an Instagram Live and I’ve followed her page ever since. So, when she announced that she would be starting a book truck business on the U.S. Virgin Islands, I was intrigued and excited for…
In Conversation with Xochitl Gonzalez
Puerto Rico’s relationship with America is one that has been contentious for many decades. It is deeply rooted in political corruption, colonization, economic exploitation, neglected representation from political leaders, and restricted agency to chart their own future as a country. Subsequently, the Puerto Rican experience in American is heavily influenced by these factors. Olga Dies…
The Garden of Broken Things
Francesca Momplaisir | Haiti Similar to a plot of land that can grow yams, potatoes, herbs for seasoning food, plantains, and even nourish one’s soul, The Garden of Broken Things grows and harvests multiple disfigured relationships within one Haitian family. Francesca Momplaisir’s sophomore novel explores the complexities associated not only with family resentments and jealousies,…
In Conversation with Marsha Massiah-Aaron
As a continuation of my special series for Caribbean American Heritage month and Read Caribbean month, I’m pleased to highlight this powerful ally of Caribbean literature: the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival (BCLF), a committed supporter of Caribbean books and storytelling led by its founder Marsha Massiah-Aaron. Marsha and her team are small and mighty: they…
In Conversation with Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa
Afro-Puerto Rican novelist Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa captured me with her second novel A Woman of Endurance, when it was published in April 2022. It led me to back to her first novel, Daughters of the Stone, first published in 2009 and all I can say is both books are important additions to contemporary literature. These are…
In Conversation with Christabelle Elvin
Welcome to a special edition of In Conversation! June is Caribbean American Heritage Month and in the bookish space we celebrate Read Caribbean Month. This month I will be focusing on very specific allies of Caribbean literature from across the Caribbean region and the diaspora, talking with these creative folks about their dedication to Caribbean…
Here We Read For Fun 