I had a fascinating conversation with John-Paul (@jpreads6. His TikTok account is one of the most prominent in an engaging and community focused niche, black literary fiction. The books mentioned in the episodes are:
- Honey and Spice, by Bolu Babalola
- The Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
- Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- Small World by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- In Every Mirror She's Black by Lola Akinmade Åkerström
- Everything is Not Enough by Lola Akinmade Åkerström
- Light Seekers by Femi Kayode
- The Perfect Find by Tia Williams
- Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
- Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh
Some of our topics discussed were:
- What inspired John-Paul on showcasing authors from black authors and how he chooses the books to review
- How are social media platforms changing the ways books are discussed and discovered
- How does John-Paul feel about the responsibility and influence that comes with his reviews
- Books that had a profound impact on his perspective and emotions
- How do the books on the black experience contribute towards a better understanding of diverse narratives?
- Are there any trends he has noticed in the portrayal of black characters in the stories he's read?
- John-Pauls recommendation of an authors that deserves more recognition
- TV adaptations of books
- Upcoming books that he's excited about