Sounds About Right: Audiobooks to Help Us Understand the World

#67: The Black Lit Fic ( Literary Fiction) Extravaganza with @jpreads6

NG Jones Episode 67

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