Fire Rush | 
pick16 April-5 May 24
A book about a subject I know little about: the dub scene in UK in the early 80s and the police brutality and gang culture in the outskirts of London. Much of the language used and Jamaican traditions described were completely new to me. But perhaps the novelty is what made it enjoyable.
Yamaye and her friends go clubbing in an underground crypt every weekend. But violence enters her life and she is forced to make big changes.
The subject of this book, clubbing, was not one I normally would be drawn to. However, the universal themes of poverty, childhood abandonment, racism and sexism kept my interest. I can see how it was a finalist for the Women's Prize and it's especially impressive given that it's a debut novel.
Yay!
Xigxag gave me a half-price voucher, for being such a rubbish customer (strange but true), so I‘ve finally got my audio copy of Fire Rush.
Sadly, it‘ll have to wait a month or two, because I‘m in full-Fitz mode, but Yay! all the same.
(And I do love that cover.)
pickThe first few chapters of this excellent story evoke the joy of young women living for their weekend dancing to 'lovers rock'. The atmosphere reminded me of an episode from the brilliant 'Small axe'. The story is then abt Yamaye's life in which the brutal racism of the police hurts her personally, but she is also damaged by male sexual control. The finale shifts gear again into a dramatic thriller. It is a great story of love, friendship, + race.
The winner of the #WomensPrize will be announced today, and I am hesitant to attempt a prediction. Instead I present my personal top six. Four of them are on the official shortlist, and I'll be happy if either of them win. (Conversely there's a 1/3 chance that the announcement will make me a serious grumpy face 😒) I am, however, rooting slightly more for Fire Rush than for the others. 🔥🎶
pickYamaye and her friends love to go out partying during the weekends. Then something happens, and she is left with no friends and escapes to a different city. There she finds herself more trapped than she ever expected
A book about toxic relationships, friendships, love and finding yourself
The only thing is that this book is written in a Jamaican English dialect that was hard to read, especially when English isn‘t your mother tongue
pickWOW. This was really something special. There were times where I felt like I wasn‘t getting along with it because it made me so uncomfortable. But then I would allow myself to sink back into the musical language and be swept away. A really unique reading experience. 👍🏼
pickI do have one more book to go from the #WomensPrize but currently this is my favourite. It took me longer to read than most books, because it has it's own rhythm and won't be rushed even as it has your pulse racing and you're holding your breath. I'm going to let it percolate through me and echo in my soul for a while, and then I'm going to listen to the audiobook. Yes, I now own this in multiple formats, it's that good.
Attention Brits! Kindle Daily Deal!
pick#WomensPrizeshortlist
Wonderful writing, often hard to read due to the content. This is excellent.
I wish I had been in a different mood, I think it would have hit harder, I have been craving much lighter reads lately.
I am glad this made the shortlist, it is an interesting story, and I don't see many Jamaican -British novels. I also loved the thread of music throughout, recommend the audio for the rhythm and some music.
pickEach of my books last week were so different from each other and all so good! It just makes me so glad to be a reader and so grateful for all the authors who give us such wonderful stories. Loved Fire Rush on audio, could feel the rhythm in my bones. The Marriage Portrait is historical fiction at its best. Honor was a reminder that not all parts of the world are part of the modern age.
#magnificentMay #readathon @Andrew65 #readinggoals -
I have been looking forward to Greek Lessons so starting there, then I need to read Poverty for an IRL bookclub. Then tackling my library books, I have 2 more ready for pickup so need to tackle that this week.
Also listening to the tagged on Audio.
pickWhat a debut. I'm excited to see what Crooks writes next.
While I found the story sometimes stalled, especially in the first 2/3, the power and rhythm of Crooks' prose pull you through those moments.
Set in 70s/80s England and Jamaica, the issues confronted here are still incredibly relevant, particularly police racism and brutality, and the grooming and abuse of vulnerable women.
Thanks library. 2 days too late! 😂
Still excited to listen to this. Before the winner is announced.
pickAudio is OUTSTANDING 🎧🙌🏻♥️A coming of age story set in the UK, late 1970‘s where a group of Caribbean descendants live in estate housing trying hard to fit in but racism, classism, police brutality and prejudices are hard to overcome. Touching on home & belonging this shortlisted novel is full of beats, sorrows, madness and redemption. Parts got dark & felt a little too long but definitely an impressive debut & worthy entry for #WomensPrize23
#DailyAudioWalk this book was just announced as a shortlist contender for the #WomensPrize23
Audio is EXCELLENT and I can understand why the judges went with this one (it‘s definitely UK centric) and deals with race, identity, belonging & homeI. It‘s not my favorite from the list but it‘s worthy🤩Today is Israel‘s Independence Day- 75 years strong 💙🤍🇸🇻 celebrating with an ice coffee & chocolate - 2 things I‘ve been actively avoiding 😛
pickIn a story that starts in 1978 but could easily have been lifted out of 2020, Yamaye is finding her way as a young black woman in London, facing racism and sexism and ultimately grappling with police brutality, all while working toward her musical goals. I really enjoyed this book and found the audio to be very well done.
#DailyAudioWalk Another beautiful day despite the solemness, as today is Israel‘s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. A sad day for such a small country where literally everyone knows someone who has been directly affected. Every year I‘m reminded of the sacrifices made by all the brave young woman & men who put their lives on the line. I‘m enjoying this audio very much but it‘s turned a bit dark.
I love the cover design on this dust jacket so much, I really want a framed movie-poster sized one. ? But I am half wishing I had this book on audio instead. It's written mostly(?) in Jamaican patois so I need to "hear" it in my head as I'm reading to fully make sense of it. And it is a book with music, verses, dancing, it is written with a certain "riddim" to it.
Inspired by @CarolynM im attempting a #DailyAudioWalk this week especially since the weather is GORGEOUS ☀️So far this audio from the Woman‘s Prize long-list is fantastic 🎶🎧
pickVivid and colourful, a strong debut about a young girl looking for love and belonging in a cruel and dangerous world she finds herself in. Always has her mother‘s voice within her and navigating life with music in her blood, she finds true love until tragedy strikes. Loved this book but it did take a while to get into and then I was hooked!
pickCatching up with lots of reviews…
I didn‘t expect to like this #womensprize longlisted book, it being about raving and dub reggae; really not my ‘scene‘.
Yes, I had to look up some patois words but, it really drew me in with its universal themes of love and loss, and I loved the MC, Yamaye.
It could make my shortlist, although I keep changing my mind at the moment!
Rock, pop, reggae, dub, all kinds of music beating against the glass windows of the towers. New Year parties in mid-swing.... the estate roads are empty, no one else around.
Oraca's on the armchair; Asase's sitting on the carpeted floor.... The gas fire's on and two green paraffin lamps on either side of the bay window are churning smoke. A bottle of golden rum, champagne glasses, fried garra rufa fish on a large plate.
