By Alain Mabanckou translated by Helen Stevenson African literature frequently draws on the experiences of animals to demonstrate inequality and injustice in society by considering the perspectives of the marginalised and overlooked. Those that are ‘animalised’ in society are used in order to demonstrate the violence that is inflicted on the oppressed, and provide a … Continue reading #Veganuary: Memoirs of a Porcupine
#Veganuary: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk Translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones This is the first fiction book on my list this month and there is a good reason. The novel is a crime story but with a twist in that it is also a primer for vegetarian ethics. The novel … Continue reading #Veganuary: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Welcome to #Veganuary
My name is Abdourahamane Ly, I am a vegan animal rights activist from Guinea and this month I am guest curating #Veganuary for the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative. Veganuary is an annual challenge created by an organization in the UK encouraging people to adopt a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. I will … Continue reading Welcome to #Veganuary
#ZimbabweLitMonth: This Might Sting a Bit (2021)
As this month comes to an end, I know this might sting a bit so I thought I would end with this novel about substance abuse set in Harare. In her debut novel, Claire Adlam introduces us to the Hay family. "Meet Kat. Just a regular teenager growing up on a Zimbabwean farm. Full of … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: This Might Sting a Bit (2021)
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 🇰🇵: Three Days in That Autumn by Pak Wanseo, tr. Ryu Sukhee
In a Nutshell: This is a slightly upsetting yet beautiful and insightful read with a positive ending. Three Days in That Autumn is a 87 page novella that I raced through. This novella tells the story of a gynaecologist, we meet her as she approaches the final three days of her working life before retiring. She … Continue reading Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 🇰🇵: Three Days in That Autumn by Pak Wanseo, tr. Ryu Sukhee
Azerbaijan 🇦🇿: Days in the Caucasus by Banine, tr. by Anne Thompson-Ahmadova
In a Nutshell: Days in the Caucasus, originally published in Paris in 1945, is Banine’s memoir of her childhood in Baku, from when she was born (1905) until she left for Paris in 1923. It was translated into English in 2019. Parisian Days, the kind of sequel to Days in the Caucasus was published earlier … Continue reading Azerbaijan 🇦🇿: Days in the Caucasus by Banine, tr. by Anne Thompson-Ahmadova
#TasmanianLitMonth – Biographies – Hannah Gadsby and Stephenie Cahalan
Introduction and interview questions by guest curator, Bec Taylor Incredibly famous Tasmanian literary export, Hannah Gadsby, has taken the comedy world by storm. Incisively witty, brutally honest, and disconcertingly deadpan, Hannah's rise to fame began with stand up comedy and led to Hulu and Netflix success ("Nanette") with a string of awards. Hannah has now … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth – Biographies – Hannah Gadsby and Stephenie Cahalan
#TasmanianLitMonth – Featured Writer Ian Broinowski
About Ian Ian Broinowski, PhD, MEd, BA(Soc Wk), BEc, Dip Teach, worked as an advanced skills teacher in children’s services at the Institute of TAFE Tasmania in Hobart, Australia for many years. Ian has a background in Economics, Social Work and Education. He has taught in a wide range of subjects in aged care, disability … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth – Featured Writer Ian Broinowski
#TasmanianLitMonth: Featured Writer – Robbie Arnott
Written by guest curator, Bec Taylor Robbie ArnottPhoto credit: Mitch Osborne About Robbie Comparisons can be controversial but surely this one is for real - Robbie Arnott could be considered the next big international break-out novelist from Tasmania, in the tradition of Richard Flanagan, such is the enthusiasm for his work. Born in Launceston in 1989 and … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth: Featured Writer – Robbie Arnott
#TasmanianLitMonth – Featured Writer: Danielle Wood
Author Danielle WoodPhoto credit: Karen Brown Danielle Wood is the author of The Alphabet of Light and Dark, Rosie Little’s Cautionary Tales for Girls, Housewife Superstar: The Very Best of Marjorie Bligh and Mothers Grimm. As Minnie Darke, she is the author of Star-crossed, The Lost Love Song, With Love from Wish & Co and the forthcoming Audible Original, Wild Apples. With Heather … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth – Featured Writer: Danielle Wood
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 