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

Sounds About Right: Audiobooks to Help Us Understand the World

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