Today, we have means to travel to other worlds or even eras at the tip of our fingers. Next to movies, series, and the newly online-based tours, we have the old-school way: reading. Here are some of the best books to get you through the summer.
Through reading we can escape time and space. And, with so much time on our hands this summer, everyone can find a fictional or non-fictional world that they can insert themselves in.
Relevant to our times
In line with current events, it is only fair to start our list of recommendations with books that explore the struggles of black communities. These two books are only a few of the many books that give a larger perspective on racism and on the lives of those experiencing such behaviour from others.
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In one of her most well-known novels, Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses in detail about the black communities from the United States and the United Kingdom. The Nigerian writer particularly focuses on the differences and similarities between the cultures of “American Blacks” and “Non-American Blacks”.
These topics are explored through two main characters, Ifemelu and Obinze. Ifemelu moves to the US to pursue higher education and Obinze moves to the UK for work and a better future. The book explores how these two young and aspiring Nigerian students must come to terms with how now, the colour of their skin, impacts their daily lives.
A huge emphasis is on Ifemelu’s experience – who begins to write a blog as a way of supporting her community. Her blog becomes a safe space for women of colour who learn how to be themselves again.
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For non-fiction lovers, Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race –written by British author Reni Eddo-Lodge – is a better fit. This book is heavily relevant for those who want to understand how black communities experience discrimination within the United Kingdom. The author has also written an article for the Guardian back in 2017 with the same title, where she expanded on the topic. You can read the article on the Guardian website.
Sport
Lockdown has impacted our liberties, including our ability to attend events. There are plenty of us who miss sport events and being active. But sport can become an interesting topic to explore in a book.
The journey of an athlete is full of obstacles, both mental and physical. Diving into such stories can be inspiring.
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The Final Round: The Autobiography of Jane Couch is an important read for all boxing lovers and supporters of women’s boxing. Jane Couch – five-time world boxing champion – became the first British woman to acquire a boxing license.
The story of the legal battle between the athlete and the British Board of Boxing Control exposes the stigma around women’s boxing within the UK back in the ‘90s, but also the heartbreak of an athlete who wanted to pursue the career of her dreams.
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Sport can sometimes be a reflexion of our society. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis explores the evolution of American football, but also the story of Michael Oher who overcomes an impoverished childhood, becoming a professional right tackler for the Baltimore Ravens. The American footballer’s journey to success begins after he is adopted by a white family who save him from the streets and from a turbulent past.
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Addicted by Tony Adams looks at the dark side of sport and how pressure can make athletes turn to addiction. In the book, Adams talks about his alcohol addiction which sheds a light on the issue of mental health and well-being in football.
Fashion
On the other side of the spectrum, there are plenty of books about fashion and the icons of this industry. Stories about raising from poverty to success or poor creatives becoming established names of the industry will keep you determined.
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Chanel and Her World: Friends, Fashion, and Fame by Edmonde Charles-Roux is an incredible account of Coco Chanel’s life, the story of one of the most popular designer names in the world. The biography of legendary Coco follows the ups and downs of the fashion icon in her business but also in her personal life. This story of rise to fame and success unfolds unexpectedly, leaving the reader wonder whether the designer has ever truly achieved her goals.
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For those seeking inspiration from fashion names of current times, Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day is a better choice. The story of hip-hop clothing becoming high fashion intertwines with the life experience of the fashion designer. Style is not the only thing that can be learnt from Dapper Dan.
Some longer reads…
Since this summer will be slower than usual, it is a great time to dive into the long reads of non-fiction which are thought-provoking and require concentration and patience. These are the books that you can dip in and out in moments of solitude.
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For those who identify themselves as feminists, Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophy book The Second Sex is an important read to go through. In this once banned book by the Vatican, the writer presents the women’s role and influence throughout history, referring to women’s biological and sociological roles. This eye-opening masterpiece will leave some shocked even today.
A pillar of race literature is Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth that looks at how colonialization has brought dehumanization, scarring many psychologically. The historic trauma of an individual has today become the trauma of a society.
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Even though Fanon’s collection of psychiatric and psychological analysis dates from the ‘60s, this is an excellent option for readers who want to dive in classic modern literature before looking at contemporary works on the topic of race. Beginning with earlier works on this topic can paint a larger picture for people and help with understanding contemporary philosophers and essayists better in their voiced concerns.
This summer will be challenging for many, but maybe this stillness is a sign. We all need to reflect on ourselves and the world we live in every once in a while. And what better way to do this then by picking up a book that challenges our mind and understanding?
By Emilia Roman
Feature image: Medium