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Teen Vogue •

People Shouldn't Be Surprised That Britain is Still Very Racist

There’s a popular image of Britain as a haven of multiculturalism and tolerance. This past weekend shattered that image for those who still believed in it.Riots broke out across the UK, planned and fueled by far-right groups, with reports from Liverpool of far-right rioters setting fire to a library and food bank, and the burning of a hotel housing migrants in Rotherham. The scenes have been heartbreaking — but for Black and Asian Britons, we’ve been unsurprised by the forceful presence of racis...
Glamour UK •

Why is society suddenly so scared of a Black Juliet?

Sadly, I wasn't overly surprised at the horrific racist backlash towards Black actor Francesca Amewudah-Rivers after she was announced to play Juliet alongside Tom Holland’s Romeo earlier this year. Growing up and working on social media, I know that it is overrun with misogynistic and racist foolishness – it’s part of the existence of being a woman of colour. Given that X (formerly Twitter) in particular, is full of people who seem to enjoy being loud and wrong, misogynoir rears its ugly head d

Austerity Is Killing Birmingham’s Culture

As a child, the Library of Birmingham was my favourite place in the world. My mum, seeing my best efforts to gather up five or six books at any one time, had to enforce a strict ‘only take what you can carry’ rule. With the two books my little arms could manage I’d breeze through the hours after school or after bedtime with a torch under the covers, and race back the week after for more. When it was the heritage spaces of Birmingham that offered me my first ever paid job years later, she and I a
Black Ballad •

Christopher Kapessa's Death Shows That Black Children Still Aren't Safe In The UK

When a child dies, anger, confusion and sadness are normal reactions. But there is an expectation for the family to get justice. But for black children, this does not appear to be the case.

Christopher Kapessa was a 13-year-old boy who died after being pushed into the River Cynon in South Wales in 2019. Initially, the Welsh police labelled the incident an accident as Jayden Pugh, the boy who pushed Christopher, said he had fallen.

The 14-year-old was later found to have unlawfully killed Chris
Byline Times •

Loyalty to the NHS Won't Stop an Exodus of Underpaid Junior Doctors – Byline Times

The longest strike in NHS history by junior doctors has taken place, with junior doctors in England striking for six days from 7am on Wednesday 3 January until 7am on Tuesday 9 January. The British Medical Association (BMA) are pushing for junior doctors to get a 35% pay rise, which would restore pay to 2008 wages, in line with inflation. There are also concerns over changes to employment contracts which may see extended working hours without compensation which jeopardises both patient safety an
Black Ballad •

How Black Women In The Public Eye Manage Their Mental Health

It is no secret that black women face scrutiny for breathing. Last year, we saw Nella Rose face scrutiny on I’m A Celeb... despite Nigel Farage being right there and it only fuelled conversations on how black women in the public arena, no matter their career, are treated and the effect on our mental health and wellbeing.

Actress Ruby Barker, known for her portrayal of Miss Marina Thompson in Netflix’s Bridgerton, has been vocal about her experiences with mental health, and being a mixed race bl
The Guardian •

‘Sorry, we don’t want lesbians’: Bridgerton’s problem with racism, homophobia and body-shaming

When Bridgerton exploded on to TV screens around the world in Christmas 2020, it was largely applauded as a fantastical re-imaging of Regency-era Britain. It was the frothy medicine we needed – a period drama for the 21st-century viewer. Ballrooms full of black and brown faces enjoying Ariana Grande and Beyoncé songs in multicoloured ballgowns! Anachronisms galore! Sexy encounters on verandas! It felt like the ultimate modern take on a low-stakes Jane Austen fantasy.But there is a dark underside...
Black Ballad •

Hopeless, Hatred & No Trust: How Black Women Really Feel About July’s General Election

Register to vote by Tuesday 18th June to ensure you can vote in the General Election on Thursday 4th July.

Voters in Britain now need to show photo ID to vote in the General Election. You can check to see what form of ID is valid or if you do not have an accepted form of photo ID you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Rishi Sunak decided that summer was far too joyful and called an election for July 4th. However, the two main parties on the ballot appear to draw apathy and disda
Black Ballad •

If Top Boy Is Your Only Reference For Black British TV, You Need To Catch Up!

The announcement of the BAFTA Television Awards nominations and the release of the trailer for Netflix’s Supacell has brought up a conversation about the representation of Black people in television and film.

No, not the usual one, but rather a take that comes up when Top Boy comes up.

“Why is this the only Black show out there?!” is often tweeted, with a sneering undertone. Or, “Finally, a Black show that doesn’t revolve around gangs!” someone says when they see a new trailer for a new Black-
Black Ballad •

The Girls Won’t Stop Saying ‘Girl Math’ and ‘Girl Dinners’ and It’s Annoying

“Black women, black children, they are not afforded the luxury of vulnerability.” – Roxane Gay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’

In her essay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’, Roxane Gay discusses the incident of a young Black girl viciously attacked by a policeman in her classroom all because she did not put away her phone, and how Black women and children are burdened with a presumption of guilt, and so the innocence of childhood fades so quickly.

This essay, commissioned to celebrate the r
The Bookseller •

Same old stories

Literary retellings of classics have exploded in the past few years, not least thanks to BookTok’s enduring love for Madeline Miller and her feminist takes on the Greek myths. Reworkings and updates of well-known novels, myths and legends combine familiarity and freshness in a way that seems to load the dice for commercial success, from beloved old Bridget Jones (a take on Pride and Prejudice) to A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, which takes the tale of the Trojan War and gives readers the vie
Black Ballad •

Why Don't Black Women Own Black Hair & Beauty Shops?

The recent incident at Peckham Hair & Cosmetics has reignited conversation about the politics of black beauty supply stores. There have even been calls to boycott non-black-owned hair supply stores due to a long history of bad experiences in hair shops. From racial profiling to toxic hair products, hair shops are often a contradictory place to be in as a black woman.

I have fond childhood memories of going to the beauty supply store as a child. My mum would buy Pink lotion and those hair ties w
The Bookseller •

Calling out toxic romance

The romance genre has always been female-centric. It’s long been a safe space for women to write stories of falling in love, to articulate how they might find themselves through finding a partner, and to celebrate (through the almost invariably happy endings) healthy, aspirational relationships.

Of course, from Bridget Jones to Pride and Prejudice, they’ve also been full of some questionable social biases and mores, depending on the context an author is living in – the self-deprecating body sha
Black Ballad •

The Allegations Against Lizzo Are A Disaster For Fat Black Women Everywhere

On Tuesday, disturbing allegations against Lizzo and her team came to light and they were shocking to read about. Three former dancers are suing, Lizzo, her company and Lizzo’s dance captain, claiming a hostile working environment that involved sexual harassment, weight shaming, racism and a slew of inappropriate behaviour.

It is flabbergasting to think that someone who was known for being empowering and spreading positivity in the pop industry has been accused of overseeing and contributing to
Metro •

I was told I couldn't be depressed because I was young and Black

That’s the question I would ask myself when I woke up every morning before school.

Aged 13, I’d feel the sudden urge to crawl back into bed and hide from the world.

But nothing had happened to me. Nothing was ‘wrong’.

So why, in the back of my mind, did I want to die?

For as long as I can remember, I’d go through episodes of frustration, anger, and depression. A cycle that has always weighed heavy on my mind and health, but I was unable to articulate it.

I had great grades and was doing wel
The Bookseller •

Of bad women and white privilege

Caroline Calloway’s first memoir, And We Were Like, was supposed to be published by Flatiron Books, an imprint of Macmillian, in 2016. Except it never happened, because it was revealed that Calloway had a ghostwriter write the proposal – and that she’d lied about her life too, the one that caused publishers to be interested in her in the first place.

Her second memoir, Scammer – Calloway’s attempt to respond to the comments against her – is self-published. Released to journalists this June, it
Polyester •

Stop Chucking Stuff at Musicians: Pink Doesn’t Want Your Mam’s Ashes — Polyester

Throwing items at concerts is not a new phenomenon: Since the days of Beatlemania, fans have thrown all sorts - from food to hotel keys to underwear - at singers. The Rolling Stones had bras thrown onstage in tribute from women who wanted to sleep with Mick Jagger.

Famously, Ozzy Osbourne had a bat thrown at him and was the first singer, I believe, to need a rabies shot mid-concert. Osbourne has also noted in the time since, he assumed the bat was a toy when chomping its head off, and was mid-c
Glamour UK •

The Twilight Saga romanticised toxic relationships – so why is it getting a reboot?

Hollywood is clearly in its reboot era and – for the most part – we're not mad. But The Twilight Saga returning as a TV series? Absolutely not.

Lately, we've been spoilt for choice when it comes to complex female characters – from superhero scientists to long-overdue redemptive arcs for unfairly maligned villains. Perhaps I'm being cynical, but there's something disturbing about rebooting such a problematic show – with all its overt themes of internalised misogyny, toxic relationships, and raci
Black Ballad •

Excuse Me, Your Misogyny Disguised As Pro-Blackness Is Showing

Generally, as a society, we are not great at discussing gender dynamics and sexism. This is particularly true online. But there is something transparent in the black community, disguised as pro-blackness, that goes on.

Recently, a few incidents played out – Jonathan Majors, who had been the internet’s newest boyfriend, was accused of assaulting a woman in a domestic dispute and was subsequently arrested by police. Then, not long after, actor and producer Noel Clarke did a bizarre interview with
Black Ballad •

Here We Go Again: The BAFTAs, The Oscars... The Award Season Is #SoWhite

Award Season is one of my favourite times of the year because I get to pretend to be a fashion and film expert while sitting in my pyjamas and drinking wine. But it has also become the most predictable time of the year. It’s the time of the year when I get to watch Black people – producers, directors, actors and creatives – get constantly overlooked, passed over or ignored.

Movies like The Woman King, an epic period piece, Till, the story of Mamie Till-Bradley, the mother of Emmett Till, and Sa
Stylist •

The Confessions Of Frannie Langton teaches us a lesson we were never taught in schools

From Pride & Prejudice to Bridgerton, I have long been an avid fan of British period dramas. And so, when ITVX announced The Confessions Of Frannie Langton would be dropping over the winter, I couldn’t wait to watch it. The four-part series centres on the eponymous Frannie (Karla-Simone Spence), a young former slave who is accused of murdering her employer, renowned scientist Mr George Benham (Stephen Campbell Moore) and his beautiful wife, Marguerite (Sophie Cookson). As the story progresses, t
PWR Magazine •

I'm Here For Eccentric Black Women in Period Dramas

I am always noticing niche trends within shows and movies I watch. A favourite trend that I have noticed is the eccentric black woman in period dramas. These characters are fun, witty and overdramatic.

Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) is notably an example of this - the dramatic and colourful wigs, the peacocks, and other exotic pets. The historical figure herself was quite eccentric, with a penchant for parties and matchmaking. But she is also shown to have a softer side. Her lov
b**p •

Sexism and Football - It Is Still A Problem

England’s Women’s football team succeeded where the men had failed for fifty-six years. They took home a major international trophy at the Euros 2022 tournament.

There has been widespread praise for the Lionesses, but it has also opened up a conversation about the inequality and double standards for male and female footballers.

The pay gap between men and women footballers is shocking. For example, for the Euros, after fifty-six years of hurt was £55,000 per player, a seemingly handsome sum.
b**p •

Roe v. Wade Explained - Beep

This week, you have most likely read that in the United States, the right to abortion was overturned by the Supreme Court.

So let’s break down what exactly Roe v. Wade was about and what it means for abortion rights in America.

In 1969, Norma Corvey – known under the pseudonym Jane Roe – became pregnant with her third child and wanted an abortion. But in Texas, abortion was illegal unless the mother’s life was in danger.

A lawsuit was filed on her behalf in the U.S. federal court against her

Why Celebrating Jubilee Weekend As A Second-Gen Immigrant Feels Wrong

It’s Platinum Jubilee weekend in the UK, marking the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne. But of course, in the UK you’d be more than aware. Nationwide, the red, white and blue bunting are up, and the trifles are setting in the bespoke Jubilee fridges. Corgi cupcakes and coronation chicken sandwiches are flying off the shelves and people are camped outside of Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the woman herself. I can understand the excitement; a four day bank h
b**p •

The Maternity Death Gap Explained - Beep

Pregnancy and Childbirth are considered among the most precious times in a person’s life. But for some women, it can be a scary occasion.

In the UK, compared to white women, black women are four times as likely to die in childbirth and during the post-partum period. Asian women are twice as likely.

For years, there have been anecdotes from Black and Asian women, alleging poor treatment at their most vulnerable moment in life. Racial bias in medical care is unfortunately still very real, with p
b**p •

The Side Lining of Women of Colour in the Labour Party - Beep

The Labour Party has always prided itself on its diversity and its commitment to liberalism and social justice.

But recently, I have noticed that women of colour within the Party – many of whom are the reason for Labour’s popularity – have been sidelined. And the issues pertaining to ethnic minority women are all but ignored.

Diane Abbott was the first black female MP. She has fought everyone – even her own Party – to get to where she is now. She is also the most abused MP in Westminster. But
b**p •

Representation in Period Dramas - Beep

Bridgerton season two is here and the period drama has received wide praise yet again.

But what really excited many about this season is the introduction of the Sharmas – Kathani ‘Kate’ Sharma, her younger sister Edwina Sharma and Mary Sharma.

It was exciting for many to see the details of Indian culture – from a tel malish massage to the use of Hindi terminology, an orchestral version of the Kabhi Kushi Khabi Gham soundtrack and bright colours that suit their complexions with patterns reflect
b**p •

TERFs are the Final Bosses of White Feminism - Beep

The highly successful children’s author has criticised Labour leader Keir Starmer for saying trans women are women, under the Equalities Act.

Starmer also added in this interview that a “more considered, respectful, tolerant debate about these issues” is needed. I’m guessing Rowling saw that part and also objected to it. She hopped onto Twitter and started a transphobic firestorm for which she received immense criticism.

But she also received a lot of support from the TERF community, who have
b**p •

University and Sexual Harassment - Beep

This week in the beautiful town of Cambridge, Massachusetts, an ugly yet familiar tale of abuse in universities emerged.

Three Harvard graduates are suing the university for allegedly ignoring the sexual harassment of students by a professor who they said threatened their academic careers if they reported him. The professor, John Comaroff, was sanctioned by the university after being found to have broken the school’s sexual harassment guidelines.

38 members of his faculty signed this letter, s
b**p •

"She Was Just...": The Problem with the Phrase - Beep

Yet another young woman has been murdered. Ashling Murphy was a 22-year-old school teacher and strangled to death last week on the banks of the Grand Canal, Tullamore, County Offaly.

The phrase “she was just…” has been a notable slogan used in response to the murders of women. “She was just walking home,” echoed after Sarah Everard was kidnapped and murdered by a police officer. “She was just out for a run” has become the slogan for Ashling Murphy, and “she was just walking to the pub,” was one
b**p •

The South College Incident isn't about Free Speech - Beep

As you have all heard by now, at the South College, Durham University, Christmas Formal, principal Tim Luckhurst invited columnist Rod Liddle to speak, with little warning to students. In his speech, Liddle is reported to have made a number of statements that were transphobic, racist and classist.

In response to student concerns, principal Luckhurst called students “pathetic'”for walking out. His wife branded them “arses”.

This culminated in protests at South College last Wednesday, which saw

Investigative Work

Polyester •

Swarm, Stans and Parasocial Relationships — Polyester

“It’s partly related to fantasy fulfilment. It’s not about the people themselves; it takes them out of their reality. And it's never a sole believer propagating these theories - it’s about community.” Dr Kaidan Pow, a sociologist who looks at online fan culture concerning women and black fandom, tells me. “The propensity for women and girls to discuss these things more - it has a lot to do with the culture of gossip, which is seen as a feminine thing to do and engage with.”

She continues explai
gal-dem •

Students build own support groups as universities fail to act on racism

Content warning: This article contains mention of discriminatory language.

“I feel like it’s so normalised that police won’t do anything, and I feel like my college is basically useless.”

That is how one student at Durham University described why they did not report multiple incidents of racism they faced whilst studying.

Racism is endemic across the UK’s higher education institutions. An investigation by the Guardian in 2019 confirmed the insidious nature of this form of discrimination in un
Grazia •

TikTok ‘TradWives’ Are Romanticising An Era Where Sexism And Racism Ruled

The Tradwife movement is one that has seemingly passed me by. I would occasionally see on my Instagram page pictures of old-fashioned cottages and gardens. Women standing over perfect dinner tables with loaves of homemade bread, but I didn’t become aware of the so-called ‘trad wife’ trend until I saw Stacey Dooley stay with a family who followed the lifestyle, as part of her documentary series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, and my interest was piqued.

What is a Tradwife? Popularised recently on Ins

Academic Work

Black Ballad •

What Labour Is Getting Wrong About Violence Against Women & Girls

Violence against women and girls has been called a national emergency. According to the study by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing, the number of recorded crimes involving violence against women and girls has surged by almost 40% in England and Wales in recent years. In the King’s Speech, the government outlined plans to halve violence against women in the next decade, with plans for ‘better policing’ being outlined in the Labour manifesto. There are also plans f...
Black Ballad •

The Girls Won’t Stop Saying ‘Girl Math’ and ‘Girl Dinners’ and It’s Annoying

“Black women, black children, they are not afforded the luxury of vulnerability.” – Roxane Gay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’

In her essay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’, Roxane Gay discusses the incident of a young Black girl viciously attacked by a policeman in her classroom all because she did not put away her phone, and how Black women and children are burdened with a presumption of guilt, and so the innocence of childhood fades so quickly.

This essay, commissioned to celebrate the r
DurhamUniversity •

Philosophy at Durham University | Meet our students | Michaela

Get to know our student Michaela and find out about her interest in social constructs and concepts

Find out more about the Department of Philosophy at Durham University: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/philosophy/

Find out more about our undergraduate programmes: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/philosophy/undergraduate-study/

Find out more about our postgraduate programmes: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/philosophy/postgraduate-study/

Go to the Philosophy YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zMD_kTXdjwr8TqqQL1CDorAvudZrb2S

#philosophy #society #concept

Watch more videos about our students:

Eleanor: https://youtu.be/cyDbxSx8y8M

Joseph: https://youtu.be/7lPKXeFSUHM

Linn: https://youtu.be/-h05xXyvKOw

Noora: https://youtu.be/bpVus1SAki4

Tomos: https://youtu.be/DaaxARnezYo

Meet our students: https://youtu.be/f3GLz776isE

In discussion: https://youtu.be/vvr8-3XkrBs
Wonkhe •

Should academics be made to decolonise the curriculum?

Decolonising the curriculum has gone from being a resistance movement to one of those buzzwords that get thrown around many universities.

Some have claimed that it is an effort to erase parts of the university curriculum. This false panic has been exemplified in a recent non-story about Stirling University supposedly getting rid of Jane Austen in favour of Toni Morrison. It’s simply not true – that module changes focus every year with a new author selected annually. Choosing Toni Morrison does
HISTORY IN POLITICS •

Religion and Decline of the Absolutism – The Stuarts

1625 doesn’t sound like a significant year in history, but in fact it is the start of a century of rebellions and revolutions that shaped the political system we have in Britain today.

This is because in1625 Charles I married a Catholic, kicking off a fight against absolutism in Britain.

Religion wasn’t of course the only reason but a key and perhaps the most important reason the country transitioned from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy.

The Stuart dynasty had always been Catholic –

Profiles

1883 Magazine •

Zaria - 1883 Magazine

Combined with her joie de vivre and organic drive, it makes sense that she filmed, wrote and directed her first short film two days after wrapping season 1 of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. She is an artist who hopes to make a positive mark on the world in all she does, whether it’s through her acting, writing or directing or music.


In the new season of the hit HBO Max spinoff, Zaria portrays the intense teen ballerina Faran Bryant who is brought closer to her new friends when they are ta...
1883 Magazine •

Kevin Morosky

Author Kevin Morosky writes a love letter to Black women in his new book, Black Women Always: Conversations on life, culture and creativity.

An industry-shaping multi-disciplinary creative and film auteur, Kevin Morosky is always immersed in many projects highlighting black and queer identities and emotions. His notable achievements include the award-winning short film Bruce, which aired on Channel 4 in 2021 and was featured at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2022. Another one of his shorts, Spu
1883 Magazine •

Cora Kirk

Cora Kirk is a rising star on both the screen and stage.

Having appeared in numerous theatre productions, from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and recently Of All the Beautiful Things in the World, she made her debut leading film role in the Prime Video, Your Christmas or Mine alongside Asa Butterfield. Your Christmas or Mine follows James (Butterfield) and Hayley, played by Kirk, as they accidentally end up at one another’s homes at Christmas. The sequel, releasing this month, sees a mix-
1883 Magazine •

Laya DeLeon Hayes

Laya DeLeon Hayes is making big strides in the industry.

At nineteen Laya DeLeon Hayes has a resume some could only hope for.

At nine years old, she voiced the titular role in the BAFTA, Emmy and Peabody Award-nominated animated series, Doc McStuffins. She earned her first Games BAFTA in 2023 for her voice work in God of War: Ragnarok and is nominated for a third NAACP award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture. She currently works alongside Queen Latifah and Lorraine T
1883 Magazine •

Cassie Clare

Cassie Clare is bringing an injection of life and flair to the fantasy genre.

It is rare to see black and brown women in leading roles in fantasy shows, but Cassie Clare is becoming a wonderfully familiar face in the genre. London-born and bred, she started out in the National Youth Theatre, acting, dancing and singing. You can currently see Clare in Netflix’s The Witcher as the bewitching Philippa. A powerful sorceress and spymaster, she steals every scene she is in. She also appears in Sandma
1883 Magazine •

Charlie Murphy

Charlie Murphy is becoming a familiar face on British television. The Irish actress contains multitudes, working on Peaky Blinders as the tough trade unionist Jessie Eden to her well-known role as Ann Gallagher in BBC’s hit drama Happy Valley. Now, she stars in Netflix’s new four-part drama, Obsession. Based on Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel, Damage, Murphy plays the mysterious Anna, who is having an affair with her fiance’s dad, portrayed by Richard Armitage. The show has been noted for its take o
1883 Magazine •

Jack Rowan

With A Town Called Malice, rising actor Jack Rowan is making his mark.

Jack Rowan is a British actor who isn’t just rising the waves of the acting industry — he’s making them himself with his exceptional talent and natural charm. Known for his captivating performances and versatility in projects like in Born to Kill, Noughts and Crosses, and Peaky Blinders, Rowan has quickly become a fan favourite among audiences worldwide. His latest project, A Town Called Malice, is a gripping drama that show
1883 Magazine •

Cameron Chapman

Rising actor Cameron Chapman might be fresh to the acting game, but his role on Lockwood & Co. proves he’s ready to takeover the industry.

The rising actor’s supernatural action-adventure series Lockwood & Co. is one that keep you on your toes (and make you check your room for ghosts before bed). A lover of all things eerie and eccentric — including an affinity for the play Macbeth — Cameron Chapman trained at the prestigious Royal Welsh College and Drama to the dashing and secretive Anthony Lo
1883 Magazine •

Malia Pyles

The Pretty Little Liars series defined a generation with its dramatic cliffhangers and terrifying text messages. HBO Max has created a spin-off that has garnered praise for its refreshing take on the horror genre in a modern show. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin centres on five teens who are terrorized by an anonymous stalker after the mother of one seemingly kills herself and a classmate dies during the school prom.

Malia Pyles portrays Minne ‘Mouse’ Honrada. But she is not all she seems – l

Reviews

b**p •

Album Review: Renaissance: Act I - Beep

Beyoncé needs no introduction. Her very name inspires sheer inspiration amongst everyone. And just when we needed her the most, she returned and shook the whole world to its core.

Act One of Renaissance certainly sets the tone for the album – a revival and rebirth of ballroom music of the 70s and 80s combined with modern rap and beats. Every song is suitable for any venue, from Studio 54 to a family gathering.

Read More: New Music from Beyoncé and Jay Z

The transitions are sublime. This album
b**p •

Book Review: Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola - Beep

Bolu Babalola had me hooked with Love in Colour in 2020, a beautiful anthology of love stories and she came back in 2022 with a fun romantic novel that I pre-ordered the first chance I could get.

Honey & Spice revolves around Kiki and Malakai, two students at Whitehall university, a fictional British university.

Kiki Banjo hosts a radio show, ‘Brown Sugar Show’ in which she doles out brutally honest advice to the Whitehall university students. But she’s closed off emotionally, especially to lo
b**p •

Book Review: A Thousand Ships - Beep

Natalie Haynes’ retelling of the Trojan War was attractive to me based on the description – a retelling from the view of the women. After reading her book, Pandora’s Jar, I was more than excited to read and she did not disappoint.

We all have heard of the Trojan War – Paris steals Helen of Troy beginning a long and bloody conflict. But we have not read it like this.

Recommended Reading: Book Review: Daisy Jones and The Six

The guide in this story is the muse of epic poetry, Calliope, we are g
b**p •

Book Review: Daisy Jones and The Six - Beep

Daisy Jones and The Six is the story of fictional musicians in the seventies. And I very much recommend this book to anyone in a slump or wanting to procrastinate before exams (like me!)

Written in interview snippets we, learn the ups and downs, the good and bad of how the band was formed. There is realism in the details that make you believe you are reading about a real band. I had never read a book in this style before. But the way Taylor Jenkins Reid writes it gives it the feel of watching a
b**p •

Book Review: If I Ever Met You - Beep

Mhairi McFarlane’s 2020 novel If I Never Met You has been on my ‘to be read‘ list for a while – and I am so happy that I finally got around to it.

The story revolves around thirty-six-year-old Laurie. She’s a lawyer, one of the best at her firm. Her partner, Dan, dumps her after eighteen years together which throws her off balance. We also have Jamie, a handsome hotshot criminal lawyer.

Laurie needs vengeance. Jamie needs to shake off his reputation to make partner at the firm. Obviously, a fa
b**p •

TV Review: Netflix's 'The Tinder Swindler' - Beep

I love a good Netflix documentary – true crime is a guilty pleasure and this one will have you yelling at the screen.

The Tinder Swindler tells the story of Shimon Hayut, who used the name, Simon Leviev, a conman who seduced women on Tinder and conned them out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

He posed as a billionaire diamond dealer’s son, enticed women on the dating app across Europe, and eventually manipulated them into giving him money, sinking these women into huge debts.

We are told h
b**p •

Book Review: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood - Beep

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is the latest read from my to-be-read list that has been interrupted by my studies, but we all need a break from Plato every now and then.

I didn’t know what to expect from the book. I don’t read many romantic books, but this was recommended by friends, Twitter, Pinterest and TikTok, so I had to see what the hype was about. I wasn’t disappointed.



This book is so charming! Olive Smith, the protagonist is a shy, intelligent and hardworking biology PhD stu
b**p •

Book Review: Such A Fun Age - Beep

Such A Fun Age is Kiley Reid’s debut novel and she comes out swinging with this fantastic piece of writing.

The story focuses on Emira, a nanny for a wealthy family. She’s a young black woman whose life is turned upside down when she is accosted by a security guard in a grocery shop, assuming she has kidnapped the child.

It is a funny, easy read, looking at the dynamics of privilege, racism and sexism from various points of view. There’s Alix Chamberlain, a rich white woman who just wants the
b**p •

Book Review: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé - Beep

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. This book was an unexpected buy, but the premise of the book had me hooked. A Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars-type thriller but with two black leads who are LGBTQ? Sign me up!

In fact, the plot is so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I can see why it has sat on the New York Times Bestsellers list for weeks. The protagonists are from completely different walks of life.

Devon is a talented musician from a deprived neighbourhood, at Niveous High on a sc