First Date x Indie Bookshop Week: Bolu Babalola

Independent Bookshop Week has arrived and this year it finds us gearing up for Scotland's inaugural festival for romance writing: First Date  takes place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on June 25th.

If you're not in Edinburgh for it, fear not. The panels will not only be livestreamed, but we've also invited some of our favourite authors of romance fiction from further afield to take part in the celebrations virtually by recommending their favourite romance reads!

Today, we're thrilled to feature a list curated by Bolu Babalola.

Bolu Babalola is a British-Nigerian woman with a misleading Bachelor’s degree in Law, and a Master’s degree in American Politics & History from UCL. She feels it is important to state that her thesis was on Beyoncé's ‘Lemonade’ and she was awarded a distinction for it, so essentially she has a Master’s degree in Beyoncé. A writer of books, scripts, culture pieces and retorts, and a lover of love and self-coined “romcomoisseur”, Bolu writes stories of dynamic women with distinct voices who love and are loved audaciously. She is a big believer in women being both “beauty and the beast”. Her short story collection, LOVE IN COLOUR, was published in 2020, became a Times bestseller and was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year. Her debut novel, HONEY AND SPICE, was published in July 2022 and was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Over to Bolu!

Luster, Raven Leilani

Leilani's sentences wind me. Incisive, precise, whilst beautifully vivid. It's about a young woman discovering herself, exploring sexual power imbalances, the racialised power imbalances and the pursuit and power I think of being seen and known. A searing and moving exploration of life as a young black woman, life in all its mess, mundanity and and glory.

Seven Days In June, Tia Williams

This book knocked me off of my feet! So funny but manages to be deeply moving, exploring the darkness of life, whilst revelling of the joy of it all, of connecting with someone who shines light through your darkness. And it's so hot!! I adored it instantly. Love at first sentence. A modern, Black love story for the ages. I inhaled it and was bereft when it was over.

When We Were Birds, Ayanna Banwo

I was spellbound! A gorgeous, fantastical story that deftly weaves the earthly and ethreal and melds their boundaries. Womanhood and life within death is told through magical realism. A mesmerising love story that is achingly tender.

You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty, Akwaeke Emezi

Emezi is a vivacious writer-words are at their whim, and I am so glad that they have turned their pen towards romance. A sexy love story that questions what we think we know of love and attraction, stretches expectations, whilst bringing up the question of what it means to live and to heal and to find your truth. An exquisite read that you will sigh, cry, and pant at!

Small Worlds, Caleb Azumah-Nelson

Azumah-Nelson weaves not just worlds but exquisite universes with his words. SMALL WORLDS is a masterful exploration of love, masculinity, coming of age and community, and Azumah-Nelson's dextrous, sublime pen brings it into dazzling life.

Follow #FirstDateFestival on our social media and keep an eye out for more recommended romance reads through Independent Bookshop Week. Info about First Date Festival can be found HERE.

Author photo credit: Caleb Azumah-Nelson