What We've Been reading: May 2023

Welcome! You've reached the place where we, on a monthly basis, gather up what the Lighthouse team are currently reading. You can check out round-ups from previous months amongst our Read Think Act posts.

This month we've been surrpunded by riotously funny essays, the politics of black metal music, beautiful writing for younger readers and much more:

Noor

Untypical by Pete Wharmby - really really insightful and frank, it definitely articulates how we neurotypicals have made things needlessly difficult for autistic people.

I remain in Darkness by Annie Ernaux and The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu.

Trisha

I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel - feels like reading an urgent diary that is equally dark, funny and politically timely !

Anita

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aok i- I have no words to describe it, it's sooo beautiful, a constant breaking and mending of the heart!!! Note that as a side-effect, it also produces a strong yearning for the violin.

Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan.

Mairi

Fieldwork by Iliana Regan - memoir-meets-nature writing, Iliana is a queer chef and forager in the US and the book blends family history with meditations on connections to land, the harm men do to women and to the natural world, what devastation and rebuilding look like. A recommendation from Elsa at Typewronger - so if you want more of this sort of thing make sure to seek them out!

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby - I'm snort laughing through her total lack of filter and expansive candour on all things from toilet etiquette and tricky health issues to porn and finances. I love her and I am glad she is back with more.

Jim

Tonight It's a World We Bury by Bill Peel - a fascinating political re-figuring of the infamous black metal music scene.

Christina

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them) by Nadine Aisha Jassat - A beautiful, lyrical, vital book on family, loss, memory, friendship, and finding your own voice.

Jess

Practice Makes Perfect by Rosa-Johan Uddoh - a book that joyfully, fiercely shows how radical art can expand the very pages of a book. On Black representation, the politics of popular culture, tennis and much more. With stickers!