What We've Been Reading: November 2024

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.

It’s a short round-up this month, folks, partly because we’re just coming out of the Edinburgh Radical Book Fair (which you can watch back HERE) and because we’re working on our round-up of 2024 favourites! Keep an eye out for those in the coming days.

Noor

Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Tree Stories by Stefano Mancuso and My Brother, My Land by Sami Hermez

Currently reading: Palestine + 100 - ed. Basma Ghayalini and Pleasure Gardens by Skye Arundhati Thomas and Izabella Scott

Hannah

Read Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield - I'll be honest - I was kind of expecting more deep sea creatures and less grieving (for a relationship changed, or a person prior to a life altering event). The edgy and oppressive atmosphere in both narratives, from married protagonists Leah and Miri, was really smartly written and I was slightly unnerved the whole time I was reading it, in a good way.

Curious Women and Other Creatures by Sam Le Butt - From Radical Bookshop (a Canadian online bookshop and publisher) this collection has some really snappy standalone stories, followed by a set of abstract interconnected vignettes. What if all your ageing for the year happens on your birthday? What if goodness was a tangible organ - what lengths would people go to to get their hands on it?

Listened to Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman (narrated by Ruth Wilson) -There used to be another certain children's fantasy series I'd turn to when I needed something familiar to help me sleep, before the author revealed their heinous nature. This was a welcome alternative, I loved returning to Lyra's world(s) and adventures as I was drifting off, bringing back the characters and places I imagined when reading (and re-reading) it as a kid.

JJ

Poor artists by White Pube - creative non-fiction giving a damning account of the art industry. White Pube expose how the art business undervalues and overworks artists, whilst morality-washing itself. For anyone who feels like work is creeping into their art, and not in a good way

Bloodsongs by Mae Diansangu - exciting new poetry from a Queer Aberdonian poet, speaking in Scots and English. Diansangu has words for every gut wrenching, exhilarating emotion, her poetry makes me feel alive and wanting to do something about it.

Rachel

Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk - quick engaging read, an ending to discuss

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander - steamy and well written