Things I've Read This Week

I have no idea why I didn't include anything related to the ongoing RWA fiasco last week, but realised my oversight a day or two after posting. Kayleigh Donaldson's piece on it is superb. https://www.pajiba.com/miscellaneous/a-timeline-and-explanation-of-the-romance-writers-of-america-controversy.php

More to read on that, in addition to Fantasy and Science Fiction, from Cat Rambo.

There's also a letter from 19 former members of the RWA Board of Directors here.

One of the board members to quit over the appalling treatment of Courtney Milan was Farrah Rochon. Tragically, Farrah's sister passed away just a couple of weeks ago. She's been raising money for a church organ in memory of her sister, who loved singing in her church choir. Nearly $25,000 has been raised so far; the full cost is around $32,000 so if there's anyway you're able to contribute to the GoFundMe I know she'd be grateful.

I'm finding the 10 For 20 Challenge hugely useful in motivating me to focus on things for at least a short period of time. I blogged about it myself, but really want to draw people's attention to this fabulous Dani Donovan post on it!

I loved Ellen Brickley's piece Do Not Attempt the Following Personal Essays.

Superb book recommendations from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Book Riot with an outstanding list of books featuring queer girls coming this year.

They also have 20 must read SFF books coming this year.

Shondaland have 10 books you may have missed LAST year.

Electric Literature have 8 fantasy books by trans authors.

Read It, Daddy have part 2 of their graphic novel recommendations, this time for tweens, teens and YA.

Also on Read It, Daddy, a great piece about culling books.

ZORA have a superb list of the 100 greatest books by African American women.

ZORA also have Jennifer Baker with a hard-hitting piece on Black women in publishing.

Pop! Goes The Reader have 100 most anticipated YA novels of the next 6 months.

Great thread from the ever informative Secret Barrister on legal aid.

Gary Younge is leaving behind his weekly Guardian column to become a professor of sociology at Manchester University. A massive gain for their students, although a loss for readers of the paper. His last column is truly inspiring, a must-read.

Anne Thompson, who's one of my favourite people writing about children's books, has a great round-up post of news.

Excellent LA Times article on the book clubs founded in the wake of Nipsey Hussle's death.

Perpetual Page Turner's most-anticipated adult books of 2020 are an awesome list.

Loveboat, Taipei author Abigail Hing Wen has a superb post on Changing The Narrative.

LGBTQ Reads have a post about new releases this month.

Alyssa Cole wrote about Harry and Meghan for Washington Post.

Georgia, who's an incredible photographer based near London and Brighton, has an updated website with her awesome portfolio and details of her rates.

Finally, my friend Julia has a brilliant piece on Edinburgh bookshops.