Reader,
Yesterday, I watched a film that reminded me how the world is all so connected. We knew this, I hear you say — and yet it always bears repeating.
Aamis (2019, directed by Bhaskar Hazarika) is an Assamese romantic horror that I entered planning to have a few jump scares and/or a severe case of L’Ick (we’re dressing up the ick for no reason here!) yet when it was done the one thing that stood out to me was how much it reminded me of Tekayo by Grace Ogot. I spoilt it for the folks in the room yesterday as I watched it with the Unseen Gems Film Club (see past film choices here) but please look it up and read it if you can (happy to send you a pdf!).
The discussion is what keeps me going back to club meetings, as is the case with book clubs for instance. And yesterday’s made me think of all the desire we sublimate into everyday life. Into the small acts we engage in for friends, family, sometimes even foes if we’re being honest. This coming on the tail end of a week that saw me running into an India-bound friend and asking them to bring me back some of the JCB Prize longlist titles, it was a chance for me to reflect (once again!) on something I’ve mentioned here in the past — books are the container for so much of my desire it should probably be studied.
______
Quick news/ things that may be of interest:
Subscribe to my WhatsApp channel for texts I find while I spend time online
Silent Book Club Nairobi is back!!!
Unprovoked Narratives: A series of films celebrating the beauty of Gaza, its people, its struggle and its survival showing from 14th to 24th October
The Queer Liberation Library, everyone
Free Palestine: A Verso Reading List (includes some free ebooks)
You can send me books, postcards, letters, and assorted items via PO Box 102439, Jamia Posta 00101, Nairobi, Kenya
Lastly, and in a departure from my usual ending, I’d like to make a commitment to sending this newsletter out every Monday at 1830 EAT. It’s been a rough year (I lost my job, my health has taken turns, I’ve had reading slumps, and much more besides) but it’s also been a year of kindness, bookish delights, generosity that has enabled me access to so many books, wonderful experiences and so on. I want to share it all with you. Which is why I’m announcing my partnership with using 2 sites - Focusmate (currently using it to write this) and Cofocus - to block out time to write, experiment and, last but not least— engage in job seeking. Please send me good vibes, job openings (open to working anywhere in the world) and interesting media 🙂
As ever, please write back to me and tell me what books you’re reading or looking forward to reading — it’s always a great time talking about books.
Enjoy the week ahead and have a lovely time reading. Talk to you soon!
The fact that I'm just finding out about your newsletter has my heart in grief. Because imagine all the tiny versions of myself and bubbles of joy I'd be experiencing and channeling after every visit here.
Anywaaay, sending you all the good vibes my heart and good intent can master. And I pray you find another job sooner than later.
Love,
Kiende.