Reader,
I so often start these entries with all the not-great things happening in my bodymind and, while I believe it’s vital to make visible what so many of us have been taught to invisiblise, I want to share something like a highlight reel. Light on discourse, just so we’re all on the same page.
In a section I’m now calling Triathlon Dreams, I’m happy to say that I’ve been walking a bit more than usual and adding to the Twitter walking thread. As I told Abigail Arunga in an interview that was published on Friday, audiobooks as I walk go a long way towards increasing my book count and I enjoy the pleasure of having someone tell me a story.
Every week for the last month or so I’ve had this note in the second half - “If writing postcards is something you enjoy, check out this website I found out about via Rachel Syme.” - and yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving my first postcard. It’s such a joy to open one’s box and see words and pictures and I can’t wait to send and receive more. It has me wondering about the possibility of making a gallery wall in one’s home of these varied images - will report back if/ when I do.
After the joy that came with a postcard post scaling the stairs at Jamia Mall, I went for the Mengi Mengi Film Club screening of Automedic (David Waronja, 2020; watch here) and Air Conditioner (Fradique, 2020) at Eastlands Library. Wanjeri Gakuru is a generous curator and host; the choices, as always, were inspired. We spoke later about both the films, which you may recall were intended for the May screening, and how they explored relationships to labour. It was such a delight to discuss the films with her and YB as we indulged in the flash sale sweets Don had treated me to earlier in the day. Finishing Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha earlier today had me reflecting on our conversation; the ways in which labour (engaging in it, divesting from it, avoiding it, being immersed in it) affects our lives and those of the people we care about.
Lastly, the reading yesterday was a ton of fun. Reading Osunde’s story with a group that was active on voice and in the comment section reminded me why I love doing these readings (despite being an immensely stressable person who’s always on edge before they begin) and a conversation with a participant encouraged me to make them regular. Old hands will know this has been on the cards for a while so this morning I blocked out 4 dates in the future for readings. Feel free to message me if you'd like an invite!
Quick news/ things that may be of interest:
Over on Twitter, a weekly library TBR thread; if you’d like to know what titles to expect in the read books section
James Baldwin readalong, complete with Discord server
Help us name our kitten (pictures here) as we raise money for the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA).:
Dracula Daily, which I mentioned in a past entry, continues apace. Jump on if you’re keen
You can send me books, postcards, letters, and assorted gifts via PO Box 102439, Jamia Posta 00101, Nairobi, Kenya
I have finished three books since I last wrote - hybrid reads of Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (narrated by Helen Laser) and Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha (narrated by the author) as well as Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith (mostly to highlight, as I didn’t do a hybrid read) - and my latest video is still the one from April (you can watch it here). To catch the videos I’m working on subtitles for when they’re done, subscribe to the channel if you haven’t yet!
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 rest of the week and have a lovely time reading. Talk to you soon!