Every month our team members pick a book that’s tickled their fancy and we recommend it to you, our network so that we can all read, learn and grow together – just think of it as our own little book club! Because reading is what? Fundamental!
Jill’s Book Recommendation:
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
“‘Sometimes I think you believe in me more than I do,’ said the boy.
‘You’ll catch up.’ said the horse.”
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse is a 2019 graphic novel by Charlie Mackesky about four protagonists building friendships. Mackesky is an illustrator who has worked with the Oxford University Press, did an illustration series in partnership with the movie Love Actually, and has showcased his illustrations around the world.
My mom gave me this book a few years ago when I was having some personal struggles, and I have often returned to it because it simply helps me to feel less stressed and helps to ground me. The illustrations are beautiful and tranquil, and the simple story about perseverance and community is wonderful. It always makes me cry… and I never cry!
The book is being adapted into an animated series that will be released in December – I’ll definitely be watching!
Julia’s Book Recommendation:
The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born
by Ayi Kwei Armah
The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born is the debut novel by Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah. This book was given to me by a friend as she was clearing her overflowing bookshelf, and I seem to recall it was mandatory reading for her degree in English Literature. Mandatory or not, the book is a moving read and provides brilliant insight into a time and country that many of us know very little about.
We experience life in post-independence Ghana through a railway clerk, who refuses a bribe at work and subsequently endures the confrontation of his wife, an old classmate and others, and must reconcile himself with the reality of this new Ghana. The novel covers just one year – from Passion Week in 1965 to February 25, 1966, the day after the overthrowing of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
The book is less than 200 pages, but it took me quite a long time to read because it really asks for your full attention. Pick this one up when you’re distraction free and ready for some beautiful, but harsh reading.
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