The April recommendations

Books, articles & TV to watch instead of doomscrolling

Hi friends,

I’m currently away on a DESPERATELY NEEDED holiday. Real talk I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so in need of a break before in all my days. (I scheduled this letter before I left :))

Last week, I submitted a first draft of the novel I’ve been pouring all my blood, sweat and (literally) tears into for almost three years - although only the aforementioned full efforts since September, really. It’s been a very nerve-wracking experience, I have to say, not to mention a huge labour of love as - different to a non-fiction book, which my debut, The Greater Freedom was - a fiction book needs to essentially be written in full before one goes about trying to get a publishing deal (INSHALLAH, PRAY FOR ME). All this to say, I wrote a hundred and ten thousand words, and no one (until my agent now, if she’s started) has read even one of them. There’s been a lot of needing to persevere and psych myself up and pick myself up from disbelief in myself, then - outside of the normal writing process (or is that just part of the normal writing process?)

That’s not to mention all the other stuff that’s been going on, and that we are now seven months into a g3n0cid3. As I put it in my latest photo dump on IG, I’ve been doing what I can to fill my cup, including: spending time with people that get it, doing therapy, reading, going to exhibitions / cultural things, embracing my curly hair, as well as continuing my efforts supporting Gazans in Egypt with Road to Freedom. Alhamdullilah.

Oh and also, I spoke on a brilliant panel at the Talking Textures exhibition, touching on the importance of representation and community in celebrating diverse hair textures and features, as well as issues such as colonial mindset, self-acceptance, and the need for inclusive beauty standards. I shared a little of the chat here.

Textured Conversations

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Now, onto the reccs!

In this instalment: Coming out as Palestinian, Taylor Jenkins Reid and why I want to read everything she ever writes / has written, a brilliant documentary on the male gaze and how it impacts us, and more! I hope you enjoy it.

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