Issue #56
Hi Page Turners,
Happy spring vernal equinox. There is a tree outside that just had sticks on it the week before and one morning I noticed green buds spurt out which instantly announces the arrival of spring. Spring is not my favourite season but I still really appreciate it and value it for what it brings. My question this week is what season is your favourite and why do you value it. You can comment below or reply back to this e-mail. You could even use this as a journal prompt and when you wake up take five minutes getting some sunlight/fresh air whether it's sitting by a window or in the garden and consider this question.
Reading 📚
I finished reading Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. A timely and evocative novel that explores diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation in the publishing industry. It was so frustrating to read but equally understanding of the difficulty one faces in the publishing industry. So thought provoking read my full review and thoughts here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6343866240?book_show_action=false
I also read Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin. An important and another timely (especially with what's happening in Palestine) important to understand the Vietnamese diaspora in the UK. Read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6354597078?book_show_action=false
Articles of interest 📰
I love listening to podcasts and I have recently gotten into it but there is a trend of celebrities doing podcasts, read more on this here. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/mar/16/longform-interview-podcasts-joe-rogan-marc-maron-keke-palmer
During suhoor (which is waking up for keeping a fast) I have been eating overnight oats. Not only do I want to eat something that is healthy I wanted to eat something that adds nutritional value and this article came to me at the right time. This glorifies oats in all forms so if your looking for something new to eat for breakfast why don't you consider oats. (I use rolled oats just fyi) https://theconversation.com/oats-and-oatmeal-arent-bad-for-you-as-some-claim-in-fact-they-probably-have-more-health-benefits-than-you-realise-225590
Talking of trends with recent events happening such as the rapid rise of AI and the war in Israel/Palestine trends have also emerged through publishing. At the London Book Fair this was more than apparent. Read the article here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/mar/15/romantasy-ai-and-palestinian-voices-publishing-trends-emerge-at-london-book-fair
How do you celebrate Ramadan without putting yourself in the Palestinians shoes? This article was so touching and humbling as it sheds a light on the bravery and strength Palestinians have whilst they also observe this month admits all this bloodshed. Read it here: https://www.newyorker.com/news/essay/fasting-for-ramadan-while-gaza-goes-hungry
Ignorance is bliss? Or is it really? Is ignorance just really being complacent and ignoring what is happening around you. This was such a great thought provoking essay written by Naomi Klein on The Zone of Interest (film). Read it all here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/14/the-zone-of-interest-auschwitz-gaza-genocide
Acclaimed writers have withdrawn from PEN World Voices Festival, due to the organization’s inadequate response to the unfolding genocide in Gaza. Read the full letter here: https://lithub.com/naomi-klein-isabella-hammad-maaza-mengiste-and-more-have-withdrawn-from-the-pen-world-voices-festival/
I hope you enjoyed reading. I hope you look forward to next weeks Issue. Please do share and tell a friend or family member about this newsletter as it helps me out a lot. Thank you for reading. 💌
Below is a link in which will enable you to educate yourself of Palestine history and keep you up to date with what's happening.
Tools for Palestine-
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