033: Nnedi Okorafor = Literal #BlackGirlMagic

Book Squad Podcast

NNEDI OKORAFOR IS COMING!!! On 11/8 she will be at Liberty Hall as our latest Beach Series author, and we really hope to see you there! Go here for more info, clear your schedule, and then come back and listen to Polli and Kate discuss Akata Witch. Show notes: https://lplks.org/blogs/post/033-nnedi-okorafor-literal-blackgirlmagic Bookish News: The Great American Read results are in! “A CENTURY OF READING: THE 10 BOOKS THAT DEFINED THE 1980s” (See LitHub for other decades!) Raymond Carver, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981) Alice Walker, The Color Purple (1982) William Gibson, Neuromancer (1984) Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street (1984) ... see the rest here and also check out the other decades' lists! Two Book Minimum: White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Odeyemi What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada Contact High by Vikki Tobak She Said/She Said: AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born in New York City. She looks West African, but is so sensitive to the sun (due to her albinism) that she can’t play soccer during the day. She doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. Then she learns why. Her classmate Orlu and his friend Chichi reveal that they have magical abilities- and so does she. … Orlu and Chichi have been working with their teacher for years. Sunny needs a crash course in magical history, spells, juju, shape-shifting and dimensional travel. Her new world is a secret from her family, but it’s well worth all of the silence, exhaustion and sneaking around. Still, there is a dark side. After she’s found her footing, Sunny, Orlu, Chichi, and their American friend Sasha are asked by the magical authorities to help track down a criminal. Not just a run-of-the-mill bad guy. A real-life hardcore serial killer-with abilities far stronger than theirs. (moar) ----- Twice(-ish) a month, the librarians are in, with their favorite recommendations in Two Book Minimum, a toe-to-toe discussion on a book or topic, as well as news from the book world, updates from Lawrence Public Library, and beyond. This episode was produced by Jim Barnes in the Sound & Vision studio. Our theme song is by Heidi Lynne Gluck. You can find the Book Squad Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or SoundCloud. Please subscribe and leave us comments – we’d love to know what you think, and your comments make it easier for other people to find our podcast. Happy reading and listening! xo, Polli & Kate