Two years ago, I shared a list of books that I was reading to keep me motivated. You can find the list here.

I have to admit, since then, my reading habits haven’t improved, but I do try and read when I can. Or shall I say, listen to books when I can?

Seeing that a lot of us around the world are going through some form of isolation and quarantine due to corona virus, I thought I could share with you a few books that I have found to be interesting.

And the best thing is you can either listen to them using Audible or read them via your devices using Amazon Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, Apple Books, Googles Books, etc. You don’t have to have physical books delivered to you especially now that alot of places are on lockdown.

So, here goes my 5 books that I am reading:

Book #1 – Taking Up Space: The Black Girl Manifesto for Change by Chelsea Kwakye and Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi

I am reading the physical version of this book as part of my evening routine before I sleep. It is a book of young black girls finding themselves in white dominant academic spaces and the challenges they faced. It is a book about their experiences and how they navigated through these spaces. It is about finding ones voice and giving hope to those that follow, that it is ok to question and challenge in order to make the changes that are needed within these spaces.

Book #2 – Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o

I bought this book for my kids, my daughter especially. It is a well written book by Academy Award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o with illustrations by Vashti Harrison. This book is all about colourism and loving yourself despite what shade your skin is. A story about self-esteem and true love for oneself from within.

My daughter really loves this book, that she chose it as her book for this year’s World Book Day. She was so proud to take to school to show it to the rest of her class.

Book #3 – Little Black Book: A Toolkit for Working Women by Otegha Uwagba

I can’t remember how I came about this book, but I can tell you it has certainly helped me navigate the world of working in the creative industry. From building my brand, public speaking tips, money management skills, going back to school to refresh or learn new skills, etc. are some of the gems this little black book has. It is one of those books that I keep referring too for ideas and as I have the kindle version of it, I get updated versions for free. It is more for UK readers, but I have sure there are a few things you may find useful even if you don’t live in the UK.

Book #4 – The Photographers’ Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas Edited by Jason Fulford and Gregory Halpern (No Kindle Edition)

As a photographer, I can sometimes feel like my mojo to take pictures wane. This book has a few tips and ideas on how to get you motivated with ‘new’ ideas for photographic projects. This is one book that I have decided to make up with notes and circle the ideas that I know I would like to attempt. It is a book full of photographers and photography professionals giving their ideas on improving on your practice as a photographer.

For example: Tim Barder’s topic Findings suggests you “Find someone else to take your photographs for you. Tell them what you are looking for, and see if you can find it in the photos they take.”

Book #5 – Studio Anywhere: A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations by Nick Fancher

I really welcome this book seeing that I will have to result to working from home for the next few weeks. It has good examples of photographing in tight and weird spaces especially around your home to get the photographs that you want without have to spend so much hiring a studio. You can do so much with very little is more or less the gist of this book.

And there you have it. I hope this list inspires you to read or try new ideas.

What books will you be reading in the coming weeks?

Which books have you read that you would recommend I check out?

#ReadMore

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