Forest of Knowledge: Autumn Edition

books, film, music, and essay recommendations

Every three months, I share books, resources, and movies that I am currently using in my research, or that have particularly impacted my thoughts and reflections in the last trimester.

Over the past decade, I've come to appreciate a crucial lesson: the significance of immersing myself in a rich tapestry of narratives. The enduring legacies of imperialism and colonialism have, unfortunately, shaped mainstream media and much of our exposure to content, therefore perpetuating these historical patterns. So this seasonal sharing, and a lot of the essays I share, aim to impart the knowledge and insight I have gained, hoping it inspires you too.

I am a student, and there is always something new to learn. Before I begin the list, I want to say that there is currently an offer on a yearly subscription for my newsletter. I offer it in an attempt to make this community more accessible, in times in which community is not only revolutionising but also incredibly necessary.

Now, on to some recommendations!

1. Decolonising the Mind: the Politics of Language in African Literature, by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o - A necessary read by Kenyan novelist and post-colonial theorist, this is a collection of essays about language and its constructive role in national culture, history, and identity. I go deeper into it in my last essay Face the Fiend.