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Lit with LC

@litwithlc

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Literature with Linda, it’s Lit🔥
Lover of all lit literature, esp. African🤎🌍
▪️2026: 16/40📚🐛
▪️Now📖: How To Love A Jamaican

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Heyyyy 👋🏾, I’m LitWithLC aka Linda — the bookish human behind this corner of Bookstagram, which I LOVE.

It’s been so so great connecting with so many of you on here and in real life over the past year and a bit (I missed my one year bookstaversary in May), sharing our love of good (& sometimes not-so-good) literature 🤓.

Since I officially hit 💯 posts, here’s a little “get to know me: book edition” post. At long last, swipe to learn a little bit more about me!

🤎 by @litwithlc

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18

a year ago

Cursed Daughters | @oyinbraithwaite
•
This is a story about family curses, intergenerational trauma, and the lives of the Falodun women in Lagos, Nigeria.

I enjoyed this book, but I would be lying if I said it blew me away, I would give it 3 ⭐️. There was plenty of drama, suspense and intrigue, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. For me, it was the depth to which the Falodun women believed they were cursed when it came to love, men and romantic relationships. It seemed a little unrealistic to me and very nollywood-esque.

Nevertheless, through these women, Braithwaite explores how trauma, memory and belief travel across generations, shaping the lives of those who inherit stories they may never have fully understood.

The curse (swipe) serves as a metaphor for generational trauma and a self-fulfilling prophecy. The belief becomes so deeply embedded in the family’s narrative that it begins to shape the women’s expectations and fears about love. Even those who don’t entirely believe in the curse behave as though it is real.

I also have to say that some of the characters confused me quite a bit, and I felt that a few of them lacked depth - especially the men!!!! The transitions between the past and present timelines took me a while to get my head around - but I got there in the end 😅.

Would I recommend this? Cautiously... Although I enjoyed parts of this book, it was a slow read and wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. I appreciated the themes and the ideas unveiled, but I wanted a little more depth and emotional impact from the characters and their experiences. That said, I’ve seen plenty of readers enjoy it, so it might be right up your street.

Have you read this? Let me know your thoughts.

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

5

4 days ago

Mercy Step | @marxia1
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This was a great read for me, I would give it 3.75 ⭐️. A coming of age story centred on Mercy, an academically gifted, deeply introspective child born to immigrant parents of the Windrush generation. We follow her journey from her premature birth in Bradford in 1962, through to her early teens, with the story told entirely through her eyes… beginning, unusually, from inside the womb 🤣.

From a young age, Mercy feels distant from her siblings and finds comfort in books, in her Dolly, and in the conversations she has with her on her “mercy step.” At the same time, she shares a deep attachment to her mother. That bond is a bit complicated and strained due to her mother’s inability to stand up to Mercy’s abusive and generally unpleasant Daddy; her unwavering devotion to her religion, and the pressures of their impoverished working class life in the UK.

Mercy’s dad and that nasty pastor were easily the most unlikeable characters in the story. I remember thinking, I don’t think my heart can read another book with an abusive, authoritarian Caribbean father figure 😭😭😭 it’s just too much now.

My heart broke even more after learning that the book is autofiction, loosely framed around Marcia Hutchinson’s own lived experiences 💔.

It’s always interesting reading Black British stories and seeing how much of the experience feels familiar, especially when it comes to education/ schooling and growing up in the UK.

Mercy reminded me a little of a Black Matilda. Her love of books, reading and the library (swipe 👀) felt so nostalgic to me. There was something really lovely about seeing the library become a place of comfort and escape for her.

I really enjoyed Marcia’s writing style and the way she captured Mercy’s inner world, so I’m definitely keen to read more of her work.

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

1

12 days ago

As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow | Zoulfa Katouh
•
This was such a heartbreaking yet hopeful read 💔. Following Salama as she tries to survive the horrors of the Syrian Revolution, while carrying so much grief, fear and responsibility, was incredibly emotional. I also loved the way hope was woven throughout the story, even during its darkest moments, and the symbolism of the lemon trees was just beautiful. 🍋

I found it somewhat engaging at first, although I’ll admit there were moments where I was tempted to think it was a little drawn out. But THEN came theee plot twist… and honestly, I was GOBSMACKED. 😭 I did not see it coming at all, and suddenly so much of the story clicked into place. My heart absolutely broke for Salama.

Her romance with Kenan really added some much-needed tenderness amongst all the devastation, and I loved the idea that love, hope and simply choosing to keep living can be its own forms of resistance in times of war and devastation 💔 (swipe).

I would recommend this one and would give it a 3.75 ⭐️. If you love emotional historical fiction with romance, resilience and characters you really root for then this is the one for you. Just… get your tissues ready. You’re going to need them.

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

0

2 months ago

Kin | @tayari
•
As a historical fiction girlie, this was an easy 5-star ⭐️ read for me. I absolutely loved each and every part of this story. It would make an exceptional movie.

The story follows Annie and Vernice (Niecy), two “cradle friends” who grow up together in the small town of Honeysuckle, Louisiana. Though their lives begin side by side, they are shaped by very different losses. Annie’s mother has abandoned her but is still alive in Memphis, and the hope of finding and reconciling with her becomes Annie’s driving force. Niecy, meanwhile, is forced to live with the devastating reality that her mother was murdered by her father. Where Annie clings to hope, Niecy has none and that contrast subtly shapes the women they become. While Niecy chooses the stability of college, marriage, and a conventional life, Annie’s world slowly unravels, descending into chaos and instability as she becomes consumed by the search for her mother.

Both women are so deeply complex and loveable at the same time. I especially adored their written exchanges throughout the story, they brought such a unique flavour to the novel. I was sattttt for every single response.

I also loved how the story provides such a vivid snapshot of life in 1940s/50s America during segregation and the fight for freedom. It really makes you realise just how tense that period was, especially for young people. How they organised, demonstrated and risked everything in pursuit of freedom was both inspiring and heartbreaking. I also loved the references to Martin Luther King Jr. woven into the novel, it really brought him to life and underscored just how poignant, courageous and weighty the work of the Civil Rights Movement truly was. It was a time that felt equally courageous, tragic and enraging (swipe).

Tayari Jones is a lyrical master. Her writing lures you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. This has officially taken the top spot as my favourite of her books—I loved it that much!!

If you’re looking for a story that beautifully weaves together womanhood, sisterhood, love, generational trauma, history, and self-discovery, this is the one for you. Bump it UPPP your TBR asap.

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

6

3 months ago

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World | @shafakelif
•
We take a journey with a dying prostitute who was murdered, named Tequila Leila who narrates the story as she lays dying in a rubbish bin where she was dumped (swipe).

The title “10 minutes and 38 seconds” is the time it takes for her brain to slowly shut down, allowing her one final chance to relive her life through a series of vivid memories. As Leila’s brain gradually fades, she recalls her life in its entirety: from birth to death, the family who disowned her and the friends who became the family she chose.

Leila grew up in a complicated family and endured a difficult childhood. As soon as she was old enough, she left home, hoping Istanbul would offer her the better life she had always dreamed of. But... it was far from the case.

Instead, we are confronted with the brutal realities and cruelties of life on the streets of Istanbul, home to the city’s oldest licensed brothels. Through Leila’s memories and the stories of her five closest friends, each carrying their own heartbreak and hardships, we see a powerful portrait of friendship, resilience and belonging. Their lives intertwine in the melting pot that is Istanbul, adding so much depth to the story.

Set against key moments in Turkish history, this is so much more than Leila’s story. It’s about identity, prejudice, love, loss and the people who stand beside us when everyone else turns away.

The second half of the novel was especially emotional. We watch Leila’s friends bend over backwards to give her the dignified burial she deserved, at all costs. It was heartbreaking, but also incredibly moving, to witness just how deeply Leila was loved and cherished.

Shafak writes with deep compassion and humanity. This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that dignified Leila in her death instead of seeing her as a one-dimensional prostitute in her last moments. I would give it 3.5 stars ✨.

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

8

3 months ago

You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty | Akwaeke Emezi
•

I went into this book completely blind, and about halfway through I realised Akwaeke Emezi was also the author of The Death of Vivek Oji... a book that traumatised me so much I genuinely vowed never to read another one of their books again. 😭 So from that point onwards, I was reading this one with extreme caution.

Surprisingly, this wasn’t nearly as traumatising, but I did find it incredibly discordant. I would give it 2.5 stars 🌟.

Feyi having an affair with her boyfriend’s father who was old enough to be her own father (swipe)... her “boyfriend”, who also happened to be her one-night stand’s best friend... was just confusing. And then learning that she had also been intimately involved with her best friend... it was just too much for me. There were so many relationship dynamics layered on top of each other that I just couldn’t get on board.

With that being said, I absolutely loved the imagery of Jamaica. The house Alim lived in, the lifestyle, the culture, the nature, the greenery... those descriptions completely transported me. I also really enjoyed the creative aspects of the story, especially the exploration of art and how people can transform painful life experiences into deeply sentimental pieces. That was probably my favourite part of the book.

Everything else, unfortunately, was a no from me.

I don’t think I’d be in a hurry to recommend this one, although I’ve seen that it’s very much a lot of people’s cup of tea. So maybe it’s me... maybe I’m the drama. 😂.

If you haven’t read it, give it a go and let me know what you think. And if you have, do love to hear your thoughts because I have a feeling I’ll be in the minority on this one!

🤎 by @litwithlc

33

11

3 months ago

Jamaica Road | @lisa4884smith
•
I went into this book completely blind and honestly had no idea what to expect... but I was absolutely blown out of the water by just how incredible this story was. It’s so beautifully written, with such a strong narrative arc that completely pulled me in from beginning to end. A very strong 4.5 stars ⭐️ for me.

The story follows Daphne, a quiet British-Jamaican girl, and Connie, a vibrant boy who has recently immigrated from Jamaica, navigating life with an undocumented status and a brutal stepfather. Daphne is the only Black girl in her class. All she wants is to keep her head down, preferably with her nose in a book. But when Connie arrives from Jamaica, his presence, and their budding friendship, threatens to upend her plans (swipe).

Spanning a tumultuous decade in 1980s South London during the Thatcher era, the story doesn’t shy away from the realities and brutality of racism, tense race relations, riots, injustice, inequality and poverty. The racism depicted throughout the novel was so shockingly explicit and violent—from little children and teenagers too. It was heartbreaking to read. Hats off to those who lived through and had to navigate such a frightening and deeply depressing period with such bravery.

The book was so well written that by the time I reached the author’s note, I was in tears. Reading the names of those (especially the young people) who lost their lives as a result of unprovoked racist attacks will forever shock me to my core:

Cherry Groce (whose death triggered the Brixton riots), Cynthia Jarrett (whose death triggered the Broadwater Farm riots), Rolan Adams (15), Rohit Duggal (16), Rehulla Aramesh (24), Stephen Lawrence (18), and the victims of the New Cross house fire (all under the age of 24): Patrick Cummings, Andrew Gooding, Peter Campbell, Gerry Francis, Steve Collins, Patricia Johnson, Rosaline Henry, Lloyd Hall, Humphrey Brown, Owen Thompson, Yvonne Ruddock, Glenton Powell, Paul Ruddock and Anthony Burbeck.

May you all rest in perfect peace. It’s so sad that the colour of your skin subjected you to the deepest evils of racism. May your names never be forgotten.

🕊️🤎 by @litwithlc

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13

3 months ago

Smallie | @edenmckenziegoddard
•
I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it. I would give it a solid 3.75 ⭐️.

Oscillating between 1961 and modern-day England, the story follows Lucinda’s journey as she leaves Barbados for England at just 19 years old (!) in search of her man, Clarence. On the ship, she meets Raldo, an upbeat man from Trinidad who has his sights set on her and ultimately goes on to play a major role in her life as the story unfolds.

In the present day, we are exposed to the atrocity (& damn cheek) of the Windrush scandal. Now an elderly woman, Lucinda’s children are fighting hard to prevent her deportation and prove that she legally arrived in the country over fifty years earlier.

You already know I enjoyed the historical storyline the most. I really admired the perseverance of the Windrush generation. They worked SOOO hard, building lives and communities for themselves, whilst simultaneously creating opportunities for the children they left back home (& missed dearly... swipe 🥹). They leaned on and trusted the communities they built here to help them get ahead in a foreign land.

What really got me mad was how those very same systems they relied on for survival e.g. sub-renting, pardna savings and cash-in-hand work, were later used against them; with their lack of paperwork being treated as proof that they were undocumented and therefore having no right to remain.

It’s so heartbreaking to think about how many people from the older generation were placed in detention centres and forcibly deported, despite coming here in search of better opportunities and helping to rebuild the country, only to be met with racism, inequality, prejudice and police brutality.

Their resilience, sacrifice, and contributions helped shape the Britain we know today. From music, to food, to Carnival. The list truly is endless.

Britain owes it to the Windrush generation. Your efforts were not in vain!

🤎 by @litwithlc

25

1

4 months ago

Dust Child | @nguyenphanquemai_
•
This was a 5-star ⭐️ read for me 🔥🔥.

Set during and after the Vietnam War, this story follows sisters Trang and Quynh, who leave their rural village to become “bar girls” in Sai Gon to help their parents pay off debts 👀. While there, Trang is swept up in a romance with Dan, a young American pilot. Decades later, Dan returns to Vietnam hoping to heal from his PTSD and reckon with secrets from his past. At the same time, Phong—the son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman—searches for his parents and dreams of a better life in the U.S.

This was SUCH a good read. As a historical fiction girl, this book was a bit of me and more. It had everything I love in historical fiction: rich history, complex characters, heartbreaking family stories, and a romance that added so much emotion to an already powerful story.

What I loved most was how it highlighted that the true victims of war extend far beyond those who fought in it. The impact ripples through generations, shaping lives long after the conflict ends. I felt so bad for Phong and everything he endured growing up. Being half Black, half American, an orphan, he experienced relentless bullying and discrimination for circumstances completely beyond his control.

His story really highlighted the lifelong consequences of soldiers leaving children behind when they’re deployed, a reality that sadly still exists today. Not just with soldiers, but with sex tourism too, where children are often left to carry the consequences of adults’ actions (swipe) 😡.

I would hands down recommend this one. If it’s on your TBR, please pick it up asap!!

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

7

4 months ago

The Hate U Give (THUG) | Angie Thomas
•
Throwing it back with this one! ✨

I remember reading it about 9 years ago and absolutely loving it!!! I also watched the movie adaptation shortly after and was so impressed by how closely it followed the book.

The story follows 16-year-old Starr Carter, who lives in a poor, Black neighbourhood but attends a wealthy, predominantly white prep school thanks to the determination and perseverance of her parents. Her delicate balance between these two worlds shatters when she witnesses a white police officer fatally shoot her unarmed childhood best friend, Khalil.

Khalil’s death sparks a national media storm, and protesters take to the streets. Some try to paint Khalil as a thug or a gangbanger, while local police and a drug lord attempt to intimidate Starr’s family (🤨). The only person who knows exactly what happened that night is Starr herself, and is faced with important decisions as she stands at the intersection of whether to honour herself, Khalil, her family, or her community. Or can she honour them all? (Swipe)

It is said the novel was inspired in part by real-life cases of police violence against Black people, including the death of Philando Castile in 2016.

This powerful story brings together so many important topics such as: racism, classism, ageism, police brutality, allyship, microaggressions, and the power of using your voice to create change.

Younger me would recommend this a thousand times over & honestly, present-day me still would. A 4 ⭐️ read for sure!

Have you read this one? Do let me know!

🤎 by @litwithlc

3

3

4 months ago

It’s Read Caribbean Month! 🌴📚

How can the month pass without me mentioning these phenomenal 4 and 5 star reads?!

I absolutely loved reading every one of these titles and would recommend them time and time again. Whether you’re looking to discover more Caribbean literature or add some unforgettable books to your TBR, these are all well worth picking up.

Have you read any of them? Or are there any must read titles that are missing from my shortlist?! Do let me know.

🤎 by @litwithlc

46

6

4 months ago