AudioBook Club

Welcome to Audiobook Club. I’m your host Imriel Morgan, the Founder of Content is Queen.Audiobook Club is a monthly event and podcast where we celebrate and discuss Black, Asian, Queer and female narratives in literature. Every month we meet with other Audiobookworms to discuss an Audiobook recommended by you.This week we’re discussing Sour Hall by Laura Kirwan-AshmanSour Hall is based on the short story by Naomi Booth, the story follows George and Ash, an interracial lesbian couple who move to Georges family farm which is isolated up in the Yorkshire moors. As they begin their new life as dairy farmers, a boggart sets about tormenting both of them, thriving off of their pain and feeding on their energy, ruining George’s dairy products, and distancing the couple from one another.The drama was recorded in partial 360 degree sound on location in Yorkshire, this piece has a powerful atmosphere and makes brilliant use of sound effects. But the realness of those issues intermingled with the haunting makes Sour Hall a spine-tingling work of horror.Here’s what’s coming up:Our thoughts on the chilling sound design, relationships on the brink and finally the boggart. All this and so much more. Let’s get into it!Miscarriage Support: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/ Tel: 01924 200799We will be going on a summer break and will return in September where we want to hear all about what you have been reading and listening to over your holidays. Make sure you’re following and subscribed to the podcast to find out when we’re back in September.

This week we’re discussing Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.Nervous Conditions is set two decades before Zimbabwe gained its independence from white minority rule. The book follows 13-year-old Tambudzai as she attempts to gain an education that she hopes will elevate herself and her family out of poverty. Tambudzai, through a series of fortunate and unfortunate events, can leave the village she lives in with her parents and live with her Uncle BabaMcghuru and his wife Myghuru to attend school at ‘The Mission’. Through several observations and interactions with her family, chiefly her cousin Nyasha, Tambudzai feels at odds with her personal aspirations and traditional Shona upbringing.  Nervous Conditions is a timeless coming-of-age story and a powerful exploration of cultural imperialism.

It’s here! For the fifth episode of AudioBook Club, we meet up to discuss Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola.Love in colour contains a collection of love stories inspired by tales of the past. Debut author Bolu Babalola takes the most beautiful and shocking love stories from history and mythology and retells them, making the women the heroine of their own love story. The book reimagines magical folktales of West Africa, iconic Greek myths, and ancient legends from South Asia. We’re joined by new and familiar Audiobookworms this week who listened to this swoon-worthy short story collection. We can’t wait to share their thoughts on Love in Colour with you. The episode features a Q&A and a special appearance from the author Bolu Babalola.Join us for our next live event and taping on Sunday, 30th May at 4:00 pm GMT, where we’ll be getting stuck into Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.You can register to attend at http://contentisqueen.org/abc6 or via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/april-audiobook-club-love-in-colour-tickets-150370733913. If you can’t make it feel free to send your thoughts and questions about Nervous Conditions to us on Whatsapp at +447715 408831Warning: There are spoilers in this episode.

For our fourth episode of AudioBook Club we meet up to discuss Through The Leopards Gaze by Njambi McGrathBeaten to pulp and left for dead, 13 year old Njambi found the courage to escape, fearing her assailant would return to finish her. She walked all night risking wild animals, robbers and murderers in the Kenyan countryside, before being picked up by two shabbily dressed men. She spent her life burying memories of that fateful day and night, ending up in London with a British husband and children. She had moved on, or so she thought until one day a simple unassuming wedding invitation card arrived in her mailbox causing her house of matchsticks to come crashing down. We’re joined by new and familiar Audiobookworms this week who listened to the traumatic memoir and couldn’t wait to share their thoughts on Through the Leopards Gaze with you. The episode features a Q&A and a special appearance from the author Njambi McGrath.Warning: There are spoilers in this episode.Join us for our next live event and taping on Sunday, 25th April at 4:00 pm GMT where we’ll be getting stuck into Love in Colour by Bolu BabalolYou can register to attend at http://contentisqueen.org/abc5 or via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/april-audiobook-club-love-in-colour-tickets-150370733913. If you can’t make it feel free to send your thoughts and questions about Through The Leopards Gaze to us on Whatsapp on +447715 408831If you’ve been a victim of violence or abuse and need someone to talk to, you can find a list of organisations and helplines here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

This week we’re discussing Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal, narrated by Meera Syal. The story follows a young Punjabi feminist called Nikki, who takes what she believes to be a creative writing job at her local temple. She quickly learns that these women are illiterate and have their own way of learning to read and write. The story then picks up and becomes about loneliness, desire and sexuality within the group. - These are women who have spent their lives in the shadows of fathers, brothers and husbands, being dutiful, raising children and going to temple, but whose inner lives are as rich and fruitful as their untold stories. Join us for our next live event and taping on Sunday, 28th March at 4:00 pm UK time, where we’ll be getting stuck into Through The Leopards Gaze by Njambi McGrath.You can register to attend at contentisqueen.org/abc4/ the link is also in the show notes. If you can’t make it feel free to send your thoughts and even your questions to us on Whatsapp at +447715 408831

For our second episode of AudioBook Club, we meet up to discuss the Queenie by Candice Carty-WilliamsQueenie is the story of the delightfully tragic Queenie Jenkins one of the great fictional creations of the twenty-first century. Queenie is a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s LOL funny, dramatic and tender.We’re joined by 12 Audiobookworms this week who listened to the drama and couldn’t wait to share their thoughts on Queenie with you. The episode features a Q&A and a special appearance from the narrator Warning: There are spoilers in this episode if you’d like to jump ahead to the Q&A with Shvorne Marks at 45:15.Join us for our next live event and taping on Sunday, February 28th at 4:00 pm GMT where we’ll be getting stuck into Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur JaswalYou can register to attend at http://contentisqueen.org/abc3 the link is also in the show notes. If you can’t make it feel free to send your thoughts and questions about Queenie to us on Whatsapp on +447715 408831If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse and need someone to talk to, you can find a list of organisations and helplines here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/sexual-abuse/

Welcome to Audiobook Club -the monthly event and podcast where we celebrate and discuss Black, Asian, Queer and female narratives in literature. Every month we meet with other Audiobookworms to discuss an Audiobook recommended by you.For our next episode, we’re joined by 12 audiobookworms to discuss Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. Here’s what you can expect from episode 2:Strong opinionsHumble disagreementsAND Revelations from our featured guest Shvorne MarksEpisode 2 will be available on Sunday 21st Feb! Make sure you don’t miss this episode by subscribing to AudioBook Club today on your favourite podcast player.Remember you can get involved too! Attend AudioBook Club Live on Sunday 28th Feb at 4 pm UK time. We’re currently listening to Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal narrated by Meera Syal. To come along visit HTTP://contentisqueen.org/abc3 This is a safe and inclusive space so you can attend and be an audiobookworm even if you’ve *read* and not listened to the book.See you soon!

Warning: Skip to the interview at 22:22 to avoid spoilersFor our debut episode of AudioBook Club, we meet up to discuss the Audible Original Drama Hell Cats written by Carina Rodney and directed by Kate Saxon.Hell Cats tells the story of two fearless female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Their adventures on the high seas quickly see them embroiled in a queer love affair while being hunted by their mounting list of enemies. Our Audio-bookworms are audio professional Ellie and Amber who listened to the drama and couldn’t wait to share their thoughts on Hell Cats with you. The episode features listener questions and a special appearance from the show’s writer Carina Rodney.Join us for our next live event and taping on Sunday, January 24th at 4:00 pm GMT where we’ll be getting stuck into Queenie, by Candice Carty-Williams!You can register to attend at HTTP://contentisqueen.org/abc2/ the link is also in the show notes. If you can’t make it feel free to send your thoughts and questions about Queenie to us on Whatsapp on +447715 408831Full transcript available on at https://contentisqueen.org/hell-cats