Over the past few years I have been researching different authors from across the Caribbean. I made a list of every island and nation of the Caribbean adding books under their connected island or islands. Searching other blogs, google, and browsing Goodreads. Overtime I have placed at least one book I am interested in reading from each island. It took some digging and adjustments. From this experience I have realised a few things. Firstly, the Caribbean instant search result is related to travel which has always been the case for the Caribbean. Since the ‘common wealth’ encourage to view their colonies as holiday destinations and beautiful places to see. Which is true and still the case. However, I find that the Caribbean has been remaining as a holiday destination only. The highlight of Caribbean literature in the book world is limited due this limiting perspective. I believe this undermines the people of the Caribbean and their contribution to literature, culture, and history.
From my research, as someone who had not read anything from the Caribbean, it was difficult to find resources about Caribbean literature. This is the experience of many post decolonised nations across the world. As I have roots in the Caribbean it has made me passionate to explore for myself what the Caribbean has produced in the literature space. Since discovering the book world on social media there are many profiles that focus solely on Caribbean literature which is amazing to see. Seeing that social media presence encouraged me to make a resource which I believe to be helpful for anyone else who is also researching or wanting to broaden their reading in the Caribbean. (find 3 instgram accounts to highlight) Three key Instagram accounts I would like to highlight is @bookofcinz @knowyourcaribbean @literallyamanie ;amazing accounts and recommendations if you need even more.
I made this blog partly to be that resource. A place where most if not all Caribbean islands are covered to broadcast Caribbean literature and make it more accessible for anyone to read the Caribbean. Personally I am slowly going through my own list of books I am interested in reading. The map resource will include as many as I can find rather a curated list for me to read from.
How it works
To find the resource you select the map resource on the tab selection bar. Clicking on a island will bring up a side bar list of all the authors from that island. I have a section on this blog that allows you to email me any suggestions to add to the list of authors. For the time being it will only include authors with novels. But I am working up to adding poetry and more non-fiction.
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