Hello lovely readers! It's been a while since we've caught up....what can we say...life's been lifing. How are you getting on with your reading? Have you read any amazing books over the summer or you're just doubling down on your TBR pile?
In this episode recorded over summer, Olamide and I delve into the question of what makes a good summer book- yes you guessed right, we both have different preferences! This is a really bumber episode. We talk about Jenny Han's To All The Boys I've Ever Loved, why Olamide likes Fiona Gibson's 'The Woman Who got Her Spark Back', Love Letters to A serial Killer (Spoiler alert- we did not like!), T L Swans Mile High Series and so many others.
As always, you can join the conversation on our socials @busyblackmumsdoread on Instagram. Don't forget to write to us and share your recommendations at busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com.
Happy Reading!
In this episode, Aziza dives into the captivating world of "The Summer I Turned Pretty," exploring the emotional depth of Jenny Han's beloved book series and its adaptation into a Netflix series. Join Aziza as she shares her personal journey with the characters Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah, and discusses the differences between the book's intricate love triangle and the series' portrayal. Whether you're a fan of the books or the show, this episode offers a heartfelt analysis of how each medium captures the essence of young love and coming-of-age. Tune in for a thoughtful comparison that will resonate with readers and viewers alike.Books in the series:
Book 1- The Summer I turned Pretty
Book 2- It's Not Summer Without You
Book 3- We'll Always Have Summer
Follow us on @busyblackmumsdoread on Instagram for more book reviews and tell us what you're reading. We love to hear from you!
Hey everyone! After a bit of a break, Ola and I are finally back, catching up on all things books—especially the struggle of reading slumps and the magic of finding the right book at the right time. In this episode, we dive headfirst into Red Rising by Pierce Brown, which absolutely blew our minds. We break down its intense caste system, unpack the character development, and dig into the deeper philosophical themes that make this dystopian world so compelling. Plus, you know we had to compare it to The Hunger Games—because how could we not? And of course, we wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.
In the second half of the episode, we shift gears and chat about Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert—a book that had us laughing, swooning, and reflecting all at once. We explore the dynamics between the characters, the humor that keeps the story fresh, and the way it tackles interracial relationships and stereotypes in romance novels. It’s all about finding that balance between being entertained and getting something deeper out of a book, and we had so much fun unpacking it all.
So, grab your favourite drink, settle in, and let’s talk books!
Have you ever picked up a book and felt like it took over your life? That’s exactly what happened with Binding 13 and Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh. In this 2 in one episode, Azeeza shares her thoughts on book bingeing, swoony romance, intense character arcs, and what makes Johnny Kavanagh the ultimate book boyfriend. With reflections on Irish culture, audiobook experiences, and tough-but-important themes like domestic violence (check your triggers before reading this series as it does delve into some heavy themes), this episode is an ode to books that make you feel everything.
Don't forget to like and subscribe and follow us on @busyblackmumsdoread or send us comments/questions and even feedback (we love to hear about what you're reading!) at busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com.
Happy reading!
If you've been following booktok or bookstagram, you would have been hard pressed to have missed the phenomenon sweeping the internet in the form of Callie Hart's Spicy Romantasy- Quicksilver. Hear what Azeeza thought about the book everyone has been talking about (and why they've been talking about it!).
Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast so you'll never miss an episode. Happy reading!
Azeeza is back this month with a review of Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin, an autobiography of the world renowned ballet dancer's rise to fame from an impoverished background, growing up in a Commune in China. A perfect rags to riches story chronicling life under Chairman Mao's communist regime, if you like non-fiction, this is worth giving a spin.
As always, do like, subscribe and share the podcast with other Mamas you'd like to share in the joy of reading. You can also follow live updates on what I'm reading on Instagram @busyblackmumsdoread.
Happy reading!
In this engaging conversation, Azeeza is joined by childhood friend Shakirat Gold Olufadi, as they delve into the themes of Khalid Hosseini's 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'. We explore the emotional depth of the characters, the resilience of women in the face of oppression, and the impact of the historical context of the war in Afghanistan on the lives of the characters. We also discuss Shakirat's own journey as a published author and her book, 'Medithrive', which offers guidance for young adults navigating life's challenges.
In this conversation, Shakirat and Azeeza delve into the themes of war, trauma, and resilience. We explore the complex relationships between the female characters, Maryam and Layla, and how their lives are intertwined through shared suffering and survival. A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of those books that will stay with you, long after you've closed the last page.
As always, do let us know your thoughts. If you've read a Thousand splendid suns how did it make you feel? Were you raging like we were?
Remember you can always get in touch @busyblackmumsdoread on Instagram or email busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com.
Happy reading!
*Please note this review contains spoilers*
Hello book lovers! I feel like all I've talked about the last 2 weeks are Longlists and literary awards. This is a bonus epidose reviewing the recently revealed Women's Prize for Fiction 2025 longlist. Also, it is publication day for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book 'Dreamcount' and yep, you guessed, she gets a nod. The books in this year's list all look and sound amazing. Listen to the episode to hear my suggestions on prioritising which ones to read first.
Please do also share if you've read any of the books. I love to hear from you.
The International Booker Prize longlist is out and in this episode, I talk about which of the books I'm really keen to add to my shopping cart and why. This year's longlist is quite an ecclectic mix but two books definitely stand out from the pile for me.
I'm keen to find out if other mums consider these prizes when selected or deciding what to read.
Tell me in the comments if you do or have read any of these books.
Happy reading!
I don't think there is an articulate enough way to describe the masterpiece that is Tolstoy's 'War and Peace'. At over a thousand pages long, it is not the shortest book ever but boy does it pack a punch. I approached this one with a bit of trepidation and awe really to see how I would feel about tackling the longest audiobook I've ever listened to.
For the second book in this episode, we review this month's book club pick: I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes, which generated some mixed feelings.
As always, drop me a comment to let me know what you're currently reading and as we are in the season of love, give me all your best romance book recs and I'll come back and discuss on the pod.
Happy reading!
In this episode, I talk about 3 books in 1. It's the book all the booktok girlies have been talking about and has sold millions and millions of copies. Tagged the Harry Potter of our time, Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing (or the Empyrean series) has quite literally taken the world by storm. This is one of my favourite romance books of all time! Listen to the episode to find out why Fourth Wing was my number one of 2024 and why the release of Onyx storm has had the internet in a bit of a frenzy.
As always, like and subscribe and let me know if you would like more video content!
Happy reading.
Hello and Happy New Year!
In this first episode of 2025, we are talking New Year bookish resolutions and asking what those look like for you. Did you meet your reading goals in 2024? What goals are setting in 2025? Whether you did or not, I hope you have an amazing year of discovering the world through books.
We also reviewed one of booktok's most talked about books from 2024- the Powerless series by Lauren Roberts and wrapping up with a review of the hotly anticipated finale of the Children of Blood & Bone trilogy- Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi.
As always, please like, subscribe and share with your reading buddies and let us know what you think @busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com.
Happy reading!
I couldn't let the year go by without sharing some of my favourite books from the year. This was so hard to pick favourites! You'll see a few that have been featured on the podcast made the cut. I'll be back in the New Year encouraging you to pick up more books, read widely and go for that bit of escapism we all crave.
Here is the list as featured in the episode:
Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
When Lou Clark agrees to take up work as a carer for the Traynors, little does she know that her life is about to change. In this episode, we discuss Jojo Moyes 2012 bestseller and how it has influenced Azeeza's own thinking about the contentious topic of assisted dying. This is a romance ovel like no other.
If you would like to share your views about this episode and others, you can reach us via email on busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Instagram at @busyblackmumsdoread.
Happy reading!
Azeeza returns from a sabbatical, reading popular fantasy romance series A Court Of Thorns & Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J Maas. In this episode, we talk tools for holding yourself accountable while getting back into reading, setting reading targets (should we even?) and of course a review of Books 1, 2,3 and 5 of the ACOTAR series (listen to find out what happened to Book 4).
As always, we'd love to know what you're reading or just for you to say hello @busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram at @Busyblackmumsdoread.
Happy reading!
One is a creative, yet modern take on love stories from across the world, the other is a timeless classic read and loved by millions. In this episode, we delve into the world of love and all it's intricacies in Bolu Babalola's 2020 bestseller 'Love In Colour'. In the second part of the episode, we review what makes 'The Alchemist' such a special book as well as why and when we think you should read it.
Happy Reading!
Don't forget to send us your comments and feedback on busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.com or @busyblackmumsdoread on Instagram.
We continue our discussion on all things Japanese culture (thanks to our Shogun obsession). We also answer our first audience question on getting your child to read and what's worked for us in this space.
Olamide and I also give our thoughts on our current reads and what we're looking forward to reading.
If there are any books you would like for us to discuss, or any questions you would like to ask, please get in touch with us @busyblackmumsdoread on Instagram or email us at busyblackmumsdoread'gmail.com
Olamide and I take a trip down memory lane with Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, a book I've been wanting to read for ages. As usual, we come to different conclusions about how we felt about this timeless British classic (which if you're an avid listener of the podcast will come as no surprise!).
We also touched on Olamide's recommendation- James Clavell's Shogun, which is now a major production on FX.
This is part 1 of the episode, so make sure to listen to part 2, for what other books we've been reading (and squabbling about) as well as what we're looking forward to reading next.
Ever felt like you needed to get on top of your finances but were unsure where to even start? Well, we may have the book for you! In this episode, Azeeza is joined by Career Coach and financial management geek Lola Yunus, to discuss Ken and Mary Okoroafor's (Creators of The Humble Penny Blog) Sunday times Bestseller "Financial Joy, Banish debt, Grow your money and become debt free in 10 weeks".
A surprisingly informative book packed with advice and tips for managing your finances (don't roll your eyes, we've all gotta do it!).
Azeeza and Lola talk about their own personal money stories and explore their money personas and how this manifests in how they interact with money. Nothing is taboo here, even the contentious issue of whether or not a couple should have a joint account or not. This is one episode you don't want to miss because it is packed with everything from personal finance to managing your finances as a couple and a family.
If you have any questions for us or something you would like us to cover, or indeed book recommendations, email us at busyblackmumsdoread@gmail.comand.
Follow us on Instagram @busyblackmumsdoread.
As April was Personal development/Self help month on the podcast, Azeeza is joined by wealth Manager and Personal Stylist Chinye Amadi Emina to review Carol Dweck's famous piece of work- Mindset. We explore the interplay between the Growth and Fixed Mindsets and how these play out in day to day life and in our relationships. We also talk Yoga and its benefits...yep! Who said Personal development had to be boring eh?
Want to read along with us? May is classics month and we are currently reading:
Got some questions for us? Email us at busyblackmumsdoreadpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @busyblackmumsdoread.