Fearless She Wrote Newsletter
Monthly Newsletter, October 8, 2020
Happy October, Fearless readers and writers.
Hopefully, you’ve been able to make the transition successfully from summer to fall and have been enjoying the new season.
We appreciate our writers and their willingness to share their vulnerability and strength with us here at Fearless, and as such, our editorial team wants to be equally transparent. All three of us are currently feeling anxiety and stress over recent events, and we recognize how difficult it can be to feel motivated while dealing with mental duress.
We frequently wax poetic about the importance of taking care of ourselves, and right now, we’re feeling the pull to curl up on the couch with a good Netflix documentary or novel, and so, we’d like to share three novels that we’re reading.
The Death of Vivek Oji — by AKWAEKE EMEZI
“One afternoon, in a town in southeastern Nigeria, a mother opens her front door to discover her son’s body, wrapped in colorful fabric, at her feet. What follows is the tumultuous, heart-wrenching story of one family’s struggle to understand a child whose spirit is both gentle and mysterious.”
Editorial Team says: “This book absolutely hurt my heart, in the best way possible. It’s a lyrical and heart-wrenching story about being different, figuring out who you are, and loving yourself and others, despite their (and your) culturally taboo differences.”
Transcendent Kingdom — by YAA GYASI
“Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief–a novel about faith, science, religion, love. Exquisitely written, emotionally searing, this is an exceptionally powerful follow-up to Gyasi’s phenomenal debut.”
Editorial Team says: “This novel about mental illness, addiction, racism, and culture is timely and moving. I devoured Gyasi’s first novel, Homegoing, and this second novel just proves her literary prowess. She’s brilliant.”
A Burning — by MEGHA MAJUMDAR
“An electrifying debut novel about three unforgettable characters who seek to rise–to the middle class, to political power, to fame in the movies–and find their lives entangled in the wake of a catastrophe in contemporary India.”
Editorial Team says: “This novel combines masterful character and plot development. My thoughts and feelings toward the characters changed quickly and frequently, and the fast-paced plot kept me turning pages. The novel flies toward its impactful ending at break-neck speed and leaves the reader reeling at the end.”
Stay healthy, stay safe, and hang in there. Thank you for your love and continued support, and as always, we look forward to continuing this journey with you.
September’s Featured Authors and Essays
Zoe Naz
Must-read essay: How to Deal with Workplace Sexual Harassment Without HR
