Jayne has been reading Rosewater by Liv Little. She says:

“I’ve recently suggested some books for the Brookes LGBTQ+ Resources reading list, one of which was Rosewater by Liv Little. The LGBTQ+ Staff Forum invited Liv Little to be the guest speaker for our LGBTQ+ History Month Lecture in February 2021, where she discussed her work towards amplifying marginalised voices in the media and publishing industries, and her love of literature – a passion she was endeavouring to pursue. When we discussed reviewing books for Pride Month I immediately knew which I wanted to read!

Rosewater tells the story of Elsie, a young black gay poet who shies away from commitment, trying to find her way in life and pursue her dream of performing and publishing her poetry. Having left Bristol in her teens to start a new life in London, she has struggled to find work and housing but can start following her dreams when she moves into her best friend’s spare room.

The book explores the experiences of queer black women across generations and reflects on the themes of love, belonging and home. It highlights the different relationships we have in our lives, from the tense encounters with estranged parents and the comfort of Nan’s cooking to the love, support and intimacy we find in friendship and the connections we make along the way. Elsie’s character grows throughout the story as she learns to trust and open up to the people she lets into her life.

I can recommend this to anyone who fancies reading a queer story about love and belonging, especially ifyou’re a fan of poetry.”

If you’d like some more ideas of what to read, check out the library’s LGBTQ+ resources list.