Category: Books

Concentrating minds: the Caribbean at the UN in 2021 was shorter and sharper

September 26, 2021

Fast forward to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2021 – and what a difference two years can make. In my last post, I offered a critique of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s somewhat unfocused speech at the UNGA in 2019. Well, the world has changed. Ms. Mottley’s 2021 speech hit home and gave the … More Concentrating minds: the Caribbean at the UN in 2021 was shorter and sharper

Running with Butterflies

September 12, 2021

The recent “no movement days” and the sudden quiet of lockdowns has made us engage in more unusual activities than usual. For me, it has been clearing out cupboards and chasing butterflies. For my husband it has been painting the walls and drastically cutting back a flowering bush (without my permission). Yes, chasing butterflies. We … More Running with Butterflies

Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

June 21, 2021

Phew! What a week. We have been under a stifling blanket of Saharan dust for the past couple of days, and endured our hottest day ever in Kingston (June 12). The best thing to do is hide indoors in the daytime and come out to exercise etc. after dark. It has been an exhausting week. … More Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

“Sickle Cell, Jamaica and Beyond” book presented to National Library of Jamaica

June 20, 2021

Professor Emeritus Graham Serjeant is one of those people from overseas who came to Jamaica “for a year or two” and ended up remaining for decades. I know a few of those! Now, in recognition of World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) the Professor presented two copies of his book of memoirs and thoughts to … More “Sickle Cell, Jamaica and Beyond” book presented to National Library of Jamaica

Remembering Tiananmen Square: June Fourth Elegies

June 5, 2021

A friend today shared some passages from a poem called “Suffocating City Square” from “June Fourth Elegies.” I have the book on my too-long, and rather muddled “Want To Read” list on GoodReads. However, this book of poetry by Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for “his prolonged non-violent struggle … More Remembering Tiananmen Square: June Fourth Elegies

Institute of Jamaica announces 2021 Musgrave Medal awardees

June 5, 2021

The Musgrave Medals, awarded each year by the Institute of Jamaica, did not happen last year, due to COVID-19. Last year was a cultural non-event in Jamaica, basically. But this year, they are on! I am especially delighted by Steven Woodham’s Gold Medal. A gifted violinist, he has never rested on his laurels and fed … More Institute of Jamaica announces 2021 Musgrave Medal awardees

Pandemic Poems, First Wave: Olive Senior’s fragments of last summer

May 19, 2021

Our first wave of COVID-19 in Jamaica was the summer of 2020. Almost a year later, we seem to be just creeping out of the second – and fearing a third. The summer of 2020, at least for me, was a slow recognition – a dawning – that life wasn’t simple any more. It wasn’t … More Pandemic Poems, First Wave: Olive Senior’s fragments of last summer

Book reviews loading…

April 27, 2021

I haven’t had much quiet time lately. Reading, and writing about books – and writing in general – requires a great deal of quiet time. Gradually, however, I will settle down and have three book reviews coming up shortly: two memoirs (autobiographies if you prefer) and one is poetry and poetic prose. Here they are: … More Book reviews loading…