Read This: Books under the Radar is a weekly post written by a guest author – often a friend of mine, someone I’ve met on my writerly travels, or an author I admire – who recommends three books they think deserve more recognition. If you’re interested in buying any of the books, please click on the covers and give these hidden gems some love. You can see the full list of books which have been selected, as well as the author’s latest book on Bookshop.org, where you can have a browse and buy any that take your fancy. Happy reading!

Read This: Cherie Jones

I read Cherie’s debut when it was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize, and we met at the event in London when my novel, Unsettled Ground was also shortlisted, and when the winner was announced – which wasn’t either of our books. I loved How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps her House – it gave me such a different perspective on Barbados. Here’s what she has to say about herself:

Cherie Jones is a Barbadian author whose first novel ‘How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House’ was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize and translated into French and German. Cherie is working on her second novel. 

You can find her on:
Instagram @cheriejoneswrites and Facebook @cheriejoneswrites

No Pain Like This Body by Harold Sonny Ladoo

This is a book about a poor Indo-Trinidadian family in early 20th century Trinidad. It’s also about the oppression of women and children in a patriarchal society and the linked scourge of gender-based violence. The story is narrated by a young protagonist and the writing is simple, musical and moving. I’m very interested in books which explore gender-based violence, especially in the Caribbean and this is one of the best examples of the power of fiction to shed light on a social issue in a way which compels personal reflection.  This is an important book that every Caribbean person should read at least once, but its truths are of universal application. Considering when Ladoo wrote it, it shows how little has changed for women and children in the Caribbean in some respects, despite huge strides in economic and social development. 

Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton

I discovered this book on my ‘required reading’ list while pursuing an MA in Writing at Sheffield Hallam University in 2013. I was first titillated by the title and then absolutely captivated by the story – its poignancy, its accuracy, the genius of its concept and structure. ‘Important Artefacts…’ is the story of the flotsam of a love affair between Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, presented in the form of an auction catalogue of their personal belongings, specifically, those related to their relationship, offered for sale after its end. I’ve read and re-read this book many times over the intervening decade, and remain as delighted by it as I was when I first read it. A map of the rise and fall of a romantic relationship and a meditation on what our things tell us about ourselves and those we love.

Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord

This delightful tale blends African mythology, mystery and humour in a tale that adopts aspects of the oral storytelling tradition to striking effect. The wise and witty narrator often addresses the reader directly while spinning a tale about a talented woman who leaves her gluttonous husband and is given a supernatural gift of awesome power. This power comes with its own problems and we as readers are along for the adventure. I love how this book seamlessly blends the supernatural with the everyday in much the same way that, to me, Caribbean life and culture accepts and incorporates elements of the otherworldly and the magical in our experience and understanding of reality as we know it. It’s also beautifully written, I couldn’t put it down once I started it and still have the first edition copy I bought in 2011.

 

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More authors and books I’ve never heard of. Have I ever told you how much of a sucker I am for a long title? I love them. I wanted my second novel to be called, About Three Fifteen on a Tuesday Afternoon – which isn’t actually that long, but my agent, and editor at the time wouldn’t let me. Any of these catch your eye? And if you’d like to be told about future Read This recommendations, you can follow me on Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter.

More Read This: Books Under the Radar

Lou Morrish author of Women of War
Francesca Ramsay author of Pinch Me
Sarah Leipciger author of Moon Road
Tim Chapman university librarian
Juliet West author of The Faithful
Lindsay Hunter author of Hot Springs Drive
Gina Chung author of Sea Change
Susmita Bhattacharya author of Table Manners
Vanessa Harbour author of Safe
Freya North author of The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne
Judith Heneghan author of Birdeye
Clare Mackintosh author of I Promise it won’t always Hurt like This
Barney Norris author of Undercurrent
Jo Leevers author of The Last Time I saw You
Alice Winn author of In Memmoriam
Anna Mazzola author of The House of Secrets
Alice Peterson author of The Saturday Place
Jenna Smith bookblogger
Lucy Atkins author of Windmill Hill
LV Matthews author of To Love a Liar
Ruth Thomas author of The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line
Jo Furniss author of Dead Mile
Nina Stibbe author of Went to London, Took the Dog
Nussaibah Younis author of Fundamentally