This is the magical story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who dreams of traveling the world to seek the most wonderful treasures known to man. From his home in Spain, he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and, from there, into the Egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him.

“Extraordinary. A brilliant, painful, and important book.”
THE NEW YORK TIMES
If there was any one man who articulated the anger, the struggle, and the beliefs of African Americans in the 1960s, that man was Malcolm X. His AUTOBIOGRAPHY is the result of a unique collaboration between Alex Haley and Malcolm X, whose voice and philosophy resonate from every page, just as his experience and his intelligence continue to speak to millions.

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (1868–1963) is the greatest of African-American intellectuals–a sociologist, historian, novelist, and activist whose astounding career spanned the nation’s history from Reconstruction to the civil rights movement. Born in Massachusetts and educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, Du Bois penned his epochal masterpiece, The Souls of Black Folk, in 1903. It remains his most studied and popular work; its insights into Negro life at the turn of the 20th century still ring true.With a dash of the Victorian and Enlightenment influences that peppered his impassioned yet formal prose, the book’s largely autobiographical chapters take the reader through the momentous and moody maze of Afro-American life after the Emancipation Proclamation–from poverty, the neoslavery of the sharecropper, illiteracy, miseducation and lynching, to the heights of humanity reached by the spiritual “sorrow songs” that birthed gospel and the blues. The most memorable passages are contained in “On Booker T Washington and Others”, where Du Bois criticises his famous contemporary’s rejection of higher education and accommodationist stance toward white racism: “Mr. Washington’s programme practically accepts the alleged inferiority of the Negro races”, he writes, further complaining that Washington’s thinking “withdraws many of the high demands of Negroes as men and American citizens”.The capstone of The Souls of Black Folk, though, is Du Bois’ haunting, eloquent description of the concept of the black psyche’s “double consciousness”, which he described as “a peculiar sensation….One ever feels this twoness–an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder”. Thanks to WEB Du Bois’ commitment and foresight–and the intellectual excellence expressed in this timeless literary gem–black Americans can today look in the mirror and rejoice in their beautiful black, brown and beige reflections.

The Doorway to Distinction – Onyi Anyado

The Doorway to Distinction contains 200 of Onyi’s self-made quotes, and covers goals; excellence; distinction and vision. Each quote has a summary that will assist you with your vision; aid you with your goals; inspire to new levels of excellence and challenge you to become a person of distinction.

The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy – Steve Stoute

 

I picked up this book because of a recommendati. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth at which hip-hop and urban sensibilities have shaped American and westernized culture as a whole. Steve Stoute brings a level of professionalism and authenticity, coincidentally two very important topics outlined in this book, to tales of the struggles of early hip-hop and the trials of its artists to be recognized as such. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to have a fresh, unbiased opinion on the history of marketing and culture as well as the effects of “tanning” on American and the world as a whole.

The Intern – Dillon Khan

A great insight into how hard it is to be an intern at a music television company (Trevor Nelson BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra )

A brilliant insight into a world I know all too well. A real page-turner (Reggie Yates BBC Radio 1 )

A revealing and engaging account of taking those first steps into music television. Jay could be any number of people I have worked with. The Devil Wears Prada meets Entourage (Laura Whitmore MTV )

An amazing read. The Intern was so reminiscent of our earlier years trying to make our way in the TV industry. It’s a brilliantly told story about getting ahead in the media world and would serve anyone aspiring to a career in this field. Dear intern, Rickie and Melvin salute you (Rickie H-Williams & Melvin Odoom Kiss FM and T4 )

A blast from the past. Takes me back to the good old days (Lisa Snowdon Capital FM )

This serves a brilliant reminder to my own turbulent, terrifying, exciting, overworked and underpaid beginnings as an intern. But whether you’re in the industry, want to be, or just fancy a nose into the life and times, this is a page-turner of epic proportions. A fascinating read that stirs sonic memories of the early 00s, The Intern is a sharp insight into the world of work experience (Hattie Collins RWD magazine )

The topic of internships is so current and Dillon has brilliantly captured the voice of a generation. I myself started out as intern, it’s the best way to get your foot in the door and a really great way to learn how to make an awesome cup of tea! (June Sarpong )

The Intern was like a time machine for me. The way Dillon has brought that era back to life and in doing so reminded me of what it was like to be an outsider looking in, hoping to hustle my way to the centre of the game is amazing. After reading it I wish I’d partied even more. (Nihal BBC Radio 1 )

Narcissistic Lovers: How to Cope, Recover and Move on – Cynthia Zyan

In a revealing study of relationships where partners love themselves first, last, and always, Cynthia Zayn and Kevin Dibble help readers determine whether their partner is over the line and has narcissistic personality disorder. The book draws on the authors’ research and interviews with a variety of men and women who’ve been narcissized. Featuring compelling stories and scenarios, “Narcissistic Lovers” helps victims understand the pain brought on by their abusers, shows why these self-loathers can’t change, and offer hope for healing from their “N-fliction.”

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – ckolle

The Hellhound of Wall Street: How Ferdinand Pecora’s Investigation of the Great Crash Forever Changed American Finance – Michael Perino

This book will be interesting and engaging to historical buffs, those interested in finance, and, quite frankly, any Scott Turrow or John Grisham fans. The second half especially unfolds as a courtroom drama, with twists and turns that will surprise you, even though you know the end result from reading the introduction. And besides, at just a few hundred pages, it is a remarkably slim volume for so much information. I’d give it six stars if I were able.

The Hellhound of Wall Street is a very well written and penetrating look at one set of congressional hearings held in 1933, examining the role of National City Bank (now CitiBank) and its president Charles E. Mitchell, in the cause of the 1929 crash and its aftermath. It tells the tale using the story of the fantastic lawyer who did the research and asked all the right questions in order to expose what was subsequently called the “banksters” role in manipulating stocks, bonds, and the public without the least hint of moral or ethical considerations.

Who Are We – And Should It Matter in the 21st Century? – Gary Younge

I Do Not Come to You by Chance – Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

Review

Book Description

A vivid, warm and very funny debut novel set against the colourful back-drop of modern Nigeria.

Weep Not, Child –Ngugi wa Thiong’o