Radical Reads & Social Justice
To experiment with the idea of making poetry more fun, I created an anthology entitled 'Poetry, Comedy & The Modern World' for a recent project on my English Literature degree. I thought I would share the twelve poems that made their way into the final anthology here on my blog! I hope you enjoy exploring and, hopefully, having a bit of a laugh along the way...
I read an article recently about how book sales have been affected by COVID-19: apparently, dystopian fiction is flying off the virtual shelves, especially if it deals with a pandemic. Frankly, I don’t understand this at all - I’m looking for books that take me away from the current crisis and provide some light-hearted escapism. So, for those of you who share my induced dystopia-phobia, I’ve compiled this list of books guaranteed to bring laughs, conversation topics and much-needed comic relief...
Should you ever be forced to read this book, or feel some masochistic urge to, I've included a free chapter-by-chapter summary sheet in solidarity with my fellow sufferers. Also, to lessen the pain slightly, this list of funny 1* Goodreads reviews will remind you that you're not alone in this epic, frustrating endeavour. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Rating: 4 stars Category: Mystery/ Adventure Synopsis: Clay Jannon has just lost his marketing position after the company went bust. Unemployed and increasingly desperate, he takes a job as the night clerk at Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. His eccentric employer has only 2 requirements: 1. A detailed record of every single customer must be made in the ancient logbook at the front desk. 2. Clay must never open any of the books. One night, when there are no customers, Clay can no longer suppress his curiosity and opens one of the forbidden books. Its contents will draw him into a centuries-old unsolved mystery...
This Is Going to Hurt is the diaries of junior doctor Adam Kay in the years before he leaves medicine, disillusioned by the gruelling hours, bureaucracy and lack of support. The diary entries document the funny and heart-wrenching anecdotes from his medical career, showcasing the best and worst of humanity along the way. The reason why Adam Kay is able to convey the seriousness of the issues facing the NHS so well is, paradoxically, his unique brand of humour. He now works in comedy and it's easy to see why! So without further ado, here are the funniest moments of This Is Going to Hurt that had me laughing out loud in public places...
When she feels her life becoming overwhelmed by endless scrolling through dating apps, Catherine Gray decides to take a year-long break from dating. In The Unexpected Joy of Being Single, she shares the emotional ups and downs during the year, plus words of wisdom from psychologists to pop culture icons. All this makes for a bubbly and varied guide that gives you the encouragement needed to embrace single life.
A couple of weeks ago I gave myself a break from the stress of A-Level revision by going to watch Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest performed by Split Second Productions. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much in a show! I left with that wonderfully light-hearted feeling that only great comedy can bring.
If you follow my blog on Facebook, then you may know that I recently went to watch Twelfth Night performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The performance took place in Stratford-upon-Avon (UK) but I watched it live streamed from the comfort of my local cinema. It was an incredible experience that gave me a real buzz, so I wanted to share it with you!
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