Heaven Smells Like Books

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This podcast is dedicated to reviewing books, mainly literary fiction. This year, the host will focus on book written by Black and Asian women and gender non-conforming people. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @HeavenSmellsLikeBooks Engage with the host on Twitter: @StillSombre The podcast is available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Heaven Smells Like Books


    • Sep 10, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 17 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Heaven Smells Like Books

    Episode 16 - Beloved (Author: Toni Morrison)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 49:03


    On this episode, I talk about why Toni Morrison's Beloved is my favourite book of all time, despite it being the most heart-breaking story I've ever read.

    Episode 15 - Recitatif (Author: Toni Morrison)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 24:28


    Episode 15 - Recitatif (Author: Toni Morrison) by Heaven Smells Like Books

    Episode 14 - Tar Baby (Author: Toni Morrison)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 55:28


    Episode 14 - Tar Baby (Author: Toni Morrison) by Heaven Smells Like Books

    Episode 13 - Sula (Author: Toni Morrison)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2023 60:30


    Episode 13 - Sula (Author: Toni Morrison) by Heaven Smells Like Books

    Episode 12 - Nervous Conditions (Author: Tsitsi Dangaremgba)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 25:54


    Episode 12 - Nervous Conditions (Author: Tsitsi Dangaremgba) by Heaven Smells Like Books

    Episode 11 - Under The Udala Trees (Author: Chinelo Okparanta)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 44:56


    Heyyyyyy, I'm back with another review! Let me know your thoughts on the book on Instagram (@heavensmellslikebooks) or on Twitter (@stillsombre). Enjoy!

    trees chinelo okparanta
    Episode 10 - His Only Wife (Author: Peace Adzo Medie)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 104:55


    I'm back! And my guest and I talk about "His Only Wife", a book that took us on a rollercoaster of an emotional journey. Don't forget to subscribe to, like and share the podcast. You can also let me know your thoughts on the book and the podcast, on Instagram, @heavensmellslikebooks.

    Episode 9 - Stay With Me (Author: Ayobami Adebayo)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 75:31


    I have my second guest in this episode! We talked about all the weird and crazy things that happened in Ayobami Adebayo's Stay With Me. Don't forget to subscribe to, like and share the podcast. You can also let me know your thoughts on the book and the podcast, on Instagram, @heavensmellslikebooks. Theme song: Akanji (https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/4dpcYS646sxAvkuV8)

    stay with me ayobami adebayo
    Episode 8 - The Shadow King (Author: Maaza Mengiste)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2021 43:02


    In this episode, I talk about all the intense things that happened in Maaza Mengiste's war novel, The Shadow King. Don't forget to subscribe to, like and share the podcast. You can also let me know your thoughts on the book and the podcast, on Instagram @heavensmellslikebooks. Theme song: Akanji (https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/4dpcYS646sxAvkuV8)

    Episode 7 - Love In Colour (Author: Bolu Babalola)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 17:11


    In this episode, I talk about some of my favourite stories from Bolu Babalola's collection of short stories. Don't forget to subscribe to, like and share the podcast. You can also let me know your thoughts on the book and the podcast on Instagram @heavensmellslikebooks.

    colour bolu babalola
    Episode 6 - We That Are Young (Author: Preti Taneja)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 29:12


    In this episode, I review the book that took me 3 months to finish... Let me know your thoughts on the episode and the book by messaging me on Instagram. If you read a book I review, tag me on Instagram @heavensmellslikebooks. Support a black owned business by buying a copy of We That Are Young from one: Loyalty Books, US: https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/search/site/we%2520that%2520are%2520young

    young preti taneja we that are young
    Episode 5 - The Vanishing Half (Author: Brit Bennett)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021 38:23


    In this episode, I talk about Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half. I was particularly intriogued by Stella's ability to keep such a secret for decades. Let me know your thoughts on the episode and the book by tweeting at me @StillSombre. If you read a book I review, tag me on Instagram @heavensmellslikebooks. Support a black owned business by buying a copy of The Vanishing Half from one: New Beacon Books UK: https://www.newbeaconbooks.com/african-american-non-fiction/94dwxdtgxfmz11c3qefcqmjbez6a42?rq=the%20vanishing%20half Roving Height, Nigeria: https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/the-vanishing-half/ Loyalty Books, US: https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/search/site/the%20vanishing%20half

    Episode 4- The Girl With The Louding Voice (Author: Abi Dare)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 85:55


    In this episode, I review Abi Dare's The Girl with The Louding Voice. I also have a guest on this episode, how exciting?! My guest and I also talk about what our reading plans for 2021 are. Let me know what you think by tweeting @ me (@StillSombre) or leave a comment on my Instagram page (@heavensmellslikebooks). Support a black-owned business by buying The Girl with The Louding Voice from them: Roving Height, Nigeria: https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/the-girl-with-the-louding-voice-paperback/ Loyalty Books, US: https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/book/9781524746025

    Episode 3- Their Eyes Were Watching God (Author: Zora Neale Hurston)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 46:39


    In this episode, I talk about Their Eyes Were Watching God, and why I would have stayed with Janie's first husband instead of running off with a gorgeous stranger. Spoiler: it's because I don't like risky things. Let me know your thoughts on the episode and the book by tweeting at me @StillSombre. If you read a book I review, tag me on Instagram @heavensmellslikebooks. Support a black owned business by buying a copy of Their Eyes Were Watching God from one: No Ordinary Bookshop UK: https://noordinarybookshop.co.uk/index.php?option=com_j2store&view=carts Roving Height, Nigeria: https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/their-eyes-were-watching-god/ Loyalty Books, US: https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/book/9780060838676

    Episode 2- The Bluest Eye (Author: Toni Morrison)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2020 44:23


    In this episode, I talk about The Bluest Eye by the legend, Toni Morrison. If you've read the book, let me know your thoughts. Tweet at me @StillSombre and follow the podcast on Instagram @HeavenSmellsLikeBooks. Support black owned businesses by buying The Bluest Eye from them: New Beacon Books UK: https://www.newbeaconbooks.com/african-american-fiction/the-bluest-eye?rq=the%20bluest%20eye Roving Height, Nigeria: https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/the-bluest-eye/ Loyalty Books, US: https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/search/site/the%20bluest%20eye

    Episode 1- Queenie (Author: Candice Carty-Williams)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2020 42:34


    In this episode, I talk about the Sunday Times Bestselling book; Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. I talk about my key take away from the book, which includes importance of therapy, safe sex, and good friends. I hope you enjoy the episode. If you've read the book, let me know your thoughts. Tweet at me @StillSombre and follow the podcast on Instagram @HeavenSmellsLikeBooks. Information on mental health therapy provided by the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/counselling/ Information on therapy for BAME in the U.K.: https://www.baatn.org.uk/ Information on mental health therapy in the United States: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us; https://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com/; https://www.talkspace.com/ Online therapists in Nigeria: https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODY1Nzg4OTY1Nzk0Mjkx?igshid=15ul4icibs17c&story_media_id=2303394516089312893 Therapists in Lagos, Nigeria: https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODk4NjA2MDU1NDc5Mjcy?igshid=154s00ti2fbpt&story_media_id=2303395127484657830 Therapists in Abuja, Nigeria: https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODUzNjgwODg3OTkyNTc1?igshid=19tjd63fol4os&story_media_id=2303395986587231667 Support black owned businesses by buying Queenie from them: New Beacon Books UK: https://www.newbeaconbooks.com/black-british-fiction/queenie Roving Height, Nigeria: https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/queenie/ Loyalty Books, US: https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/book/9781501196027

    Introducing Heaven Smells Like Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 2:30


    Welcome to Heaven Smells Like Books. Listen to the trailer to find out more about the podcast.

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