Welcome to Litsy!

Featuring many of the documents from social services in their original form along with Lemn's narrative of how each event translated into his childhood mind, we enter a world where a Black baby boy was put in the care of a white couple.

It's a troubling read. Lemn did not know where he came from, he did not know the name on his birth certificate. His birth mother was portrayed negatively, His developing years were unstable and unpredictable.

Probably one of the best Quick Reads books I have ever read. Such a heart-wrenching story of a child in the foster system in the UK in the 80s. Broke my heart in places and made me laugh in others. Brilliant writing, and I would love to read the full book after this.

Last quick reads by yet another new author for me. I did enjoy this book but found it hard to read as a parent. It‘s an eye opening and honest account of one man‘s journey through the British care system

What a heart breaking read. His achievements are even more amazing given his horrendous time in care. God help us if anyone thinks this level of care is acceptable.
Thanks Jessie ♥️

#weeklyforecast
Just starting the tagged book this morning. The others may feature this week.

Opened Litsy gifts tonight - thank you Helen, I love the notebook!! 😘
Jessie - thank you this looks great and has wonderful reviews ❤️
And thank you for the other books whoever they are from, they‘re awesome 😘♥️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hi @arlenefinnigan @Emilymdxn - I know you both loved the tagged book, as did I.

Have you heard about the BBC series about Lemn, starting next week?

And don‘t judge me for reading Heat magazine - at least I can say I have a wide lens of cultural appreciation! 🤣

Lemn Sissay's story is a remarkable one, beautifully told. He's rightly angry at how his family and childhood were stolen from him, but he also highlights those who helped him fulfill his great potential.
#BlackVoices @ShyBookOwl @TrishB

Thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this on audio. Using a cast to read the letters and records works really well, and obviously as a performance poet Lemn Sissay is a brilliant narrator. If you haven‘t read this, you really should, it‘s an compelling, eloquent account of a remarkable story, and vital insight into the historic flaws in the British care system. If you have read it, it‘s well worth re-reading in a different format.

Next up. I absolutely loved reading this in print, I'm really looking forward to rereading it on audio. #currentlyreading📚 #bookstagram #LockdownLit #BooksConnectUs

Today's daily deal on Audible. This was the best book I read last year and I'm looking forward to rereading it on audio.

This sums up this book for me.

Oh my word. What an incredible read. I hadn‘t intended to start 2020 with consecutive memoirs, but I am so glad I did.

I was lucky enough to see Lemn Sissay read from & talk about this book at the Ubud Readers & Writers Festival last October. When I finally got my hands on a copy this week I had to bump it up the #tbr list.

A quick, page-turning, gut wrenching read about Lemn‘s life ‘in care‘ in the UK. So good, so bloody good. What a man 😍👏.

Amazon delivery to kick start of the New Year...

First up - My Name Is Why.

Harrowing. I knew that Lemn Sissay was a famous poet, probably the most famous black British poet alive rn, but I had no idea about his experiences in care as a black child with no known family in the 70s. Children in care get forgotten about so much in British society and I‘m so grateful for him shedding light on it. I don‘t know if I could have shown the courage he did in those situations, keeping writing through the abuse.

Borrowed this from the library yesterday lunchtime and finished it on the train to work this morning.... I just couldn‘t put it down.

The poet Lemn tells of his childhood growing up in a foster home and care homes - #wil what I learned is that adults can be truly uncaring and that the care system in the UK is broken.

Despite his harsh upbringing, where he felt no love, Sissay still brings positivity to his story - a must-read.

#nfnov

Attending the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2019 in Bali, Indonesia. One of many highlights of Day One was Lemn Sissay reading from his memoir. 😍😢👏. So grateful to be here 🙏.

A powerful and emotional read about Lemn Sissay‘s journey through the British care system. A must read for anyone interested in working or already working with children especially children in care. Full review here: https://thecuriousmagpie2018.wordpress.com/2019/10/24/review-my-name-is-why-by-l...

This book is amazing & I cannot recommend it highly enough. A heartbreaking story of a stolen childhood. It's a great reflection on Lemn Sissay that he managed to not only survive such an unfair & brutal system but to go on to achieve what his talent deserves, but you should also be angry that he had to,& you have to wonder how many children have been left broken by the failings in the care system. How many ruined lives, how much wasted potential.

Imagine being a teenager in an 'assessment centre' (detention centre) and writing this when asked to write about yourself for a psychological assessment.

"How Darkness runs
From melting shade
How bright the sun
How unafraid"

This book is heartbreaking.

What a lovely couple of weeks it's been. Paris; my favourite athlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, winning her first world championship; watching St Helens winning the grand final; and lots of reading and wine. Life is beautiful.

Next up #BlackHistoryMonth

Looking forward to reading this