Thread by @IndigenousX

Today I want to talk about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander literature - in its numerous forms. 📚

When I think about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, I think about the richness in the pages. I think about the gift of story telling in a written medium and I think of the labour in telling the stories in this way.

Growing up - some of the stories that were read were written about us in the abstract. Today - we have a wealth of brilliant Blak writers that tell stories. Let me start by saying - I love reading - I love all types of books and I love being enriched with stories.

I remember reading this book and feeling all the vibes as I was starting to hit my stride with my own career and uni and enjoyed the escapism of this sister (Lauren) on a chance of a lifetime in NYC.

This is a book that I missed my train stop because I was engrossed. The tapestry of words evocative of island life.

Do not read this at night. Admittedly I read this cover to cover and finished at 3am and slept with my lamp on, but don’t be stupid like me. This felt like my aunties telling me stories that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. IYKYK.

This book is a powerful dive into colonialism and the impact of it in ways that touch Blak families here in this land.

This is exquisitely written. The story is one we relate to and need to bear witness to. The language and weaving of stories is spiritual and this book made me feel so close to the characters.

This man 🖤 just read it.

I found this book powerful in the message I took from it that healing is complex with inter generational trauma and related so hard to the loss of Pop. The dark humour shines through - Blakfulla humour is something else.

There is a reason this book is award winning. Exquisite. Complex emotional concepts that are relatable and moving. It is enduring.

This one is thematic and evocative and has been one talked about for the colonial depiction throughout.

I loved this story of friendship. Couldn’t put it down. I loved the scene setting and the love of the ancient waters that came through.

I love that there is an increase of children’s books so my daughter and all children can have the benefit of the story telling and knowledge on the pages. My daughter has tagged this one.

This book is one of our most recent purchases as it can out a few months ago and my daughter is reading it to her kindergarten buddies and younger Aboriginal children she mentors. She can read these stories and impart a message and that is powerful.

This book is one I really felt. I think the power of Blak women is something I see and feel every day so to have this beautiful story feel so personal is testament to the incredible story telling of the author.

I think the point of this thread (aside the from the third hand flex of Blak brilliance) is to demonstrate that our stories can be beautiful while still being interwoven with the pain of our trauma. Our stories can convey a message with linguistic subtlety.

Blak writers give so much of themselves when they write and they do this not to contribute just to the literary landscape, they are honouring, holding space, they are laying foundations for those that come after them and they are continuing the long tradition of story.

I find it is something outrageously generous to share that much of themselves with us knowing that the colonial landscape continues and will be hostile. I find the generosity of Blakness to be something equal parts beautiful and sad - to be generous still is telling.

Another thing is that these stories are so complex that the message can be received by the reader in different ways personal to the reader and that is powerful. Just as the writer is reading with a lens, we read with our own experiential lens too.

I am grateful to Blak story tellers - all of them - I lend out my books to family and friends so I can share the love of this literature with them and make a point to buy Blak books every Christmas.
Have you received one as a gift? Have you given one?

Are there any books in this thread you will go buy for yourself or someone as a gift?
Add your books to this thread so others can get inspired to buy them too.