Capital XTRA Book Club with Leah Davis

Leah is joined by entrepreneur, author, and social commentator Kenny Imafidon to speak about That Peckham Boy.Kenny was charged with a murder on joint enterprise aged just 18, he spent 6 long months in prison before being freed. His real-life manifesto That Peckham Boy details it all and calls for positive change for those on the fringes of society

Leah is joined by author Catherine Joy White for a conversation about her book 'This Thread Of Gold' . She weaves together narratives that celebrate the triumph of Black female resistance, Catherine Joy White takes us on a unique journey through the eyes of positive and inspiring disruptors.From Alice Walker to Beyoncé, from Aretha Franklin to Zendaya, Catherine charts her own journey to self-discovery through the prism of extraordinary women to create a beautiful tapestry of Black joy.Reading List: This Thread Of Gold - Catherine Joy WhiteA Daughter Like Me - Jacqueline RoyJazz - Toni MorrisonComplicit - Winnie M Li

Leah is joined by legendary author Mike Gayle to discuss his brand new release A Song Of Me And You. Two heartbroken 18 year-olds part ways and meet again 20 years later, one a successful rockstar, the other a part time teacher in the lowest point of their life. Friendship, love, heartache and hope collide in this unforgettable emotional journey.Plus, Leah celebrates 25 years of Mike's incredible writing career.Reading List:Mike Gayle - A Song Of Me And YouUnreliable Memoirs - Clive JamesIn The Blink Of An Eye - Jo CallaghanGeneration X - Douglas Coupeland

In this episode Leah is joined by artist, writer & poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths.Promise, her debut novel took 7 years to write and is a story of resistance and hope. A rich, evocative and universal celebration of sisterhood, family, mothers and daughters, music, food, joy and love; it is also an unflinching exploration of race, class, identity and power, and the search for freedom and belonging.Reading List: Rachel Eliza Griffiths - PromiseToni Morrison - Song Of SolomonToni Morrison - SulaSafiya Sinclair - How To Say BabylonZora Neale Hurston - Their Eyes Were Watching God

Season 3 has arrived and Leah kicks things off with a brilliant read from social media megastar and comedian Fats Timbo. Her debut 'Main Character Energy' is 10 commandments for living fearlessly as Fats shares how she came to love her body and face down challenges in her manifesto for all those who struggle with a fear of their own difference.Reading List: Fats Timbo - Main Character EnergyRhonda Byrne - The SecretMark Manson - How To Not Give A F***

The Capital XTRA Book Club Podcast with Leah Davis returns for the summer! If you're about to jet off and need a new holiday read or just an escape from your busy summer schedule then Leah has you covered with a whole list of exciting releases. New episodes every Monday starring both fresh and legendary black authors - starting Monday 7th August with Fats Timbo.

For the final episode of season 2 I am joined by a force to be reckoned with, the incredibly inspiring Mikaela Loach. She is fighting for climate justice, providing a voice for the voiceless and inspiring change without spreading fear. Her new book 'It's Not That Radical' is out 6th April and it's perfect if you're scared of everything you hear about climate change but don't quite know where to begin. Reading List: It's Not That Radical - Mikaela LoachThe Hunger Games - Suzanne CollinsWe Will Not Cancel Us - Adrienne Maree BrownCrooked Kingdom - Leigh BardugoWhat White People Can Do Next - Emma Dabiri

Leah is joined this week by Iggy London, an award winning British filmmaker, artist and writer to chat all about 'Mandem'. The book is a collection of essays from his creative friends exploring what it means to be a Black man in contemporary Britain, a fascinating read! Reading List: Americana - Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe Sellout by Paul BeattyPoor - Caleb Femi

This week we are joined by Krystle Zara Appiah whose debut novel Rootless is about to take the world by storm. This complex love story is full of bumps in the road and family shaped obstacles that our loveable protagonists have to navigate. We got to know Krystle the British Ghanaian first time author this week, what a lovely way to celebrate IWD! Reading List: Krystle Appiah - RootlessTaiye Selasi - Ghana must goMonica Heisey - Really Good ActuallyArundhati Roy - The God of Small Things

This week we get to know Nikki May the author of Wahala. Inspired by wanting to see more stories like her own on the page she created Ronke, Simi and Boo and just as their lives were looking a little too boring the whirlwind that is Isobel is thrown into the mix. This is Nikki's first novel and it's already set to be adapted for TV, no surprises there! Reading List: Wahala - Nikki MayNearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad - Damilare KukuStation Eleven - Emily St. John Mandel