Antigua and Barbuda (and by extension Wadadli Pen, since we’ve interacted with at least three) has been a stop on several read the world projects.
When Ann Morgan did it, we interviewed her on the blog after finding out about it. Her book of choice was Jamaica Kincaid’s Lucy. She also later reviewed a Caribbean fiction collect book called Pepperpot on our recommendation – Pepperpot included the story Amelia at Devil’s Bridge by Antiguan and Barbudan writer, and Wadadli Pen founder and coordinator Joanne C. Hillhouse.
The most recent one, Bookmarked, wrote a glowing review of Kincaid’s Lucy, just added to the A & B Works Reviewed data base here on the site. The reviewer, Helsinki-based writer Tabatha Leggett reached out to Wadadli Pen for suggested reads. She had already read Lucy but wanted additional recommendations which she listed at the tail end of her review. We shared, among other things, a recommendations list from the site and the last readers choice book of the year contenders. Here’s what she listed:
📖 🇦🇬 #8: A coming-of-age tale from Antigua – Bookmarked
- The Cleansing of the Souls by Romenita F Barrett
- Frigid Summer by J. Carie-Ann Burton
- Dancing Nude in the Moonlight by Joanne C. Hillhouse
- Considering Venus by D. Gisele Isaac
- Unburnable by Marie-Elena John
- Ladies of the Night by Althea Prince
- Under the Calabash Tree by Leon Chaku Symister
- Through the Window by Floree Williams
Being a resource for this kind of project, or for anyone researching Antigua and Barbuda literature generally is an unexpected byproduct of running a project of this type. We’re happy if the information on the site aids anyone in their discovery of the world (just be sure to give credit) – and while we’re slower to respond due to being an overextended volunteer project, we also answer questions where we can. But check the site first.
How about you. Have you ever considered reading the world?
Antiguan and Barbudan Writings | Wadadli Pen
As with all content on wadadlipen.wordpress.com, except otherwise noted, this is written by Joanne C. Hillhouse (author of The Boy from Willow Bend, Dancing Nude in the Moonlight, Musical Youth, With Grace, Lost! A Caribbean Sea Adventure, its Spanish language edition Perdida! , and Oh Gad! ). All Rights Reserved. If you enjoyed it, check out my page Jhohadli or like me on Facebook. Help me spread the word about Wadadli Pen and my books. You can also subscribe to the site to keep up with future updates. Thanks.
Wadadli Pen 
I try to read the world often, not as in only 1 book from one country, but I aim every year to read books from at least 15- 20 different countries. I also belong to a Goodreads group called Around the World where others like me share their reads from elsewhere. At the end of the year I judge my own reading on that diversity, it’s challenging not to be pulled in by the abundant offerings of UK/US reads.
Very impressive, Claire.