Launching the Written in Colour Book Club in South East London this February
26th february 2026 | woolwich front room, SE18
I’m so excited to launch the Written In Colour Book Club in February 2026. My mission is to create a space for local book lovers to explore and celebrate stories that center diverse backgrounds, global cultures and marginalized voices.
our first pick: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
This was a 5-star read for me a few yeara ago and I’ve been waiting for the right moment to revisit it. I can’t wait to re-read it and discus it in depth with you.
About the novel: Homegoing
A novel of breathtaking ambition, Homegoing begins with two half-sisters in 18th-century Ghana: Effia, who is married to a British slaver, and Esi, who is sold into slavery in America.
The story follows eight generations of their descendants, alternating between the shifting landscapes of Ghana and the United States. Through their eyes, Gyasi traces the legacy of the “fire” that started at the beginning—moving through the Gold Coast’s involvement in the slave trade, the Civil War, the Great Migration, and the jazz clubs of Harlem, all the way to the present day.
It is a visceral exploration of how history is inherited, how roots are severed, and how the echoes of the past shape who we are today.
About the Author: Yaa Gyasi
Born in Mampong, Ghana, and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Yaa Gyasi is a powerful voice in contemporary fiction whose work explores the intersections of the African diaspora.
She made a stunning debut with Homegoing in 2016, which she began writing at age 26 after a formative trip to Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle. The novel earned her the PEN/Hemingway Award and established her as a master of the generational saga. A graduate of the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Gyasi is known for her meticulous research and her ability to weave complex historical legacies into deeply intimate, human stories.
She followed her debut with the critically acclaimed Transcendent Kingdom, further cementing her role as a vital “thought partner” for readers exploring faith, science, and the immigrant experience.
Love books? Love community? Join us for an evening of deep conversation and global stories.
stay up to date
Don’t miss the first chapter.
The South East London location and date are being finalized. Sign up for the Written in Colour newsletter to be the first to hear when the venue is locked in and to get the full details for our February meetup.
