About the Book
A group of young, Black British friends navigate their way through the ups and downs of modern London life, in this richly imagined collection of linked stories.
'Heartachingly beautiful.' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?
'Devoured this in one day…suffused with love and warmth.' Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory
From the tingling excitement of a new relationship to the challenges – and humour – of online dating, from workplace racism to isolation and loneliness, Niah and her friends are there for each other. They're young, they're smart, and they're part of a tight friendship group determined to make the most of everyday. The world is full of possibilities when the pandemic hits, and snatches away everything they take for granted.
Shani Akilah's spectacular collection of stories bursts with romance, friendship and warmth. For Such a Time as This offers a powerful snapshot of a moment, a city and a group of friends who sustain each other through bad times and good.
About the Author :
Shani Akilah is a Black-British Caribbean writer and screenwriter from South London. She is a book influencer, co-founder of the Nyah Network, a book club for Black women, and was a literary judge for the Nota Bene Prize 2023. Shani has a Masters degree in African Studies from Oxford University. In recognition of her contributions to literature and community, the Shani Akilah Library opened in October 2024 in Woolwich. Her debut book, For Such a Time as This, won Best Short-Story Collection at the 2024 Cosmopolitan Book Awards.
Review :
'All the stories are heartachingly beautiful.' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?
'A rich collection of stories that are visceral, thought provoking and convey every human emotion. Shani Akilah is a stunning and exciting new voice and a writer to watch.' Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw Man
'A glittering new voice in the literary firmament.' Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other, Winner of the Booker Prize
'A group of young, Black British friends work their way through life's winding path of ups and downs. Prepare to be transported from London's Woolwich to Jamaica.' Marie Claire, 'Summer Reads' picks
'A warm book that opens up before you and beckons you into a world of community, closeness, hope and heart. Akilah's work is a delight.' Bolu Babalola, author of Honey & Spice
'Eloquent, accessible, and full of heart, these interconnected stories draw one into an unforgettable group of young Black-British friends. Funny, thought-provoking and deeply moving. An astonishing debut.' Taiye Selasi, author of Ghana Must Go
'The paginated equivalent of that first toe dipping into a steaming bath - a sparkling, thought-provoking debut collection full of warmth.' Onyi Nwabineli, author of Allow Me to Introduce Myself
'Moreish, tender and thoroughly engrossing... There's a warm and heartfelt quality to Shani's writing that makes this collection difficult to put down.' Jyoti Patel, author of The Things That They Lost
'For Such A Time As This is a collection that, like its stories, leaves one wanting more... A beautiful, gripping and humorously vivid work.' Nikki Adebiyi, founder of Bounce Black
'A bold new collection of short stories from a millennial Black British voice... to read her collection is truly beautiful. Get into it!' 'Book of Cinz', founder of Read Caribbean Month
'Akilah doesn't shy away from the nitty-gritty of city life...but it's her celebrations of steadfast, soulful connections that stand out... Faith, friendship and family are the bedrocks of Akilah's clued-in, conversational debut... There's an eloquent immediacy of these interlinked stories of Black Londoners.' Daily Mail
'Each story will pull on your heartstrings, for different reasons – you’ll laugh, cry and rage along with the protagonist of each story. A beautiful debut from an author to watch.' Amazon Summer Reading: Short story collections
'Akilah’s voice is intimate, and each story is approached with care and compassion for her characters and their experiences. It's the perfect book for a warm summer's day.' Caleb Azumah Nelson, author of Open Water
'Akilah's stories are both eye-opening and familiar, and so intimately written you feel every emotion alongside each character. A delight!' Luan Goldie, author of Nightingale Point
'A warm, inviting and illuminating collection that shows the pressures on young, Black British people.' The Lotus Readers
'These interlinked stories of Black Londoners negotiating the nitty gritty of city life are vital and vividly told. While there's heartbreak here, and grief, it's the celebration of steadfast, soulful connections that stands out in Shani Akilah's clued in, conversational debut.' The Simple Things
'I couldn’t put down this moving, hilarious and poignant collection of interwoven stories about a young group of Black British friends navigating young adult life in London. In fact I read it one night, totally absorbed in the rich and warm world of Shani Akilah.' Cosmopolitan, 2024 Books of the Year
