For someone so young, I’ve spent ridiculous amount of time thinking about the idea of heritage. So much so that at a quarter of my lifespan, I’ve already got 2 identity crises under my belt. (Go me!)

In truth, this word, heritage, haunts me often. It’s something that I am curious about, inspired by, am tethered to… So naturally, when asked to contribute to this merry blog I leapt (admittedly without thinking) into writing something for World Heritage Day.

So, what do I present to you on this fine day, you ask? Well Books of course! 

Before I get into my list, I feel like it’s in my best interest to define ‘heritage’, because I may have strayed a little bit from what World Heritage Day encapsulates. So here goes, courtesy of the Cambridge online Dictionary:

Heritage
noun
Features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance.

 

This idea of language, of tradition, handed down as a form of legacy; this is the definition with which I conjured up this list. This is the lens through which I read these books, and I sincerely hope that you will find these books to be absolute jewels, just as I did. 

Here are 5 books that really appreciate the beauty and significance of cultures around the world!

 

1.    Babel by R.F. Kuang

 

 

Now, I am a sucker for all things fantasy, so when this book blew up Bookstagram as I knew it, I knew I had to read it.

The book follows Robin, a young boy taken from Canton and raised in England by an Oxford Professor, for the sole purpose of becoming a scholar. But not any scholar, nay nay, he is being groomed to be a translator at Oxford University’s prestigious Institute of Translation aka Babel.

I could write an essay on this book, there is so much to unpack, so much of it that spoke to me. However, the reason that this book makes this list, and places first, is its masterful portrayal of language. Kuang illustrates how deeply language is tied to our identity, our perception, our legacy. This book is a celebration of language and diversity, especially in a setting that seeks to paradoxically destroy and exploit it. 

Was I emotionally drained after reading this book? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

 

 
2.    The Dragon Can’t Dance by Earl Lovelace

 

 

The book follows a few of the inhabitants of Calvary Hill, as they work through their everyday lives. The Spirit of Carnival in all its social and political glory is revealed when these locals flaunt their personas in the masquerade. 

 

The dragon can’t dance captures the spirit of carnival in Trinidad and Tobago- arguably, one of the biggest celebrations of culture on the world stage. This choice is also particularly personal; for me it was a reclaiming and exploration of my own heritage. 

 

The book is set at a time of great political and economic unrest, right off the back of Trinidad claiming independence in the 60’s. Lovelace writes with a beautiful sharpness that captures the pungent reality of living in poverty, the political and racial tensions of the 70’s in Trinidad, and the struggle of what it means to have both personal and national identity. 

 

Overall, though it’s admittedly not my usual kind of read, I definitely enjoyed it! There is something truly striking in Lovelace’s portrayal, that really exposes how integral and special Trinidadian Carnival is. 

 

3.    Orfeia by Joanne Harris

 

 

Fay, a mother grieving for her lost daughter, is struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of her daughter Daisy. She becomes convinced that Daisy is still alive, trapped by the Hallowe’en King. She ventures into London Beyond, then the Night Train to the realm of the Hallowe’en King with the hopes that she will rescue her daughter. 

What is our culture if not our stories? This is based on English folklore, specifically the tale of Orpheus, and Harris’ writing is as faerie tale-like as they come. There’s just something about this one that keeps you constantly off kilter. Admittedly it often does feel quite simple, but when you peel back the layers you find that there’s a little bit more to it. 

It truly is a beautiful exploration of grief, especially something so incomprehensible like the loss of a child. Reading this really struck me; fairy tales give us space to confront the complexity of our emotions, and even as adults- maybe especially as adults- we need that. 

 

4.    The Dancing Face by Mike Phillips

 

 

British University Professor Gus wants to make a statement. He plots to steal the Benin mask- the dancing face- from where it is housed in a British museum. This plot endangers his loved ones, his morals, his very life. Is Gus prepared for what it will cost him?

At the heart of this book is a quest for reclaiming culture; quite literally. It involves a heist to take back a piece of tradition. I loved that it brings to light the very real and difficult debate about what should happen to artefacts displaced by colonialism- and if anything, the narrative points to just how complex that debate really is. 

There is no easy or clear-cut answer, and I don’t think that Phillips intended to give us one either. Instead, Phillips leaves you ruminating (I did for days, weeks afterwards…) on what the right choice really is and how someone ordinary can really make a difference. 

 

5.    Children of Bone and Blood by Tomi Adeyemi

 

 

In the land of Orisha, magic is forbidden. The Maji were slaughtered in the hopes of extinguishing it. 

When Zelie stumbles across an unlikely companion, she gets the chance to bring back magic and strike back against the monarchy that took her mother. To do it she’ll have to outrun a vengeful prince, face unimaginable dangers and yet… the greatest danger could just be Zelie herself as she struggles to tame her own magic and her growing feelings for her enemy. 

My love for fantasy is very closely linked to my continued enjoyment of YA fiction, and I make no apologies for it. So, this is technically a YA novel. Children of Bone and Blood is based on Nigerian mythology, and you can feel how purposefully West-African culture is weaved into the fabric of this story from the very first page. 

There’s so much to be said on the commentary, the representation, the fantasy elements. I could gush forever. Adeyemi manages to fuse together language, culture, and the land to produce a captivating world and riveting story.

 

Honourable Mention:

Rumaysa by Radiya Hafiz

 

 

 

Three fairy tales (Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty) brilliantly retold an interweaved, with different lovable faces at the helm!

Rumaysa decides to escape from her tower, and with the magic she finds within she is able to defeat the witch. On her quest to reunite with her parents she stumbles into the stories of Cinderayla and Sleeping Sara. It’s quite an adventure, and she makes some great friends along the way. 

This is admittedly, children’s fiction, but it so beautifully done that I feel absolutely no shame in including it here on my list. This is a beautiful example of how we can empower our future generations with purposeful representation and capture the beauty of our traditions, to encourage those that come after us to hold on to those special parts of who they are. 

There’s something magical about being able to step into different worlds and cultures through the pages of a book; I hope that this list shed some light on, and truly celebrates, some of the many different backgrounds we share in our community. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my list as much as I enjoyed making it!