Well-Read: Allyssia Alleyne

A journalist who judges books by their covers.

I met Allyssia pre-Covid in London; we used to walk around Marylebone on our lunch break, talking non-stop and commiserating about the state of the publishing industry and its gatekeepers. Unfortunately, Covid put an end to that, but we still keep track of each other now we’re separated by a lot more than London postcodes. Allyssia has a wonderful confidence I admired deeply, and an eye for a story I admire even more. Her book selects speak to her wide-breadth of knowledge and interests, so lucky for us she’s sharing them right here.

Tell me a little about yourself and what you like to read

Hi! I’m Allyssia. I was born in Montreal, grew up outside of Toronto, and have been living in London for 10 years. For most of those years I worked as a journalist and editor covering art, fashion, culture, and tech. Now, I’m content director at a company that helps brands digitise and decarbonise their supply chains.

I’ve always had a big, omnivorous appetite when it comes to reading. When I was a kid, the city would send a library truck (basically a mobile home stocked with shelves of books) to our neighbourhood once a week and I would just load up. I would also read whatever I could find around the house, whether it was my dad’s old novels, a babysitter’s psychology textbook, or my mum’s copies of Essence and Ebony. I’ve carried that into work as a journalist, too. My portfolio is a very broad mix; I like to follow my interests as they develop rather stick to a beat.

I’ll often make a note of books I’ve seen posted on social media, or written about somewhere, or that have been recommended by friends. But I also love just picking up random books with cool designs or intriguing titles, especially in charity shops or museum gift shops. Judging a book by its cover can be a good thing! 

What are your must-read books?

These are a few of the books I’ve basically done free PR for in my friend group. 

100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell

I’ve convinced at least two people to buy this one. To quote the poet Danez Smith, “I love this slut of a book.” Come for the pop-y pink cover, stay for the autobiographical-ish short stories of gay lust and love, some of which are laugh-out-loud funny, some of which are quite tender.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

Perfection. Centring on the repression and romances of a bisexual American in Paris, the story is told with such beauty and subtlety. I didn’t know what to do myself when I finished it. 

Tenants by Vicky Spratt

This deep dive into the history of the UK housing crisis is essential reading for anyone trying understand why rooms in Zone 3 are going for £1,000, and seemingly no one can buy in London without the bank of mum and dad. I took this on holiday a few years ago and had to put it down because my rage was ruining the vibe.

The Black Count by Tom Reiss

Did you know that Alexandre Dumas’s father was a Black man born into slavery who rose to the highest ranks of the French military under Napoleon? And that his life story, beset with betrayal, served as inspiration for the Count of Monte Cristo? This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography was a revelation to me, both in terms of the subject matter and the storytelling.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

My best friend Catherine, who I’ve known since kindergarten, gifted me this book years ago. It’s about a young Black writer who’s transported from 1970s LA to the Antebellum South. We were both really into fantasy and sci-fi at the time, and this just exploded my idea of what speculative fiction could be.

What’s next?

I’m in Mexico for a beach holiday this week, and I’ve brought Giovanni’s Room, Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, and The List by Yomi Adegoke with me.

Enjoy!