This month’s shelf focuses on spiritual initiation, mother daughter wisdom and the violence of state betrayal. They are all very different books, but together ask similar questions.

What do we inherit?
What do we carry?
What do systems try to make us forget?
And what does it mean to return to the truth of who we are?

A monthly guide to what we are up to each month.

This month’s list explores voice, land, adornment, memory and pleasure. A book that speaks to freedom and becoming. A podcast centring Black sustainability. A forest walk for clearing the head. Jewellery with a collected feel. Something sweet from East London.

Africa is the birthplace of coffee, and a new wave of African-owned brands is reclaiming that legacy with bold flavor, ethical sourcing, and deep-rooted storytelling.

These seven standout coffee brands go beyond the cup—blending thoughtful sourcing, cultural celebration, and unforgettable flavor worth adding to your daily ritual.