Singer and songwriter Joy Crookes talks about rude awakenings and the feeling of being ‘slapped in the face’ by books.Joy was initially recognised in 2013 for her cover of Hit the Road Jack which she posted on YouTube, gaining over 600,000 views (one of whom was to be her manager). Three years later, she released her debut single, New Manhattan, at just age 17. She went on to release her debut EP, Influence, with Speakerbox and Insanity Records, performing one of the songs on global music platform COLORS. Since then, she’s won two UK Music Video Awards, a Remarkable Women Award and performed at Glastonbury Festival. Her music focuses on themes of mental health, relationships and culture.Joy’s book choices are: ** All About Love by Bell Hooks** Salt by Nayyirah Waheed** Girl Woman Other by Bernardine Evaristo** To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee** I Am Malala by Malala YousafzaiVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.