Join The Candid Book Club at Waterstones Piccadilly for an evening with JJ Bola to discuss his novel The Selfless Act of Breathing.

A heartbreaking, lyrical story for all of those who have fantasised about escaping their daily lives and starting over.

Michael Kabongo is a British-Congolese teacher living in London on the cusp of two identities. On paper, he seems to have it all - he's loved by his students, popular with his colleagues, and enjoys the pride of his mother who emigrated from the Congo. But behind closed doors, he's been struggling with the overwhelming sense that he can't improve the injustices he sees - from his efforts to change the lives of his students, to his attempts to transcend the violence that marginalises young Black men around the world.

JJ Bola is a Writer, Poet, and Educator, born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and raised in London. His debut novel, No Place to Call Home, was published in 2017, and The Selfless Act of Breathing was his second novel. He has also written the non-fiction book, Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined. JJ is also a High Profile Supporter for the United Nations High Council for Refugees, and works as a Mental Health Social Worker.

We encourage attendees to read the book beforehand to allow for an open discussion on the night, but copies of the book will also be available to purchase online via the Book & Ticket bundle – to be collected at the event.