Call Me Ajala

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved reading. My introverted nature and my parents’ movement to ensure their children were avid readers further honed the habit. They bought us books- from English novels like Gulliver’s Travels to African writers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Wole Soyinka. Our primary school’s library also had a myriad of authors and books, and a fantastic book check-out system and librarian (shout out to Ms Onuoha). We explored books from authors like Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and Jacqueline Wilson. My siblings and I also used the library system to pattern our home library, and we exchanged books with our neighbours and friends. 

Anyway, all this was to say that I have enjoyed reading for decades now.  While I read hard copies, soft copies are helpful when I am commuting or travelling because I can pack light and have many options on one device. I do prefer hardcopies, and I’m working on rebuilding my library since I have moved around a bit and most of my books are at my parents’.

Over time, due to the busyness of life and work, my reading had reduced, and I had to deliberately make time to ensure I read books and kept my hobbies. This intentionality was great because I noticed an uptick in the number of books I read per time. (3 cheers for Esther! Hip hip hurray!!)

 Books I have read recently 

• Mechanics of Yenogua by Michael Afenfia: This one was on my to-read list for years because, for some reason, I could not find it anywhere. I finally saw it on Masobe Books, and I quickly purchased it. It’s so well written. I enjoyed the journey of the main protagonist because it also made you question his morality and ponder if he was just a victim of circumstance. 

• The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini:  This is one I kept putting off reading, but I finally read it and was not disappointed. Granted, it was written in Trinidadian patois, so it was a little hard to read initially, but it got easier, especially when compared with Nigerian Pidgin. The subject matter was heavy, and it was about assault, abuse and domestic violence, but it was also well written, and the protagonist started to heal at the end. 

• The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi:  This is book 2 of a trilogy by Alka Joshi. Honestly, it was a great read. I loved book 1, The Henna Artist, and that motivated me to get book 2. It followed the story of Lakshmi, a Henna artist turned healer, but book 2 focused on Malik, a former street boy whom she took in and adopted, and his love interest. The books were set in post-colonial India, so best believe I was googling and confirming dates and facts. 
• The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi:  This is book 3 of the Jaipur trilogy.  I couldn’t finish reading this one because, to be honest,  I did not enjoy it as much as books 1 and 2. This was about Lakshmi’s sister who now lived in France and was a perfumist. To me, the book had too many unnecessary details that were of no interest to me and did not progress the story, and the side characters were not as intriguing. I may have to give book 3 another shot, but for now, I have set it down. 

• The Rescue by Lori Wick:  This was my second time reading the novel, and I guess I had outgrown the story and the writing style because I could not finish it. The storyline was cute and romantic, but I guess it was no longer for me. I am still a lover of romance, though.
• The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Chimamanda is my all-time favourite author, so anything she writes is great to me (I said what I said). This particular novel is a reread as well, and it has a nostalgic effect on me, even though the subject matter is not always pleasant. It’s a collection of stories across several periods. 

• And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers: This is another reread (you should sense a pattern by now—I love to relive moments I enjoy). I am still reading this, but so far, the book has not disappointed me. It was a great read then and is a great read now. 

• Slow Dance: I am currently reading this, and it has taken me weeks to finish. On one hand, I want to finish it because it seems like it may have a romantic ending (because I love love). On the other hand, the characters are annoying me like mad, and I want to drop it. There is also a lot of jumping between past and present, and I am getting tired of following the thread because, in my opinion, it does not do much for the story’s development.

Where I get my books from

Softcopy books 

• iBooks – I buy books, but they also have some free books! 
• Libby.com. Libby is a mobile and tablet app that supports access to ebooks. Libby is associated with most libraries, but the books are available per library. All you have to do is join your local library and connect your library card to Libby, and you can start borrowing books! They have a massive selection of books, magazines and audiobooks to choose from.

Hardcopy books

• Masobe books. A Nigerian bookstore where you can get books at great rates. This is where I finally found Mechanics of Yenogua. I ordered it from their website with alacrity. 
• Bookoutlet.ca – A Canadian website that sells books at really discounted rates. Free shipping is over $50, which is fantastic. 
• The bookstore- I love bookstores. 
• Amazon.ca – I usually check the others before I check Amazon.
• Friends and loved ones. I saw The Thing Around Your Neck at a friend’s place and requested to borrow it. 

Up Next to Read

Once I finish all the books I started (I may abandon Slow Dance, to be honest), these are the next books on my list. I tend to read multiple books at once, so let’s see how it goes!

• I recently bought Kechi Okwuchi’s More Than My Scars and am excited to read it.
• I Am Because We Are by Chidiogo Akunyili Parr is another book I want to read. I had started it a while ago but did not finish it because I had too many books on my roster, but I borrowed it again to read between March and April.
• Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (because I am new in this game and need to learn to be successful in it).

Where I get my recommendations

• Friends and family: Even though the genres we enjoy may differ, there are always intersecting books that we find interesting. 
• Book recommendations and clubs:  I subscribe to and follow some book accounts on social media, and they always have recommendations. Happy Noisemaker, Deereads, Masamireads, sbc bookclub , theoverthinkersplace
• Return Customer: If I enjoyed your novel, I most definitely want to read other works you have. 

There is something about books that never gets old. They make you think and feel, and they stay with you long after you have turned the last page. What’s a book that’s done that for you recently?  What are you reading these days?