2022 has been that year. I’m sorry for not dropping reviews of the beautiful 33 books I have read this year. I hope to put out a summary of my best 10 or 15 by the end of the year.
I’m here with an exciting review of A. H. Mohammed’s latest work, the author of Last days at forcados high. I put up a review of his former work on the blog and to date, it has received so much traction.
I was a teen rockstar just as The last days at forcados high is a warm, quick read with lessons for everyone.
In this book, we meet Lanre. Lanre doesn’t like school, he never seems to get his assignments or lessons right. Lives in a dismal condition with his aunt as his mum relocated from the country.
We are taken through Lanres’ life from a state of despair to finding and building talent and love for music through the help of his uncle.
Lanre runs away from home and meets up with a wannabe talent finder, Malik, who helps Lanre become famous. He and KD, a female singer, set out as an amazing duo singing group. They get the gigs, sign contracts and are living the life.
Has Lanre overcome his fears and won at life as a rockstar?
We get to find out in this book for young readers. Lanre is naive, has not had proper home training and had to learn to be an adult at an early age.
He goes through a series of learning curves and some take-home lessons are:
1. Never depend solely on people especially if they aren’t family. Build proper and dependable relationships.
2. Be smart, never be gullible and if you are learn to overcome it.
3. No matter what height you attain, education of any sort is very crucial.
4. Good parenting will always be an essential part of childhood and development.
5. Hone your talents and passions or develop skills, it may save you in future.
6. Finally, we should educate kids on finance early.
This was a good read and I’m thankful to the author and publishers (Bard and Ink Publishing) for sending a review copy across. You can get copies of this book from Roving Heights on Instagram.
I just completed reading the book Into the darkest corner by Elizabeth Haynes and I think I’m gradually delving back into my thriller fanaticism phase. I’m currently reading Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo and here’s hoping it’s a good one.
I haven’t written a blog post since January π³, that’s unbecoming, but the past 9 months have been amazing filled with different experiences.
Laughter, happiness, sadness, regrets filled, adventurous, educating, exciting, almost every feeling.
From not going anywhere from December to February to touring Nigeria. Love it though my account bleedsπ
Anyway, how have you been?
I’m sorry for the long break in transmission, NYSC and adulting have been after my life.
For my foreign readers, NYSC is the acronym for National Youth Service Corps, a program organised by the Nigerian government to enable the youths of Nigeria to serve their fatherland for a year. You are moved from your home to live in another state in Nigeria.
This program I feel is necessary but should be modified, but in the usual Nigerian method changes are never made with the times, we like to be stuck in the past and change only the things that benefit the government.
Is NYSC necessary to you?
Shout out to having my parents, siblings and friends as the best support system throughout this process, 4 more months to go and I’m quite elated!
I’m going to talk about my life divided into some areas.
1. Business:
The Readers Hut has been prosperous this year and that is thanks to you. Thank you for your support, the store will be clocking one on the 30th of October. I will be running an anniversary sale so do well to use this opportunity! π€
I had a major sale from Simi, the musician, and it boosted my sales. Just so you know Influencer marketing is crazy. Simi tagged me on Instagram after receiving her books and over 200 persons followed the business account overnight and about 10 persons bought books.
ππ
This is me who had been running giveaways to gain followers and patronage and few Nigerians reached out. One of my favourite highlights for the year.
2. NYSC:
Such a frustrating scheme, everything was wrong from the beginning but I have made amazing friends. I also travelled to places I never saw myself going to, definitely an amazing experience. I travelled to Abuja, Gombe and Delta for the first time.
Video recap! π
3. Life:
I thought males and females hated each other, how come everyone is getting married every day? ππ I attended the highest number of weddings in the first half of the year. Beautiful experiences and I wish everyone love and light but no more weddings for me till I get a proper job. π
I have had a year mixed with exciting times, and sad times, lost my aunt who was sort of my foster mum, and I have had depressing times while serving in delta state. I am also adjusting gradually to this place but I can’t wait to be done.
Brings me to the current issue in my head, What next after Nysc? If you have been in this situation, how did you navigate it? I would love to read your thoughts and advice.
I have had quite an exciting reading year, I will put a blog post of my favourite reads of the year soon.
I was sent a review copy of ‘I was a teen rockstar ‘by A. H. Mohammed. The author of The last days at forcados high, I enjoyed this book and put up a blog post, it gained so much traction. I hope you all love his newest book.
Shout out to the Nigerian music industry, you guys are doing the work! I may put up a review of my favourite songs and albums for the year on the blog or on my podcast. If you haven’t listened to Bants with Naza podcast, you need to fix up! π
Till next time guys! Thank you for reading, do share! π
In 2021, I was gifted money to get this book by a book club member, thank you Prince! I’m extremely happy I got this book, definitely one to re-read.
To think I started reading it last year, finished the first story and abandoned itπ€¦, mostly due to varying reviews on it.
This year my #Buyonebookamonthchallenge2022 on twitter has kicked off but I wouldn’t be buying the books till later, need to finish up the ones I have, gradually becoming more of a book buyer than a readerππ
If you follow my blog, you will know I don’t do the whole in-depth review, sorry I’m not so great with words.π I rave about books I loved as well as the ones I didn’t. Give me a good story; sweet, angry, happy, anything intelligent to keep me hooked from start to finish, that’s all I need.
Bolu did the thing in this beautiful book and as a certified lover girl, despite contrary opinions which I do not care aboutπ, this was a perfect collection of love stories. Sweet, mushy, feel good, warm love stories retold from mythical tales around the world.
Bolu retold mythical stories from patriarchal times into stories of brave, strong, fierce, daring, audacious, intelligent women who also loved deeply or somehow found their way to love. Women who discovered they could be more and became more.
There were happy ever afters, tragic stories but in all love stood tall and supreme, a collection of 13 stories with 3 being original shorts from Bolu. I loved her originals.
My favourite stories were Scheherazade, Attem, Psyche, Siya, Naleli, Thisbe, Tiara and Alagomeji.
Tales of beautiful women in flawed societies, who found strength in being who they were, being self-aware, finding love in the strangest settings, defining women as strong and vulnerable, strong and love deeply, warriors and beautiful as well. Diverse women fully represented, widows, lesbians, thick and so on.
Love so strong, descriptive, although a bit rushed, word flow intact, few cliffhangers, touching every stage of life and love barely from the sexual perspective but the point of total affection for a person.
A mix of historical and contemporary settings where Bolus’ infatuation with the millennial and Gen. Z demographic cohort shined through. Infusing a word like ‘raggedy’ and in Naleli’s story, her bestie Letsha screaming “That’s my best friend! Baddest bitch in Maloti Valley. Tidies sitting pretty in that pink bikini, Ayy!” totally took me out. ππ Bolu is an exciting personality and it shows in these stories.
The cover design too was a hit!
Sadly, parts dragged in the stories and some were a bit rushed. There was a bit of the same storyline in the stories, less substance in the plot, but I didn’t have a problem with it, definitely would recommend this book!
The last story, Alagomeji, centred on Bolus’ parents love story, was the sweetest Nigerian love story I have read in a while.
Bolu is an amazing storyteller, the flow of grammar and infusion of humour made every story an experience.
Pictures of my favourite passages:
Till our next post!
Check out my bookstore as always and if you need a book not available on the site send a message on Twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp. I’m also running a valentine book package sale and Book sales at discounted prices, purchase yours today and spread the love! π
Quite a fast year I must say but I loved it. There were wins, losses, happy times, sad times and stress-filled moments.
Started on a happy note, after spending a whole year at home, seeking internship placement (P. S. If you want to study a health-related course pick nursing, medicine and radiography so you can japa easily).
A crazy year with extreme highs and lows, I will be recapping in sections, dive in.
Becoming a Pharmacist;
I completed my internship, next year I will be fully licensed to practice. Sadly, these days I find that I’m gradually losing zeal for this courseπ despite participating as the lead pharmacist in about 5 health outreach.
Just to remind you of my being a Pharmacistπ
I had the best year as an Intern at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, I learned what the corporate world is like especially in the government sector. Working with lazy people, hardworking people, making new friends; Mercy, Percy, Ike, Jennifer, Joy, Monica, Precious, Sotonye, Fynn, Unique, Shalom, ThankGod, Ellis and a host of others. Quarrelled, made up, got stressed with getting to and from work ‘cos Port-Harcourt transport system is the ghetto( You should listen to my podcast where I rant/talk about this and my previous blog post), combining house chores with work and a host of crazy experiences.
Regardless I learnt and I experienced life.
The Readers Hut…
The community grew across social media platforms. It’s been 2 years of blogging and hosting the book club and this brand will be 3 years old by February 1.
My book club members frustrated me a lot with lack of participation, in all, it was an exciting year for us. We read 19 books, bonded these last days of the year, had our first virtual meeting/party, played games and generally had a good time. In all we had supportive members too; Tim, Ruth, Favour, Adams, Chinwendu, Chimaobi and a host of amazing people who chipped in new ideas and made the year beautiful. Here’s hoping we do more next year.
I participated in a Twitter contest for small businesses where we were to submit videos stating what we would need 100,000 NGN for and my video was picked π₯³, a big win for my business as funding is so hard to come by.
We had beautiful book club discussions too, just to inform you, my book club members are so smart, intelligent and beautiful!
The beautiful messages from my book club members this season, makes me feel so good, loved and fulfilled. Next year we are going harder and better, cheers to growthπ₯
Family and Friendships…
My family will always be the same, I’m grateful for them, despite how much they make me complain, I have this love-angry relationship with them. I can’t wait to make the money I deserve so I can spoil everyone, contribute maximally and move outππ. Love you The Nwaeke’s! β€οΈ
For my friends, I’m grateful for everyone, from allowing me to rant/listening to me, to being present, to buying me gifts; my birthday was beautiful despite the mixed feelings then, to the constant encouragements, for being you, Thank you, I love you and I miss my friends so much!
Distance/Life is so annoying π
I may have also found love too but who knows let’s see what 2022 has in store… π
I had friends who were critically ill and they survived(Senny and Percy, we are thankful to every one of you who made this possible), my friends lost parents too and I can’t explain how sad I was, we cried a lot this year, but time will heal pains. Love you my baby girls (Rita, Endy, Chisom and Evelyn)
I had fun times with friends, Kasarachi, Chisom, Alex, Richard, Shola, Jennifer, Irene and I attended a get together with my secondary school classmatesπ, I also made new friendsπ₯°.Β For those who didn’t take me out this year,Β Apollos, Solomon and Co. π, fix up loves.
My friends lost a lot and are still losing breaks my heart so much, some won a lot too and this makes me so proud; from Chimdi working on our Haircare brand, to Debby getting a job with She Leads Africa, Shola getting into an acting school, my girls getting good jobs and so many other wins. Makes me extremely happyπ€
Friends and acquaintances got married!! My goodness, it’s like a bell was rung or something, Y’all should let us know what’s up pleaseπ. Congratulations to my beautiful people who found their lovers this year, Rita, Thelma, Christy and Christyππ, Immaculata(yours is coming though), Egwuchi, Queeneth( I had fun on your dayπ), for we singletons we go again next yearπ.
And Finally, Me…
I lived, I laughed, I cried(alot), I had fun, I made good and bad choices, I loved my friends openly and intentionally, I made an impact in my community.
IΒ plan for the new year with my best babes Chimdi and Debby. We have been extremely busy this year, regardless, I met some of my goals for the year and despite me looking down on myself sometimes for not doing much I’m doing my best and I’m grateful for the little wins.
I read 38 books this year, the smallest number I have read in a year, adulting kicked my ass but that’s fine. You can view the list of books I read on good reads and the list of to be bought books for next year In Jesus Name.
In all, I had a pretty sweet and amazing year! I’m hopeful for the new year although 2022 is filled with uncertainties with going for NYSC (I will drop deets on it so be preparedπ), being currently unemployed and thinking/praying and planning concerning my future.
Cheers to the new year and may I be the first to wish you, HAPPY NEW YEAR π₯³π₯° Bye!!
Befitting title and the most talked-about book in Nigeria this year. From the time it was announced by the publishers, Masobe Books, there was an uproar on social media especially Twitter, my favourite app. Trust everyone to drag the book and author, I’m happy that people have read this book and appreciated it for what it is, a gem.
From the angry men who kept wondering why someone could name her book as such but Uncle she isn’t lying, so don’t be triggered if you aren’t among the madmen, to the women who were pissed on behalf of the men and to we who were intrigued and needed to lay our hands on this book in all I say, calm your tits men and women, both genders are utterly mad in Nigeria and after reading this beautiful book, I have to say scum knows no gender. ο
This is a shorty story collection made up of twelve stories that hold your heart, blissfully, no cliffhangers, you get mad because you may have experienced at least one story and if you haven’t, good for you, you are officially sane!π
From Lukumon in ‘cuck up’ who abandons his wife after guilt-tripping her into sleeping with another man, I still blame her anyway and I’m sorry but weak men irk me a lot.
We meet ‘The gigolo from Isale eko’, I have never understood the deal with gigolo’s, should make for a good podcast discussion.
I also wonder why people shame women a lot for chasing rich men, everyone is doing it, even men chase rich men so? Someone once told me “na who dem catch be thief ” and truly that’s what happens.
Men will embarrass you dears, because why this? ‘The anointed wife’ had to protect her husband in his life of adultery even as a pastor and this married man in ‘International Relations’ made advances to a lady sitting in a restaurant and his wife caught him. Please if you see someone with your husband, face your husband, don’t fight innocent women who weren’t bound to you by a vow, face your man.
I also loved how some of the women were strong-willed, no man should talk shit to you because you are dating. The women were strong, faced various levels of crap from men but they always picked themselves up and moved on.
The constant women shaming when you aren’t married is another bad vice we have. I want my society to understand that marriage is a beautiful institution but there shouldn’t be pressure so one doesn’t make mistakes.
In ‘Ode-pus Complex’, I had high hopes, the story build-up was perfect but alas it wasn’t so, I was happy for my girl, Jide. Please run for your life, no love is worth that stress.
In ‘First times’, I learnt we should be self-sufficient people, never change ourselves to please anyone especially if what they complain about isn’t reasonable, tell me why my babe had to suffer for years in this man’s hands?
In ‘Catfish’, οο we see that women are scum too loves. ‘Side-lined’ hurt me, I could relate a bit. People in relationships always looking for the next thrill doesn’t make sense to me. Stop playing with people’s emotions if you do that.
In beard gang, I didn’t want to believe we had marriages like this but I had to, I also blamed the women, why stay in loveless marriages for money?
In ‘I knew you’ I was mad at Tayo but I understood, I too have a phobia for marriage. I will overcome it but it doesn’t have to be at the detriment of another.
Finally, ‘Independence day’ broke my heart but I loved it. A perfect end!
My best stories were International Relations, Ode-pus complex, First times, Independence day and I know you!
You should read this book, full of wit, wisdom, craziness, hilarious too; a summary of the crazy love situations in Nigeria using Lagos as a case study and it fits ‘cos Lagos is the wildest!
There were light sex scenes, some people didn’t like that. I didn’t see a problem with it though, I know Nigerians tend to shy away from this, so if you don’t like reading about sex this isn’t for you.
In 2019, while in uni, I remember my friend Chisom Onyemelukwe informing me that her aunt wrote a book and I should buy it. I couldn’t afford to buy books thenπ , thank God for growth. In 2020, as I became more active on Twitter, people kept recommending this book, I bought it finally and I’m so sorry I took this long to read it. This book was awesome!
You know how mad you get, you can see the fumes coming out of your head?π That’s how angry I felt after reading the first part of this book. I thought I had seen it all but it gets worse.
The story starts where two women Julie and Nwabulu are kidnapped, while in the kidnapper’s den they decide to trade stories of how they got to where they are today.
Nwabulu goes first, from an orphan to a maid, pregnant single mum, married to a dead man, has her child stolen and loses her dreams. Nwabulu experienced it all. I wept cos what?!
Julie tells hers, a teacher above 30 who is unmarried, loses her dad leaving her with an enormous task of ensuring her brother becomes something in life. Life happens, he dies and Julie begins to question the essence of life. Julie decides to get married to another woman’s husband whom she has been frolicking with, using the guise of being pregnant for him. Julie never bears a child, she has to make decisions that would secure her a strong footing in her home.
Julie and Nwabulu’s lives intersect at a point and secrets are exposed.
This was a crazy one. This story outlines everything the African woman faces in her marital home especially in securing a “strong footing”(bearing a male child).
A woman marries a wife for her dead son to preserve the lineage, another is barren, another married to a man who finds a fault in everything and blames her for not bearing another child, another loses her heart to a man, gets pregnant and has to make decisions.
The irony of life, one man’s food is another man’s poison indeed.
Cheluchi writes fluently and beautifully, she infuses humour and sarcasm in simple ways.
There were so many themes explored in this book. The book was all-encompassing, from feminism: women’s education and success are always a threat to people especially when they are unmarried.
Love: Is it all it is cut out to be? Nwabulu sought reprieve from her life and in the worst possible way loses all her dreams and hope for a brighter life.
Umunna and tradition: what purpose do they serve? On Twitter, starting on Saturday the conversations have been about losing dad’s and families losing everything because of the lack of male children. Why should families have to be abandoned or treated like crap when they lose their loved ones? Why should we have to spend so much to get married or to bury a loved one? These things and more are the questions I seek answers to every day.
This story was focused on the Igbo tribe and I loved that, it also portrayed the things wrong with the Igbo system, it opened my eyes to weird traditions/customs I never knew existed.
Motherhood, barrenness, friendship, suicide, PTSD and so much more, this book touched it all.
No wonder Cheluchi recently won the NLNG Prize for fiction and I must say that was well deserved. I hope to be able to read all the books on the next NLNG Prize for fiction long list, I loved the feeling of reading a book and knowing it deserved it.
You should grab a copy of these books from me, sold for 4,800 and 4000 naira respectively! I also sell beautiful jotters for 2000 naira and you can check out available books on Twitter as well as make requests!π
In Nigeria, Igbo women are seen as strong-willed and successful. This isn’t always the case, Igbo women face child marriages, abuse and so many morbid experiences.
Ukamaka tells the story of Ogadinma, a young girl living with her divorced dad.
In a bid to gain admission to a higher institution, she falls into the trap of a powerful lawyer who is to help her achieve this feat, gets pregnant, aborts, is penalized by her dad and sent away to her aunts home as retribution.
She falls in love with her aunt’s brother, Tobe, 15 years her elder. Tobe portrays the life of a 21st century learned man, who doesn’t share patriarchal beliefs like his sister, we think he is different but with time the red flags begin to glare in our faces.
Series of bad events occur and Tobe gradually exhibits what Ogadinma fears, from verbal and physical assaults to a near-death and miscarriage experience.
This was a thrilling read, annoyed me a lot too but these make the best books. Ukamaka wrote an unapologetically Igbo book, I love having more female Igbo authors.
I loved how she illuminated that patriarchy isn’t only enforced by men, women such as Aunty Ngozi and Ifeoma her daughter are major culprits.
The family dynamics too; from a doting dad to a dad exhibiting hateful traits, she finally understands the reasons why her mum left her dad. Her cousin, Ifeoma whom she strived to build a good relationship with but who saw her as a lesser being never came to her rescue, when she finally takes charge of her life, is in front to insult and judge her for her choices.
Ukamaka expressed how Ogadinma was blamed for everything even from the so-called spiritual realm. This book amplifies feminism and everything this movement exists for. Tobe, a mature man, never could make the right decisions despite advice from his supposed spouse who is 15 years his junior, blamed her for everything and his sister kept being a strong force behind him. As a woman who doesn’t give birth to a male child you haven’t fulfilled your widely duties or as a wealthy woman you are never successful until you are married.
Themes amplified were rape, abortion, parenting, friendship, patriarchy, feminism, tribalism, religious fanaticism, marriage as a tool for patriarchy and finally postpartum depression.
So many things to unpack from this book, it would make a great book club read.
As an active presence on Nigerian Twitter, so many times feminists are seen as bitter and angry people, some persons may have demonstrated in the wrong way, but it still doesn’t remove what the movement is for, removing the patriarchal system.
Slow and steady women still in such systems will be liberated and “Everything will be alright”, Ogadinma!
A beautiful book, you should grab a copy. My next physical copy read is The son of the house by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe which came highly recommended.
I also started a chill podcast titled Bants with Naza, go listen, subscribe and share.
Thank you to everyone who kept telling me to read this book, I love you all!
I haven’t spent a whole day reading and laying about in a while, I missed that feeling. Adulting is the ghetto.
I did this today and this book made it way worth it.
This is the most beautiful story I have read this year, my whole heart!π₯Ί This book broke me, I cried, as usual, I don’t know how to completely express how I feel, just need you to get a copy and read it.
My favourite feature of this story was its premise in Rivers State, my state of origin. We see most books from Lagos so this was a welcomed change, I loved that I could relax into the pages and feel like I’m home. I honestly thought this story was a product of a real-life experience.
This book was filled with humour, love, friendship and its loss, family, politics, militancy, kidnapping, freedom fighters, bad governance, godfatherism and any other themes. A sad, haunting and thrilling read.
I loved a lot of names used in this book. After Yoruba names, Rivers names have always been so awesome to me; Doye Kokoπ, I loved this man, Damiete, Kaniye, Dise, such beautiful names.
This book is a story of four friends born into different circumstances; Doye Koko ‘the most intelligent with a deadbeat dad’, Kaniye ‘the bastard son of Sir James’, Tubo ‘the orphan’ and Amaibi ‘the catechists son’ born in the town of Asiama, Rivers State.
These four grow up, become different persons and have to decide what life they want to live. Ideologies change, life happens and everyone reaps a bit of reward for the life they choose. They realise the easy camaraderie and brotherhood they share has been mauled by life.
The characters were relatable, I loved all the major characters except Tubo, such a greedy wuss, I wondered how he was still friends with Amaibi and Kaniye, I would have kicked him out of my life a long time ago. He reminds me of some of the ‘Port-Harcourt boys I have met/encountered, always so loud but when the chips are down they would never act, so irritating.
I kinda saw Doye’s reasons for all he did, a warped thought process but it’s a cutthroat world out there and look what happened to him and his family. He became too proud though I knew something was coming.
Kaniye and Sir James had the weirdest family bond, I had a growing fondness for Sir James despite everything and I loved how Kaniye always tried to rile him up.
The love story between Kaniye and Deola was so sweet and natural. I could relate to Deola a lot. The struggle to find a spouse amid family and personal preferences can be so stressful. I loved how Chimeka described her as a devout Christian but defying societal/nigerian norms of how a Christian woman should be.
Amaibi’s life and reverence to his dad reminds me of my Dad and I, although Amaibi was quite an extremist. Dise! So strong, such a beautiful character!
‘God’ was such a strong presence in this book, still valid to say that Nigerians are so extra about Christianity but commit the worst sins.
This story was about the people of Asiama and their struggle to survive in the presence of oil companies, greedy politicians and chiefs and the oil boom in the Niger Delta from oil spills to bunkering. It points out all the flaws in our country, the role of the Niger Deltans during the era of militancy, the fight for support and livelihood of oil company host communities and finally the presence of godfatherism and corruption in Nigeria.
I got pissed a lot in the course of reading and it’s so sad to see that yes militancy has stopped but things are still bad and we are in 2021. Armies still shoot civilians carelessly, oil bunkering is still there, we in Port-Harcourt are slowly dying, the air is polluted. Nigerian government always frustrating those who ask them to do their jobs, everything is still the same.
This may have been fiction but it is still our reality.
Finally, this was book was all shades of amazingness, you can pick it up at the rate of 3,000 to 3,500 in Nigeria from Bookmarket NG and other book stores.
Favourite parts of the book:
Anyone still eating this combo, I’m yet to understand why you like suffering?
See why I love Sir Jamesππ
Reminds me of #ENDSARS, written in 2005, still valid in 2021
What then? It’s already drying up
ππ Women π
That’s it, thanks for reading! Bye till my next postπ
Every year when it gets close to August I’m always hyped up. I love my birthday, I love everyone’s birthday, I hate it when people say “I don’t celebrate my birthday”, makes me feel sad.
This post is going to be me rambling on how weird August has been.
The year started great, started an internship at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital after waiting a whole year at home.
I made new friends, enemies tooππ, I hold a mean grudge, a bad habit.
We are slowly coming to the end of the one-year training and it’s been great.
August came and first, my laptop’s screen broke, very tragic. I hate unplanned expenses and I’m the queen of budgeting.
My friend whom I have worked with, within every unit since January fell ill on his birthday and in the space of two weeks, everything went haywire. An amazing man, I must say, makes me ask why bad things happen to good people?
Kept crying like a fool, honestly, I could cry for a living, hard girl like meππ
My birthday came, I was in-between feelings. I wanted so much to be happy but I felt like I was committing a crime, how could I be this happy while my friend is so ill he can’t move or breathe without mechanical support.
Every year my birthday gets more beautiful, I mean the love this year and the gifts were overwhelming. (Thank you everyone!β€οΈ)
Regardless, it was a bit sad. Then my best girls dad was critically ill, she sent me a message “Naza, I’m scared”. My babe is never scared and I honestly didn’t feel good.
I spent my birthday happy, crying and praying. Quite a weird mix.π
Hormonal imbalance is a mean situation too like, give sis a break universe. I have been breaking out and it’s not funny, massive, painful pimples, all my skincare ‘in the mud’.
I have lost the zeal for a lot of things but I’m putting in more effort to not be overwhelmed by all the happenings. I’m also learning a lot about myself.
I’m an emotional being despite my thinking I’m not, I get so affected by close friends who have problems. I tend to also cry more than the bereaved. This is so not good and I need a balance.
How do you balance friendships and being present for your friends in times of need?
This has been an event-filled month but I’m staying positive, promised God I would do that. I’m reading You should see me in a crown by Leah Johnson for the book club. I’m putting this here because I want to be more expressive and not keep everything in my head, which tends to stress me a lot.
I got a gift of a book voucher from my best girlsπ₯°, we should be starting our podcast soon, sadly we still haven’t chosen a name and haven’t defeated procrastination.π
Say a prayer for my friends today, sadly, my friend lost her dad, despite everything and my other friend is still ill. We organised a fundraiser so if you can donate or share we would appreciate it!
Hopefully, next year’s birthday is better than this year’s, I have decided to not hate my birthday month, I have understood that life happens and it will not always be rosy.
Cheers to 23 and a beautiful year with more lessons to learn!
I’m back with another beautiful book for you ππ I’m on a roll this month, finished my fourth read of the month, drum rolls!!
Now to Wake up call by Nky Omeka, this is the most annoying book I have read this year. π I liked it!
I always say books that hold your interest and bring out varying reactions from start to finish are the best ones.
This story is of a young lady, Elohor, an athlete, aiming to be the Athletic Champion for Nigeria or not. Elohor loves her family but has been given a difficult height to attain. In addition, Odafe, the son of a wealthy man, wants Elohor but she doesn’t, he is a pompous, rude and overbearing man but her family wants him for her.
In a bid to let go off her struggles she meets Ifeanyi again after series of events, a young non-graduate, spoilt who depends on his elder brother for everything. A love so strong but naive grows but are they meant to be with each other?
Elohor’s family aren’t happy with her choices, Elohor feels her family is selfish, life happens and Elohor learns that life has a lot in store for her. “Love is only one of the many reasons to be happy” , indeed a wake up call.
I loved Elohor but she was extremely foolish, the Nigerian Aunty in me wanted to help her set her head straight, cos what was this?
Her family was also very selfish and they never tried to understand. This family wasn’t your typical Nigerian family, Elohor got away with a lot of things that I could never try in my home. I mean who brings their boy friend to their family home and makes out in the parlour or accepts marriage proposal from a man who hasn’t met your family the Nigerian way, my parents would show you pepper.ππ
To the men, none of them deserved her. Nky did us dirtyππ, this was a case of choosing the lesser evil but in the end love wins, corrects and teaches.
This was a really calm read as always. Looking for a book to engage your mind, looking for a leisure read with annoying characters whom you would eventually come to love, this book is for you.
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Follow Nky Omeka on Instagram and see what she is up to! She really is a pro at writing beautiful stories.
The Readers Hut 