Needless to say, I have had more time on my hands of recent (no thanks to schools being shut till further notice cos of COVID). This has inadvertently led to me reading more than I normally would. At this point in my undying love for books, I’m consciously exploring a wider range of genres. And I find it worth mentioning that I have been making a conscious effort looking out for other Nigerian authors aside the well-known names. Normally, I wait days—if not weeks—to decide if I intend to review a book. As you might suspect, not every book makes it to the blog for a variety of reasons including the aforementioned. For this book though, I found myself making mental notes for a review as I read. I eventually penned this review barely two days after completion (talk about making an impression). OVERVIEW Source I do not come to you by chance by Adaobi ‘Tricia Nwaubani is set some time in the early 2000s. My lack of sufficient political history makes it difficult to pinpoint the ...

Sometime about 2 years ago, I stumbled upon (or maybe it was fate) AKWAEKE EMEZI with FRESHWATER which was quite a read BTW (find my review here ). Photo Credit Naturally, when you find one’s work fascinating to a degree, you look forward to something new from them, ei? So, when I started seeing feeds of Emezi’s new work, PET, on my socials, I began wondering if I’d come around to reading it. In the course of this pandemic, I’ve been acquiring e-books (cos what else is there to be done🤷🏾‍♀️) and luckily enough, I find PET. At this point, I had read one too many books and was essentially looking for a quick read not a “long term commitment”. Pet, being a few pages shy of a hundred pages definitely fit the bill. Overview The story is set in a utopian town called LUCILLE. Once filled with ‘ corrupt people ’, referred to as monsters, Lucille underwent a revolution (with the intervention of angels), ridding the city of these monsters. The main character is Jam, a 15 year ol...

Howdy social distancers!! Please tell me you are at home 👀. While my last couple of posts have been centred around the COVID-19 situation, today’s post is a deviation from that. Many of us have been thrust into the rather unusual routine of daily living, and at times find it a bit hard to stay within the zone of sanity. For me though, isolation is not much of a big deal save for the fact that we can’t quite tell how long it would last. One of the things that helps me maintain my sanity in these times is getting lost in the fictional world of stories. Considering that I am making a conscious effort to read Literature this time around, I just got out of the world of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie. Photo Over time, I have come to appreciate Chimamanda Adichie’s story telling skills, that, and my memory seeming to tell me that I have encountered an excerpt from this book that I don’t quite remember led me to the embrace of Purple Hibiscus. OVERVIEW The plot is generall...

   At this point in my life, I’m rather used to being the last to the party and it might be very valid in this case. You might ponder what party I’m talking about now… well, I’m referring to the ‘listening party’ of Ed Sheeran’s NO 6 COLLABORATION ALBUM. Released officially for the ears of the whole world (stans, fans and haters) on the 12th of July 2019, No 6 collaboration projects is the fourth studio album of Ed succeeding “＋,× and ÷” and some would have thought the next album to be something along the lines of “ － or √ ” but welp, we’ve got a very collaborative fourth album from Ed. Might I add another *very* to that collaborative? Needless to say, people have been vibing seriously to various tracks on this album. SEE ALSO: Byebye old school    Prior to the release of NO. 6, I’m certain most would’ve heard a couple of songs off the album including I don’t care (with Justin Beiber) and Cross me (with Chance tha rapper and pnb rock) being the firsts I hear...

   I recall sometime two years ago, whilst roaming the “streets of instagram”, I stumbled upon the cover art for this book and it somehow was relegated to the back of my head. Thinking about it, the book was yet to be released then. Fast forward to last year November, I see feeds about this book on one of my social media, I gloss over the post, remembering the book from sometime before. Once again, I don’t particularly go all out to search for this book. So, come December, I’m surfing the web and find this book staring me in the face once again. After coming across it for the third time now, I obviously couldn’t avoid it and went ahead to get it. As I had some other books I was reading, I didn’t get to reading it till January this year. Down to the actual review. Overview Note: I doubt an overview can give you enough insight into the happenings of this book but I’d go ahead nonetheless. Ada is the second child and first daughter of a Nigerian (Ibo) father and a Malays...

   You may remember me reviewing the prequel (AKATA WITCH) a while back and mentioning the existence of a sequel. Anyway, I laid my hands (went looking for it in literally) on the sequel named above and with the experience with the prequel, it wasn’t hard getting into the groove. I believe I have said all that could be said prior to reading the book with the other review, so, I’d just hit the road running. OVERVIEW    As said earlier AKATA WARRIOR by Nnedi Okorafor is the second installment of the AKATA series (I guess I can call it that), a fantasy book series. About a year after the defeat of a kidnapping menace and ritual killer, Black Hat Otokoto and battling Ekwensu back into the wilderness, Sunny begins to get more acquainted to leopard ways. She’s found to be growing stronger physically as well as in her knowledge of leopard things. Her family is getting used to her disappearing and reappearing at odd hours of the day and no longer question her much abo...

   Recently it came to my notice how I don’t read fantasy books. Now, it is not a conscious act, I could watch fantasy based movies--the divergent series and the likes-- but I don’t recall ever reading one. I’m often found reading mysteries, thrillers, general fiction and a little bit of folk lore. Upon this realization, I made a mental note to get a couple fantasy book and see if I’d actually find them interesting. Truth be told, I’m not sure I had made the mental note before I decided to read AKATA WITCH, the mere fact that it was written by a Nigerian and one of the writers for the Black Panther comics (did you know?), I just had to get it. I got to realize as I read that it had some fantastical touches to it and at that point, I couldn’t just drop the book. Enough about me here, let me let you in on the general idea of the book. OVERVIEW    AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okoafor © 2011 is set in eastern Nigeria (Imo precisely) and centres--mainly--around the life ...

   I recall mentioning some posts back that I was on break and, that caused me to have time for more books away from school. If you have been keeping tabs on this blog, you’d probably suspect that I have a thing for John Grisham’s works and, your suspicion is right. My first experience with him was when I stumbled upon THE SUMMONS in my home library (funny how I never got to review that) and thereafter, I went out of my way to find the other books of his that I have read including THE BRETHREN. Anyhoo, I went hunting again during this break and last month, I found the book mentioned in the title and I couldn’t help but want to read it for two basic reasons: I) The seeming christmas theme and, II) It was unrelated to law which as far as I know is what Grisham majorly writes about.   So yeah, I dug right in, head first. OVERVIEW As the title implies, the book tells the story of a couple’s (The Krank’s: Luther and Nora Krank) plan to skip Christmas. Their only c...

   So, I'm on break like i mentioned in an earlier post. Being on break translates to more time on my hands and more time in turn means more room to fit books into my life. Plans to get my more preferred paperback novels fell through and, i was left look for a book to take me through some part of the break, the format regardless. After it all, i found the above mentioned book--stumbled upon won't be the right word. I really didn't know what to expect when getting the book but then, my past experience with JAMES PATTERSON wasn't that bad a one. So, i was willing to give it a shot. OVERVIEW EXPELLED, as probably inferred from the title is about a couple of high schoolers who got dismissed from the a certain high school (Arlington) in pinewood city-- a relatively small town. The lead character (narrator) is Theo Foster, a nerdy kid, who serves as the editor for the school's mag and runs a secret but not so secret twitter account, dispersing school news, gists an...

   Some time late last year, December to be precise, I stumbled upon this book. I had seen it two months earlier at a rather inopportune time to read it. So, I flipped through the pages, read the opinions others had about the book—those that usually lie within the first pages of the book. TBH, I picked the book to chase sleep away, it worked. That was how I began to read “ THE SOCIETY ” by MICHAEL PALMER . As it usually goes,let me give you an overview of the book. OVERVIEW    THE SOCIETY revolves essentially around the health/medical sector of the USA. It is set mainly in Boston, copyrighted 2004. There's Doctor Will Grant, a surgeon and father of two who misses the days of “raw” medical practice. Days when patients could get the attention that was required as soon as needed without the doctor having to go through and sign so much paperwork. Or go back and forth with the HMOs (Health Management Organizations) in order to broker “fair deals”. Days when pati...

   I guess it’s no news that I’m a bibliophile and I’ve given my somewhat fair share of book reviews on this blog well, I’m here with another. Drum roll please. ***  Ever since I read THE SUMMONS by JOHN GRISHAM , I don’t think I’d pass up a chance to read any other book of his. Overlooking the fact that a majority of his books deal with lawyers and law-related ideas, I’m a fan of his works even though I personally have nothing to do with law. He’s a great storyteller from my POV. This post isn’t about John Grisham per se but one of his books that I read recently.    So, I’m the kind of person that prefers hardcopy over softcopy anytime any day—call me archaic, I don’t mind. When I had the chance to request for books and Grisham was available, I just couldn’t resist though it was an e-book. It was a good thing though I’m still a hardcopy person. Away from the softcopy experience, let me dive straight into the review.     THE BRETHREN copy...

    It's another lovely day and the mini-series continues. It's still all about the book: THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS that was featured in the previous part. Whenever i read certain books and publications, I like to take note so that I can make further reference to them in the days to come. Below is the concluding part of the snippets of the book aforementioned. Enjoy!! 14) When we confess the Word with joy, it brings conviction to listeners. Faith’s confession is always a joyful confession.  15) Our words should never bruise or hurt but should bless and heal. Let Jesus’ love rule your lips.  16) Cultivate the habit of thinking big things, and then learn to ise words that will react upon your own spirit and make you a conqueror.  17) The Word in your lips not only make you free, but it sets others -John 15:7 18) What you confess in faith is what you possess.  19) An affirmation of doubt builds unbelief. An affirmation of faith builds stren...

     Hello guys!  I remember mentioning that I'd be starting a mini series this week in my previous post . I read this book a while back (can't remember which month it was) and I'd say i was literally blessed. The book just basically expanded my knowledge on how much weight our words carry. The book titled THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS written by E.W KENYON and DON GOSSETT was an awesome read and also inspired me to start this mini series.    So to kick off the mini series, I bring you some snippets from the book aforementioned hoping they'd bless you to an extent. Enjoy!! 1. Faith holds fast to the confession of the word, sense knowledge holds fast to the confession of physical evidence. 2. Hold fast to the confession of the Word even in the face of apparent contradictions – EW Kenyon 3. Our confession centres around several things: -    What God in Christ has wrought for us.  -    What God through His Word a...

 Oh my, I’m in love!!! I got this soap as something I’d call a gift sometime in June. I’m not really one for trying & testing any and every soap or product people talk about unless I see true to life proof of its proficiency (though I’ve not really heard anything about this product). So as you might guess, I go with any soap available being that I don’t react easy too.    Truth be said, after using this soap for two days, I just couldn’t stop gushing about it. My mom was like what would I expect from a FOREVER LIVING product and very likely an expensive one. The fact remains though that it isn’t every expensive product that would work well.   Enough of the story, let me spill what enchants me when it comes to this soap. It’s a big bar: I feel this may sound weird but I’ve always had a preference for big bars when I have a choice.  It lathers like crazy: tbh, even the lightest stroke of one’s skin foams surprisingly well. Lathe...

  Hello peeps, how has the month been? I’ve been playing coward for a while now, let me tell you why. I read a book some weeks back—which I stumbled upon by the way—and I was like it’s something I’d like to make a blog post about but I have been “shifting post” ever since. I have decided to take the bull by the horns and do it anyways.     Hmm!! Where do I start? Okay, this book I’m talking about is titled VIOLENCE written by FESTUS IYAYI and I’d say it was a good—real good—read. The time in which the story was set wasn’t really stated but I figure it was set sometime in the 70s going but the copyright and an account somewhere in the book. The storyline spans roughly 2-3 weeks, my guess being right.     The plot revolves basically around two couples, one affluent and the other poverty stricken. The story tells of the things that being poor can make one do and things that the affluent can use to lure the poor as well. It also shows how manipulati...

   Hey guys.. I'm back. I know I promised this earlier but stuff happened and I was unable to update. Anyway, I'm here now. The second chapter of this book was straight to the point and below are my takeaways from the chapter. Enjoy. Chapter 2: The simplicity of faith. # Faith is not complex, faith is simple. 2 Corinthians 11:3. # God's word produces more result than human wisdom.   Examples of simplicity of faith 1. Believe Him. Like 1:45.    *Every word of God that comes to you will bless you if only you can believe and obey it, no matter how simple it may appear. 2. Obedience. John 9:1-7, John 2:1-9. 3. Giving. Proverbs 11:24, Like 6:38.   *The size of your seed determines your harvest. 4. Healing. 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17.   *Stand on the integrity of God's word and sickness would flee. 5. Thanksgiving. John 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Habakkuk 3: 17-19, Psalms 67:5-7. Thank God in all situations. # To believe and act on every in...

Chapter 1: The operation of faith     Hey guys, I know I said to expect a highlight of the first chapter of the above mentioned book on Sunday but I was just unable to type. Anyways, that's past -hope you can forgive me- and I'm here with the highlights as promised. Hope you enjoy. # You are not born again to suffer again; thus redemption is not to reduce your life but to make it worth living for. # Faith it total dependence and absolute confidence in God and His word, without wavering until his word is fulfilled. It commits the integrity of God to perform what He has spoken. # Faith connects you to God and moves God. Hebrews 11:6 Importance of faith.  *We are born again by faith. Ephesians 2:8 *By faith we live. Habakkuk 2:4 *We walk by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 *We stand by faith. 2 Corinthians 1:24 *By faith we are kept. 1 Peter 1:5 *We obtain a good report by faith. Hebrews 11:1-2 *Healing comes by faith. Matthew 9:27-29 *We overcome by faith. 1 John 5:4 ...

   Hey guys, been quite a while. As I said two posts ago, I'd be writing reviews of books that I read this year and my first review is on the book WONDERS OF FAITH.     To be honest, for this book it'd be more of things that caught my attention in the book and highlights of the book per chapter. I started reading this book in January but found it difficult completing it possibly because I was doing a lot at a time. Anyway, I struggled to complete the book but decided to read it again as I didn't really feel the impact of the book (because I read it in a staggered manner).  An overview    The book is in eight chapters and really can be completed in a day or two unless you are like me. As you might know already, it's a Christian book authored by a Nigerian pastor (as stated in the title).     The book contains scriptural references to backup points made and also some testimonies on what faith can do. I really enjoyed reading th...