If you don’t count the crazy weather, this week was mostly great! As work winds down and the weekend looms, here are some excellent books to keep you company.
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Richard Ali’s “City Of Memories” is centred around a young man named Faruk, the son of a colonel, who has to come to terms with the recent loss of his mother Ummi and a broken engagement with his fiancee Rahila. Faruk beats Rahila’s brother in a bar brawl shortly afterwards, and then embarks on a journey in search of the truth surrounding his mother’s life before the “madness” which preceded her death.
The novel explores a bit of mental health, then goes on to explore socio-religious stereotypes, the complexity of love, social orientation and the ethnic cum religious upheavals of the times. There is also room to discuss the rise of feminism as a concept, and some light is shed on the political intricacies of the day.
To immerse yourself in this delightful read, grab a copy of Richard Ali’s “City of Memories“ here at the OkadaBooks store.
Victor Ehikhamenor’s “Excuse Me” is a collection of humorous pieces from his column at the now-defunct 234Next Newspaper. There are also a few pieces from the New York Times.
The collection, divided into sections, is dotted with articles about the love, life, and the government. The author’s funny and sometimes sarcastic pieces serve as a historical see-saw hovering between decrees and senate scuffles from people who are clueless about how to rule a country. While horsing around, he uses instances like former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s constant medical treatments abroad as a lens on the state of the nation’s healthcare system. One piece asked if we really expected the then president to use the medical facility near Aso Rock when Nigerians at the border were going abroad (to Togo) for treatment.
Ehikhamenor’s mix of personal experiences and chopped-up news stories are an absolute joy to read. Want a copy of this book? Get one here on the OkadaBooks store!
Amara Nicole Okolo’s collection of short stories “Son of Man” explores human nature as well as the happenings in the Nigerian society. One story titled “The Machete of Retribution” is about Ejiofor, a farmer with hopes and dreams for his young son. When the son takes ill and has to get urgent treatment, Ejiofor finds himself on the receiving end of the Nigerian healthcare system designed to ruin lives instead of saving them.
Another story titled “That Fine Madness” is a love story that takes place during Achike’s time serving his country through the NYSC scheme. While on assignment as a teacher, he meets a married woman with whom he falls in love. Her marriage is one of convenience, so it’s expected that she really doesn’t love her husband. But in trying to see where this new love with Achike takes her, we’re forced to watch the unexpected happen.
From stories about the wreck that is the Nigerian judicial system to another about a man’s struggles to provide for his family, the author captures life’s essence via delicately chosen words.
Want to explore the stories in this collection? Grab a copy of “Son of Man” here on the OkadaBooks store!
Stella Eromonsere’s “Wild Whispers” is a romance novel about Gary and Adaora. Adaora is a widower who when her husband died, was accused of killing him and labelled a witch. His death pushed her to seek solitude, and she became something of a hermit.
Gary, on the other hand, is a British wildlife photographer whose waking moments are spent touring the world. He comes to Nigeria for the sights, sounds, and wildlife; but, after an attempted robbery on his bus, he manages to escape with other passengers. Some time is spent running as a group before they separate, and he ends up in front of Adaora’s little home.
Want to read the rest of their love story? Get a copy of Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku’s “Wild Whispers” here on the OkadaBooks store for just N499!
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