Tag: booktube

Book Review: Behind Her Eyes

Title: Behind Her Eyes

Author: Sarah Pinborough

Published By: HarperCollins Publishers and Flatiron Books

Release Date: 2017

Genre: Psychological thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary romance

Format: Hardback

Length: 320 pages

Synopsis

Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.

When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.

And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend, but she also just happens to be married to David. David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife, but then why is David so controlling, and why is Adele so scared of him?

As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong, but Louise can’t guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.

-goodreads

Review

THIS BOOK… SPEECHLESS!!

Just here, you know, WONDERING WHAT ON EARTH I HAVE READ!!!!🤯😱

Do you know how twisted your mind has to be to come up with a plot like the one in this book??

I listened to this book on scribs and it was beautifully narrated and performed. I sat with my mouth open for like 2 mins after listening to the last chapter because WHATTTT?!🤯😱😰🥴 (I had to keep on rewinding some things in the last few chapters make e be like say I no mad, because this book is a proper mind f*ck)

I watched the Netlix adaptation immediately I was done reading and loved it! I thought that the producers did a fantastic job of bringing the books to life. I had a few reservations with the casting and some parts of the series, but I loved it, generally.

Watch my full review on this lovely book by clicking on the video below:

Book Review : The Death of Vivek Oji

Title: The Death of Vivek Oji

Author: Akwaeke Emezi

Published By: Kachifo Limited under its Farafina Imprint

Release Date: 2020

Genre: Fiction, Coming-of-age

Format: Paperback

Length: 263 pages

Synopsis

They burned down the market on the day Vivek Oji died.

One afternoon, a mother opens her front door to find the length of her son’s body stretched out on the veranda, swaddled in akwete material, his head on her welcome mat. The Death of Vivek Oji transports us to the day of Vivek’s birth, the day his grandmother Ahunna died. It is the story of an overprotective mother and a distant father, and the heart-wrenching tale of one family’s struggle to understand their child, just as Vivek learns to recognize himself.

Teeming with unforgettable characters whose lives have been shaped by Vivek’s gentle and enigmatic spirit, it shares with us a Nigerian childhood that challenges expectations. This novel, and its celebration of the innocence and optimism of youth will touch all those who embrace it.

Review

This book is HEAVY!

I don’t know why it has taken me this long to put up a review of this book but hey, life happens.

I read this some months ago and I had some thoughts on it. I shared in my review on my YouTube channel (which I recorded 4 score years ago btw but did not put up for whatever reason known to me🙄 )I have now put up the review.

I enjoyed it and finished in a couple of sittings. I loved that the book is set in eastern Nigeria with Nigerians deep-set in traditional beliefs and cultures as the major characters. The dominant themes explored in the book were also issues that need to be discussed in the Nigerian society, but in my opinion, we’re not ready for that yet. But hey, this literary piece is out there and that counts for something

Watch my full review on this lovely book by clicking on the video below:

Book Review: The Gifts of Imperfection

Title: The Gifts of Imperfection

Author: Brené Brown

Published By: Penguin Random House, UK

Release Date: 2010, 2020

Genre: Non-fiction, self-help

Format: Paperback

Length: 167 pages

Synopsis

New York Times best-selling author and professor Brené Brown offers a powerful and inspiring book that explores how to cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to embrace your imperfections and to recognize that you are enough.

Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we’d no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, What if I can’t keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn’t everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?

In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, PhD, a leading expert on shame, authenticity and belonging, shares what she’s learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living–a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough, and to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging.

-goodreads

Review

Oldie but goodie. 

I’m thankful for books that speak to you in moments where you really really need the words. The words may not be novel, but when they come in the form you need at that moment in your life, then it’s pretty special. THIS is one of those books. 

I literally finished this book in two sittings and learned so much from it. Even though it was first published in 2010, the wisdom and lessons in it are timeless.

I first heard about this book in a room on clubhouse which was full of book lovers from around the world. This was one of the recommendations someone gave when everyone was sharing their struggles with dealing with perfectionism, analysis paralysis  imposter syndrome and the likes.

I’ve learned valuable lessons in different aspects of life including on courage and compassion, living an authentic life, embracing imperfections, avoiding comparison, cultivating a heart of gratitude and tuning into my creativity. 

A lovely read in my books.

Check out other amazing non-fiction book recommendations on my youtube channel!👇🏽

Book Review: The Girl With The Louding Voice

Title: The Girl With The Louding Voice

Author: Abi Dare

Published By: Sceptre, an Imprint of Holder & Stroughton

Release Date: 2020

Genre: Coming-of-age, Fiction, Bildungsroman

Format: Paperback

Length: 312 pages

Synopsis

Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian Girl who knows what she wants: an education.

As the only daughter of a broke father, she is a valuable commodity. Removed from school and sold as a third wife to an old man, Adunni’s life amounts to this: four goats, two bags of rice, some chickens and a new TV. When unspeakable tragedy swiftly strikes in her new home, she is secretly sold as a domestic servant to a household in the wealthy enclaves of Lagos, where no one will talk about the strange disappearance of her predecessor, Rebecca. No one but Adunni…

As a yielding daughter, a subservient wife and a powerless servant, Adunni is repeatedly told that she is nothing. But Adunni won’t be silenced. She is determined to find her voice- in a whisper, in song, in broken English- until she can speak for herself, for the girls like Rebecca, who came before, and for all the girls who will follow.

Review

This book was a lovely read for me. As a Nigerian, I could totally relate to the deep themes inherent in the book which were explored beautifully.

It was very warm and heart-felt and with a powerful message!

I loved the plot and the sequence of events as told in the book and felt it was a great effort. I also loved the writing style and the fact that the first part was written in broken english  and the first person POV (even if that required some level of patience on my part as I speak broken english slowly). It was my first experience reading such a book.

All in all, a lovely read. A lovely ending but would have not been surprised if it ended another way because that is the reality in Nigeria when it comes to child abuse and child labour.

Watch my full review on this lovely book by clicking on the video below:

Book Review: Tomorrow Died Yesterday

Title: Tomorrow Died Yesterday

Author: Chimeka Garricks

Published By: Paperworth Books Limited

Release Date: 2010

Genre: Fiction

Format: Paperback

Length: 292 pages

Synopsis

It’s 2004 Port Harcourt at the height of the kidnap of oil workers in the Niger Delta, a kidnapping goes awry and four lives are reconnected. Done (aka Doughboy) the career militant responsible for the crime. Amaibi the gentle university professor / eco – warrior accused. Kaniye the lawyer themed restauranteur who tries to get him off and Tubo an amoral oil company executive.

Against a backdrop of corrupt practices, failed systems and injustice, these four friends tell the story of oil in a region and its effects on local communities and the Nigerian larger society.

Review

DEBUT NOVEL WHATTTT??

This book was purely exceptional and I totally enjoyed it! I thought it was a great effort from the author especially as a debut novel.

I loved the deep exploration of the characters through the writing style of first person narrative as told from the four major characters. The author found a way to endear the characters into the hearts of readers no matter w villainous their characters may appear to be.

I also loved the fact that deep themes which are prevalent in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria were explored in depth. Such themes like corruption, violence, oil bunkering, gas flaring and the effect of such on native communities within that region.

As a lawyer and legal practitioner, I absolutely loved Kaniye’a character and the legal thriller aspect of this book. Whoa!

Watch the full review on this lovely book by clicking the link below:

Book Review: I’m Telling The Truth But I’m Lying

Title: I’m Telling The Truth But I’m Lying

Author: Bassey Ikpi

Published By: Harper Perennial

Release Date: 2019

Genre: Memoir, Non-fiction

Format: Paperback

Length: 248 pages

Synopsis

In this remarkable memoir-in-essays, Basset Ikpi explores her life-as a Nigerian American immigrant, a black woman, a slam poet, a daughter, an artist – through the lens of her mental health and diagnoses of bipolar II and anxiety.

In I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying, Bassey Ikpi breaks open our understanding of mental health by giving us intimate access to her own. Exploring shame. Confusion, medication and family in the process, Bassey looks at how mental health impacts every aspect of our lives- how we appear to others. and most important to ourselves – and challenges our preconceptions about what it means to be “normal”. Viscerally raw and honest. The result is an exploration of the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of who we are – and the ways, as honest as we try to be, each of these stories is also a lie.

Review

Whoosh!

Where do I start from?

Hands Down one of the most beautiful books I have ever read in a long while! Such honesty and openness that the author exhibited in penning this work of art.

As a mental health advocate, I loved the book because it highlighted certain conversations that should be had in Nigeria on mental health. Through Bassey Ikpi’s eyes, readers are able to understand what someone who goes through anxiety and bipolar disorder feels.

I recommend for every Nigerian, mental health advocate, Nigerians with mental health issues and everyone dealing with Biplolar II and/or anxiety (whether or not you know what it’s called).

I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Bassey Ikpi and loved every second of it!From her book to mental health issues to Bassey’s journey with Bipolar II and Anxiety to Motherhood and mental health awareness in Nigeria, we had an amazing time discussing the book!

Watch the full book review and my interview with Bassey Ikpi by clicking the links below:

Book Review: The Mechanics of Yenagoa

Title: The Mechanics of Yenagoa

Author: Michael Afenfia

Published By: Masobe Books

Release Date: June 2020

Genre: Fiction

Format: Paperback

Length: 303 pages

Synopsis

Ebinimi, are mechanic of Kalakala street, is a man with a hapless knack for getting in and out of trouble. Some of his troubles are self-inflicted : like his recurring entanglements in love triangles; and his unauthorised joyriding of a customer’s car which sets off a chain of fire evened a involving drugs, crooked politicians and assassins. Other troubles are caused by the panorama of characters in his life, like: his sister and her dysfunctional domestic situation; the three other mechanics he employs; and the money- loving preacher who has all but taken over his home.

The story is fast-paced with surprising twists and a captivating plot- a Dickenesque page -turner. This is Ebinimi’s story but it is about a lot more than him. It is an exploration of the dynamics between working-class people as they undertake a colorful tour of Yenagoa, one of Nigeria’s lesser known cities, while using humor, sex and music as coping mechanisms for the everyday struggle. It is a modern classic tale of small lives navigating a big city.

Review

I absolutely loved this hilarious book! While reading, I had a great laugh and a great many gasps too at the plot twists! I loved the way the plot just flowed and how easy it was to read.

I also loved the fact that this book is set in Yenagoa which is not a common setting in books set in Nigeria and I absolutely love the Niger Delta pidgin in the book!

The end of this book shock me well, I no go lie! But I loved the ending! Arghhh!

Check out my full review on this book and my rating of it by clicking the link below:

Book Review: Homegoing

Title: Homegoing

Author: Yaa Gyasi

Published By: Penguin Random House UK

Release Date: 2016

Genre: Historical fiction, saga, novel

Format: Paperback

Length: 300 pages

Synopsis

Effia and Esi: two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader’a wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow: from the Gold Coast of Africa to the plantations of Mississippi; from the Missionary schools of Ghana to the dive Bars of Harlem. Spanning continents and generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel – an intense heartbreaking story of one family and, through their lives, the story of Africa itself.

Review

A miraculous novel indeed!

I absolutely enjoyed this book and it stoked the fire in me to read more historical fiction and non-fiction which I’ve always loved!

The plot of this book easily flowed and told heart breaking stories of the characters. I like to think of the entire book as a collection of short stories which although are independent are intertwined by family.

I also loved the fact that each of the chapters were written in third person narrative but centering on each character. It was easy to understand and written according to the time it was set it.

The author did a phenomenal job with research on the Ghanaian history and explored deep themes in this work cutting across racism, discrimination, the trans Atlantic slave trade and domestic slave trade.

The prints in the paperback I bought are tiny and admittedly, some patience is required to read and finish this book. It’s not one of those books you can just start and drop intending to pick up in a couple of weeks. I advice that you read it all at once.

To see my verdict on this book, watch my full book review on the book my clicking on the link below:

How to BALANCE READING with a FULL TIME JOB(9-5) ; 9 TIPS & HACKS

I share my experience on how I balance reading with a full time job and booktubing. I also share valuable tips that could help you cultivate a reading habit even with a rigorous 9-5 and how to read more while working a 9-5.

HOW TO PASS THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL (NLS) BAR FINALS | 7 READING TIPS for NLS STUDENTS

Last year, I shared my experience preparing and writing the NLS bar finals on my blog.

On my Youtube channel, I once again share a little bit of that experience as well as some valuable reading tips for law school students, law undergraduates and individuals interested in pursuing a law career in Nigeria and/or getting called to the Nigerian bar.

I also discuss how to handle pressure before, during and after the examinations period.

Enjoy!