It’s easy to ignore milestones because we’re focusing on the “next best thing”, but I’m super thankful for this one because when I started, I knew it was not the most popular niche on YouTube discussing books or even mainly African and Nigerian literature (there’s only a handful of Nigerian booktubers).
I’m proud of myself that I stuck to a niche (also on advice of a trusted one) that I’m super passionate about and I’ve seen how my passion has positively rubbed off on people. I’ve connected with book lovers all over the world and most importantly, Nigerian literature is getting the exposure it deserves!
So if you’re thinking of starting something and you don’t know if people will vibe with it because it’s relatively new to people around you? Why don’t you start first and let that passion drive you. You’d be surprised at how many people will vibe with it because of your passion!
Thank you to my first 500! I’ll forever be thankful!
You made this girl believe she can do anything! ✨ here’s to hundreds and thousands and millions of subscribers! 🥂
THANK YOU!!
P.S I posted semi-dramatic acceptance speech on my YouTube channel.!😭😂
I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Bassey Ikpi, the author of the beautiful book, I’m Telling The Truth But I’m Lying and loved every second of it! I had previously done a book review of the book (which you can watch here) and the author commented on my youtube channel saying we could do a Q n A. Needless to say, I almost fainted from pure excitement!
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! Bassey was so open, real and honest in answering my questions!
I’m Telling The Truth But I’m Lying is such an amazing book that I recommend for every Nigerian, mental health advocate, Nigerians with mental health issues and everyone dealing with Biplolar II and/or anxiety.
You can watch the full interview by clicking on the video below.
Ahhh….this book was absolutely beautiful! It broke my heart in so many ways.
I loved my reading experience while reading this book (as it was deeply infused with music) and loved how each story was beautiful in its on way.
Although the collection of short stories is fictional, some of the stories felt very real and relatable to me. I like how the stories were independent yet some were linked to each other in an interesting way! This is an interesting one if you’re looking for an African collection of short stories.
Watch my review of this book by Chimeka Garricks up in my YouTube channel!
SO I’ve been on a social media/youtube break for a couple of weeks; taking time to just refresh and rest. I am excited to be back bringing you book-ish content!
Today, I share the books I bought and received in the months of June and July or as I call it, my JUNLY Book Haul!
Thank you guys so much for subscribing to my youtube channel so far! I really appreciate it!
I participated in the mid-year freak out tag! I discussed my reading experience so far; the books I loved and the ones I did not and my expectations for the next half of the year!
Published By: First published by the author under a pseudonym, Satayaa
Release Date: 2017
Genre: Fiction
Format: Paperback
Length: 174 pages
Synopsis
In a rustic part of Nigeria, an unusual farm records uncommon success and productivity in its operations. Separated from her loved ones, Moremi is flung into an unfamiliar world that is highly expectant of her. Amidst fatal changes, bizarre alliances, the quest for wealth and love, she finds an unlikely friend in Ugonna. Together they must do their part to ensure the continued success of the Farm. With each choice they make, their lives unfold before them until they stumble upon a shattering revelation that unsettles what little balance there is at the Farm.
Review
We selected this book as our read at The Readers’ Hub Book Club for the month of June 2020. The author of the book is a member of our book club so we were honoured to have read her book and reviewed same in her presence.
The book is divided into four stories with “The Farm” being the major story. Without giving too much away, the Farm gives an in-depth expose into baby making factory which poses as a typical farm to outsiders. The story delves into the lives of women who have found themselves, by different means, in a baby making factory in eastern Nigeria. Some of these women are held against their will, raped continuously by members of a gang and are obligated to bear children which are in turn sold to affluent members of the society.
The other stories in the book tell gripping and heart-wrenching stories of love birds torn apart in the most disastrous of circumstances common in Northern Nigeria and young women who are given away as child brides and made to bear children even though they are as young as 12.
This book is truly one of a kind. I do not think I have read anything quite like it.
I honestly did not know what to expect when I picked up this book because I had not read anything else by the author. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. I loved the way the author used fictional stories to explore and shine a light on really deep societal themes and issues that plague Nigeria as a whole from baby factories to child brides and the effect of having children at really young ages to insecurity, death and the negative impacts of terrorism in Northern Nigeria.
In my opinion, the book is a great attempt at personalising the accounts of victims of some of these heinous and life-changing activities happening around us in every day life. As human beings, it is easy to hear some of these issues on the local news or look at certain individuals as mere statistics, but often times than not, we fail to understand deeply, and cannot even begin to relate to the negative impact these activities have on human beings living in these areas in Nigeria. This book is one of such exposes into the ordinary lives of those we often classify as statistics.
The writing style of the author was simple. and easy to understand. While most of the book was told in. the third person narrative, one of the. stories was told in the first person narrative, giving it a much more personal feel. And the plot twists??? Whoosh! I loved the plot twists in The Farm (which had me screaming “ewwwooo” at some point, because I”m randomly. extra like that). I commend the author for a job well done on that.
Although I felt the end of The Farm was a little rushed and I would have preferred the other stories to have been longer (for purely selfish reasons), I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It. was a huge eye-opener for me and I enjoyed discussing it at our book club meet for the month of May 2020. I recommend!
Verdict
A strong 8/10 from me.
P.S. I spoke about The Farm and Other Stories in my “Maypril” wrap up. Watch below:
I think I have the some of the weirdest reading habits known to humanity. *laughing at myself and crying happily in satisfaction*
I jumped on The Reading Habits Tag on Booktube and tagged myself in it since I was not tagged by anyone. I however made sure I tagged quite a number of my booktube friends so they could answer the questions.
I had a great time filming and answering questions on my reading habits. It’s a lovely way for other booktubers and book lovers to get to know you better. The questions I answered from the tag are:
Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?
Do you eat or drink while reading?
Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
One book at a time or several at once?
Reading at home or everywhere?
Reading out lout or silently in your head?
Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
Breaking the spine or keeping it new?
Do you write in your book?
When do you find yourself reading? Morning, afternoon, evening, whenever you get the chance or all the time?
What is your best setting to read in?
What form do you prefer? Audiobook, E-book or physical book?
Do you have a unique habit when you read?
So if you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of all these books I read, then by all means, enjoy the video below:
April and May were good reading months for me (well, if we take the two months together).
I read 3 books in April (because I was ill for half of the month and it was tough mentally and physically) and 7 books in May! So I shared the books I read in the months of April and May (don’t ask why I made it “Maypril” it just sounded really cool in my head 😂). I run down the titles I read and what I thought about them! check out the video below:
Over the years, reading self-help books has helped me in my personal development and self-improvement.
The particular self-help books I read are practicable and realistic to my needs and they have not disappointed so far. i have gained so much wisdom learning how to deal with circumstances, people and life in general. When needed, I have been able to tap into these resources to also gain the much needed motivational and inspirational boost needed to pursue my goals.
So, if you are looking for SHORT LIFE-CHANGING, SELF-HELP books which you can finish in A DAY or TWO (especially if you consider yourself a slow reader), then I have good news for you.
In my latest video on my Youtube channel, I share 5 BITE-SIZED, AMAZING self-help books filled with valuable lessons and wisdom that will leave a long-lasting impact on your life!
These books are short, straight to the point and so so valuable to your self-improvement and self-Development as an individual!
I get asked alot how i am able to read alot with my 9-5 and what my reading routine is like.
On my Youtube Channel, I share my reading routine (TBRs, recommendations, balancing with my 9-5, what works for me and what does not). I also share how to get out of reading slumps and other little things about my reading routine.
Rachel Eyo 