I am super excited when it comes to books but this week I am doubly excited because one of my greatest dreams is about to be fulfilled. You know how it is if you are a reader your library is bursting at the seams. I have books by my bedside, piled up on massive shelves in the study, peeping through slim shelves in the office and sitting in the back seat of cars. I have books everywhere like one possessed by the printed word but for all readers like me, that’s the way the cookie crumbles. All those who know me know that although I worked in public broadcasting for many years and I am still in the industry, I will pick a book over a longish film that I have to sit still to watch. Travelling long haul is one of my more exciting way to read a book. I carry four magazines, two books, one light hearted and the other a tome of a book. But I am preaching to the converted. If you read this column and followed us long enough then you are like me an incurable reader. Yes, it is true that e-books are in and all the rave but I still like the smell of paper, the joy of carrying a book around and as one of my daughters would say, the flipping of pages and the achievement of completion of a book is the reason we read actual books.
For many years as a young person and even as an adult, I dreamt of owning a bookshop. One day I said last year and the year before last and the year before that. Stealer of time, procrastination and then of course funding, a major angle to owning a bookshop got in the way. Bookshops are not really a commercial enterprise in that sense of the word, it is a labor of love. So, I am super excited that it has finally happened. So, “Books by Awawu” is finally born at the Maitama Amusement park Abuja. (Loads of smiles). Stop by whenever you can from the 13th of December.
This week I am sharing five incredible books which if you pause a little, you would realize that some of these titles have always been in our consciousness, some are classics, others are new and others will never really go away.
1) The Godfather by Mario Puzzo. This one is a classic and was made into a movie which in my generation we all went out to watch. This is the crime novel about a fictitious Sicilian Italian Mafia family headed by Don Vito Corleone. It is packed with the story of underground business, loyalty, betrayal and love. It puts family above all things and who can forget when Corleone orders the killing of his weak brother because he betrayed their family. A truly complex novel of crime and a gives an insight on how the dreaded Italian Mafia works. And who can forget the impeccable character depiction of Corleone first by Marlon Brando and then by Al Pacino.
2) Michelle Obama’s biography, “Becoming” is a trending new book by the former First Lady of the United states of America. Her intimate portrait of her growing up years is told in simple but engaging language. Here you will read about her relationship with Barrack Obama, bringing up her two daughters and the journey to the American Presidency by her husband. This book also takes us through her difficulty in conceiving and a painful miscarriage. A much loved former first Lady, her book is a treasure.
3) Chicken soup for the Teenage soul. The Chicken soup series have always been my favorite collection and everyone must own a copy of the series. I personally have Chicken soup for the grieving soul and the one for teenagers. These are books to treasure. When I was bereaved and needed a book to comfort me, I went to the Bible and then Chicken soup. Chicken soup for the teenage soul is a classic collection of stories full of values and lessons for the teenager in your life. In these tumultuous times, this book gifted to a teenager will help them stand strong in the face of a modern tide that is sometimes befuddling.
4) Option B, by Sheryl Sandberg is a book that will stay with us for a long time. Face book Coo who is currently facing the battle of her life at the company with many unconfirmed tales of wrong doing wrote this book with leading Psychiatrist, Adam Grant. This book which I have read multiple times is the go to book if you are feeling depressed, if you need to build your resilient muscle and you require coping mechanisms when the world looks dark. Written after her husband died on vacation, Sheryl Sandberg takes us through her grief, the dark days, the many questions and how she battled the dark clouds and came out stronger at the end. Her friend and psychiatrist of many years, Adam Grant takes us through Sheryl’s feelings and professionally guides us through finding love, being strong, coping mechanisms and knowing the sun will shine again. It is a must read for everyone.
5) Any book by Pablo Neruda is an uplifting of the spirit. Words to live by. From his collection, Love Poems by Pablo Neruda is a beautiful quote,” I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where” If you have ever been in love. That is so true. In this season of giving, gift a book today. Improve the mind and bring someone lots of joy and laughter. A Pablo Neruda’s book is a gift of the spirit and a gift of love.
