Most Notable Books in My Library
Photo by Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash
What are you reading during this pandemic season?
I’ve been a sucker for books for as long as I can remember! In fact, I was so obsessed with words when I was younger, that I would read anything and everything in sight. Growing up, my dad worked as a lecturer at a Kenyan parastatal. All of our neighbours were colleagues in a huge compound at the edge of Karura forest, housing over a hundred homes. We co-existed with monkeys, often peacefully and sometimes not so much. It was quite a serene and sheltered childhood.
When we got sick, we would go to the dispensary, or what my dad referred to as ‘the infirmary’. It was either a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute drive away from home. At the infirmary, they put posters up on the notice board, describing the symptoms of different ailments, with tips on care or how to prevent them. They also had basic ones that teach hand hygiene and that sort of thing. While waiting to see the doctor, I would read every single one! It might have fed the mild hypochondriac tendencies I am now accused of exhibiting (sometimes).
I was really drawn to fiction as a child and would read most genres except the scary ones: anything from comic books to murder mysteries, and legal fiction novels. I was a big fan of ‘Nancy Drew’; read every ‘Sweet Valley’ book my friends and classmates owned; and most of John Grisham’s novels. Every Sunday morning, I would knock on my parent’s bedroom door for money to go and buy the newspaper. I read the comic section (including Modesty Blaise, which I had absolutely no business reading), and my two favourite features: ‘Surgeons Diary’; and ‘Whispers’ by the late Wahome Mutahi.
In a sense, books have raised me, influenced my way of thinking and how I process information. They also gave a little break to the adults around me. I was, afterall, a very inquisitive child.
I have continued to love books, even though I don’t get through as many as I used to when younger. I would like to think that it’s because I take more time to immerse myself in the story; and because my library has diversified to include non-fictional books. Quality over quantity, right?
So, my fellow book lovers, here are some of my all-time favourites. The list is not exhaustive!
My All-Time Favourite Books (so far…)
Reading this memoir was like sitting with Trevor over a cup of tea as he recounts tales of his childhood! It really feels like he’s having a conversation with you, and being the comedian that he is, he has you bursting out in laughter, even in public places! Embarrassing yourself.
Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I have often heard of, and even read about the sometimes icy, other times conflicted relations between Africans in America and African Americans. It was even addressed on a scene in the Box Office hit, Black Panther. Different people have their own theories about why the two hardly seem to get along.
In this book, Chimamanda explores this and other ways that African Americans and their complexities can be rather perplexing to an African. It is done through the eyes of a character who is bold, intelligent and articulate, without seeming condescending.
I had hardly enjoyed fictional books, for a while, when the Alchemist fell on my lap. It was very timely, as it spoke of things that I needed to hear at that point in time. Paulo’s style is reminiscent of old tales that contain mysticism and magic while speaking to the universal human journey. He explores the emotions and experience of self-discovery and chasing your dreams in a beautiful and colourful way. Hardly the kind of book you read once!
3.5 Notable mention: More recently, I read The Prophet’ by Khalil Gibran, and it was a similar experience, with lots of lessons on how to navigate this ride called life.
And the Mountains Echoed – Khaled Hosseini
Khaled has that ancient gift of storytelling that very few people in a lifetime possess. He weaves tales so layered, yet with such simple beauty, that you can’t help but be in awe of his superpower. His particular strength is in building characters you get so attached to, root for, and are heartbroken when they don’t seem to win. After reading these three books, I bet there is nothing he would write that I will not be utterly enthralled by.
London Cape Town Joburg – Zukiswa Wanner
I took an African Literature course in university and was very fascinated by books about South Africa and lusophone countries like Angola. Although South Africa had a similar history to Kenya, having been a former colony of Britain (besides the Dutch, in their case); the stories, culture and experiences seem very different from those I was familiar with.
I grew up reading african literature mostly by East African and anglophone West African writers. This book is a trip through the three South African cities, in a way that lets you explore and weave the tapestry of its people, culture, and the imprints of its colonial history.
Most of us love a good road trip, and if anyone has created that experience in a book, it’s Velma Pollard! This might as well be at the top of my list as I’ve read it about six times already. I was introduced to this gem in high school, it was an alternative set book for high school english literature. I have hardly put it down since. It was also the first book I read, by a writer from the Caribbean. Velma Pollard, showcases the diversity of Jamaica through some of my favourite things: people, food, music, culture, language and nature! One of its positive side-effects, was my newfound interest in learning to speak Patois. It really is one of those underrated books that everyone should read at least once.
I would be glad to hear about your favourite books too, so please comment below and share why you love the ones you do!
