Recent Reads


I must say I have read way more books this year than I have in the last 2 years and this is just the first half of the year.

The first book I read this year was Black Boy by Richard Wright. The first time I read the book was my final year back in Undergrad. I read it then to pass my exam just like all the numerous books I read back in those years.

I picked up Half of a yellow Sun and dropped it, I still don't have a reason for this. Maybe because I have seen the movie adaptation before picking up the book which is a first. I hope I will get back and finish the book someday.

The most intriguing book read so far is Odufa: A Lover’s Tale by Othuke Ominiabohs. This is not your typical love story. I questioned the love, I can't even call it love. The violence was shocking, the love was obsessive and was doomed right from the start and I was not surprised the way the book panned out. I must commend the author for writing a refreshing story line (trust me I am tired of all the abroad returnee/African American stories). I was mad at Anthony when I read the part where he hits Odufa for smashing his phone. I was shocked when Odufa requested he takes her for an abortion when he refused to listen to her plea. 

The love was just too toxic and I must say I got tired of reading at some point. Anthony's expectations of Odufa was weird and Odufa persona was just worrisome. Two mad people jam together and Odufa's madness did not even have part 2.

I hear the book is a trilogy, I would like to read about Odufa's past and the missing story where her love changed to disgust. I would not do justice to this book except you read it.

Helon Habila's Oil on Water was also another favorite read. I think I have enjoyed reading all of Helon's works. Helon is a fantastic writer who never disappoints. Oil on Water tells the story of the Niger Delta and oil politics through the eyes  of a young reporter named Rufus.

Rufus is paired on a mission to the depth of the creeks with his mentor, the legendary journalist Zaq in pursuit of what Zaq describes as "almost a perfect story": in search a British woman kidnapped by militants fighting to protect their environment from greedy multinational oil companies. There was a lot of flashbacks to fill us in on the back stories.


I cried while reading the part where Bros T, raped Morayo in the book, Daughters who walked this path by Yejide Kilanko. You read about rape stories and you can't help but shudder but it is worse when this heinous crime is committed by a family member. I was angry at Morayo's mother for been unable to help her daughter deal with the trauma. I love the fact that the author did not sensationalize the issue, she told the story as it is and left us the readers to make our judgement. I for one would have cut all ties with my sister if her son ever does that to my daughter, no amount of family blood can hold such sacrilege. 

Chude's " Are we the turning point generation?" is another good read. It is the only non-fiction I have read so far this year.  The book is a short collection of engaging essays and speeches of the author. This book got me asking myself questions on my standpoint on the fate of my beloved nation. 

Chika Unigwe's Night Dancer talks about the challenges of single motherhood. The story unfolds with Mma who following the death of her mother Ezi has to uncover the past of the mother who she had grown to hate so much. Mma was raised an only child and was told by her mother that she had no father. Reading along with Mma from the letters and memorabilia passed on by her mother, we find out that Ezi did have family and Mma's father is still very much alive. Ezi had abandoned her marital home after she found out her husband had impregnated the housegirl from the village named "Rapu". Disowned by her family following her decision to leave her husband's house, Ezi started life afresh in Enugu as a "kept woman". 

Sefi Atta's Swallow, Osisiye Tafa's Sixty percent of a true story and Pepper by Sinmisola Ogunyinka were bland reads for me. Teju Cole's Every day is for the thief is another returnee story which I was just not "wowed" by. 

So there goes my list of reads for the 1st quarter of the year. Looking forward to many more reads before the year runs out.

Have you read any of these books? Please share your reviews

Ramadan Kareem to fellow Muslims around the world.

Until my next post.

♥Lara


Molara Brown

8 comments:

  1. Sigh, and I'm here thinking I read books. You're the real MVP.
    Life|Hello July

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  2. Hi Lara,

    I was literally drooling as I read this post. There are 4 books up there that I wish I could reach through the screen and grab. :-)

    I've recently fallen in love with the new generation of African writers.

    I read Half of a yellow sun before I watched the movie, the movie left me a little unsatisfied because I could see all the gaps that were missing based on the version portrayed in the book.

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    1. I am not sure if watching the movie first was a good idea, it kind of affecting my interest in reading the book...the movie was just there I must say.

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  3. Hello Lara, do you have an official contact email?.

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    1. Hello Joan, email is larrahromire@gmail.com

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  4. Dang. I love you already. Team Bibliophiles. Wish I could lay my hands on sixty percent of a true story or black boy? Can you help with it lol...? Where do you get this books?

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  5. Oil on Water was an incredible read. Had to read it in my final year as an undergrad, but have gone on to read it a second time. I've also read Half of a Yellow Sun. The other titles are new to me though..will have to check them out. You should add my last novel to your list too ;) Would genuinely love to hear your opinion on it! It's called The Lipstick Pastor and it's up on Amazon :)

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  6. I have read Daughters Who Walk This path, Are We The Turning Point Generation?, The Night Dancer and Swallow. All of them I thoroughly enjoyed (one I didn't love as much is Swallow) and highly recommend.
    I was so giddy reading this post almost 4 years later!

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