On Stories and Writing: Quotes From 10 Nigerian Writers
“Without stories, we would go mad. Life would lose its moorings or lose its orientations. Even in silence we are living our stories.” ― Ben Okri, Birds of Heaven “Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity […]
Top 5 Bookstores in Lagos
Some bookstores won’t yet give in to being phased out in the competition of the digital era against walk-in shops. Notable for their artistic style and unique collections of a wide variety of categories, here is a list of bookstores in Lagos where you can walk in, relax and have yourself feel through the pages […]
3 Interesting Book Festivals in Nigeria to Attend Every Year
“If you want to hide something from a black man, put it in a book.” Although this statement may be a bit exaggerated, it rings true for many Africans. Which is why in a bid to promote the reading culture amongst Nigerians as well as encourage them to tell their stories, history and preserve their […]
Children’s Book Review: Zahrah the Windseeker
Title: Zahrah the Windseeker Author: Nnedi Okoroafor-Mbachu Publisher: Farafina Books/ HMH Books for Young Readers Number of pages: 320/308 Type of Book: Fantasy, Fiction; African Age: 10+ Available here and here. Price: N500; $7.51 MY SUMMARY Zahrah is a 13-year-old girl born with dadalocks in a kingdom where people with dadalocks are looked upon as strange. She is quiet, shy, constantly […]
Children’s Book Review: The Time Machine
Title: The Time Machine Author: H. G. Wells Publisher: Bendon Classics Number of Pages: 178 Type of Book: Science Fiction; Classic Age: 8+ Available here: The Hub, The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos Price: N880 MY SUMMARY The time traveller’s theory: “If our minds can move back and forth in time, we can too. All we need is the […]
Who to Follow on Twitter: Nigerian Book Publishers
Wondering which handles to follow on Twitter this weekend? So you found a great editor! Now that your manuscript is properly edited and ready to be published, what’s next? Following these publishers on Twitter and contacting them is certainly a step in the right direction: 1. @gracespringspub Bio: Printing Press. Publishers. Corporate Branding Tweets We […]
Children’s Book Review: Moby Dick
Title: Moby Dick Author: Herman Melville Publisher: Bendon Number of Pages: 181 Type of Book: Fiction, Classic Age: 8+ Available here and here. Price: N580 MY SUMMARY Described by the author as the “greatest sea yarn since Jonah,” it’s a tale about a young man, Ishmael who decided to join a whaling ship on a three-year expedition that became […]
Write to Win! The Etisalat Prize for Literature (Flash Fiction)
Love writing? The annual Etisalat Prize for Literature competition is calling for Flash Fiction submissions between September 21st to October 19th, 2015. Budding and established writers across Africa are invited to participate for a chance to win a cash prize of £1,000, a high-end device and the promotion of their published e-books. Etisalat Prize for […]
2Face Set to Release His First Book
Fans of Nigerian singing sensation, Innocent “2Face” Idibia are counting down to the release of his exclusive biography, A Very Good Bad Guy: The Story of Innocent Idibia. It will be launched on Friday, September 18. The publisher, Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) officially announced the book’s release yesterday on its online platform. It will feature several interviews […]
Website Review: LeanHub Library
LeanHub Library is a website designed for the sole purpose of providing information about its library, located at Lekki and its conducive ambience for readers to study. Upon arriving at the website, the first thing you will notice is its simplicity, and its beautiful design and graphics. I personally love the fact that one can easily find the […]
10 Great Books That Will Change Your Life
Sometimes it’s a lecture. Sometimes it’s a particular teacher’s words. Sometimes it’s a lesson from a parent or a friend or even a life experience that explodes your conception of what’s possible in the world or what’s possible in you. And sometimes it’s a book (or ten) that changes how you think forever. Speaking from […]
Nigerian Set to Publish the World’s Largest Novel
Meet Yahaya Baruwa, a 27-year old Nigerian-Canadian and bestselling author. He’s set to print the world’s largest novel, with the help of TLA Graphics, Canada and is asking for public support as he begins this Guinness World Record breaking project. The project was inspired by Yahaya’s passion for inspiring young people to go for their […]
Pop Culture: The Rise of Apps in Nigeria
Do you have an app on your phone? Almost everyone has an app these days. The young man who helped build the Connect Nigeria portal is also the developer of the app ‘The Nigerian Constitution’ and he got 10,000 downloads within 72 hours. The reality of this season is that Nigerians, particularly young Nigerians, have great […]
5 Tips to Help You Read More This Year
If you want to hide a secret from a Nigerian, hide it in a book. – Anonymous To read effectively and enjoy the process requires time; time some people cannot seem to create. So I am writing this for that reader and lover of books who has little to no time for reading anymore because […]
Great Reads: Top 5 Books You Should Read For The Weekend
I know, I know. There’s no way you can read 5 books in a weekend, especially if you have chores and responsibilities lined up waiting to consume your weekend. Reading is a good way to spend your time; you are using your time productively, learning, as well as enjoying yourself all at the same […]
Nigerians Share: Books That Have Changed My Life
I recently read Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series, and followers of my blog already know that it changed my life. I decided to ask some Nigerians about the books that have changed their lives. The bookworms were quick to answer, and with great enthusiasm. ‘My earliest memory of myself is lying down on […]