They say in this quarantine season we only have three types of days, yesterday, today and tomorrow. The days of the week are gone. One of the ways I am keeping sane is through reading. No, I am not reading pandemic or apocalyptic kind of books, I think that will be too anxiety-inducing at this time. The books I have read so far remind me of the complexity of human beings and our innate ability to survive the most difficult situations. Interestingly, April 23 was World Book Day, so in no particular order here are my favourite reads since lockdown began
J.M Coetzee, Disgrace
Disgrace is one of those books everyone seemed to have read. The book made me angry, and sad, it made me think and ask some important questions. Throughout the book, there is an on-going conversation on power. The power between the genders, power between the races. And it is written in beautiful uncomplicated prose.
Jennifer Egan, Manchester Beach
This book reminded there was a time when all the things I take for granted now, like my freedom to go to school and get a job was impossible. It reminded me to be grateful to the women who pushed for things in the past. Manchester Beach was set in pre 2nd world war America, and one interesting fact is that it has a Nigerian character. The author did their due diligence to that Nigerian character.
Jamaica Kincaid, Lucy
As a first daughter from a Nigerian home, I could totally relate with the friction between Lucy and her mother. This book is an exploration of what that relationship could be like because of colonialism and capitalism working together. Lucy is like a commentary on feminism from the lenses of different women in different stages of their lives.
Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger
This book will make you laugh, and then you will cry, but you will laugh again. It is a satire on post-colonial India. From this book, there is no doubt that Nigeria is a lot like India, we are battling the same issues of corruption and inefficient government while soaking in as much western values as possible.
Tayari Jones, An American Marriage
There was a lot of hype around this book, and after reading all I can say is that the book isn’t even hyped enough. I don’t want to say much but this is a book everyone should read. Human relations are so complex. The random inconsequential thing you did yesterday could be the marker for the rest of your life.
I 100% recommend these books. If you are not sure what to read, add them to your reading list!