ADEREMI'S NOTEBOOK

— A short story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was featured in the FT over the weekend. (PDF). #

How to read (4)

I know this used to be a problem for me. Trying really hard to read the Socratic dialogues for example. I found I had no interest in it. I couldn’t agree more with Nick Hornby’s “How to read”;

I would never attempt to dissuade anyone from reading a book. But please, if you’re reading a book that’s killing you, put it down and read something else, just as you would reach for the remote if you weren’t enjoying a television programme.

Your failure to enjoy a highly rated novel doesn’t mean you’re dim…

It doesn’t matter. All I know is that you can get very little from a book that is making you weep with the effort of reading it. You won’t remember it, and you’ll learn nothing from it

Not enjoying a book, drop the book and pick up the next one! (via Rebecca’s pocket)

— Amit Chaudhuri on constantly mishearing ‘rioting’ as ‘writing’ on the BBC. via Modal minority #

Cassava Republic (2)

Today I came across Cassava Republic (run by Bibi and Jeremy), a new publishing house promoting and providing quality fiction (and some select non-fiction) to the Nigerian and West African market. The main aim is to provide access to affordable books in the region. This really sounds good. If you are a writer or have a manuscript to publish, I recommend you start a dialogue with Cassava Republic.

Also very pleased to see Teju Cole will be publishing his new book, The Return, after reading his amazing blog earlier this year.

I finished reading Graceland by Chris Abani. A reminder of how much of American culture Nigeria has embraced.

— Agbada: an essay on the power of cloth; Worth a read. (3)

— How to write about Africa, “Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your book, or in it, unless that African has won the Nobel Prize…Your African characters may include naked warriors” (via MW) #

Lagos: A City at Work (0)

I found the book, “Lagos: A City at Work” at Terra Kulture, whilst attending a poetry reading session during my recent trip. I forgot about my little discovery until I saw this detailed review by Ayodeji Lawal at Lagos live.

It is shame the editors choose not to feature a few pictures to illustrate their work on book’s website. The review however covers the book extensively, so you know what to expect

He [Odia Ofeimun] details the failures of the Lagos Masterplans of 1974-81 and 1980-2000 – arguing that age-old conflicts between Federal and State government need to be brokered once and for all.
…
Without doubt, this book is, as the cliché goes, a landmark achievement. Kunle Tejuoso and Weyinmi Atigbi should be given a flagon of palm wine each, in gratitude
…
As stated above, a city without structure could be said to deserve a book without structure; however, this recommendation can only go so far. A bit like Third Mainland Bridge, this structure is not strong enough to keep the whole thing together.

The book also has a dvd produced by Lanre Lawal, the award winning designer. Orders can be placed on the website.

The next mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to create a photolog/web version of “Lagos: A City at Work”.

Nigerians and Books (0)

Do Nigerians read? Molara Wood reports that last year there was an appeal to compile the Best Books of 2004: readers’ choice (after successfully putting together Best Books of 2004: Writer’s Choices) in a national newspaper. However only 5 people responded to the national campaign. Currently Nigeria has a population of over 120million people with 68% literacy. Drop the literacy level to 35% and we still don’t have an excuse.

This year, she hopes to attract more people to contribute to Reader’s Best Books of 2005 particularly from the Nigerian blogsphere. The best 25 contributions will be published in a national newspaper in Nigeria and best of the rest will be published on her personal blog. Make sure your send your contributions in by December 15.

The Beautiful Ones are not yet Born (10)

I knew I would see this day. After having some forced book reading sessions back in secondary school, I have finally started reading books again. Perhaps the situation returned due to the compelling boredom at Lewisham.

I finally read The Beautyful Ones are not yet Born by Ayi Kwei Armah which Mr Essang seemed to reference consistently in literature class (thinking about it, was Mr Essang a Ghanaian? answers on a postcard please).

The book set in 1960s Ghana is about the Man who refuses to join in on all the corruption happening around him. The book is very detailed in its descriptions which at times made it hard to read but nevertheless it was joyous with all its subtle humor. Notice the way beautyful is spelt. The title of book comes from the back of the bus whose conductor has just bribed a police officer.

— The Personal MBA 40; Who needs a business school? #