69

Or, A Lover, not A Fighter

Reader,

My first impulse was to subtitle this “Nice” but this is a classy establishment &c so we’re going with something soft which also happens to be my current Twitter name until I find another. Though I must admit I am fighting the urge to borrow piles of books because I end up feeling overwhelmed but the self that borrows them has a strong narrative about finishing every title and not having to extend loans hahaha how’s that going Michael. Just to keep me accountable, I’m aiming for a maximum 10 digital loans excluding magazines (down from a maximum 20 in audio and digital books) now that I have 2 IRL library memberships going (KNLS & The Bookworm Gigiri) which lend me 2 books apiece.

On the topic of KNLS: Saturday’s event was quite a delight. It was lovely being surrounded by fellow readers and spending time with the homies afterwards. As with a lot of things, there were some highlights, some lowlights and some cringe but it was great to try something and actually pull off the cake eating ceremony. Many thanks to everyone who sent kind thoughts, who showed up, and especially the Party Planning Committee (Maureen & YB).

On Saturday, I found myself drawing on the nice new sketchpad YB got me (250gsm, what luxury!) because I was nervous, as you may recall. But it also reminded me of the joy there is to be had in spending time with oneself, even in a group. And how much better to do it as a matter of course. So today I signed up for Nature Kenya membership for those times one wants to be in nature or in a museum after reading this post and a recent reminder to do it fat after I realised how I’ve been putting off joy as I wait to have no rolls, no pot belly.

Quick news/ things that may be of interest:

• Wanjeri’s Mengi Mengi Film Club screens films on 25th March from 1pm. I’m excited!

• The TBC Book Club x Spoken Word mash-up event happens on the same day at Java Junction. Details here (you might just be able to swing both events!). 

• There’s a 3 month exhibition on the life of Pio Gama Pinto, part of the Samosa Festival, currently up at the Nairobi Gallery. Details here. (Its opening is what spurred me to sign up for Nature Kenya membership so I’d be able to revisit, and visit other National Museums of Kenya sites)

• I have been listening to deadline classical music on YouTube (this & this) as my work week comes to an end

• I have a new address: you can send me books, postcards, letters, and assorted gifts via PO Box 102439, Jamia Posta 00101, Nairobi, Kenya

I have finished seven books since I last wrote, reviews forthcoming - hybrid reads of Maame by Jessica George (narrated by Babajide Oyekunle & Ore Apampa) and The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell (narrated by Dan Bittner & Imani Jade Powers) as well as Big Swiss by Jen Beagin (narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Carlotta Brentan, Stephen Graybill, Joy Osmanski & Matt Pittenger), The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson (narrated by Gabrielle de Cuir), Unruly Saint: Dorothy Day's Radical Vision and Its Challenge for Our Times by D.L. Mayfield (narrated by Sarah Zimmerman), I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon. I spoke about my reads in the first 10 days of March 2023 on YouTube - watch it here.

As ever, please write back to me and tell me what books you’re reading or looking forward to reading — it’s always a great time talking about books.

Enjoy the rest of the week and have a lovely time reading. Talk to you soon!