88
Or, Unseasonably warm
Reader,
This week's edition is all vibes and, seeing as there were just so many, it'll be short.
I bought a comic book at its launch yesterday and had a strangely pleasant moment of walking in and realising I knew one of the panellists from college. Now, one could argue that Nairobi is a tiny city and that's going to happen sometimes but anyway… I was so glad to see him I stayed for the book signing to say hello. I love such days. Huge thanks to Sharon A. for suggesting that we go to the launch.
Yesterday also saw me get not one, but two, postcards when I went to check the mail; one from a reader of this newsletter. It was a lovely way to start my time in the CBD which included the aforementioned book launch and the Miyazaki Film Club meeting where we discussed Spirited Away (2001).
Today saw me miss a picnic to discuss Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi due to a family trip out of town. Instead, I got to meet old and young relatives and experience all that comes with being with people one is related to. That I'm writing this as I have a solo dinner at a chain restaurant probably means something but I'll go with, as a friend says, "I eat everyday."
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Triathlon Dreams
I need to get a movement routine that's not tied to these lofty goals, per my doctor (not her words) so please send suggestions for a week in which I hope to restart my Couch to 5K practice.
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A book request, in light of the fact that I'm unpartnered (we know, Maiko! You don’t let us forget! OK then, match-make me so I can be quiet 😜) and crave intimacy — please suggest books that delve into aloneness, loneliness, and the sort of community building that feeds the world and the self.
Quick news/ things that may be of interest:
Showing till the 5th of August: [BODY] by Arafa C. Hamadi at TAAT Space
Happening at Circle Art Gallery: Antifragile, a group show featuring a few faves
At Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute: Common Ground, also featuring some faves
Over on Twitter, a weekly library TBR thread; if you’d like to know what titles to expect in the read books section
Dracula Daily, which I mentioned in a past entry, continues apace. Jump on if you’re keen
You can send me books, postcards, letters, and assorted gifts via PO Box 102439, Jamia Posta 00101, Nairobi, Kenya
I have finished five books since I last wrote - hybrid reads of They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers (narrated by Allyson Johnson), All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson (narrated by the author), and Against White Feminism: Notes on Disruption by Rafia Zakaria (narrated by Ulka Simone Mohanty), the e-book edition of A Living Remedy: A Memoir by Nicole Chung and the audiobook edition of We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian (read by Suehyla El-Attar). My latest video is a book haul from Q1 (you can watch it here). To catch the videos I’m working on when they’re done, subscribe to the channel if you haven’t yet!
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 week ahead and have a lovely time reading. Talk to you soon!