Perfect Blemish

I sometimes make jokes about how trying to get out of my head and make more friends ruined my urge to read constantly. If I’m being honest, there is some truth to that.

Growing up, I was almost always with a book. Everywhere. At the dining table, in class, during breaks, at family gatherings, any little chance I could squeeze in some reading time. I could read 4 big books a week, and still, feel unsatiated. But now, as an adult, finishing a book has become quite tasking. Now, I don’t know if being saddled with 3-5 books to finish as school work in high school and tertiary has contributed (probably), but I do really wanna get back to that period. I want to enjoy taking up a book as much as I did as a kid.

One of my resolutions for 2022 was to read at least one book each month. Not just reading, but actually ensuring I finish the books, as much as possible. Now, 6 months into the year and I’ve not been entirely true to it. However, I’m still sharing what I’ve read into the year so far…

MY 2022 BOOKLIST

In keeping with my goal to read more in the second half of 2022, I thought I’d share my journey with you, along with quick ratings, as I read each book. I’m planning on reading before bed as part of my nightly routine and also getting a new Kindle that I can take everywhere, especially during commutes or before meetings. I’m also going to take my virtual book club seriously.

I don’t have a reading list exactly, I’m relying heavily on book reviews on Goodreads, Booktok recommendations, and book suggestions from my book club. This is my ongoing list!

THE ENERGY BUS: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy

I chose this book from my work library and thought “oh, I need a lot of energy recently. Maybe this might help.”

The book is just painful. Business fable books – fairy tales for the cubicle world – are the latest thing managers are passing around, and they are just plain bad.

Apparently meant to lance universal truths into our souls through folksy tales written with a child-like level by a motivational speaker. These little tales, tagged “parables” and an alluring to God suggests that this book is a Christian novel, and probably not suitable for work where we have diverse people with multiple beliefs. The only thing I can hope for is that whoever bought this book did so without reading it, because if they did read it and found it so enlightening that they had to have it in the office for all to “enjoy”, I will be very disappointed.

The Energy Bus tells the story of a man whose life is going wrong at home and at work but who finds meaning and direction in the company of a bus driver named Joy. Joy’s solution is to amp up the positive energy and see what happens.

Although it is delivered in a pedestrian manner, the book has a positive message. Reading this book is like being beaten repeatedly over the head with metaphors. There isn’t much originality or motivation in the content. Most of the rules apply to life rather than the workplace.

NEARLY ALL THE MEN IN LAGOS ARE MAD
Like most people, I was introduced to this book because its absolutely hilarious opening line went a little viral on my Twitter feed.

Although I prefer full novels where I can dig into a fictional universe and fully escape into the characters, I do enjoy the occasional short story that’d leave me thinking about their short-lived lives.

As I read the stories, I found myself laughing through most of them – sensational and vulgar, with sex scenes that exceeded what I would expect from even romance novels. Toward the end of the collection, some of the stories seemed rushed and fell flat. The usual heterosexual shenanigans had become boring. Or perhaps I felt like I was reading a rather long “relationship” Twitter thread.

This is a relatively easy read – perfect if you’re getting back into reading – not bad, but not great. Still, I recommend it; not every book has to be thought-provoking, and it’s a good way to pass a few hours.

HIS ONLY WIFE
The first book I’ve read in the second half of 2022 and I’m pretty excited about it.
I started reading this book after a heated work meeting, and the calming chaos was welcomed.

“She’s a woman who you don’t like because she does as she pleases.”

Among family drama, expectations, and marriage, a modern woman discovers her own sense of purpose in Ghana. This is the most conflicted I’ve ever been about a book. In spite of enjoying many parts of the book, I found many parts of the plot extremely uncomfortable. The reality may not be the same for all women in Ghana, but it was a wake-up call for me.

For me, it was challenging to really get to know any of the characters since some of them were a tad trope-like, which is fine with me because I don’t mind but they never really broke through their shells. I found Afi’s youthful naiveté difficult to deal with. Considering that she had entered into the relationship aware there would be another woman involved, I found it difficult to “buy” the deep-seated love between her and Eli. It was slightly disconcerting later when she came into the “polygamous” relationship as a later entrant, making it seem as though she was being cheated on.

There was a lot of repetition in this book. Details, details, and more details – without really adding anything to the story – were excessively long in the descriptions. Whenever the juicy bits came along, like love, lust, or other women’s drama, it was a delight. Between there and there, everything just seemed like a snooze. Not the most enjoyable, but a good read.

MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER
Clever novel about two sisters, one of whom is a serial killer, the other the resentful, yearning enabler. The satirical bent works really well here because it walks that fine line of being, given the contretemps, entirely plausible. Interesting observations about social media, men and what they want, and women who see right through them. Well worth a read.

This is a super short, fast-paced novel, and you can finish it within 24 hours as I did. However, due to its length and pacing, there really is no opportunity for complex characterization.

Is it a thriller? Not so much. What it is though, is a chilling story of two sisters: a very pretty serial killer (who’s also the perfect black widow), and a makeshift forensic cleaner who would do anything to protect her.

In retrospect, I think although Korede portrays this wholesome loyalty and love for her stunning sister, Ayoola, it looks to me as though she’s somewhat helping her to make herself feel good. She judges Ayoola, though not outwardly, and likes that she depends on her. She somehow encourages her behavior, despite her “outrage” because it does feel good to have someone as stunning who could have anyone do her bidding and rely solely on her. She lavishes it, and this is why she throws Tade under the bus.

The Nigerian setting and culture, the characters, and the humor were enjoyable. If you enjoy satire, then this book is for you. It is a fast-paced and thoroughly engaging read that kept me bopping back-n-forth for hours. Looking forward to reading more works by this author.

CHILDREN OF VIRTUE AND VENGEANCE
Unfortunately, this book didn’t live up to the sequel standard I had in mind.

It definitely did get boring for me at a point. Dropped it to finish my second read, picked it up, and dropped it a couple of times and still struggling to finish it.

But but but – would you just look at this cover!?

Let me just say this though, I struggled so much reading this book that eventually I dropped it and started reading something else. The start seemed really promising but as the plot progressed, it just fizzled. It’s just not for me but mama didn’t raise no quitter so I’m gonna try to finish it before the year ends. I think I might get disappointed with the ending, but also willing to take that risk.

These are a few of the books I’m looking forward to reading still:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes
The Trial by Franz Kafka
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

©Asiedua Yeboah