I am currently reading Jake and Summer’s story and here’s something to keep you busy over the weekend…a short sweet romance, something about chance encounters that create room for better opportunities.
![Peaceful Pines (The Pines Book One) by [Harper, Crystal]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41fMlONbckL.jpg)
Get a copy on: Amazon
Tag: books to read
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It’s a calm Saturday for me and this weather calls for staying indoors and reading a book or two as I drink from a bottomless coffee mug. So, what have I been up to? A little bit of this and that is what I’d say, so here’s a summary of my weekend in ten points.
One: I have written 10,000 words for NanoWrimo. This is my fourth year as a participant and somehow I find myself relaxed and unmoved by the desire to meet the target. We’ll see how it goes.
Two: I just checked my Netgalley dashboard and I’ve got 22 books to read. So, I hope I can finish them by 14th December, then take a break from reviewing books.
Three: I am looking forward to reading 4 titles by Wednesday.
Four: I can’t stop listening to:
- Valentine by Hillsong Worship
- So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong Worship
Five: I’ve been dancing to this song this week every time I pass by the mirror, it’s so weird, but I guess by now I am officially weird.
Six: I received some insightful feedback on my book Fire, this week and I was too excited I bumped my knee on the table.
Seven: I’ve been off dairy products for thirteen days now and my Mom’s worried that my caffeine intake would probably be detrimental to my health because (a) she does not understand why I drink coffee before I go to bed and can sleep peacefully and (b) she does not get why I wake up at 4am to write. However she is glad that I do not wake up at 2am anymore.
Eight: I am loving these blogs:
Nine: I’ve been reading The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell and is it just me but once you read one of his books you want to read all of his works? I only felt that with Chinua Achebe and Khaled Hosseini.
Ten: I’m dreading doing laundry. So, I end this post right here and go and make another pot of coffee.
Have a lovely weekend.
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Hello Friday! I have been looking forward to this day for two reasons:
- I finally get to share the second issue of Nilichoandika magazine.
- I can sit back and work on the draft I’ve written this week.
Writing has been a thrill, but what’s been better has been listening to new music albums and reading books. I haven’t stopped listening to three albums:
- Selfocracy by Loic Nottet
- Only Human by Calum Scott
- Piece by Piece by Kelly Clarkson
I have indulged some awesome books this week and from a funeral director, to an Assistant District Attorney, a well renowned Pastor, let’s just say that my week’s bee interesting.
Here’s to a lovely weekend and as I raved on about earlier, grab your free copy of the second issue of the magazine. Nilichoandika
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Hello, how’s your Saturday coming along? If you are like me you are probably lounging with a cup of tea or looking forward to a relaxing day, but chances are you are not. In fact, you may be at work thinking why?
- It’s been quite a ride. November was really kind to me, because well, I aced NanoWrimo and now I’ve had back to back editing sessions with Prof and you know most of the time he wants to hit me over the head with pages of my manuscript!
- I also read some very good books in November.
This month has started on quite a high, but not the positive one, because I’ve had a recurring fever and headache that’s left me feeling unsteady. It doesn’t help that I started my reading list by picking up this book that shattered my heart!
Lale’s account of the cruelty and torture they suffered at the hand of the Germans in a concentration camp reminded me of the horrific accounts I’ve read, heard and seen of the World Wars I & II. (Read his Obituary here, get the book- here)Since I am on medication and recommended bed rest (that I’ve disregarded) I’m looking forward to reading less books this month due to more work commitments. Here are the few titles that are on my to-read list:
Which books are you looking forward to reading this month?
Have a great weekend!
T.M.I
Currently drinking: tea
Listening to: Particula by Major Lazer & DJ Maphorisa ft. Nasty C, Jidenna, Ice Prince and Patoranking
Currently reading: Unspoken and turns out Peaches does understand and can relate to what the author says.
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Saturday’s here and I am all for staying in bed and listening to Bryson Tiller’s Trap Soul, but that’s for another time.
I’ve been doing less writing and more reading.
On my to-read list today are:
- The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett: Having been booked to give a talk at Fethering Library, successful author Burton St Clair invites his old friend Jude to come along. Although they haven’t met for twenty years, Jude is not surprised to find that St Clair hasn’t changed, with his towering ego and somewhat shaky relationship with the truth. What Jude hadn’t been suspecting however was that the evening would end in sudden, violent death.
More worrying, from Jude’s point of view, is the fact that the investigating police officers seem to be convinced that she herself was responsible for the crime. With the evidence stacking up against her, Jude enlists the help of her neighbour Carole not just to solve the murder but to prevent herself from being arrested for committing it.
China Girl by Ho Lin: In its nine tales, China Girl documents the collisions between East and West, the power of myth and the burden of history, and loves lost and almost found. The stories in this collection encompass everything from contemporary vignettes about urban life to fable-like musings on memories and the art of storytelling. Wide-ranging and playful, China Girl is a journey into today’s Asia as well as an Asia of the imagination.
They Know Not What They Do by Jussi Valtonen: Joe Chayefski has got what he always wanted: a reputation as one of America’s top neuroscientists, a beautiful wife and two perfect daughters. But his carefully created idyll is threatened when his Baltimore neuroscience lab is targeted by animal rights activists. The attack is followed by a phone call from Joe’s ex-wife in Finland. Two decades have passed since he abandoned Alina and their young son, Samuel, returning to America to advance his career. Now Samuel is somewhere in the States, and Alina fears he is looking for revenge. As Joe struggles to protect his new family from the increasing threat of violence – and to save his eldest daughter from the clutches of an unscrupulous tech company – he is forced to reconsider his priorities and take drastic action to save those he loves.
Which book/s are you looking forward to reading this weekend?
Have a lovely day 🙂
- The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett: Having been booked to give a talk at Fethering Library, successful author Burton St Clair invites his old friend Jude to come along. Although they haven’t met for twenty years, Jude is not surprised to find that St Clair hasn’t changed, with his towering ego and somewhat shaky relationship with the truth. What Jude hadn’t been suspecting however was that the evening would end in sudden, violent death.
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There is a Malian proverb that goes, “You will never drown where you always take a bath.”
I am looking forward to reading some awesome books that I bought from Nakumatt’s #BooksFirst yesterday. I’m dreading their shut down because my life and my bookshelves have been kept ablaze with the books I bought from their store. For August, I am looking at these four titles:
- Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert
- The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens
- Shadow Fever by Karen Marie Moning
- Alexander (Book Two; The Sands of Ammon) by Valerio Massimo Manfredi
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I suck at headlines. Let’s just get that out of the way before we get into what I’d love to share now.
It’s been a difficult week for me. I have been through emotional wrecks that I could not summon the strength to write about them. On the plus side, I have managed to stick to my journal writing even if we are talking about the phrase ‘good night Jodie.’
I call my journal, ‘Jodie,’ and she’s a pretty good listener, always willing to soak up ink, tears and stickers…like the bubblegum wrappers that I have been collecting over the years.
So, amidst my turmoil, my friend, totally high on a mixture of drinks tells me, “you know, for a Counselor, you really need a Therapist, just find out where you stand, like for me, I’m wasted, but I know I am standing outside waiting for a tuk tuk with you…sindiyo!”
I nodded and helped her get into the tuk tuk, saw her home and tucked her into bed before getting home wondering just how right she was. I was in the midst of chaos and all I needed was some solid ground. I had to figure out where I stood…and of course, being a worrier, the why? would come rushing immediately after.
- I get up every day and report to work.
- I get to post on this blog, as often as I feel like it.
- The Crown of the Sea is finally out, and I have started on the project that I needed to, delving into a book that’s long overdue.
- Finally done with my medication, and trust me 6 months of medication to clear your lungs is a chore! Bonus points include: Gaining 3kgs and some —.
- Got the bright colored pencils and sharpener I yearned for. Uchumi may be sinking but bless them for stocking some unique stationery for me 🙂
- My family’s safe and everyone is doing what they can under their own spotlight. The nephew’s taller and more curious, can you believe he asked me when I am going to have a baby of my own? Like seriously Arch, when are you going to have someone call you mummy? (You should have seen my younger sister choke on her juice, and she never chokes!)
- Mom’s getting that MA in Literature and I am so asking her to get that PhD! Love her…now you know where my love for books hails from!
- There’s this book…that is giving me the feels right about now…Love Comes Later by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar
![Love Comes Later by [Rajakumar, Mohanalakshmi]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iye-InSuL.jpg)
- Setting up a social entrepreneurship project is tough as walking backwards downhill! I am learning the ins and out of customer service and planning….it is taking a toll on me.
- Fitness is not that scoop of ice-cream, even though I could use some Blueberry ice-cream right about now, I am slowly regretting taking up a bet with Eve on fitness.
- Got my eye on the road…and when I take off, you’ll get all the updates.
- It’s great to try out a variety of body products because there is something about Neem, it smells not as great as I’d hoped it would, but it’s alright I guess…and what would I do without the Diva soap!
So, where do I stand? I reckon it’s here, but on emotional well being, I am still a little bit fuzzy. I am glad that I am writing and that in between the books I get to sit down and read some great works that inspire me to do even better.
Happy #LabourDay and do have a wonderful week!
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I am officially a year older! Well, March is my birthday month and I was looking forward to having a nice laid back fun day spent at Java, sipping coffee and eating chocolate fudge cake. Well, that’s what I thought I would do, when I posted this.
The truth is, my birthday landed on a working day and I stayed up till 1:00am getting things done.
I woke up on Thursday feeling out of sorts because the first song I came across my playlist was Stay With Me by Sam Smith and I wasn’t in the mood for feeling blue.
So, I walk into the office all blue and moody and grouchy and “I don’t want to talk to anybody” mood written all over my face when my Supervisor says, “Listen, you and I are going to Java today to get coffee and cake! Alright?”
Now, Heaven is in my face and I say “Alright,” and that was the beginning of a fun day…well, at least for a couple of hours because work had to be done, reports and emails had to be read, proofed, edited and sent.
The highlights of my week had to be:
- Learning that I am aging quite gracefully and my baby cheeks are still on point.
- Understanding that life goes on because it should never stop, and whenever I want the world to stop for me, it will sprint instead!
- Love is…
- Getting an awesome Thermos Flask from my Mom because she knows I could use some coffee while at work, and besides she is worried sick that I am starting to lose weight again.
- Getting a copy of Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie from my sister 🙂
- Getting 4 awesome books to read.
- Celebrating International Women’s Day and appreciating the fact that the world is working towards gender equality because women’s rights are human rights, and this journey will take a lot of effort and time.
Books I’m looking forward to reading! -
September is pretty low key for me seeing as I’ve not bought any new books, but with a few still on my to-read list,I am hopeful. I’d be reading The Fountainhead for the eighth time because I am embarking on a solo project and need Roark’s guts.
Which books are you looking forward to reading this month? Any recommendations? -
- Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
- The Sorrows of an American by Siri Hustvedt (I loved her other book, “What I loved,” and it was because of that warm nostalgic feeling that I was happy to receive this book.)
- The Harmony Silk Factory by Tash Aw
- The Laments by George Hagen (I have never heard of Mr. Hagen or read his books and this is a first experience that I hope would make my August reading experience memorable.)
- Arena of Assassins by Colin De Silva.
Which books are you looking forward to reading this August?
nilichoandika 