I've finished reading The Spider King's Daughter

OH my goodness!!! I finished reading Chibundu Onuzo's The Spider King's Daughter. I  didn't want the novel to end as I powered through it in a day and a half (with of course, a trillion other commitments...wink!)

I haven't reviewed the novel yet, as I need few days to digest the memorable characters, unique setting and brilliiiiiaaannt plot.

So what will I read next? I picked up Jagua Nana by Cyprian Ekwensi from my library. The title brings back memories of my secondary school days, not that I'm old or anything...anyway moving on...I first read this book when a senior prefect punished me for sleeping during 'prep'. Rather than join my mates for our house sports, she sent me to the library to arrange books on the shelves. That's when I started to read this book. I  did not finish it that same day but made sure I was sent to the library (for other reasons) to complete it...haha. That, anyway, was also the start to my passion for reading... another story for another day.

Words (A Poem by Kate Iffy Chukwu)

 

 

I was afraid of words

then you made me afraid

your words stabbed into my chest

like a double - edged sword

wounding my inner soul

and splitting my flesh

your words gushed liked a river

following its slope with no feelings

towards what it destroyed

your words made me feel

like a tree bent low from the heat

of the sun but i said nothing.

I knew there was power in silence

healing in silence yet i was broken...

in silence

I was afraid of words

then you made me afraid

but when you left with your charm,

arrogance, My money, you left

with your words.

i began to read

words that inspired me

write words that inspired me

from my heart torn apart by your words

which became my life, my strength, now

i know there is power in words

healing in words

and life in words

words make me feel like a tree

renewed from the rays of the sun

a tree that stands tall after a heavy storm

words kind of remind me of a little bird

which learns to flap its wings

it doesn’t matter where

or how high but someday

that little bird will fly

Kate Iffy@ October 2012

Stigma from the Past (A Very Short Book Review )

Stigma from the Past is a novel written by Anuli Ausbeth-Ajagu. It tells the story of Mercy, a kind and caring nun, who decides to leave the convent and start a different life in her hometown. She soon realises that she has to deal with pain, harassment, loneliness, blackmail, gender prejudice, fear and the stigma from her past. However, Mercy is determined and hardworking and seeks to deal with what life has thrown at her. This is a beautiful story set between two African countries: Ghana and Nigeria. The characters are very believable and this can be seen in their actions and the way they speak. The plot is gripping, filled with twists, suspense and mystery. The novel has a lot of ‘big grammar’ that a dictionary would be needed to explain some of the words. The picture on the front cover is captivating. The chapters are short and encouraging. The author does a brilliant job in building up suspense in most scenes and adding inspirational messages here and there. Yet I wanted to read more about Mercy’s life as a university student. I also wished the author didn’t give much away in the blurb of the novel. The suspense would have been even greater. All in all, it is a great read that will leave you wanting more. Kate Iffy