A-Z Bookish Questions

I`m an avid reader and since blogs became a hit,I`m a regular on certain blog sites. I found out about the A-Z Bookish Questions on https://joseyphina.wordpress.com/2019/10/14/bookish-tag-my-world-of-reading/ who got it from Elgeewrites.com https://elgeewrites.com/tag-a-z-bookish-questions/

As a bookworm,I had to jump on this ship and here we are,sail with me.

1.Author you’ve read the most books from:

Goretti Kyomuhendo & Francine Rivers. This year alone I`ve read books by Okey Ndibe ,Emma Hart and Brenda Jackson

 2.Best Sequel Ever:

Granger series by Brenda Jackson

Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling .She created a world that I got lost in.

Twilight series by  Stephenie Meyer

3.Currently Reading:

Deserted by Bob G. Kisiki

4.Drink of Choice While Reading:

Water and I snack too.

4.E-reader or Physical Book?

I`ve had to adjust to E-reader but a physical book is bae any day.

5.Fictional character you probably would have actually dated in High School:

Hosea in Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

6.Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Unbowed: A memoir by Wangari Maathai

 7.Hidden Gem Book:

Confessions of A slot machine Queen by Sandra Adell and Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

8.Important Moment in your Reading Life:

When I connect with the characters in the book or the plot of the story.

9.Just Finished:

Strength of Character by Joseph Kabuleta

10.Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Sci-fi. There I said it.

11.Longest Book You’ve Read:

15 Invaluable laws of Growth by John C.Maxwell. It`s very practical and you can`t rush it.

12.Major book hangover because of:

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma

Stay with Me by Abayomi Adebayo

13.Number of Bookcases You Own:

 Does a suit case full of books count?

14.One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

B-I-B-L-E because you have to read your bible and pray everyday. lol

15.Preferred Place to Read:

My bed because I need a comfortable spot to read a good book.

16.Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“A story that must be told never forgives silence”- Arrows of Rain,Okey Ndibe

17.Reading Regret:

I can`t put a finger on any book.

18.Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series):

None that come to mind.

19.Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody

I Dared to Call him Father by Bilquis Sheikh

20.Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Francine Rivers

21.Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and Goretti Kyomuhendo`s new novels.

22.Worst Bookish Habit:

I`m a greedy reader. I won`t stop until I finish a good book.

I give my books doggy ears. But I`m trying to rectify this by collecting as many bookmarks as possible.

23.X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

 No bookshelf

24.Your latest book purchase:

Arrows of Rain,Foreign gods Inc and Never Look An American in the Eye .All by Okey Ndibe

25.ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late)

 Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo (I highly recommend this book)

26. Books you recommend (my won addition)

All books listed above and some…

Travelers by Helon Habila

First Daughter, Secrets No More and Waiting By Goretti Kyomuhendo

Kintu and Manchester Happened by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi`s wives by Lola Shoneyin

PS; My recommendation list could get to 300+ but start with these and you shall find your way.

What do you think about my answers? Comment below with your worst bookish habit and recommend a book.

 

Racheal Kizza 2019

 

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Taking Stock 11

Making: Plans. I’m a planner to the dot and I love it.

Eating: nothing special in particular.

Drinking: lots of rosemary tea.

Reading: Travelers by Helon Habila .Ps. He will be at Writivism from August,15th-August,18th at the National theatre.

Wanting: to scream and a gateaway .

Playing: music and sermons all day. My earphones have been loyal.😂😂

Wasting:no time on negative people in my life & social timelines.

Creating: time to read.

Wishing: for quick results in everything

Enjoying : books and more books. I have read 7 books this month👏👏👏

Wondering: why my sort of personality won’t allow me to be quiet in a corner when I get into a place. 😂😂😥😥

Loving: spiritual things.

Hoping:for a shift

Marveling: at spiritual things.

Smelling: mum’s body spray -cherry blossom

Wearing:my natural hair out

Following: Rabbi Daniel Malinga. His fellowship happens every Friday at 6:00pm at Silver Springs hotel, Bugolobi. He is a teacher of the word and I’m happy to learn from him always.

Noticing:how my natural hair is loving the Nissi hair products.

Knowing: that you can’t criticize what you’re not doing. Period.

Bookmarking: a particular quote from a friend, “Trust God with people and their processes. ”

Feeling: I can’t put it into words.

Shift in August,

Love on Love

Kizza❤️

©RachealKizza 2019

Taking Stock Seven

Making: more time for my thoughts

Eating: All manner of things but I tried out this yogurt at Yogusserie two days ago and I loved it.

Drinking: Chai mukalu with no sugar. Real mukalu😂 because I like it like that.

Reading: All Louise Bay novels. Though now that March is here, I am getting off this adrenaline rush.

Wanting:To attend Royal sisterhood at Worship Harvest Naalya. Some of the speakers are Moses Mukisa, Beatrice Byemanzi & wait for it, Eunice Adubango.

Playing: wide as the sky, a song by Matt Redman

Wasting: no time in pity parties.

Creating:content that makes me happy

Wishing: for Lebanese food. As I read I am Mathob, she spoke of Lebanese food as being so delicious and how every must try it out. Being a foodie , I put it on my to do list(recommend places in Ug)

Enjoying: reading books more than ever

Wondering: about Zambia. I want to go there for no reason.

Loving:my reading momentum. I have read over 10 books this month alone

Hoping: March brings me God’s very best

Marvelling: at how we think we are insignificant simply because we are focusing on people we feel are ‘significant’ because they have 1000 or a million plus likes on social media.

Smelling: oranges because I got the flue bug and oranges do the trick.

Wearing: my natural hair out

Following: Sarah Jakes Roberts, this lady is on a mission and her shine gives me light to shine.

Noticing: how we reap what we sow.

Knowing: that my besties and I will meet up in March(S and V this is me saying, I’mma hunt you down😂😂😂)

Bookmarking: quotes from I am Mathob by Mahtob Mahmoody (a must read for everyone)

Opening: up to memories from the past. Trying to understand them and me now. Is there a connection? 🤔🤔

Giggling: about my nephew’s reactions to being denied things he wants.

Feeling:happy, extremely happy. I need to learn contentment in March.

Happy March,

Love on Love

Kizza❤️

©Racheal Kizza 2019

Taking Stock Four

Making: more time for prayer

Eating:pages from my current reads

Drinking:hibiscus tea and water

Reading: What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey

Wanting: more books added to my library.

Playing:catch-up with a number of people who matter

Wasting: no time in speaking my mind

Creating:my world

Wishing: Worship Harvest Kibuye #LoveHasCome concert gets here sooner

Enjoying:real and mature conversations with my girlfriends.

Wondering:why people are so mean on the internet.

Loving:how God reminds me that I am on the right path

Hoping:for Muganzirwaza hall to be full to the brim on 13th December

Marvelling: at how,half the people I follow on IG are into radio,TV,mentoring,Mceeing & hosting.aaah,purpose

Smelling: a new scent a friend gave me

Wearing: light clothing because the current weather demands it

Following: Billy Chapata. This man speaks my mind and feelings.

Noticing: how I have grown to love photography. I have a new hobby y’all💃💃

Knowing: that the festive season is going to be lit

Bookmarking: quotes from Billy Chapata

Opening: up to myself. Learning to be vulnerable with me.Allowing my self to understand me, my pain, my worries, my feelings.They matter

Giggling: at my two nephews. They are my bundle of joy.My heart is full❤️❤️

Feeling:all grown up. What does this even mean?

Happy December,

Love on Love

Kizza❤️

©Racheal Kizza 2018

Book review 17:The Bell is ringing

Book title :The Bell is ringing

Subtitle:Martin Aliker’s story

Author :Martin Aliker with David Gibbs & Hugh Macmillan

Pages:251

Do you know what happens when you are next to an amazing photographer and have a great book? You`re right. An unplanned photo shoot happens😂😂😂. Slay queens mukikola muutya??Photo shoots are hard work.

I was introduced to this book by a one Benjamin Tumukunde ;who constantly recommends legit books.I sum this book up in one statement: Purpose = influence.

Martin Aliker is born in Acholi land to Lacito Okech in 1928,a prominent chief.As a son of a chief, he gets an opportunity to study at Kings school,Budo(now Kings college,Budo) a school for the royals and later joins Makerere University college -now Makerere University.

Because of his desire to travel to America for further studies,he goes to Need Munger and tells him, “Uganda needs trained people.I also mentioned that I enjoyed ,and was good at,science and that there was not one African dentist in the whole of Uganda.”

He gets into Northwestern University in Chicago which had the best African studies program in the US.He learns from the best in dentistry and later on meets,Camille, a black American woman.The two later get married and move to Uganda. They have four children together and have been married for 56 years.

He was so excited to come back home and practice but found archaic machines in the local hospital until he was advised to go into private practice. His private practice flourished and he was called upon to operate on Dr. Obote when he was shot in the mouth.

He grew in prominence ,it’s like God had ordained for him a path of influence. Heads of states knew him and top CEO’s wanted him to be on their boards.He was forced into exile in Kenya by Amin as a result of his chairmanship at the Uganda Argus-a local newspaper.He thrived in Nairobi and grew his dentistry in a foreign country.

He has a rich story,full of history seen through the eyes of a Ugandan. He speaks of all Ugandan presidents right from Kabaka Mutesa who on his opinion the only uncorrupt president to date because he had it all. Speaks of his growth from dentistry and later politics.

At one point,he was asked to be president but he turned down the offer .Museveni recruited him as a state minister for foreign affairs because of his diplomatic relations.He was sent to Libya to meet Gaddafi ,LRA to meet Kony and his men,UK,US on behalf of Uganda.

He ends the book with retrospection, comparing the Uganda then and the Uganda now. There are major differences,good ones at that and he exposes the gaps.

“I am a Ugandan who was alive and mature when this nation was born on 9th October 1962. It is not a perfect country ,but it is a beautiful country with mostly good people. It is the only country we call our own. Nobody can deport or expel us from this land of ours.”

I recommend this book to every Ugandan. You deserve to know the history of Uganda through the eyes of a Ugandan.You are guaranteed to learn so much about Uganda and the events that have transpired over the years e.g LRA rebel group, the untouchables, education,strong civil service,British colonial rule.

PS; Look at my hair mane.hihi

He brings the story home. This is Uganda’s book.

Photography :Jude Ochen

Book Review 16 : Half Of A Yellow Sun

Book : Half of A Yellow Sun

Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Pages: 433

Half of A Yellow Sun explores what transpired during the civil war between Nigeria-Biafra in the early 1960’s.

Photo courtesy: Acom Victoria

Odeningbo is the ‘revolutionary lover’ ,optimistic and opinionated about Nigeria and the world at large. He is highly educated and has a lover-Olanna,whose beauty is as rare as a gem and equally captivating. Both are educated from “abroad/overseas,” they are nearly not “African enough” until the civil war.

Their house boy Ugwu is the epitome of loyalty,he is ready to please his ‘sah’ and ‘mah’. He is woven intricately into their lives that not even the war can break that bond.

The barriers between servant and sah are not evident,sah puts Ugwu in school and opens him up to possibilities because he believes education is for all and gives one a future.

Olanna like many African women who are unable to conceive quickly as per the mother-in-law`s timeline ,faces the cold truth about ‘another woman.’ She discovers that her lover,impregnated a mere ‘village girl”.She can’t seem to get past her betrayal until her Aunt Ifeka tells her,”you must never behave as if your life belongs to a man.Your life belongs to you and you alone…”

The war changes every one even loyal Ugwu,he takes part in a gang rape of a bar girl and deep within he loathes himself . Olanna`s rich parents leave the country because they are afraid of the war but their children choose to stay.

Kainene and Richard. Kainene is Olanna’s twin sister who seemed unruffled by life’s happenings.She happened to life,life never happened to her.In her steel demeanor,she loves Richard-oyinbo-‘white man’ though she will not say it. She is like the master and he the mistress. She manages her rich father’s businesses and knows who to trade with.

Olanna betrays her in cold blood when she has sex with Richard. Both parties are guilty.Richard was blown away by Olanna`s beauty. Everyone referred to her as the beautiful one and Kainene as the plain one with a steel demeanor

. Kainene tells them both,”it’s unforgivable” and a cloth of unforgiveness envelopes her never to go off but the civil war causes the sisters to forgive each other.They had more conversation during the war than happier times. Olanna suddenly enjoyed her sister’s sarcasm and even laughed along.

Olanna finally had a confidant when it came to ‘should I keep the village girl’s baby”, Kainene seemed to think it’s Noble and Olanna kept the baby. She became a mother to baby and loved her so much that she would do anything for her even during the war.

Kainene unbothered,unruffled woman of steel cannot be found,even after the war is over. I personally screamed and almost threw my book away, how could Adichie end the book just like that.How?? Kainene, strong and unruffled by anything was never found and both Olanna and Richard were never the same.

This book is real, compassionate and insightful.

War in any form is bad,tears families apart,causes wounds and leaves them exposed.War makes for strange alliances .War tears nation’s apart,there is nothing good about war.

Adichie weaves a superb book leaving one stunned and with a gruesome picture of what civil war can do to it’s Nationals.

I recommend the novel to anyone who needs to be reminded that starting a war is not a walk in the park .Whoever needs to be reminded to have a little compassion for their neighbors.whoever needs a stern reminder to be loyal to her people and all friendships.

Got my copy from Turn the Page Africa-https://www.facebook.com/TTPAfrica/

PS; Follow them across all social media platforms -Turn the page Africa

 

Book Launch

Ever wondered what sets you apart from the thousands of people around you? Ever thought that your not good at anything? Thought that the odds are against you everytime. It’s like the universe is hell bent on making you score last on your progress report? Then this book is for you.

Noeline Kirabo is launching her first book ,”Find your significance” where she shares her journey of discovering her significance through the highs and lows. It is clear when she was at her worst,God was at His best.

As a young girl excited about University like many of us were in our senior six vacation,her hopes were dashed to say the least.Her mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer and she had to take care of her and that ended her University dream.

Her mum was the bread winner and her being down with cancer meant no school for Noeline. How does one survive such pain, crushed dreams, “shame” when you don’t have an answer for your former school mates now at University?

Noeline beat the odds and is currently the Founder of Kyusa, an organization that empowers youth to become employable by developing passion-driven sustainable careers. www.kyusa.org and Facebook.com/kyusa

For more on this story and how Noeline made it through, come be apart of the book launch.

Details.

Venue:Innovation village,Ntinda complex

Tickets on sale at 50k and they come with an autographed book, a complimentary book and wait for it a SNAAAACCCKKKK.

Time:6-8pm

See you there.

For bookings call 0783-571457/0783-729186.

Journey to read

Photo courtesy of #Uganda Reading.

As I sat in the waiting room at Kampala orthopaedic and Trauma centre, flipping through the New Vision while stealing glances at the TV which had talk about the death of AIGP -Felix Kaweesi(RIP).I landed on an article by Paul Busharizi titled ,”Time to walk with a book.”in the paper. (New Vision,17th March, Pg 15)

Waiting rooms and appointments have one thing in common-TIME.Lots of time;30 minutes seem like an hour😂
I was in for physiotherapy and had to wait for two people before I was attended too.Back to why I am writing this article.

Paul Busharizi talked about the just concluded “Drop Everything And Read”(DEAR) day on the 3rd Wednesday of March.
The DEAR day was launched in Uganda in 2013 as a collaboration between the Education ministry and the US Peace Corps as a way to promote the reading culture and a love for learning.

Paul obviously schooled me,I saw the #DEAR trending on Wednesday but I had no idea what it meant until today. (Yaaay , the power of reading)
There is a whole world out there in information and only the ardent reader who is ready to spare 5 mins,20 mins or 1 hour and more will reap the harvest.

I have personally never struggled to read except for books which have a slow start.

According to Paul Busharizi,”The Jews known for their financial savvy,it is said their houses are not complete without a library, oftentimes built over generations.”

My mother’s house has no library just like many other homes in Uganda and possibly Africa at large.Most of my relatives still wonder why I constantly have my nose in a book(Why wouldn`t I??????)

The reading culture was left to the schools our parents took us too however the reading we learnt was to “pass exams.” We were not reading because we enjoyed or liked it for that matter.What happened to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old ,he will not depart from the way?

We can’t hide in social media 24/7,stick to TV ,movies and other entertainment avenues.We need more because there is more.We have the resources, let us foster a growing culture.Fostering is all about baby steps.Find a book you like and start with a page a day and let the habit grow on you.

Check out #UgandaReading a social movement building a strong reading culture in Uganda .(website:www.ugandareading.org, Twitter:@UgandaReading)

Like Paul Busharizi’s title,it’s time to walk with a book.don’t just walk with it,read it too.

Journey to read today.

Racheal Kizza © 2017