Skip to main content

Winter ABC Day 20: 5 Books Everyone Should Read

Welcome to the book club. Reading is a great past time. The culture has declined though due to the progression of technology. But those of us who would rather flip a page, than read on a gadget, books remain that best friend.

I have been pushing myself to read at least three books a month. Most successful people read five or more. Books open one's mind, improve language, offer various topics of discussion as well as points of reference. A person of substance isn't stuck on Facebook; they are enriching themselves with bestsellers.

My top 5 picks are good reads that I have read and reviewed. Most of the picks are self improvement reads but that's the point - improving thy self.

1. No More Sheets by Juanita Bynum

This is a biographical entry by singer and minister of the word, Juanita Bynum. She shares in detail painful yet relatable personal experiences of heartbreak. Sheets are metaphorical of the baggage that comes with premarital sex, fornication and adultery. A very unlikely read for the world today but the book is for those looking to heal from the pain of heartbreak and rejection. If you are looking to be loosed from his/her mistakes pick up 'No More Sheets' and begin your healing process.

2. Rich dad, Poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki

What makes the rich wealthy is mentality. There are habits that poor people have that rich people refuse to have. Guy Kawasaki takes the reader through financial literacy. The book looks at perceptions towards money by contrasting characters: the rich dad and the poor dad. If you want to understand why certain families live a line of long money or you want to break the chains of poverty through a mental shift, then pick up this book.

3. A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

I read this book soon after giving birth. When I put my little one to sleep, I would flip through the pages. This heart-rending read is the testimony of a survivor of child abuse. The author was abused for most of his childhood by his own mother. She dehumanised her own son to the point of nothingness hence the reference to being an 'it'. This book evokes anger, fear, sadness but also reaches a point of hope at the end of the book. Just keep your tissues beside you. If you have children, hug and kiss them with love.

4. The Borgias by Sarah Bradford

If you love scandal, tragedy and Renaissance literature The Borgias is the book for you. The book looks at a noble Spanish family trying to take over Renaissance-era Italy.  Greed and power are the main trajectories of the novel. We also find incest, betrayal and murder. I read this book when I was ten years old. I revised it again in my teens. In my adulthood, I have watched the film and theatre adaptations. Once you start you won't be able to put it down.

5. Waiting for the Rain by Charles Mungoshi

This list would not be complete without one of my favourite Zimbabwean novels. Waiting for the Rain by the late Charles Mungoshi is a great examination of the effects of colonialism in the African home. There are conflicts between African traditions and euro centric culture including education, religion and even mannerisms. The novel has been a set book for O and A level students for years. This book is special to me because it evoked the poet in me and birthed my writing. Add this book to your Zimbabwe greatest of all times collection.

Ernest Hemingway once said, "A book is your most loyal friend."

READ!

P.S. Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E

Comments

Popular Posts

Script My Life: Love By the 10th Date

Finding love shouldn’t be a duty but it should be a journey that you enjoy the ride while you get to it... I don’t remember when was the last time I related to a number of female characters in one movie. I finally watched Lifetime movie ‘Love By the 10th Date’.  The trailer to the movie, written and directed by Nzingha Stewart, enticed me for a good chick flick...about women of colour. The all star cast includes the gorgeous Kelly Rowland, Meagan Good, Keri Hilson and Kellee Smith. We also see Cat Deely, Joshua T Jackson, Andra Fuller and UnReal’s Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman. The story line follows a group of young, successful black friends who work for a high end, digital magazine Nina. The protagonist is Gabrielle Fateful a.k.a Gabby played by Meagan Good. Gabby is a graphic designer at Nina whose love life is an actual struggle. The scene that kickstarts the plot of the movie is when Gabby goes out for dinner with friends and workmates, Margot (Kelly Rowland), Bi...

Script My Life: Marry Me

If you want something different, you have to do something different! Woo, Jennifer Lopez really grated the cheese on this rom-com but I love it! Yes, this Valentines day, J Lo reminds us of all our fantasies of what really love should be. Jenny has always been a girl who loves love. So art somewhat imitates life. Following her reunion with former fiancé, Ben Affleck, we are definitely seeing Jenny from the Block 2.0. Who knew that getting back together with 'the one that got away' two decades later would revive romantically in J lo? We all know that Jennifer loves to be booed up. She's been married three times, engaged five or six (I've lost count). I believe relationship experts would consider her a love addict. But that's none of our business! Just in time for Valentines day, a romantic comedy simply titled, "Marry Me". The stars Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley, Sarah Silverman, and Chloe Coleman. The movie opens with the title trac...

Script My Life: Mulan

Never despise chasing a chicken on top of rooftops! Oh my, I felt like a fortune cookie right there. I'm never the one to jump onto trends. I proudly stand as the few who aren't phased by FOMO. However for the 2020 adaptation of Mulan, I had to be on point with my movie watching. Between watching the trailer and a few expectations, I wasn't sure about my reaction. I'm a staunch Disney classics fan. I am one of those ladies who grew up on the  Disney princess  trope. I love Belle, Jasmine and Tiana, although Tiana was a frog ¾ of the film. The strong willed female with a free spirit is my spirit animal. Belle read books, Jasmine wanted to see the world and Tiana was a businesswoman. Hmm, sounds like someone we know. Wink! Disney decided to offer CGI, live action versions of all the animations that most of us millennials grew up on. To be honest, I hate most their reimagined versions especially 'The Lion King'. It was so bad, I didn't watch it twice. I really ...

I’m Not My Hair Part 2

'Don't touch my hair When it's the feelings I wear Don't touch my soul When it's the rhythm I know Don't touch my crown They say the vision I've found Don't touch what's there When it's the feelings I wear'- Don’t touch my hair, Solange Knowles For the first time in my life I feel free… Three years ago I wrote about ‘good hair’ à la Chris Rock’s  documentary and India Arie’s song ‘ I’m not My Hair’  stating that I was amongst the many women of colour who would go to lengths to disguise their Afrocentric hair due to societal perceptions and to an extent mental oppression. In 2016, nobody, not even myself would have imagined that I would be caught spotting Bantu knots or writing a whole article on  ‘ Natural Hair 101 ’ so as to educate, as well as encourage the natural hair movement.  Yes, I am now a natural hair sister, wearing my hair in its natural form, kinks and all. Initially, it was forced upon me by the universe ...

Solo

Be the person whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. Porque eres el único cuerpo con el que estás atrapado para siempre ! With that said, it's good to have our feet back on solid ground. I can't wait for the  next trip ! Now ladies, we are dressing up for not just one, but several dates. Through our journey to  becoming , we are all about self-introspection and self-love. We are going on a solo date where we assess if we enjoy our own company, embrace our flaws, and seek to be better versions of ourselves.  Single ladies, bring your A-game with the wardrobe, face, body and most importantly, personality because we are putting our best foot forward. Put on your favourite outfit because we're going on a couple of dates with ourselves! Gentlemen, y'all invited to observe. A nous allez!  Date #1: Restaurant  I'm wearing a midi, nude pink, chiffon dress. I'm pairing the outfit with gold jewellery, and rose gold heels. I made a reservation at my favourite ...