Books We Read: 11 Readers on Reading in 2016 —Debbie Iorliam

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Debbie Iorliam

This year has been a successful reading year, but I didn’t realize I had read this much until I took out the time to compile this list. I found it a bit challenging picking out the books I have listed here because I had a tall list of very incredible books. Having done this, I feel more satisfied than I would have done after having chocolates—they are my favourites.

Notable Reads

A Rare Blue Bird Flies with Me by Youssef Fadel (translated by Jonathan Smolin)

Written in parts, it was refreshing and different to read a dog give its account of what was happening in Morocco. It also reminded me of Nigeria, the judiciary and the fate of many who are in jail without trial. The imagery used was powerful so much that I could perceive the stench of rotten human bodies through the pages of the book. It has a universal theme of decay and most nations of the world can relate to this.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Roy’s technical narrative compelled me to read the book twice and slowly both times. Once I went past that challenge, I was in for a serious and almost tragic reading. It has a great command of diction, imagery and skill.

The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith

Weirdly witty. This is how best I can describe this book. The characters are distinct. The story line is unusual. I liked the narrative casualness and humour even when something tragic was about to happen. You wouldn’t find this in most books.

Possession by A. S. Byatt

I didn’t enjoy reading this book much, mostly because I found it too academic. A lot of academic materials that should have stayed out were included, which explains for how bulky the book is. Beneath the academic pages is an engaging story and I liked the narrative style and language of the author.

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

At that point where Florentino and Fermina stood naked in the comfort of the ship, staring at each other’s wrinkles, the former perceived the smell of old age, and only then did he realize he was grey. He had spent his entire life chasing a woman. I paused at this point and asked myself, is this it? When our dreams eventually come true, what next after that? Perhaps another ambition to fill our days with? It made me realize the nothingness in life. I liked the way this book engaged me, the emotion on every page and how much it made me think deeply about life.

The Fourth Dimension by David Yonggi Cho

It taught me how to pray the right way. My spiritual life became better.

Nowergian Wood by Haruki Murakami

I thought this book was sick when I was done. I said that much to a friend. It felt like being in a psychiatric hospital without really being there. This feeling wasn’t overwhelming, merely emotional that I couldn’t help but connect with the characters like I knew them.

Fine Boys by Eghosa Imasuen

Imasuen unapologetically uses pidgin without translation. By doing this, I felt at home and connected to the energy of the narrative. The humour helped to ease my suspense when it got rough in the book. The vivid description is a major plus to this book because even for someone who have never been, the vibes and colours are so alive in words; it would feel like you have been to Nigeria.

Season of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim

I first read Abubakar’s debut book Whispering Trees and there was so much soul and ease in the way he told the stories that I was looking forward to reading this one. It wasn’t exactly what I expected. The narrative ease I had seen in his debut book was lacking in this one. The novel was edited to an antiseptic point. I enjoyed the story a lot but wondered why certain characters were forcefully killed.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I have read all three of Hosseini’s books that it has become really hard to draw the line between each book. Certain themes resonant in his books: poverty, family, marriage, war etc But one thing remains certain, Hosseini is a great story teller, his story would pull at your emotions, cause you pain and even make you cry a bit, but you will always remember Mariam and her sacrifices.

The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin

Adventurous, informative and entertaining. This is what you get as Chatwin takes you on a ride to the world of the aboriginals in Australia. I found this semi fictional book more informative then pleasurable. A lot of characters zipped past and it was a bit difficult trying to sort them out in the head, what with the fast pace of the book. But largely it will always stand the test of time because of its historical content.

Man and Boy by Tony Parsons

This book for me reiterates the well known fact that humans are selfish in love and life. I related to it in a lot of ways. It was insightful.

Notable Mentions

• Ake Review Journal, Volume 2&3

• The Rainbow Lied: An online anthology

• A Half formed thing, E-book by Ehizogie Iyeomoan, Ikechukwu Nwaogu and Servio Gbadamosi

• If Everyday were Christmas by Su’eddie Vershima Agema (Short story)

Looking Forward to Read in 2017

These are some of the books I look forward to reading in 2017.

• Red Sorghum by Mo Yan

• A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

• Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef and Ron Brackin