Books Make Me Happy

After my phone got damaged, everything went downhill. Luckily, I was able to get myself together, but things were no longer the same. I’m exaggerating, some things still remained the same: like, you know, book mails. 

Let me share them with you. 

From Cynthia ‘Tasha’ Osajibenedict:

Cynthia ‘Tasha’ Osajibenedict is the author of A Language of Flowers and Sex After Harmattan, which is the Book 1 of the Harmattan Series. 

Book 2 came out this year, and the author sent me a book box which contained some of the characters’ favourite things: sweets, biscuits, shampoo, roll-on, lemon tea, and cranberry-flavoured drink. 

There was also a book mark, a personal note from the author, a Spotify playlist for the book, and second book in the Harmattan series: Scars After Harmattan. 

From Ola Tundun:

Ola Tundun is the bestselling author of the Roommates series: Roommates, Complicated, and Endgame. She promised to send me one of her books in exchange for a review. 

I put off reading the book because I don’t want to read the first book in the series when I know where how I’ll get to read the other books in the series. So, I might not read until I have the complete set. 

From Ayo Deforge x Witsprout Publishing: 

Ayo Deforge is the author of Tearless, which was a shortlistee for the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature, which is sponsored by the Anambra State Government. Her latest novel, Under the Rain, was published last December, and I’ve been thinking of how to get my hands on it. 

Imagine the author reached out to me saying she wants to send me a physical copy of her latest novel! That was how Under the Rain landed on my doorstep. And it came with a book mark.  

D. Asuamah x DeeUnfolding Team: 

How I got this book mail still remains a surprise. I received a message from a fellow book creator asking if I was interested in receiving a book box that contained her boss’ debut alongside some goodies. I responded with a resounding yes, and that was how GIG Logistics came to my house with a big package. When I finally opened it, I saw a cute box. 

Inside the box was a Thank You note, two fountain pens (blue and black), a small notepad, a highlighter, a small container of chocolate, Apeliebe sweets which I love so much, walnut-filled chocolate bar, and the star of the show, Flowers Bloom in May by D. Asuamah.

I won’t fail to thank FayFay for putting in words for me in getting this package. 

From Ayo Deforge (Again!): 

This time, the author sent me all the books she’s published: Tearless, her debut novel; Grips of Grief, a memoir that mirrors her journey around marriage and infertility; and The Mind is not an Ally, a poetry collection. 

She’s one of the authors whose complete works I now own. I can’t thank her enough. 

From Narrative Landscape Press: 

This publishing house is home to writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Oyikan Braithwaite, and Arinze Ifeakandu. I was surprised (but not surprised) when they offered to send me review copy of one of their published titles. Interestingly, I had a copy of the book already and had even read it. So, they offered to send me three entirely different books instead.

I was so giddy when I received the book package from the dispatcher. Two of the books—BackHomeAbroad and Other Stories and Moonbeam: An Anthology of Short Stories by Nigeria’s Foremost Culture Journalists—are short story collections, and whoever knows me should know how much I like story collections. 

The third book in the package is The Termite Colony by Ike Okonta. I’m excited for this book because, according to the author, the manuscript was received by Macmillan Publishers, but they ceased working on publishing African novels in the 1980s. Ever since, the author hasn’t been able to get the book published until last year. For more than 40 years, the manuscript has undergone various revisions until what is now contained in The Termite Colony. That’s enough reason to want to read a book, right?

From Ever Obi:

I’ve always wanted to read a book by this author, especially Some Angels Don’t See God, has gained recognition by Nigerian readers. 

I reached out to the author, and surprisingly, they responded and get to send a copy of their novel to read and review. 

And it was signed by the author. I can’t wait to get into this book. I’ll read it when I’m in the right mood to do so. 

Bonus: 

I was coming back from class one particular evening when I saw a canopy where books are sold. I went there and saw books for really cheap prices. But I couldn’t buy any because I had no money to spend on books. Until I saw Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat. When the man told me he’d sell it for 1,500 naira, I knew it’s for a good price, and that was how I got the book. 

This is the second book by the author that I own. The first is The Farming of Bones, and I DNF it last year. I hope I don’t DNF this one when I’m in the mood to read it. 

Congrats to me for buying a book for the first time in a long, long time.

POSTSCRIPT: In case anyone is wondering, ‘How is Chidalu getting book mails from authors and publishers?’ Well, I’m a digital creator who’s been making book related content on social media for more than 4 years now and counting. 

I share honest reviews on books that I’ve read, share recommendations to other readers or people who are interested in getting started with Nigerian literature, as well as share some literary knowledge about books, writing, and ‘bookfluencing’.

My hope is become a respectable literary figure, buy and read as many books as I want to, and interview my favourite authors at literary events like Aké Fest. 

You can find out more about what I do on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 

PSS: I haven’t read any of the books listed above. Academic workload has taken a toll on me, and I’m doing my best to read even when there’s no time to. Anyway, which of these books should I read next?