Summer is here, time to chill and relax. So, whether you're at the beach, in the mountains, on the train, or even at home, here are some recommendations, in the hope that they'll find their way into your suitcases or shelves. Let's get started !
THE THING AROUND YOUR NECK, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What if I told you that the first time I ever heard the name Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was in Flawless Beyonce's song ? A few clicks later, Youtube let's me find out that she is not a singer in featuring with Queen Bey, but rather an author. A few additional clicks later, I stumble upon this masterpiece: The thing around you neck and I loved it !
This collection of short stories brings together 12 tales that explore themes of identity and belonging, the African diaspora (particularly Nigerian), and its issues. It discusses love and personal and societal struggles. Focus on " Tomorrow is too far", or how a mundane story of favoritism led to a tragic ending.
**EN: […] Grandmama presided over the sipping ritual to make sure Nonso went first […]. It was the summer you asked Grandmama why Nonso sipped first even though Dozie was thirteen, a year older than Nonso, and Grandmama said Nonso was her son’s only son, the one who would carry on the Nnabuisi name, while Dozie was only a nwadiana, her daughter’s son. It was the summer you found the molt of a snake on the lawn, unbroken and sheer like see-through stockings, and Grandmama told you the snake was called the echi eteka, ‘tomorrow is too far ». One bite, she said, and it’s over in ten minutes.
**FR: Grand-mère présidait le rituel de la dégustation pour s’assurer que Nonso passait en premier […]. C’était l’été où tu as demandé à Grand-mère pourquoi Nonso buvait en premier alors que Dozie avait treize ans, un an de plus que Nonso, et Grand-mère a dit que Nonso était le seul fils de son fils, celui qui transmettrait le nom des Nnabuisi, tandis que Dozie n’était qu’un nwadiana, le fils de sa fille. C’était l’été où tu as trouvé la mue d’un serpent sur la pelouse, intacte et transparente tels des bas, et Grand-mère t’a dit que le serpent s’appelait echi eteka, « demain est trop loin ». Une morsure, dit-elle, et c’est fini en dix minutes.
This collection is a must-read. I read it in English (hence the original quote above), and that’s the version I recommend. If you are proficient in the language, you will feel the emotions in the original version (the best!). If not (yet), then still give it a try in the original format, it's an excellent exercise. The vocabulary is accessible and pleasant to read! And for audiobook lovers: check the link right here The Thing Around Your Neck livre audio.
THE IMPATIENT, Djaïli Amadou Amal
Djaïli Amadou Amal is a Cameroonian novelist, originally from Maroua. She is also a committed woman, president and founder of the organization Femmes du Sahel (their website femmesdusahel.org) and a UNICEF ambassador. Her campaigns focus on access to education and the fight against violence gender-based violence.
The Impatient is the story of 3 women. First there are Ramla and Hindou, two sisters, 17 years old each, who are sent off in marriage. Hindou is married to a violent husband, while Ramla becomes Safira's co-wife. Safira, her first wife, will make her “pay” for “stealing her husband”. The themes addressed here are the early marriage of young girls, domestic violence and rivalry between women in polygamous households. Like her character Ramla, the author was also married at a very young age, and draws on her personal experience. She points out, in her preamble that all 3 stories are inspired by true events, which makes it an even more challenging read. Below is an extract from a moment between Ramla and her mother.
For some time now, the tears flowing down her cheeks had choked my mother's voice. And it was with a barely suppressed sob that she concluded, 'The path of life for women is difficult, my daughter. The moments of carefree joy are brief. We do not have youth. We know very little happiness. We find joy only where we cultivate it. It’s up to you to find a solution to make your life bearable. Better yet, to make your life acceptable. That is what I have done all these years. I have trampled on my dreams to better embrace my duty.'"
The Impatients is one of those books that you only read once. Throughout, you feel the pressure and blackmail from the family, the weight of traditions, and the lack of sisterhood. Several times, I found myself in tears, and personally, I haven't recovered (I read it in 2021! ^_^). What I take away from it, is that it highlights the importance of educating young girls, a cause supported by the author, raising awareness about the fight against violence and the necessity of financial independence. understand that you had better brace yourself if you decide to embark on this reading! An audiobook version is also available on the Audible platform (The Impatient audiobook).
HEAL YOUR WOUNDS AND FIND YOUR TRUE SELF, Lise Bourbeau
One for the road. This one I call « Therapy on a budget“ . If you'd like to treat yourself to complete sessions for less than 9euros, come closer. What is it all about? Lise Bourdeau's approach is based on the idea that each of us carries within us 5 fundamental wounds, often inherited from our childhood, which influence our reactions and the way we interact with the world. These wounds are: REJECTION, ABANDONMENT, HUMILIATION, BETRAYAL and INJUSTICE. Each wound is explained in depth, with descriptions of the resulting behaviors, associated emotions and means of healing. Didn't I promise you cheap therapy ?
The first step in healing a wound is to recognize and accept it. without agreeing with the fact that it's there. Acceptance means looking at it, observing it, knowing that having things to sort out is part of the human experience.
This book will help you recognize and understand your wounds (yes Sir !), free yourself from their grip and find your inner balance. And for those of you who prefer to listen rather than read, one last audiobook link here: The 5 Heal your wounds audiobook.
Which format should you choose? The one you prefer !
There's no such thing as an ideal format. The right format is the one that allows you to get to the end of the story. That's all there is to it! Whether you prefer a paper format, ebook like Kindle or an audiobook, choose the version that suits you best and immerse yourself in these stories, each more captivating than the last. If you'd like to discover a platform for audiobooks, get your 30days free trial of Audible platform, with a substantial choice in the free trial. The thing about audiobooks is that you have to (really) like the reader's voice ^_^ , when I don't get hooked to the audio, I quickly go back to the paper version! But if you do try it out, let us know in the comments section !
Happy reading and, happy Summer!
