Of Annual Leave and Readings for 2017

Tags

African Literature, Annual Leave, Reading List, suspense, thriller

I enjoy reading; well, who doesn’t for crying out loud. But of late, and it’s been a long of late, I’ve shelved my reading to the back bench and pushed poetry, in particular, haiku to the forefront. I’m so behind with my readings, that it’s almost an embarrassment. So this year, my annual leave or vacation days accruing to me is more than welcome.

I’m enjoying my almost three months annual leave with this book haul from my TBR pile.

Assorted books l should say so wish me luck so l can complete the reading. 🙂

I will try to review some of them but not all. 🙂 I may also review some books I’ve already read but which I couldn’t capture for this post. (my poor attempt at photography. (Lol) so please stay tuned. 🙂

 

 

Readers’ Top Ten On ImageNations

Tags

African Literature, ImageNations

Nana Fredua-Agyeman, from Ghana is a virtual friend of mine. He is also a keen blogger of mostly African Literature and an excellent haiku writer.

Though we have never met,  I respect him so much for  his brilliance and deeply analytical reviews on his blog ImageNations. An Agricultural Economist by profession and a Poet by passion, Nana keeps three blogs: ImageNations, Haiku from Ghana, and Black Pathology. Some of his Haiku have been published in magazines such as Frogpond, The Heron’s Nest, Acorn etc and at e-zines such as simplyhaiku.com and Shamrock Haiku Journal. Currently,he has a manuscript of poems (not Haiku) titled BLACK PATHOLOGY.

Why this lovely introduction? Nana recently invited me to participate in the Reader’s Top Ten series, a weekly event that showcases readers’ or bloggers’ top ten African reads.

Wonderful friends, do visit my friend at ImageNations to sample my top ten African reds and also to have a taste of his beautiful collection of haiku and his other works.  🙂

Sunday Evening With Ghana Association of Writers (GAW)

Tags

African Literature, Chancing Faith, Empi Baryeh, John Dramani Mahama, Manu Herbstein

I haven’t posted much this October, not because I don’t have anything to write about, but for the simple reason that I have been busy lately and the hiccups of internet and power situation are just so maddening I could hit the roof, (well, not literally). I won’t bore you with the story. 🙂

When time permits, I try to clear my heaping mails up to no avail, because while I have slowed down, my dear friends have been busy writing and the mail just keep heaping. If there is a way of asking would-be-followers not to follow me for a while at least,…………….it would be churlish on my part so let me just shut up.

Yesterday, my wonderful sister-in-law, Esther, (who is a Principal Research Officer with the Research and Development Division of the Ghana Heath Service, an avid reader and lover of the Arts) invited me to the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) Sunday, a Literary and Cultural Event by the GAW held every first Sunday of the month at PAWA House. Now, would you believe I had never heard of this event even though it has been going on for some time now? Esther made sure I attended by calling me on Saturday and reminding me twice on Sunday and my oh my! Absolutely no regrets.

The evening, which took of at 4.30 treated audience to poetry recitals by students of Adabraka Methodist Junior High School. I loved this so much, that GAW provides the opportunity to the youth to showcase their talents is a laudable thing. The young men and women (not kids, mind you) recited wonderful poems and sang songs in French and poor me, I was lost. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, though. Kudos to these fine artistes in the making.

There were also readings by some fine poets and for me the highlight of the evening was the reading by Empi Baryeh from her much acclaimed latest novel Chancing Faith. Now, Empi is my favourite Ghanaian romance writer whose blog I faithfully follow. She can be counted amongst the female giants of Ghanaian writing. Her first novel Most Eligible Bachelor has been reviewed on this blog. But I had never set eyes on her (even though she lives in Ghana and works only fifteen minutes drive from my workplace), until yesterday so to say I was tickled would be an understatement. I was over the top. Needless to say, we chatted as if we had known each other for years. I also got myself a copy of Chancing Faith, available at the Silverbird, Accra Mall (for those in Ghana).

Manu Herbstein, award-winning author of Akosua and Osman (2011 Burt Awards for African Literature, 3rd Prize) and Ama, (2002 Commonwealth Writers Prize for the Best First Book) was present with his wife Akua, a renowned entrepreneur in Ghana. Though I didn’t talk to them, (we left as soon as the event ended at 6.30) I was quite awed to see Manu Herbstein in the flesh. Mrs. Herbstein is a household name in the country and I had seen her on TV variously when growing up.

On a sad note, a minute’s silence was held for a member of GAW, the late Mrs. Olivia Sosu, a retired Educationist and a poetress as well.

Indeed, this GAW event is one that I will endeavour to attend every month and blog about as well. I missed the Book Festival organised by the GAW where the President of Ghana, John Mahama, read from his recently published book, My First Coup D’etat in what was a relatively a non-political and informal atmosphere.

I also plan on reading some of my poems at the next GAW Sunday and I will give you guys the details so stay tuned. 🙂

Oh, I almost forgot. They do serve some chilled palm wine at the event. You know, we can’t just listen to readings, fine ones they may be and sound, without wetting our throats the traditional way. The palm wine was so sweet I will definitely make it next month, hook or crook. 🙂

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I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom.