There are many books in the world, but only a few stay with you long after you finish them. I read Night Train, my favourite book, back in 2020, and even now I still talk about it every chance I get. Everyone close to me knows how much I love it and how often I bring it up. Some books have a special power. They grab your attention, pique your interest completely and live rent-free in your head for a very long time. Whenever I come across books like that, I feel like the author placed an ingredient inside the story. A special ingredient. I consider books like that magical, and in today’s world, only a few writers still carry that ability. In this post, I’ll share two books that I strongly believe have that particular “ingredient.”
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
This work by Lola Shoneyin is an absolute masterpiece. A few days ago, a friend messaged me asking for book recommendations. This friend is not a book lover. I know too well that if you want to introduce a non-book lover to the world of books, you have to give them something gripping and interesting. Immediately, my mind went to The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. This book was written in 2010 and has won many awards including the Lagos Book Art Festival Award and the Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize for Prose.
One reason why I believe you will enjoy reading this book is because it is interesting. Lola Shoneyin writes using clear and interesting diction. More importantly, the climax/reveal is breathtaking. It is the kind of book you will read and go “Oh wow! I actually did not see this coming!” The novel revolves around Baba Segi, a wealthy man and his four wives. Picture a big Nigerian man with a huge head and protruded stomach. That’s how I picture Baba Segi to be if he were a real life character. Baba Segi loves his polygamous lifestyle and takes pride in the fact that he is the head of the family. He cherishes his wives and his children, but what will he do when finds out their secrets? Read the book to find out.
On a scale of 1-10, I give this book a 9.5 out of 10 stars. I strongly recommend that you read it.
This Bitch of a Life
This book is not a novel. Compared to the book above, it is not interesting. However, it tells the story of one of the greatest Nigerian Afro singer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela is not just the greatest Nigerian Afrobeat singer, he created Afrobeats. During my childhood days, my mom often told my siblings and I stories about Fela. She told us how he fought the government and how he created an organization. Well, the way he described it, it felt like a cult group. It was. I thought Fela was a hooligan until I read his story. And I think you should too.
Fela married 27 wives in one day. He was arrested over 200 times by the police. His lifestyle from the beginning till the end is worth-reading. This Bitch of a Life is Fela’s Autobiography and I recommend that you read it.
Thanks for reading.
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