Ep 98: January Wrap-Up + Sharjah Festival of African Literature Reflections

June 2025 was a really good month, and I shared my thoughts on the 22 books I read in on this episode.Enjoy!In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 1. ⁠BROKEN by Fatima Bala (Book Chat)⁠2. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3. The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge GuideIf you love my content, kindly consider supporting me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

In this episode, I talk about all the books I read in May 2025 which was a total of 19.Drink Of The Pod: Slutty G & TEnjoy!Chapters00:00 Welcome to Something Bookish Podcast01:01 Housekeeping and Announcements08:19 TMI Segment: Cheating and Bisexuality11:09 Book Reviews: May Reading Wrap-UpIn Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 1. ⁠BROKEN by Fatima Bala (Book Chat)⁠2. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3. The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge GuideIf you love my content, kindly consider supporting me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I chat with Wendy, a passionate bibliophile and bookseller from Nairobi. We explore Wendy's journey into the world of books, the establishment of her bookstore Soma Nami, and the contrasting literary cultures of Nairobi and Lagos. The conversation delves into book recommendations, the importance of reading diverse authors, and the challenges of navigating the literary scene. Wendy shares her top book picks, critiques a disappointing read, and expresses her desires for the future of reading, including the need for more authentic local stories. The episode concludes with practical tips for overcoming reading slumps.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Wendy and Her Journey05:27 Wendy's Early Memories with Books08:20 Transitioning from Reader to Bookseller11:27 The Impact of COVID on Bookstores14:20 Literary Culture in Nairobi vs. Lagos17:17 The Literary Season in Nairobi20:11 Choosing What to Read Next23:33 The Art of Recommending Books26:28 Exploring Memoirs and Their Appeal37:56 The Art of Book Recommendations40:21 Top Five Book Recommendations58:20 Navigating Disappointments in Reading01:06:24 Desires for the Future of Reading01:11:52 Introduction and Engagement with Listeners01:12:22 Encouraging Community and Sharing the PodcastIn Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 1. ⁠BROKEN by Fatima Bala (Book Chat)⁠2. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3. The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge GuideIf you love my content, kindly consider supporting me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I talk about all the books I read in April 2025 and I'm shocked at how many books I was able to get through. Drink Of The Pod: The TeaEnjoy!In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 1.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BROKEN by Fatima Bala (Book Chat)⁠⁠⁠2.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge Guide⁠⁠If you love my content, kindly consider supporting me⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I talk about all the books I read in February and March 2025 and because these were stressful months for me, I got through A LOT of books. This one is a bit chaotic (at least more than others)Drink Of The Pod: Shots of Whiskey & SojuEnjoy!In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 1.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠BROKEN by Fatima Bala (Book Chat)⁠⁠2.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3.⁠ ⁠⁠The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge Guide⁠If you love my content, kindly consider supporting me⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It’s the 100th episode! It’s also the season 12 premiere. I had a lovely book chat with my mother and her life as a reader before I was in the picture, she then shared 3 books that she loves and would recommend. Also, I answered questions from members of the audience. I want to do more live shows!Drink Of The Pod: The Tea (my special blend)Enjoy!In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠1. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 2. The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge GuideIf you love my content, kindly consider supporting me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

If you love my content, kindly consider supporting me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CONTACTQuestions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this no-spoiler episode, I chat with the author of the debut novel, These Letters End In Tears, Musih Tedji Xaviere. Set in a country where being gay is punishable by law, These Letters End in Tears is the heart-wrenching forbidden love story of a Christian girl with a rebellious heart and a Muslim girl leading a double life.Enjoy!In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 1. ⁠BROKEN by Fatima Bala (Book Chat)⁠2. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠An Easy Guide To NetGalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3.The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge GuideIf you love my content, kindly consider supporting me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by ⁠buying me a digital cup of coffee⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I talk about all the books I read in January 2025. All 18 of them! I also reflect on my experience as a guest moderator at the first ever Sharjah Festival of African Literature, held in the UAE Drink Of The Pod: Rum & Coke Enjoy!  In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Litty Review: Chain Gang All-Stars Books, Publishing, And The Reader's Perspective ft Niki The 2025 Something Bookish Reading Challenge Guide Top Tips To Get Out Of A Reading Slump  ⁠ ⁠⁠Tips For Reading Multiple Books At A Time CONTACT  Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected] or Find me HERE

In this episode, I chat with Niki AKA ⁠@blackgirlrumble⁠ and what an enlightening chat this is. If you have aspirations to work in publishing, this episode is a must-listen or if you're interested in finding out the BTS of what goes on in the business of books. She also shares 5 books we all need to read and 1 book that didn't spark joy for her. Drink Of The Pod: Port Enjoy!  In Case You Missed It ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  1.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Top Tips To Get Out Of A Reading Slump ⁠ ⁠2. ⁠⁠⁠Tips For Reading Multiple Books At A Time⁠ 3.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Ake Festival 2023 Diary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  CONTACT  Questions? Comments? Email me at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or Find me ⁠HERE⁠