Back in primary school, I used to be an avid reader of novels. I remember wanting to read about absolutely anything and everything. Then somewhere along the way, I lost that drive. I blame puberty and DStv. Both of these caused a whole lot of distractions. Fast-forward to now and it seems like this long lost motivation has resurfaced. Whoop! Whoop! I ended 2017 reading a lot more than I had in the past years. You’d think that being so close to completing my third year in law school, I’d be a bit averse to reading anything that wouldn’t help me in increasing my grade average.
Actually, after thinking about it, it’s as if now that I’m nearing the end of my university experience, I’m yearning for what awaits “out there”. The more I read, the more the world in general excites me. And as I can’t help but feed this excitement, I’ve decided to embark on a 50 book challenge. It’s pretty straight forward: read 50 books in this year of 2018. This list isn’t particular. It can be poetry, classics, fiction, biographies, self-help…pretty much any genre (i’ve tried to be this varied in my first ten choices listed below).
The challenge idea came from a friend and former classmate of mine, Sophia, who’s been doing a version of it for the past couple of years and for it I thank her! ❤
My list starts off with a number of books I’ve been meaning to read since last year, as well as suggestions I’ve received from a few trusted bibliophiles. Here you go:
- Brideshead Revisited, The Sacred & Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder by Evelyn Waugh
- Questions for Ada by Ijeoma Umebinyuo
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe
- No Longer At Ease by Chinua Achebe
- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
- Shirley by Charlotte Brontë
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
-
Dear Ijeawele, Or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Montezuma’s Daughter by H. R. Haggard
I’m going to work with these for now and update the list as the challenge goes on. I’d really love it if you joined me on this. It would help you cultivate a reading habit AND be more knowledgeable, who doesn’t want that? Also, please feel free to leave me any suggestions! They will be highly appreciated. I’ll leave you with a quote that will hopefully inspire you.
You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the page and feel as if you’ve lost a friend.
~ Paul Sweeney
Thanks for reading (haha ?) and have a Happy New Year! ?
Don’t forget to like, share and comment
— Ivy xx
Brian M.
January 11, 2018Hahaha, feel u there.. Challenge accepted??
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Brian
Glad you’re feeling challenged! 🙂
Alice
January 11, 2018That’s great Ivy include Julius Caesar too
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya!
Thank you for the suggestion. 🙂
Derrick Mureithi
January 11, 2018Really like Arrow of God
Find me Unfraidby Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner. Recommendation I think youll like it
But great works ??????
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Derrick ?
Can’t wait to read it then!
I’ve added it to the list
Thank you 🙂
Flo
January 11, 2018Well done! Its the habit i want to get back to in 2018 . Lets keep encouraging each other and sharing!
Ivy
January 11, 2018Thank you!
I hope you’re liking Americanah so far?
Yes, we will. 🙂
Minna Mumma
January 11, 2018I know why the caged bird sings- Maya Angelou
Ivy
January 11, 2018Thank you Minna! 🙂
I will add it to the list.
Maina Roy
January 11, 2018The Subtle Art of Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
The E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
Great work. ?
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Oreo
I was tempted to get that first book when i saw it on my last trip to Prestige Bookshop! I’m definitely picking it up next time. 🙂
Thank you!
DFK, Jr
January 11, 2018Brideshead is highly recommended ?. Waugh has one of the best proses in the English language. The accompanying series is also very good. Bon chance on your challenge.
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya DFK, Jr.
I’ve started on it already, I completely agree!
Thank you. 🙂
Jess
January 11, 2018No Longer at Ease is a 1960 novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It is the story of an Igbo man, Obi Okonkwo, who leaves his village for an education in Britain and then a job in the Nigerian colonial civil service,but is conflicted between his African culture and Western lifestyle and ends up taking a bribe(sounds really interesting) I remember parts of this book ?.
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Aunt Jess! ?
It does sound pretty interesting! Thank you for the brief summary, I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
Jerome
January 11, 20182018 with a bang! ?
My reading enthusiasm died after high school Patrick can relate ??
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! ??
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Jerome ?
Haha! I told you something would come up soon.
Oh my, i hope this challenge can pick kit right back up! ?
Stephie
January 11, 2018Hey, thanks for the reading list! Very encouraged to improve my reading culture and what better way to do it!
Keep going ?
Ivy
January 11, 2018Hey Stephie!
You’re very welcome.
I’m sure it’ll help you succeed in that!
Thank you 🙂
Sophia Nasimiyu
January 11, 2018I hope you enjoy ?
Add The secret lives of Baba Segi’s wives, if you’ve not already read it. And Manuscript found in Accra by Paulo Coelho. If you want any more recommendations just hit me up ??
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Sophia!
Haha i have added it thanks to Cici, the eBook is even sitting patiently on my phone ?
I love Paula Coelho! Definitely adding it.
Thank you. 🙂 🙂
Mabelle
January 11, 2018I am on this challenge, Ivy. Share your completion update so we can add you more fresh titles. A good addition to Chinua’s trilogy is either his ‘A Man Of The People’ or/and Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah’s ‘ The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born’. Core message alive today in many African countries as was at dawn of Independence.
Thumbs up!
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Dad ?
I’m glad you’re joining me.
I will definitely do so!
Thank you for the suggestions. I’ve been meaning to read the latter for a while now. ??
Pascal
January 11, 2018A Moonless, Starless Sky by Alexis Okeowo
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Pascal
Thank you for the suggestion. 🙂
Santana
January 11, 2018I totally relate to the feeling of not being averse to reading anything that wouldn’t add to our grade average this being the third law of law school ?
‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne is a beautiful beautiful book too bébé!
Ivy
January 11, 2018Heya Bébé
Haha! Law school can be quite draining huh?
I’ve read part of that book (quite some time ago though), so i’m going to still add it to the list.
Thank you! ?
Johness
January 12, 2018I have always had inrest in expanding my knowladge and there’s no better way than reading.
I think this challenge will do me good????
Ivy
January 14, 2018Heya Johness!
You’ve got that right 🙂
Murugi
January 13, 2018Challenge accepted! Look for Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay.
Ivy
January 14, 2018Glad you’re in Murugi!
Thank you for the suggestion. 🙂
Eric G
January 13, 2018Brideshead Revisited is a really good book. In fact if you’re lucky enough, you might get to interact with it more in Law and Religion!!
50 books in 2018 means 4.2 books a month ?
I’m joining this challenge!! However, with such a target, I will definitely be aiming for the stars, but hopefully I’ll land in the moon.
Ivy
January 14, 2018Heya Eric!
I’m enjoying it quite a bit so far. So I’ve heard…i’m already crossing my fingers! 🙂
Glad you’re on board.
Haha! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Brian Ochieng
January 17, 2018Ola Ivy ? … The Outliers is just amazing ? … So now I’m one down ? … Go have a look at The Power Paradox by Dacher Keltner .. good read ??
Ivy
January 22, 2018Heya Brian!
Thank you! 🙂
I’ll be sure to check it out.