This week was a bit hectic on the work front but I quite enjoy the change of pace. I even managed to watch a little (really little) bit of television and even published a post.
My phone finally gave up this week and I got a new iPhone. It is a little bigger than my previous one and I am still getting used to the size. But it comes with a better memory so I am ok with the trade.
I didn’t have time or mood to read anything this week. Sorry, don’t banish me from the book blogging community please.
I am lagging behind my Goodreads reading goal by 5 books but I will definitely catch up before the year end. In fact I already picked a book to read this week, this morning.
What I watched this week
Did you all watch the new Stranger Things S4 yet? I really enjoyed getting back to the familiar Hawkins set up and the groups shenanigans. Let me know how did you like it.
Apart from this, I watched a couple of episodes from Kim’s convenience store and I loved it. Have you watched the show?
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
For those who haven’t had a book hangover recently, or you just want despite that is what you did last week too, The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi is for you. Honestly, I couldn’t just drop the book and walk off once I finished it. Read more of book review of The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi to know why.
Vivek Oji is dead, but his violent death leaves a long overcast over his parents, his cousin Osita and their friends. His mother is set on a journey to figuring out what happened to her son. Osita is losing himself to alcohol and has left the town, and their other friends do not seem to know what happened either.
But The Death of Vivek Oji is also about the life of Vivek Oji. Born to an Indian mom in a Niger family, Vivek’s life is nothing short of colorful. As a teen, he starts to grow distant from his parents and closer to his friends, the daughters of other Niger-wives (foreign women married to Niger men) and his cousin.
Did Kavita find out what happened to her son? What did happened to him form the rest of The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi.
Book review of The Death of Vivek Oji
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi is a coming-of-age story of a Nigerian boy, who is struggling to find himself in a country where it is not appreciated. And his life come to an abrupt stop.
The Death of Vivek Oji is a breathtaking story about identity, belonging and grief. It tackles several serious topics like sexuality, transphobia, parental acceptance, etc. without losing the emotional grip it has on the reader.
The book opens with the The Death of Vivek Oji, and we move between years to know how and why. This non-linear shift makes the story more intriguing as well as impactful. We get to know the three generations of the Oji family and along theirs, the life of Niger-wives and their children who bore the “outsider” tag.
I absolutely loved Emezi’s way with words and how she easily wrings my heart out. Trust me when I say that, because I silently cried while reading the book and then bawled out after I finished it. And I don’t do it often. The voices of her characters are powerful, yet restrained.
I loved reading the political and cultural history of Nigeria, and I could see most of them happening in an Indian set-up – the Christian conversion, the exorcism to beat the devil away, and of course the repression of LGBT. But all is not bad, the book gave me a glimpse of hope about the future, seeing the youth in Vivek’s lives were accepting and open to change.
What worked for me
Akwaeke Emezi’s writing, words and characters – powerful, yet subtle, refreshing and heartbreaking
I loved reading about southeastern Nigeria and its way of life.
The ending was wonderful; and hopeful for the future.
What may have been better
There are several sub-(sub?)-plots that might have taken up much space. I definitely enjoyed reading them, but were they necessary? Instead if we could have had more about Vivek, I would probably take it.
Content warning
Attempted sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, homophobia, transphobia, incest, domestic abuse, violence, cheating, depictions of grief & depression.
Bottom line
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi is one book that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. It is at times bleak but it is also heartwarming that love finds a way. You have to read this, if you are ready for a bawl.
How did you find this week’s Wordle? I have been doing Wordle, the word puzzle right from the beginning of the year and I still at it. I even got the senior members of my family involved, so every day we have a little competition (friendly?) sort of thing going on our Whatsapp family group. I think it is very wholesome and proud that they mostly figure the word out. Not bad at all, right/
I have been trying to get into a schedule with the new work timing but it has been hard. I have a half written review, 200 pages book stopped midway and my closet in a mess – all for want of some attention. I need to get this quickly under control right?
I visited our library yesterday and met a couple of friends after that for a coffee. After a full week at work, I definitely needed that break.
What I read this week
Like I mentioned, I have been reading In Cold Blood by Truman Capote for more than a week now and have not progressed at all. Would this be a better week?
I hope so because I have two amazing books that I have brought the library and want to read them too. Fingers crossed.
What I watched this week
This week had been a blur between weekends, and I can barely remember the weeknights. I have had some random episodes from Friends, Brooklyn 99 running as background noise.
It is that time of the year that I start whining about how hot and humid the weather is here in the Dubai, UAE. Instead am going to leave the temperature and leave it at that. How is it for personal growth?
Okay, it is not much. But it is only because I have something else to share about the country that I call my home, at least for now.
The nation’s President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed passed away on Friday 13 May 2022 at the age of 73. He was the 2nd President of this nation of the UAE, and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. And he was absolutely beloved by locals and expats alike. The nation is officially mourning for 40 days and the work suspended for 3 days till tomorrow, Monday.
On Saturday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the-then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and brother of the late Sheikh Khalifa became the ruler of Abu Dhabi de facto and then was elected by the Supreme Council as the new President of the nation. That was a mouthful, wasn’t it?
So that is what is happening in this side of the world. What are the national and local events that you wanna share with us today?
What I read this week
I have been reading rather slowly this week. But I did finish reading Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert, technically very late this morning. And I am too groggy to say coherently how much I enjoyed it. Maybe I will put up a review – soon!
Last week I also had the chance to read As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, a century old self help book. It is freely available to read online.
What I watched this week
I had a blast watching the latest Marvel movie Dr Strange: Madness of Multiverse in IMAX last week and I loved it, a very biased opinion here I confess.
I also watched Fairfax on Prime, which I surprisingly enjoyed. Don’t ask me why I was surprised though.
Oh, last night we finished binging on the latest Netflix series released, Lincoln Lawyer. It was okay, not good nor gripping and better suited for one of those mindless consumption period.
On my blog
Can I tempt you with an offer to come back to blog?
I am hoping to do that! Fingers crossed, everyone.
We are all geared up for this year’s Emirates Literature fest 2022, and as per my annual ritual I have signed up to volunteer. It has been a long while since I met my fellow volunteers and I am excited. This week we had a few Zoom sessions to discuss procedures and other orientation with the Literature festival organizer team.
The festival is happening from 3rd Feb to 13 February 2022. Check this out for more details. It has got some interesting author line up.
In the home front, another week of unpacking and trying to find a place for everything. We also had to order some miscellaneous pieces of furniture for the house. I am not sure how we will go back to an one BHK in a year, after living in this spacious apartment.
My favorite season is here and this year I get to experience it from the top floor. I love watching the early morning fog settle and I guess next week is going to be extra foggy.
I will be linking today’s post with Caffeinated reviewer’s Sunday post Meme. Last week has been so hectic that I have not been visiting many blogs, but I will be correcting that this week.
What I read this week
I finished The Hunting party by Lucy Foley this week.
I am currently reading Mackenzi Lee’s The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. And I am really loving it. I have the entire series with me, ready to be picked up next.
What I watched this week
I just stumbled upon “Back to the Rafters” on Amazon, which brought out a lot of nostalgia. While I have not watched the entire series ”Packed to the Rafters”, I have warm memories of watching the 1-2 seasons long ago in 2008-09 with a couple of friends.
Anyway I went on a binge fest and watched the new series in a single day.
I also enjoyed watching this cute shirt film based on Hotel Transylvania, called Monster Pets.
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Let us chat
How has your week been? Are you keeping up with your reading and watching goals? What was your last favorite book you read? Let’s talk.
