Good morning friends... how are we this morning? I'd posted this on my Facebook wall sometime last year, but, for those that are not on my Facebook list, you may like to take a look at this...
I was quite an early reader and by extension an early writer. My mum who was a teacher would
always buy me novels and also borrow from the school libraries (about 3 every week) and she'd
always read them before giving them to me so as to ensure they are decent and interesting! I guess I'm probably not meant to tell you how long I have read books or how many I have read but what books have done for me.
Many a time when I write short articles, people would always tell me how much they think I
should go into writing as a profession or how they think it'd be great if I open a blog. I haven't written any novel or something of that sort but
some of my articles have been published in popular blogs in UNN- UNN Zuo and Flawless. I now have a blog too! This is as a result of the books I've read and how they have exposed me towards knowing how well
to construct my sentences in order to sound "interesting."
I am from Nsukka-a part of Nigeria that is perceived timid and remote and undeveloped and yet produce the very many finest scholars and
writers that I learn from... You know them... However, whenever I make public speeches or I
talk with people, they always tell me "You don't speak/sound like an Nsukka person." You don't
want to know the replies I give them. The books I read not only improved my writing skills but my speaking skill. I learnt proper English as well as pronunciation of words by always looking up
words I didn't know their meanings in the dictionary.
During my A'levels programme in Lagos, I made use of some words that aren't regular in one of my presentations and later on, a classmate told me that he doesn't know what I'm still attending English classes for when I could speak so well. I was so excited for that
compliment.
My books made me have wide imaginations! Before I entered a plane for the first time, I already had an idea of what I'd expect inside a plane. Before I travelled out of the country for the
first time, I already had images of where I was visiting in my head because I would have read a book or two about that area or cited in that area. Sometimes my imaginations failed! But then,
something was achieved-I had imaginations! When I first went to Lagos however, my imaginations didn't fail. It was busy and rowdy and filled with unending traffic just as I read and had imagined.
I come from a family of 5! I'm the last of these 5 and the only undergraduate. The age spacing in my family is ridiculous! I'm 20 years younger than my eldest sibling. Doesn't that make him more or less a second father? And so, to be able to be
seen as someone who training in school is not a waste of time, I had/have to read books, learn
grammar and speak well. If I didn't do so, trust me, my brother's mouth alone is enough to make me feel bad.
Romance novels for me have also given me ideas of what boys/girls are in relationships and how to handle certain things. I hope they work when I
apply them.
Books are beautiful. They give you ideas and make your mind visit places you haven't been to.
No wonder even most of God's work and teachings are documented in a book... The good book... The Bible!
Have a lovely weekend.
