Favourite Five: Oyindamola Affinnih

Oyindamola Halima Affinnih was born in the 80's. She holds a degree in mass communication. She published her first short stories with HINTS t&b series and has written for a couple of newspapers. She also writes scripts for television and scripts contents for TV programmes. She presently works with a Public Relations firm in Abuja and is working on two more books.

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Adichie

 It’s a collection of short stories that I really enjoyed reading. I liked the fact that you expect more and when you turn the page, you discover the story has ended. I had to get used to that, but in all, it was well put together. I love all Adichie’s books but there’s something about this one. 

Imagine This by Sade Adeniran

Sade Adeniran’s book is set in Idogun. Well-written. Sad too but the flow was awesome. This is the kind of book you don’t want to stop reading. For a début, I thought it was very good. The reviews drew me to it. After reading, I thought, it wasn’t even properly hyped. 

The Concubine by Elechi Amadi

I still can’t get over this beautiful book. Years after literature classes yet I still enjoy the book. I can’t get the picture out of my head. The beautiful scenes, the colourful characters. I remember the lizard that was supposed to be used for the sacrifice. I remember imagining what the sea-king looked like. I remember Ahurole, Emenike, Ekwueme and of course Ihuoma. Brilliant work.

I Do Not Come to You by Chance by Adaobi Nwaubani

What’s not to love in this fact-paced, humorous book, really? Being a recipient of many of those fraudulent emails, Adaobi’s book really appealed to me. It was a fun read. Her power of description--especially of Cash Daddy’s dress sense-- awed me. Shiny, animal skin shoes. Hard not to enjoy.

Nine Lives by Elnukoya

It’s sometimes hard reading a novel twice. I have read this book more than once. More than twice actually. Bulky but worth every minute of my time. Nicely written and apt. It started and took me on an interesting ride. There was his background, the aiyelala sacrifice, the school cult. Then Elnukoya manages to sneak  some romance in between too. There was a particular line about buying clothes in the market. The buyer and seller nodding heads after the transaction, not knowing who cheated who or something like that. Great book.