Natu Shimike ~ Kalaba

Another week, another book review! This week, I want to talk about a story that touched me deeply, one that felt less like reading and more like a gentle shaking of the soul. Under a Zambian Tree has been on my TBR for a while, mostly because finding a physical copy where I live proved impossible. But the moment I realized I could get the digital version through Kindle Unlimited , it was an immediate yes. Under a Zambian Tree is a biography of Dora Moono Nyambe , a remarkable woman whose life and work left a lasting legacy. Dora passed away late last year, but the impact of her mission lives on beyond her time on earth. She was and continues to be an inspiration to me personally, because the work she dedicated her life to is something I, too, feel called to pursue. Have you ever dreamed of something quietly in your heart, and then encountered someone living out that very dream so boldly that it ignites you? That was my reason for picking up this book in March. The biography transports...

Another week, another book review! Between sips of coffee and the beautiful chaos of everyday life, I’ve been finding refuge in stories. Here’s another one that left me thinking long after I turned the last page.  The Visit  by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie , part of the  Black Stars   series featuring cosmic short stories by different African authors. I picked this one up in February and, given that it’s by one of my literary favorites, naturally, I had to read it. It’s also the first in the series, which made it an easy choice to start with. This might be a short read, but the topic is one that’s sure to ruffle some feathers, and I’m not one to shy away from such thought-provoking stories, lol. Sometimes the most uncomfortable conversations are the ones that push us toward growth. Stories like this remind us why it’s important to shed light on the issues we’d rather not talk about because the younger generations are watching, listening, and learning from the narratives ...

Another week, another review! I’ve read so many books this year but somehow fell behind on reviewing them. I don’t know why I thought saving them all for the end of the year was a good idea but here we are. I picked up Letter to My Daughter (published in 2008) in September this year, and it completely captured my heart. I figured I’d start with a book that touched me the most. This beautifully unconventional memoir, part essay collection, part love letter, and entirely Maya Angelou went straight to my heart of hearts. I love Maya so much, she was such a gifted, graceful writer. Reading this felt like sitting with my grandmother and soaking in her wisdom. Her humor, her honesty, and the ease with which she tells her stories, it’s all so genuine. She doesn’t preach, she simply shares, and somehow her words reach right into your soul. There are moments in the book that made me laugh, others that quietly broke my heart. You can feel her humility, her faith, her strength. It’s such a uniq...