Thursday, 22 September 2011

BOOK READING MEETS CLASS AT NSBS

In television programs and movies, I’ve seen group of individuals together reading to themselves. It’s called a book reading event. Often time when I see such scenes, I wonder why I would want to waste my precious time and let someone else read to me( at my age)? I use to perceive those who attend such events as jobless. Well on Saturday 3rd of September, I became jobless too (at least for a day).
A very good friend invited me to such a book reading event, first of its kind (I stand to be corrected). When I got the invite, I picked up my phone called Jenifer and asked her to convince me why I should drop my activities for the day to attend such. Dear Jenny did a good job of convincing me to attend.
So attend I did. The event held at the Daisy, somewhere on the island. Upon entry to the venue, I was greeted by the serenity of the environment which is a restaurant and I marveled at exquisite topaz floor and the lightings that made the interior décor so homely I couldn’t help but feel relaxed. The chandeliers hanging from ceiling were so lovely; it’s like one of those you only get to see in a palace. Oh! Did I mention I was greeted by a charming lady? Her smile was so radiant that I thought she was another set of exquisite light (she was to be the host). She bid me welcome and offered me a table to sit. There I sat and set up my laptop which I had brought along just in case I got bored. IMG_0083.JPG
As other guests walked in, music of songs of the saints by Francis Afunuro began playing from one of the speakers in the room. Then I spotted Jenifer, she said she was surprised I came because she really wasn’t expecting me to attend after putting up such a fierce fight upon invitation. When everyone was sitted the lady who greeted me introduced herself as Mrs Bola Essien Nelson- an author; and I found out she was to be our host.
I am not the type that likes poetry; I mean I won’t go out of my way to get one not to mention writing one. However, when the authors scheduled to read to the audience began reading their piece, I began to appreciate the painstaking process of putting each sentence together so as to ensure its coherence and flow.
As each author read his/her piece, the beauty of the piece was painted so vividly with words so perfectly selected that it made hairs on my body alert. Some pieces read were the type that created a funny impression; one that every individual must have experienced while growing up. Okechukwu Phills- one of the authors describes one of his encounters with his mum in his book ‘How Stupidity Saved My Life’. “ I was in our compound on a sunny afternoon tending to our dogs when I heard a loud scream cutting through the air and silencing every other sounds ‘Ooookeeeyyy’; then I heard another, this time the dogs I was playing with scampered, whimpering away into various corners. I realized it was my mother and immediately I knew I had done something wrong’. At this point the whole room was ricking with laughter as everyone could imagine vividly the gravity of Okechukwu’s offence.
While some pieces made us laugh, some made us sober and quiet deep in thought. The atmosphere was definitely electrifying and quite sumptuous too as waiters brought in well baked snacks and exotic drinks to keep us refreshed.
Over all, it was definitely an experience to remember and as I stepped out finally after the closing prayer, I went over to my friend Jennifer and said a resounding thank you to her for bringing me out to such event. Told her I had a nice time and she should inform me should another of such comes up.