It gives me joy that my reading 122 books in 2023 has inspired many to also read —Ezioma Kalu

Ezioma Kalu, who studied Public Administration at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is a writer and book blogger. She trended early this month on the social media for reading 100 books in 2022 and 122 books in 2023. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her love for books and what can be done to encourage Nigerians to read.

How would you describe the kind of university education you had?

I studied Public Administration at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). I would say I received the best quality education I could get at the time. The knowledge that my future was solely resting in my palms made me work hard in school. And the dedication I put into my studies shaped me into a resilient and confident adult who always achieves whatever she sets her mind to.

You studied Public Administration. How come you ventured into books and writing? What prepared you for this shift in interest and work?

Books have always been part of my life. I started reading at five. And being an inquisitive child, I had numerous questions, and most of them were annoying. And because the adults didn’t have all the answers to my questions, I resorted to finding them myself through books.

I wouldn’t say there was ever a shift, because books have always been there. Literature and my course of study are not mutually exclusive. They are both important aspects of my life. While I was a student, I didn’t part with my love for books. I think writing is what I was made for. No matter how long I stifled that part of me, it kept sticking out its head, seeking attention, till I finally embraced it.

You recently trended on social media for reading 100 books in 2022 and 120 books in 2023. What inspired you to become such a voracious lover and reader of books?

I actually read 122 books in 2023. Like I said earlier, I have always loved books. I was only in primary school, but read all my brother’s WAEC Literature-in-English texts, even Shakespearean works. I would read any material I could get, be it comprehension passages from Intensive English textbooks, newspapers, magazines, or anything at all I could set my eyes on, that had stories in them.

About trending for reading books, I would say I never expected it. I was not a huge social media user some years ago because I was never fully interested. But then, in 2022, I decided to start recording my reading progress on social media so that by the end of the year, I could see how far I had come. I never knew people would be watching or interested in my little readings. So anytime I trended for just reading books, it’s always a cross between wonderment and joy for me. Wonder, because it constantly blows my mind that people are aware of me and what I do, and they go as far as lauding me — and joy because someone somewhere is inspired to start reading books again because of me.

I have always been a voracious reader but recently started being so vocal about it. And as for my inspiration, I would say my dad. He always bought me and my siblings books to read while growing up, and he also read books himself. My mother too, is a book lover. So basically, my parents are my inspiration.

How do you create time out of your busy schedules to read and review books? And how are you able to afford these books?

I think people make time for the things they love. Because I love books, I dedicate one, two or even three hours every day to reading them. I don’t look at it like I’m doing a chore. It’s something that brings inexplicable joy to me. Whenever I’m reading a book, I’m immersed in it. I read like the world is ending, and I’m trying to complete one good deed before dying. I read like I’m drowning, gasping for air. I do not separate myself from the book, and that’s why I scream and laugh and cry, depending on the energy the story is giving me. To me, reading is as essential as breathing and laughing, and since I don’t make it a big deal to create time for laughing and breathing, I just read too.

Writing reviews for books is a piece of cake for me. It doesn’t even take me up to ten minutes to write an in-depth review of any book I read. So, it’s very easy for me to do that whenever I finish a book. Once people understand the importance of books, they will also know that it equally has the right to be a priority, to fit into their daily schedules.

I mostly buy my books, but sometimes, authors and publishers reach out to me and give me their books as review copies.

Do you read each book cover-to-cover — from the beginning to the end — or do you read some sections and arrive at your conclusion?

Unless I do not like a book, which I’d dump immediately, I read it cover-to-cover, line-by-line. I mean, I have a highlighter for annotating remarkable lines and sentences. So, I read a book, digest it, and then arrive at my conclusion.

If I am writing the review on my blog, I go on and on and release everything in me. But if it’s on my social media platforms, I write a summarized version of my reviews because of the limited word count restrictions. Normally, I write a review immediately after I finish reading a book. But, sometimes, I don’t have the energy or not in the mood to do that immediately, so I save it for later.

Among fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, and children’s books, which one do you find much easier to review and why?

I would say fiction because it is my favourite of all the genres you mentioned. It’s easier reviewing fiction because it’s just a story, a fictional story that I can easily narrate.

Do you review these books for free? If not, where do you publish them and how much do you make from each book review you write/publish?

I started book blogging because I wanted people to read my opinion on books. And most of these books are ones I bought with my money. And so, I don’t depend on when people offer me their books to write reviews. I just buy books, read them, and review them on my platforms.

For book reviews, I do them for free. You just have to send me a physical copy of your book. But in case you need extra publicity, then I would charge a fee.

I have a blog, Bookish Pixie. I also review books on my social media pages.

You have read and reviewed hundreds of books written by others. Have you thought of writing your own books?

I have a work in progress, my debut novel. I started writing it in 2021. And even though I’ve abandoned it for a long time. I’m sure it will see the light of the day soon.

What were the five best books you reviewed last year?

‘Gone Girl’, a psychological thriller, by Gillian Flynn. ‘The Fishermen’, fiction, by Chigozie Obioma. ‘Tomorrow Died Yesterday’, fiction, by Chimeka Garricks. ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’, fiction, by Khaled Housseini. And ‘Finding Me’, memoir, by Viola Davies.

Books are the easiest and fastest ways to tour the world. How many countries have you travelled to through books?

I have been to countless countries through books. I would say that I have learned, unlearned and relearned many beliefs just by reading. I have learned to question the status quo, and to have a mind of my own. And through reading, I have become more empathetic. Through the diverse characters, I can see that I am not alone, and whatever I am passing or would pass through, someone else has been there, done that. I also learn about different cultures around the world.

In what ways do you think literature and writing can solve some of the societal ills in Nigeria?

From time immemorial, literature has always been a tool for correction and education. It is also a tool to advocate justice and positive change. As writers, the onus is on us to tell these stories, to point out these ills, either as fiction or otherwise. And Nigerian writers are already doing that in their capacities.

Nigeria is not a reading society. Nigerians hardly buy/read books. If you were the minister of information and culture, what would you do to encourage Nigerians to love books?

I would make Literature-in-English a compulsory subject from primary to secondary school, and up to 100 level in the university. I would provide free books for students, build more libraries, and also find a way to introduce bookish competitions in schools that would make students eager to read books and participate. But students alone don’t read books, so I would find a way to make it the rave. Make it cool. If everyone is talking about books on every social media platform, then people would naturally be interested in reading.

How many books do you intend to read this year? And what challenges did you face last year that you need to overcome this year to actualise your 2024 book reading/reviewing goals?

I don’t want to be put on any pedestal. I just want to read books.

The major challenge I faced would be the financial constraints in buying the books I wanted. Books are very expensive, and the economy is bad.

Apart from writing and blogging, what do you do for a living?

I’m just a writer.

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