Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme started by @Lauren’s Page Turners but is currently hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog. This meme is quite easy to follow – just randomly pick a book from your to-be-read list and explain why you want to read it. It is that simple.

This week’s book:

Song of Enchantment by Ben Okri

Blurb from Goodreads

Myth and naturalism are combined in the story of Azaro, the spirit-child who lives in an impoverished African village, and the upheavals that he and his family face

Why I Want To Read It

Happy Monday, everyone! Technically, it’s already Tuesday—I know. Monday again. Mondays aren’t everyone’s cup of tea; I, too, am not a fan of them. Still, we push forward. After all, we’ve got to start somewhere, and Monday is, well, a starting point. It’s a chance to work on our goals; ironically, the start is often the hardest part. That said, I hope everyone had a restful weekend in preparation for the rigors of the week ahead. The weather here in the Philippines has been unpredictable. The past two days were unusually warm, but today the skies are a little overcast. It’s no wonder many are feeling under the weather. As such, I hope you’re doing well—mentally, emotionally, and physically. May we all make it through (or survive) the workweek. Thankfully, this Friday is a holiday here in the Philippines, so we’ll have a little extra time to recover. Anyway, I wish you all the best for the days ahead.

Time really does fly. Just like that, we’re in the last week of October. By the end of the workweek, we’ll be welcoming the eleventh month of the year. Only two months remain before we greet a new year. Despite the uncertainties the future holds, time keeps pressing forward—regardless of our readiness. While the future remains shrouded in uncertainty, there’s still much to look forward to. I hope everything has been going well for you this year. As we approach the year’s inevitable close, I wish that the remainder of it is kind to everyone. May the remaining months shower us with blessings, positivity, healing, and growth. I hope good news and kindness come knocking on your door in the coming weeks. May you be rewarded for all the hard work you’ve poured in this year. Wishing you continued success and happiness.

With the start of a new week also comes a new reading adventure. Monday also means a fresh Goodreads Monday update—albeit a day late, which has been a common occurrence this year. After concluding my journey through European literature—a journey that lasted a full quarter—I’ve now pivoted to the works of American writers. When I say “American writers,” I refer to authors across the entire continent, from North to South America, including the Caribbean. Their works—along with those of several African writers—comprise the remaining titles in my reading challenge. This is a literary journey I’m excited about, and with so many wonderful titles lined up, I’m confident I won’t be disappointed. That said, I’ll occasionally interject works by non-American writers.

Among the books I’m looking forward to reading in the final stretch of the year is Ben Okri’s Songs of Enchantment. As I mentioned, I still have several works by African writers to read this year. Like many of the authors whose works I’ve explored over the past decade, I first came across the Nigerian writer through various must-read lists. His novel The Famished Road frequently appears on such lists. Moreover, the book won the 1991 Booker Prize for Fiction, making Okri the youngest recipient of the award at the time. The novel fascinated me because it offered glimpses into Nigerian culture. However, I wasn’t fully satisfied by it back then. In retrospect, I think it’s a book I would appreciate more now. Basically, it tells the story of Azaro, an abiku, or spirit child. An abiku is not meant to live a long life. I first encountered the concept of an abiku in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

In a way, I’m hoping for redemption. I want to reexamine Okri’s body of work; hence the inclusion of Songs of Enchantment in my reading list. I also obtained a copy of Infinite Riches, the final book in the trilogy that began with The Famished Road. Besides, Nigerian literature and its diversity are really growing on me. I’m also excited to see how Azaro develops as a character—his journey promises to be one of adventure. Moreover, I see this as an opportunity to further understand and appreciate Nigerian culture and literature. How about you, fellow reader? How was your Monday? What books have you recently added to your reading list? Drop your thoughts in the comments. For now—happy Monday, and as always, happy reading!