Hesitate. That was the first big word I remember learning.
I think I was about 8 years old and in Primary 5. I stumbled on the word while reading a book called ‘Bello and the Greedy Waziri’. And from then on, I could barely say two sentences without using the word ‘hesitate’, even where it was not necessary.
I recently joined a book club, and the first book we were tasked to read is seeming quite laborious. I’ve honestly been struggling. It has the makings of a great book that might appeal to me. It’s about crime and law, and it’s set in London. It’s been over three weeks and I’ve just been stuck. The book review is on Wednesday so I really have to get on with it. It could be embarrassing being that person that has nothing to say. Like one time in Law school, I was visibly dozing and the lecturer walked up to me and asked a question. I’m hardly ever embarrassed; I tend to get more embarrassed on people’s behalf. But I kinda was that day. I said the wrong thing. He made a (dry) joke at my expense. Oh well, a girl needs her beauty sleep… (No, I’m not advocating you sleep in class).
Yesterday, I was in a bit of a mood and I decided to cheer myself up. No, I didn’t pick up that book. I didn’t play music. I didn’t look at my blog (which mostly works!).
I went online. I browsed shoes. I bought them. I was literally ecstatic.
To make it better, there was just one left in my size. Does that happen to you? Feeling like you’ve got a great deal when you snatch up the last item in your size. Plus I used a discount as well! Happy Days. Now I’m sitting, patiently waiting for the mailman. Because I also got free express delivery. Can you feel my joy? Now I really hope they are perfect. I have a knack for returning half the things I buy. Maybe it’s that moment I take a look at my account and I’m like ‘Nah, it’s not that serious…sending them straight back’.
When I received Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Americanah’ in the mail though, that was a good feeling. Arguably better than the mailman delivering new shoes that I may return.
Ladies (and Gentlemen), you probably know of Manolo Blahnik – iconic shoe designer. His hugely popular shoes have been dubbed the fifth character in ‘Sex and the City’. There was a scene where Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) was being mugged and she pleaded with the mugger ‘You can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but please don’t take my Manolo Blahniks’. There’s also the episode where she’s broke and may lose her apartment. After realising she’s spent over $40,000 on shoes (mostly Manolos) she says ‘I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!’… Get it?
Well well! Imagine my shock when in a recent interview, Blahnik noted that he probably prefers books to shoes! He’s a fan of Charles Dickens as his mum often read that to him as a child, along with Enid Blyton’s novels. He noted that Dickens’ is ‘so perfect’ and his words inspire some of Manolos’ creations.
C’mon guy. You make some of the best shoes ever, make us (not me, but some people) spend our money on your creations while you sit in your library full of books basking in the euphoria of 17th century English literature?
Thanks for the tip fella.
I think I’m going to attempt to get more excited over books than shoes! And the next time I need some cheer, I’m picking up my kindle. (It’s not the same though. Nothing as good as the smell and feel of a paper book).
It’s imperative that we imbibe and improve our reading culture. Books won’t hurt your ankle. Books don’t cost approx $700 for a piece.
Read alone. Read with others. Read to your kids. Read good books.
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
Now, your turn. Books or Shoes? What are your favourite books/authors? What are you reading at the moment and what line in the book has ‘spoken to you’. Share Share.
Love,
Kachee… xx
PS: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is a classic, yet an easy read. If you haven’t read it, you should!
Update: Shoes arrived. I think they’re going back. See my point, I’ve actually never returned any books.
Motun
March 13, 2016 at 18:56You still have not read Olivia’s wedding. *side eye*Shoes give a certain kind of joy though, Sometimes its a pat on the back for all the days of work.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 14, 2016 at 18:55I’ve just printed it off! Reading it on my way home…. Oh shoes are def a good reward anytime. Lol.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
April 21, 2016 at 14:41Loved Loved Olivia’s wedding. Can’t wait for her to turn it into a full book! xx
Nengi
March 13, 2016 at 21:30I used to be an avid reader. I never said no to books. Somewhere along the line, I lost my reading groove. I’m trying to get it back though. I still love to buy/own books. It’s just the reading part it need to fix…
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 14, 2016 at 18:55I used to read a lot too!! Now there’s just so much to do. I don’t even buy so much anymore. I download rubbish free books on my kindle. Sigh. But I get some good books for cheap from charity shops.
Ijeoma Ucheibe
March 14, 2016 at 13:27Kachee! Kachee!! Kachee !!!… Okay o…If I don’t turn in this report on time, I’m blaming you straight away in my query..
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 14, 2016 at 18:53Did you turn it in on time? Hahaha…
pagesbyike
March 14, 2016 at 17:10I don’t like shoes. So this is an easy one. Before you gasp and say “Ike! You don’t like shoes?!!!” I also don’t like chocolates. Lol. Books on the other hand, i delight in. I’m about to finish David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell and about to start Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen!
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 14, 2016 at 18:53But I recall you had loads of nice shoes! Lol. I don’t like Chocolate either so that’s understandable!
pagesbyike
March 14, 2016 at 18:56I did? I’d choose a handbag, any day. Lol
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 14, 2016 at 18:58Well you had both! 😛😛
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 16, 2016 at 14:44I forgot to respond on the actual books. Lol. Jane Austen is classic yeah? The only one I’ve read I think is Pride and Prejudice.. Never heard of Malcolm Gladwell. Will check it out.
Phebe
March 14, 2016 at 22:01Books over shoes. After buying nice shoes just because they are nice, I end up wearing one everywhere and with every outfit.I’m in love with Jeffery archer, Ted Dekker n Robert Ludlum in no particular order.I’m presently reading Thomas H. Cook’s the fate of Katherine Carr (honestly I thot I bought a Robin Cook novel until I got home).
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 16, 2016 at 14:43This is so me Phebe! I buy fancy heels, and because I’m always in a rush, I never take time to co-ordinate my outfits and always just grab my one black flat shoes that go on everything! I love Jeffrey Archer. Loved Loved Kane and Abel, and Prodigal Daughter. I’ve prob read just a couple of Ted Dekker and a few Ludlum.. Ah! I’m so pleased typing this, I really just to back to reading more often… Thanks for stopping by! Xx
KIKELOMO OMOTALADE
March 15, 2016 at 14:10Lmao at ur update…….on the flip side it might take a while before you get them cheaper(they might no longer be in vogue)………….i am a slow reader even though it’s easy for me to read blog posts/articles but novels ehn………….the first and last novel I read and reread was The Long Road Home by Danielle Steel and it was a good read even though it took me a long time to read up…………in summary shoes over books…….is someone giving me the side eye?Xx
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 16, 2016 at 14:49First and Last Kike? Lmao!! I’ve definitely read Long Road Home. At some point though Danielle Steels books begin to look all too similar. No side eye though! We love you like that…Haha! Xx
KIKELOMO OMOTALADE
March 16, 2016 at 15:06Peer pressure led me to read that book……all my classmates were talking about the juicy details so I thought to myself it’s ok to be pressured to read a book with so-called juicy details instead of studying for WASSCE(nothing juicy about sister and father’s escapades o jere…….at least that’s how the older me sees it,thanks to Hollywood)…………any interesting novels you can recommend?
Ijeoma Ucheibe
March 16, 2016 at 15:33Of course. By the whiskers though..*side eyes with a wide grin
Abby
July 21, 2016 at 13:09I grew up reading Enid Blyton infact that’s about the only thing I remember about my childhood! Slowly trying to get back into reading novels. I spend a lot of time reading articles all over the interwebs and Medium. I’m currently reading Everything good will come by Sefi Atta. Pretty interesting so far.
glowingscenes
August 25, 2016 at 22:13I Looooooooooooove Oliver Twist. I can’t count the number of times I read that book as a child. I can recall their names in my head, the storyline, the sadness and the way London felt at the time. The poor were poor then. I mean look at Oliver’s life and all he had to go through under Fagin, Bill Sikes and Charley Bates. Oh and Nancy, poor Nancy that got killed by Bill. When my mates would go out to play then, I would head to the library to dive into Enid Blyton. Childhood was fun and I could imagine bringing these characters to life in my head. I was in a different world entirely when I started. Famous five, the twin at Mallory Towers and other Enid’s stories that made life beautiful then. Do you know I actually purchased one recently wanting to re-live it but I just wasn’t feeling it anymore. Did you happen to come across Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal? and Babysitter’s club by Ann Martin? I preferred the latter. What about Great expectations? That’s another classic by Charles Dickens. I wrote about the books I enjoyed reading as a child on my blog about two years ago.http://myglowingscenes.com/…lol, sorry for going nerdy on you. I get excited when I hear books, especially classics. They’re part of what inspired my passion for writing. Sometimes I wish I could also eat my cake and have it i.e Buy all the shoes I want and buy all the books I want. Haha, but one has to be often sacrificed for another.Interesting post as always.Much love. xo!
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 25, 2016 at 23:12Love this comment! ❤️❤️You actually make me want to go and find an Oliver Twist! Absolute good times! Ofcourse I read the sweet valleys and the baby sitters!! Like you I prefered Baby Sitters Club! Read Great Expectations too. Ah, those were really fun times. I owe Enid Blyton – even though for a long time I thought it was Gnid! Lol. Your comments tonight have really mind me smile! ❤️