Five books for those in love (Part II)
Love has never been more desired than now when the world is in so much turmoil. Once we step back and see how mean we have been to each other then we understand that there is nothing that we take we depart this world then it’s time to put on the armour of love that […]
Love has never been more desired than now when the world is in so much turmoil. Once we step back and see how mean we have been to each other then we understand that there is nothing that we take we depart this world then it’s time to put on the armour of love that can forgive, can be kind, selfless and charitable. This then is Part 2 of books for those in love and for those in love with love. Here then is a collection that spans love of a nation, love of children, love of God, love of your darling, for the Bible says three things will last forever, love, faith and hope and the greatest of these is love.
1 ) Letters to Martha by Dennis Brutus.
South African anti-apartheid poet and writer whose craft deepened my keen interest for poetry. Sparkling, profound and thought-provoking words in such elegant form that they drive you to tears. I read Dennis Brutus as an undergraduate in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where I had some of the most phenomenal lecturers in literature. Everyone got us involved in literature and I was deeply involved in the poetry of Dennis Brutus. Letters to Martha on the surface seemed like a regular love story between a man and a woman until you begin to sense that the evocative words are beyond regular love. As the layers peals, off and I dive in do I realize that Brutus has written one of the most amazing collection of poems on love of country that I have ever read. The images are about love for a woman but the poetry is all about his love for his country South Africa in the thick of apartheid. This collection written from exile and others from incarceration for his anti-apartheid views and activism. Beautiful, captivating, mesmerizing. Patriotism at its raw and haunting best.
2) Mom and Me and Mom by Maya Angelou is the book to beat on love for a most unusual mother. Maya grew up with her gran and spent most parts of her life away from her mother who was considered a complete dame but her gran taught Maya how to be tough, how to face the world, how to earn your place. Her gran was phenomenal in how Maya became the world’s most loved performance poet for a very long time and the inaugural poet for American President Bill Clinton. This is the story of two mothers, Maya’s mom and her grandmother. This story of Maya Angelou’s extraordinary life has been chronicled in her multiple award winning auto biographies. But now at last, the legendary author shares the deepest personal story of her life: her relationship with her mother. This is a book for all those who think they can never forgive their mothers and may not have understood why their mothers left them, fought them or tried to correct them. Maya’s story is an incredible eye opener.
3) Jade-Fighting to the end, is the story of Jade Goody who spent her last years on earth battling cancer and chronicling her pains and triumphs in a book which she has bequeathed to her kids and for posterity. While there are those who think she should not have done, her tenacity to tell her story in public while raising funds through a contract for the book to cater to her family after she has gone is what a love of mother is all about. Love without shame and often times with a lot of pain.
4) Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a great book on how to express heartfelt commitment to your mate. But more often than not the giver and the receiver express love in two different ways. This can lead to misunderstandings quarrels and even divorce. Quality time, words of affirmation, gifts acts of service and physical touch are the five basic love languages Dr Chapman identifies. He guides couples in this book towards a better understanding of their unique language of love.
5) African romance collection. All the six debut titles from Ankara press who are bringing African romance fiction into bedrooms, offices and hearts of women in the world. These titles are considered our own African Mills and Boons. Ankara Press says it is delivering romance in a more grounded and healthier way. Yep. Great stuff.
Bonus books
Any books on jealousy, which can lead to friction and the understanding of how jealous your partner is, helps. Any books on love of the poor, love of God, love of neighbor, love of parents, love of children and love of family.