Why I’ve read over a hundred books – Obi-Obasi

Chinedu Angel Obi-Obasi is a ten-year-old aspiring writer who has read over a hundred books. She has performed at the reading hosted by the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA), in honour of Dr. Wale Okediran, the author of ‘After the flood’. In this interview, she talks about why she has read over a hundred books, […]

Chinedu Angel Obi-Obasi is a ten-year-old aspiring writer who has read over a hundred books. She has performed at the reading hosted by the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA), in honour of Dr. Wale Okediran, the author of ‘After the flood’. In this interview, she talks about why she has read over a hundred books, how parents and the government can inculcate the habit of reading in children, and more.

Bookshelf: At what age did you start reading?
Chinedu Angel Obi-Obasi: I can’t really remember when I started reading, but I know I started at a very early age.
Bookshelf: How many books have you read?
Obi-Obasi: I have read over a hundred books.
Bookshelf: Did your mum’s profession as a writer influence your passion for reading?
Obi-Obasi: Yes it did. My mum goes to many events because of her job, and goes with us. Most times we see books that are up for sale and she buys them. This made us have many books in the house, and when I am less busy, I just pick a book to read.
Bookshelf: What book is a top favourite among those you have read so far?
Obi-Obasi: It’s ‘The woman in me’, a very emotional book about a family living in England. The husband, who is from northern Nigeria, had to return because his mother wanted him to marry another wife from Nigeria. He couldn’t leave his wife in England, so he came back with her to Nigeria with his children. He eventually got married to other wives and problems, mostly associated with polygamous homes, erupted. I learnt from that book that even if you are to get married to other wives, you should give them equal attention. I also learnt that people should be appreciated because they will not always be there.
Bookshelf: You are the last of five children. Do your other siblings read as much as you do?
Obi-Obasi: They read, but not as much as I do. They are in the university and secondary school and so are more engrossed with school work.
Bookshelf: You won a spelling bee contest. What was the experience like?
Obi-Obasi: I was first runner up. I was happy because it was the first spelling bee competition I had ever won. The books I read helped me a lot in winning the competition.
Bookshelf: What have you written so far?
Obi-Obasi: Although I have not published any, I have lost count of how many books I have written. I have a book where I write all my stories, hopefully through my mum I will get them published soon.
Bookshelf: What inspires your stories?
Obi-Obasi: Ideas can come from anywhere. For example, if there is a negative habit in the society that needs to be changed, one can just write about it hoping that people and the government see it and possibly change it.
Bookshelf: What role do you think the government and parents can play in making other children imbibe reading habit?
Obi-Obasi: Parents can help their children inculcate the habit of reading by reading too. If you are a parent and you have not developed the habit, your children will not. You will have to lead by example. Government should provide more conducive environment for reading. One problem associated with a non-reading culture amongst children, is the inability to read. Some really want to read but they don’t have the financial means to get the books and also because there’s no place they can go to read. The government can help by ensuring that every child can go to school, provide more books, and provide good libraries. I visited a library once, and it was not conducive at all. It was dirty and had few books. Parents should also learn to take their kids to the library. I personally have read almost all the books in my house, but when I come to the library I see new books that I can read.
Bookshelf: How often do you read and how fast are you?
Obi-Obasi: If a book is very bulky, it may take me two to three days because I will be doing other things. But if it is a small book, I can read as many as two in a day if I have enough time.
Bookshelf: What kind of books appeal to you?
Obi-Obasi: I like books that are interesting and appropriate for my age. I love adventure stories. Enid Blyton is my favourite author.
Bookshelf: What is your dream profession?
Obi-Obasi: I want to become a writer and musician. I want to be a musician because I like singing and will like to play other instruments.