WHEN BOOK LOVERS MEET- A REVIEW OF THE BOOK EXCHANGE AFFAIR.

Saturday, the 26th of September,2020 was not going to be just any ordinary Saturday. Certainly, the word “Lit”, is not enough to explain how this event ended.

Dorcas Fafali Tsey was our MC! She is sensational 💜

This was organized by Readers Truss on the theme “Promoting a Good Reading Culture”. It took place at the YMCA, Ridge. I was not going to miss it for anything I must confess. As a woman who is thriving to build and establish herself, and a budding writer, I earlier saw this year’s programme on Instagram and I quickly added it to my Calendar. (My earlier write-up for this programme)

Tell you what, I was psyched and steadily looking forward to a day of renewed zest for reading more books which will enhance my writing skills.

Like every quarter of the year which comes and goes, this particular one came and I was at the venue just in time. The organizers were around interacting with participants; while some were involved in activities like, playing of Ghanaian Board games (Ludu, and Oware) cards, scrabble and other activities.

board games 👯

Dorcas Fafali Tsey was our MC for the day and she did an impeccable job with the role. The actual programme started at approximately 11:15 am. She created a forum for participants to introduce themselves and state their category of book state. There were the Book lovers, Book flirts, Book hoarders, Book Virgins and Book addicts.

Booklovers

The next itinerary on the programme was a detailed account of what The Book Exchange Affair was all about and how it started. She briefed us on the programme and it’s progress over the years.

The next session was the fun part where participants interacted with themselves. We were introduced to “BooK Confessions” This section brought out the honesty and very frank views from some participants. Questions were asked about the reading progress and unfinished books, unread books, authors(Contemporary and African Writers) that are overrated.

Book Addict, Book flirt and Book lover! 💜

A few hints were given to us as readers when we don’t find reading pleasurable anymore. There were also brief interactions and collaborative exercise which ignited our spirit to read more.

The final section was the book swapping, socialisation, buying and gifting of books. We also headed for the snack stalls to tame our tums.

In Review:

My low for the programme was the very beginning. It could have been better if organizers started with a read or a spoken word interlude. It could also have been better if participants had showed up on the stipulated time. It would have been awesome to have extra time on our hands, especially during the interactive session

Book Exchange Affair!

I had also hoped for a more detailed talk not from Dorcas Fafali Tsey alone but from other organizers too. However, I was thrilled to be among such great minds, seeing how people made their expressions on books they have read and their views on the authors. The programme was overly Lit as I would end it!

I was appreciative of the free books, swapped books, recommended books, and books as gifts handed out from the organizers and participants to me. I am looking forward to a better venue and far better quarterly Book Exchange Affair than this💜

A book flirt from the Book Exchange Affair 💜

I recommend these books to you!

1. A TIME TO PART AWAY– Ama Pomaa

2. HALF OF A YELLOW SUN – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

3. THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE – Stormie Omartian

4. A BIT OF ME – Ohenekyere Gifty Anti

5. ARROWS OF RAIN – Ndibe Okey

6. A COWRIE OF HOPE– Binwell Sinyangwe

7. SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY– Siri L. Michelle

8. CHANGES: A LOVE STORY – Ama Ata Aidoo