Whether you’re in the mood to read on a beach or curl up indoors, there’s a book out there to match every mood. Problem is: which book to sink your teeth into? While we’d admit that these are good problems, selecting a book (or books. Why stop at one?), can feel like a herculean task. Is it going to be a gripping thriller or a steamy romance page-turner? We understand and we’re here for you.
To make your selection a bit easier, we’ve caught up with some members of our FEMME MAG community and asked them what they plan on reading this Summer and why. We’ll be reporting back with their responses throughout the Summer! From celebrity memoirs, to teen dramas, we’ve got a range of stuff coming your way.
Think of it as our little gift to you! This week, we have Mayowa Fagbure (@mayowafagbure).
“How To Kidnap The Rich” by Rahul Raina
I’m excited to read the satirical thriller, “How To Kidnap The Rich” by Rahul Raina. After reading a few reviews, I’ve gathered that the book tells the story of a man who was born poor and is ready to do whatever it takes to never fall back into poverty. I enjoy reading books that are entertaining yet address serious issues. “How To Kidnap The Rich” covers issues of social crime and class in modern India while staying within the entertaining thriller genre.
Recently, I’ve become fascinated with learning more about India. The real India, though. Not the fantasy version portrayed in the Bollywood films I was previously familiar with. Some weeks ago, I binge-watched the television series, “A Suitable Boy”, and the film, “White Tiger”. Both of these media pieces enlightened me about the country’s socio-political problems. While watching them, I found parallels between India and Nigeria – both countries were colonised by Britain and their foreign influence has affected the locals’ perceptions of their cultures and traditions. Also, the class differences and wealth disparity between citizens, are equally similar problems that exist in the two countries. Although the countries are quite different in many other ways, while consuming media about the Indian experience, I was able to identify with some of them as a Nigerian.
I’ll be picking up “How To Kidnap The Rich” soon and I can’t wait to dig into it. Outside of the book’s setting, I know that it’s bound to be a funny one because it has satirical elements. I’ve just graduated from university, so there’s no better time than now to have my Hot Girl Summer. It won’t be anything too crazy though- I’ll be reading new books, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying being in my own presence.
