Hi There,
This is a recap of what went down on Saturday February 3rd at the JP & JM Apartments at Barnawa, here in the Center of Learning, Kaduna. The Book Land hosted its first author, Brainbox to a book signing/reading but in this case lyrical performing event because this book is a collection of intentional pieces written with the writers 'conscience' I'm just going to be giving a quick run down on what happened that day and for the spoken word pieces, look out for subsequent posts, you'd see the pieces by each of the artist. 


It began at about 5:00pm and it was anchored by Jason, a spoken word artist and Tamar of The Book Land.

After the acquaintances were made and the guests began arriving, the beautiful poet came up on stage with a beautiful performance, (i will post her poem subsequently). She had us enthralled from hello, needless to say, she was shy but was encouraged by the audience with claps and smiles.

Next was Konquer, A Spoken Word artist who's piece was titled 'Education And Schooling'. this Piece discussed Education and Schooling in ways we had not thought of (thats what poets do right? use their gifts as tools of information) and i am proud to say i got new info from that piece. Konquer, conquered us all.

at Intervals, Our anchors kept us entertained, at least i thought so😀😀, and after that, one of the Anchors, Jason of course came up to perform his piece. i only had one thing in my head mid his performance, Rap and Poetry works together. Watching and listening to artist performing their pieces has an even better way of passing the message they intend most times other than just reading it and i confirmed it when Brainbox said artist/poets write from their conscience.

It got even better when James Apeh of Victory Camp International, came up to talk to us, He is a Motivational Speaker, A Mentor and many things. and so he spoke about The Youth and His Dreams. And although he had limited time, we or I learnt quite a lot, especially from his explanations on Goal Setting and Mentor ship.

You thinking of what you missed right? That's why I'm here😁😁

Next was the screening of #IAmNotAFailedDream Documentary by the Author, Valentine Onyeka  Ogunaka Known better as Brainbox. It was a a documentary that highlighted the effects and rewards of pulling through with our dreams and passions as youths. short but mind broadening video.
You know what they say about Reading; it widens your imaginations. Listening and Watching to that Documentary evoked thoughtful Questions.

Wondering where  thAuthor was? He was next, for the Q&A session.

On his art, he told the attentive audience on how he began, and even though, it wasn't yet welcome in the streets, he persisted because he said 'Look at the Comedy Industry today, If people like Ali Baba decided to call it quits just because years back, comedy was not paying, would he be here today'? he doesn't want to call himself one of the Pioneers of Spoken Word in Nigeria but he believes he has payed his dues and is still and he hopes that we do the same, because he says if the zeal and passion is not there, there will be days when you would not want to go on, and what happens next? he uses his work to speak out on social vices and that is why it comes to him naturally.
He had a word for every young person out here in kaduna, to believe in yourself, in what you do and work on it. 

Well, After that, we all wanted to hear him perform and he did. I'm going to post an excerpt below from one of his performances which happens to be my favorite from the book.

In Every City.

There's a dreamer in every city
There's a dreamer in you.

...
You'd find them in the home next door,
As a young single mother hold back her tears,
Because her son has said he wants to be the next top surgeon,
Even when he hasn't been to school for more than a year.
...
You'd find him in the cyber cafe, the guy surfing Jobberman
And when life says no job for you Mr Man,
He upgrades his CV, and then applies again.

You'd find them in slums, in tattered boots,
Yet with empty stomachs, they play football like professionals,
All for the attention of scouts from their dream clubs!
...

You can call 07036216162  or send a DM to @thebook_land on IG to get your copy of the book in Kaduna.

Books were purchased and signed and conversations were initiated, friends were made and we closed!

Brainbox is a Spoken Word Artist, Writer, a qualified Library and Information professional, Mentor and an Entrepreneur. He  has inspired and instructed at workshops and seminars. Also has teaching sessions with students at schools. You keep up with his work at www.iambrainbox.com


Thanks for reading, Please share your thoughts below.
You can send me emails at thebooklandng@gmail.com

FIVE KEY BENEFITS OF READING

 Hello there, 

Trust you're having a beautiful Thursday, I'm going to be writing about the benefits of reading on this post. Although it was written by JOHN GRISHAM, it will be explained further by me. I've listed them down below and ill explain them further after the list. 

11.    Increased knowledge

22.    Expanded horizons

33.    Improved vocabulary

44.    Sharpened thinking

55.    Enhanced empathy

11. Increased Knowledge: As a person who reads or as as a person who has made up his/her mind to begin, you must know that for every book you pick up to read there is something new to learn. might be novels, textbooks, or religious books. the aim is that by the last page of that book. you have learnt at least one new thing that you may or may not even put to use in your everyday life, but trust me, that knowledge will come in handy some day. 

  2. Expanded Horizons: to expand your horizons usually is to open yourself up to new opinions and ideas, or to experience or learn new things. Now there are different ways to expand one's horizons, it could be traveling or in this case, reading. when you pick a book to read, you have agreed to learn or experience another persons opinion. it doesn't mean you have to agree with what the writer says that is why we have people for or against an opinion.

  3. Improved Vocabulary: when reading, it is advisable to have a dictionary by your side or better still in your device which technology has made even easier. you can download one into your mobile device and walk about with it. Which means for every new word you uncover, you can search for the meaning and learn it. you have improved by one word that has stuck!. For me, when i learn a new word, i talk about it as often as i can, in conversations, in instant messaging, that way i get familiar. trust me, it works!

  4. Sharpened Thinking: Google says, "if you sharpen your senses, understanding or skills, you become better at noticing things, thinking and doing somethings". And of course one of the ways to sharpen these is by reading and paying attention to those things you have read. For example, you pick a book on Purpose, you can read and apply it to your daily life and even tweak some principles to work better for you.

  5. Enhanced Empathy: Empathy is basically the ability to put oneself in someone else's shoes. its trying to feel what they are feeling an understanding of why they are feeling it. For example if you read 'The Fault In Our Stars' by John Greene, "A Story about Love, Cancer, Pain and Death. You'd understand the story of every other sick cancer patient out there. i literally cried all night reading that book.

  There a lot more other reasons on why you should pick up a book and read, but before then, feed on these five and i hope you enjoyed reading.