My Top 10 Literary Liberators

I learnt how to write through reading books. I spent my childhood buried under books. I read everything and anything that I could get my hands on and sometimes even books that I was not suppose to read. Books saved me. I lived through them and because of them. I traveled the world through books. I fell in love with people I did not even know. I became a global citizen with a sharp tongue and the ability to effortlessly glide my pen through numerous essays at school.

Below is a list of my top 10 writers, poets, authors and liberators and my favourite work/book/poem/essays by them. They have been my virtual mothers, grandmothers, sisters and chief advisers. Their words have moved me, shaken me and inspired me. I thank them from liberating me from small minded thinking and the tendency to over indulge in one's personal struggle.

1. Maya Angelou

-I know why the caged bird sings (full autobiography collection)
-Letter to my daughter (book of essays)
-Phenomenal woman (poem)
-Still I rise (poem)
-A conceit (poem)
-Weekend glory (poem)

2. Chinua Achebe

-Things fall apart (book)

3. Alice Walker

-By the light of my father's smile (book)
-The colour purple (book)

4. Ben Okri

-The Famished Road (book)

-Songs of Enchantment (book)

-Infinite riches (book)

5. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

-We should all be feminists (essay)

-Dear Ijeawele, or feminist manifesto in 15 suggestions (book of essays)

-The danger of a single story (Ted Talk)

-Purple hibiscus (book)

-Half a yellow sun (book)

-That thing around your neck (book)

-Americanah (book)

6. Nayyirah Waheed

(could not find a pic)

-Salt (poetry book)
-Nejma (poetry book)

7.Paulo Coelho

-The Alchemist (book)

8. Toni Morrison

-Sula (book)

-God help the child (book)

-Beloved (book)

9. Warsan Shire

-Teaching my mother how to give birth (poetry book)

10. Yrsa Daley Ward

-Bone

*all poets images found via google images

Comments

Luxury Travels with Guest Blogger Koketso Chipane - "My Euro '17 Rendezvous"

King Gina’s Luxury Travel Journals are about highlighting how young Africans travel the continent and the world. We caught up with Koketso Chipane after her Euro ’17 Rendezvous and asked her to document her trip for our readers… Luxury Living all the way. Enjoy Europe through her eyes. Name: Koketso Chipane Age: 28 City: Pretoria Occupation: Associate Market Risk Analyst at The South African Reserve Bank Business Interests: Beauty/fashion, design and Art Favourite Luxury Brand: Chanel and Celine. L uxury Leisure Activities: I enjoy attending fashion shows, champagne festivals and I love fine dining. I'm always discovering new restaurants to try out and enjoy exclusive, intimate spaces. Being a jazz and art lover, I visit art galleries and attend art events religiously, as well as enjoy jazz events and clubs such as The Orbit, home of Jazz in Braamfontein. What does African Luxury mean to you...

The African Luxury Master Class: Exclusive Interview With African Luxury Menswear Designer Sheria Ngowi

(image provided by Sheria Ngowi) Africa’s fashion industry is one of the fastest growing industries. The world has found a way of appropriating African designs and textiles in its runways so it was only about time that more African luxury fashion brands would start cropping up to offer Africans and the world an authentic interpretation of the continent's style. In my past life I used to be a high-end image consultant (predominately for the men’s market), this is where I got to learn about the extremely talented designer Sheria Ngowi. Sheria Ngowi is a Tanzanian luxury menswear designer who has taken Africa by storm. So when I got the opportunity to approach him on Instagram, I took it. Talk about the power of social media. To my delight, Sheria was so warm, appreciative and keen on doing this interview. This interview turned into a master class that had me thinking of when I completed my Honours in Brand Leadership. Sheria has dressed heads of states, celebrities and Africa’...

Luxury Champagne Campaign: The Stories Behind My Favourite Champagne Brands

Lily Bollinger was once asked " When do you drink champagne?", and she replied: “I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty.” In the words of Madame Bollinger, champagne does not need an occasion and I believe it to be true. Once you fall in love with it, you will not be a fan of anything else…unless you are me; I love a good glass of Pinot Noir too. The aspect that makes luxury brands stand out are the stories behind the brands. Story-telling is a major component of brand building when it comes to luxury brands; it is no longer about convincing a consumer to make the purchase but to rather be a part of the story. The stories behind brands such as Dom Pérignon and my personal favourite, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin are ones that warm my heart....

King Gina

Search This Blog