It had a life of its own, the CORA/NLNG Book Party that brought together eleven writers longlisted for the 2021 Nigeria Prize for Literature. That’s when you realise that just as dance-and-music is an art, so is reading, as some of the impresarios (yes, in their own rights) called up to read excerpts from the eleven longlisted books did so with panache. Just as the feet that measured the arena in rhythmic dances. Oh, Adora Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the event, bore witness.
Not only to that, also to the camaraderie and bonhomie that pervaded the atmosphere. Call it Onze Ensemble or Eleven Ensemble if you please, from each of the other ten writers on the list, I picked up one or two things about the art and business of writing. And so I must thumbs-up the books that begat the Book Party, in alphabetical order:
•Delusions of Patriots by Obianuju V. Chukwuorji,
•Give Us Each Day by Samuel Monye,
•Imminent River by Anaele Ihuoma
• In the Name of Our Father by Olukorede S Yishau
•Neglected by Lucy Chiamaka Okwuma
•The Colours of Hatred by Obinna Udenwe
• The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
• The Return of Half-Something by Chukwudi Eze
• The Son of the House by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia
• Your Church My Shrine by Law Okay Ezeh.
Kudos also to the organisers whose vision made the day possible – CORA/NLNG
