Author Yewande Omotoso and writer Jumoke Verissimo will be the star attractions at tonight’s Literary Crossroads event at the Goethe Institut in Johannesburg tonight. Their topic of discussion will be Quo Vadis Africa: The Power of Words – The Power of Words?
Yewande is famous for her 2011 book Bom Boy (our review) which went onto shortlists galore. Her new book The Woman Next Door promises to have the same impact in the market; I’ve had a look – it’s very good.
Yewande is doing a second gig in a week as she was the star attraction at the Love Books Jozi last Tuesday as Joburgers got a chance to see her newest book with a launch moderated by Elinor Sisulu. Love Books is a small, independent book shop situated in the popular Bamboo Lifestyle Centre in the trendy suburb of Melville, Johannesburg. Her event was so packed that the retailer sold out all the books that they had ordered much to the chagrin of many who were there to support their sister. Hopefully, there will be enough books for those who want to get their books this evening.
On her part, Jumoke Verissimo in spite of wielding a name that sounds Italian is a Nigeria poet and writer whose first book first book, I Am Memory won a few literary awards. Her awards include the Carlos Idzia Ahmad Prize, First Prize for a first book of Poetry and the Mother Drum Golden Award for Excellence, for poetry. She is also a recipient of the Chinua Achebe Centre Fellowship, 2012 and came second in the Anthony Agbo Prize for Poetry for a first book of Poetry. So you can see that she is no slouch in the writing department.
So if have a minute this evening then I suggest that you make your way to the Goethe. It will be well worth your while.
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