Buk'd And Bougie Newsletter

From The Editorial Desk

Dear Bougieites,

It gives me so much pleasure to welcome you to the maiden edition of the Buk’d and Bougie Book Club newsletter!

This still feels surreal as I write this, as we have only dreamed of this for such a long time, but now it unfolds before our very eyes and yours as well.

With a sigh of delight, I gladly present our July Edition, themed "The Genesis – Setting the Stage". This theme is particularly special as it marks the beginning of our journey in celebrating our shared love for literature and the vibrant community we are building together.

In this edition, we open the first page and take you on a journey of inception, community, gratitude, and resilience.

Just as the opening pages of a book are meant to captivate us, holding us spellbound till we can no longer contend with its strength, 'The Genesis' aims to engage, inspire, and invite each triber to form a deeper connection through our collective reading experiences.

We hope this newsletter reminds you of what it means to belong in a community where you are seen, moves you to push through the limits, and sparks a fire that has always been there in you. As we set the stage for many more editions to come, we invite you to share your thoughts, feedback, and ideas with us. Your involvement and enthusiasm are what makes Buk’d and Bougie truly special.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here's to the beginning of many great stories!

Helen Akanimoh Editor-in-Chief Buk’d and Bougie Book Club

BUK’D AND BOUGIE BOOKCLUB

Our History: How it all began

Buk'd and Bougie Book Club was founded to serve one main purposeto create a community of book lovers where a similar passion for reading could be shared, and to inspire a generation of young readers.

The inspiration struck after our founder, Christie Okposin, finished reading the captivating series of Maya Angelou's autobiographies. The book had moved her deeply, but there was no one to discuss it with. She recognized there was a problem to solve so she called her friend, Helen Akanimoh, and proposed they start a book club together, knowing how much Helen loved to read. It was the perfect solution a great way to connect with others who shared their enthusiasm for literature.

Helen's acceptance to join Christie in building this vision was immediate, and Buk'd and Bougie Book Club was birthed!

Buk'd and Bougie Book Club was officially launched on November 19, 2021,

and it has since become a cherished space for lively discussions. We know this is just the beginning We are building it to become so much more.

Our Vision: Imagining our future

To inspire a generation of readers and provoke a trend of thought evolving solution providers, while creating a warm and friendly environment for dreamers to become achievers.

Our Mission: What drives us

Our mission is to bring together like minded individuals who are passionate about growth, encourage a healthy reading habit among them, and harness the power of togetherness and community.

MEET THE EXECUTIVES

CHRISTIE IS THE FOUNDER OF BUK’D AND BOUGIE BOOKCLUB

Christie is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the University of Uyo. She is a brand designer, illustrator and digital artist. Her desire as the co-founder of Buk'd and Bougie bookclub, is to create a community for book lovers to connect and share their love for literature

HELEN IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF BUK’D AND BOUGIE BOOKCLUB

Helen Akanimoh holds a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Uyo and has established herself as a cybersecurity professional in her field. Passionate about creative writing, Helen channels her creativity through poetry and storytelling, where she finds true expression.

DANIEL IS THE BRAND STRATEGIST OF BUK’D AND BOUGIE BOOKCLUB

Daniel is a graduating student with a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Uyo. He occasionally indulges in writing, and his academic pursuits, combined with his literary interests, provide him with a unique blend of analytical and creative outlooks.

IG: @Bukdandbougie | Twitter: @Bukdandbougie

About The Writer

Gamelial Peter Omiunu is a History and International Studies student at the University of Uyo, Nigeria. When he is not creating content, you can find him listening to good music and learning Forex. He considers himself a church boy, and he is the choir director at his local church

Gamaliel Ominu is also a son and a brother. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow the Lamborghini: My Reading Journey

Through my journey on this earth, I have come to realize that our eyes were given to us by God (for those who believe) not just for sight but also to read and admire. I could dive deeper into this existential belief but I’ll leave it at that.

With my eyes, I have admired many thingshumans, dogs, nature etc but what I love to admire the most are cars. I LOVE CARS! Place a beautiful car before me, and she’s leaving the building with me. I refer to cars as ladies because what manner of beauty!!

As for reading, a book that changed my life is “Do it Today” by Darius Foroux. It taught me time management and how to avoid procrastination. I battled with it a lot I still do And when I do, I go back to read the book with my wine and cane beside me Darius Foroux changed the way I see things and helped me plan my life! It’s a book I will not easily let go of because it also opened up other life-changing books for me.

To me, reading is more than just an activity. It’s like the switch that turns on the treadmill of my brain—except when I’m reading history lol. What I mean is a good book makes me excited and giddy, maybe overjoyed too. I could keep going on and on, but the admins would cut my speech in half. Apparently, my wine subscription money hasn’t hit their bank account yet. But till then, know that;

I am Gamelial and I am Buk’d and Bougie!!!

Book Of The Month

THE PLAYER BY KRESLEY COLE

Evie Greene, a small-town girl seeking revenge, enters the world of high-stakes gambling. She crosses paths with Dmitri Sevastyan, a powerful Russian billionaire. As they engage in a dangerous game of seduction and deception, secrets unravel and passions ignite. Will Evie trust Dmitri and win back her life, or will she lose everything? "The Player" is a thrilling tale of love, power, and revenge that will keep you hooked until the last page.

MORE OF KRESLEY COLE:

THE ARCANA CHRONICLES THE GAME MAKER SERIES THE IMMORTALS AFTER DARK SERIES

TO NEW BEGINNINGS

Feature by: Gladys Njamiu

I have been lucky to have several new beginnings. I love and hate new beginnings because one must end for a new dawn to be born. Every new thing I’ve wished for required giving up something. Both processes are painful gruesome even.

Recently, I’ve been teasing a lot, even posting about wanting to fall in love. But to find my soulmate, I need to date.

To stop procrastinating, I have to plan my day, understand my tasks, and set completion times. The process of unlearning procrastination and birthing new me sounds hectic. It requir a lot of devotion, and sometim we’re too exhausted to birth new version of ourselves.

What I’m trying to say is, we lo forward to new beginnings b often ignore their cost. We rare discuss the painful death of o old selves. When you pray f change, also pray for the wisdo to steer the change.

Looking back at my ne beginnings, none felt like a relie I’ve never had a safe landing in anything new;

I arrived tired, bruised, and needing rest. Society rarely talks about the grief of new beginnings, and no one walked me through it. So, if you have a new beginning, remember it’s normal to arrive tired. It’s normal to be exhausted.

About The Writer

Gladys Njamiu is a Kenyan writer who writes on mental health, books, and entertainment. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from Machakos University, Nairobi. A poet, and podcast lover, she shares her reading progress on her podcast (aunty wa vitabu podcast). She also runs a personal blog.

GET TO KNOW OUR BOUGIEITE OF THE MONTH

What inspired your love for reading ?

My dad had a small library with books on diverse topics, so I grew up around books. Unlike the new generation that gets a screen placed in front of them from just a few months old, I grew up reading children's books, rhymes, and picture books. This influenced me, as books were my go-to option for getting information.

How did you discover our book club?

I heard about the club in a conversation with Miss Veronica and I decided to check it out and months later, una don give me award.

What has been your most memorable book club discussion and what made it stand out?

The June book review on His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie is the most memorable because it’s the most recent. Many people participated in the review, and everyone had something to say because it was a relatable experience.

BOUGIEITEOFTHE MONTHJONATHANUDOM

Can you share your all-time favorite book and why it holds a special place in your heart?

Every time I answer this question, it will be about a different book This time, my favorite is ‘Roots’ by Alex Haley, the popular story of Kunta Kinte. It gives a glimpse of ancient history and also how society and environment influence human behavior and development over generations.

How do you balance reading with other aspects of your life?

I'm a currencies swing trader so I spend very little time actually "working" which frees my time for everything else.

How has being a part of Buk'd and Bougie Bookclub enriched your reading journey and personal growth?

For me, the most important advantage of any gathering is meeting people and being a part of something bigger than you. Buk’d and Bougie is that community for me. The book club has also helped rekindle my reading spirit Now, I’ve stopped reading just for entertainment but to know and learn from people, and I didn't even notice when life became more challenging because I have my tribe.

Celebra Bir July Celebrants

Rejoice Effiong- 13th

Destiny- 12th

Location:

WRITING IS FUN BECAUSE IT’S CREATIVE

Feature by: Goodness Joshua

Writing is never a big deal. It just needs you to do it consistently and intentionally. Anything you see, feel, or think of is worth writing about.

Intentionality comes in when you build an imagination in your mind or tell yourself a story about something that happened and decide to put it down on paper or any other writing material.

If you don’t have a book with you, or you can’t type it down because of where you are, you can record it. Tell the story into a recording device and go back to it later. While listening, you might find other things to add to make it more creative. Without knowing it, you become your first audience, judging if the story or write-up is engaging or worth reading.

Give your writings time to ferment. Be consistent in revisiting them, and you’ll find more interesting things to spice them up with. That’s how creative a writer you’ll be. Do it now, do it always. Yes, you too are a writer!

About The Writer

Goodness Joshua, who goes by the pen name Goodee Josh, is a graduating student at the University of Uyo, studying Chemical Engineering. She loves writing, especially poetry, and is a proud member of The Writers' Manger Network (TWMN). One of her literary works is a three-line poem consisting of seventeen syllables, called a haiku. You can find her on Instagram.

IG: @Bukdandbougie | Twitter: @Bukdandbougie

TRIBERS' BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Maddie's Designs

A distributor of architectural materials, stationery, and modelling supplies of all kinds. Maddie's Designs celebrates the diversity of design mediums, from precision-cut sheets for architectural models to highquality drafting tools.

Fashion by Toks is run by Oluwakemisola, who is passionate about celebrating the vibrant patterns of Kampala prints, bringing a touch of bold African aesthetics to everyday wear.

ArtbyTee

Fabrics by Toks

Fabrics by Toks is a fashion storehouse brimming with colorful and vibrant fabrics, including Kampala prints If you're in search of handmade palm sandals and slippers, that offers you comfort, you're in the right place.

ArtbyTee is an online store curated by Christie Okposin, a talented artist and skilled brand designer. Expect to find a captivating collection of Christie’s unique and inspiring artworks, each piece reflecting her passion and creativity. Whether you're looking for stunning paintings to adorn your home, distinctive illustrations to add character to your space, or bespoke designs that make a statement, ArtbyTee offers a diverse range of art that caters to every taste and style Shop here

Psychological Thriller

I Know What You've Done by Dorothy Koomson

The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeny

African Literature Non-Fiction

Atomic Habits by James Clear

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel So Good That They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport

Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

The Parlour Wife by Foluso Agbaje

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARK YOUR CALENDERS

Bookish Adventures to Look Forward To!!

TWMN BOOK FEST

We're pumped with excitement! TWMN, in partnership with Buk'd and Bougie Book Club, will host a Book Fest on October 19th, 2024, at Ibom Tropicana in Uyo

The outdoor event, themed "I READ, I RISE!" promises to be an enriching experience and we will be on the front line, championing this.

If you're in the city of Uyo, you don't want to miss out on this. Let's show up and do it the Buk'd and Bougie way!!

VIRTUAL EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

TWMN BOOK FESTOCTOBER 19th 1. BUK’D AND BOUGIE 3RD YEAR ANNIVERSARYNOVEMBER 19th 2.

BUK’D AND BOUGIE IS TURNING 3!!!

Buk'd and Bougie will be celebrating her 3rd year anniversary on the 19th of November, 2024. We can't wait to celebrate this milestone with you! Stay connected with us for more updates on this.

YOU CAN JOIN IN THE ACTION

©BUK’D AND BOUGIE