ABA READS

ABA Reads, with Ademidun Adejobi

ABA FOCUS continues its emphasis on staff reading choices, with an interesting story about staff professional Ademidun Adejobi's unique 2014 goal and how she went about setting and accomplishing it. Ademidun earned her degree from Sac State in English, and so her goal that involved reading a lot of books is not as unlikely as one might think.

1) When did you set the goal for yourself to read 12 books in 2014? Was this a resolution of yours?

A few days before New Year’s Eve, my sister always makes a point to set a goal for the approaching year. She is very goal-orientated. Each year she asks if we, her siblings, are setting a goal too. I had never set a resolution before, but in the past year I felt like I had neglected to read as many books as I would have liked. Then, remembering a time when my English professor challenged a student to read one novel a week, the idea seemed like something to work with. Of course I knew this would be a difficult challenge for anyone, so the intention was to start off slow. On New Year’s Day I challenged myself to read at least 12 books over the next year. Essentially, this meant one book per month.

2) Before setting this goal, how often did you read?

A little over a year ago as an English major, I read as often as class assignments required. Any spare time was spent on other hobbies, so unfortunately I did not often read for leisure.

3) Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? In either case, what sort of subjects or themes do you most enjoy?

Fiction is my preference; however, I have started to look into the non-fiction genre. When looking for new books to read, I always want to follow the story of an experience. What is wonderful about books is that I can learn about any person and their surrounding world. Stories, oral and written, are very important in creating empathy. They allow us to sit with new perspectives and to gain insight on different lives, global and local.  Any book that can do that for me is enjoyable.

4) Sac State’s tagline is “Redefine the Possible.” Do any of the books you read relate to redefining the possible in your job?

Many of the books help me to see the perspective of other people. It’s not easy to be unassuming about people, but I always try to be open. This helps at a university where we all encounter people from varying walks of life. Thousands of people are here every day so it is important to know how to correspond with each of them.

5) If you had to pick one or two books that you have read recently, which would be your favorite(s)? Why?

I really enjoyed Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The book was given to me by Kendal Chaney-Buttleman. The story is set in Nigeria, following fifteen-year old Kambili and the complications of her living a strict and sheltered life in the postcolonial world of the novel. Adichie’s writing is very thorough and colorful, which is what I like the most because I am familiar with the landscape of Nigeria. Admittedly, Nigerian novels haven’t been on my reading list before so to have the chance to read one by recommendation was very nice. I’m inspired to read more.

The second book is The True History of Paradise by Margaret Cezair-Thompson. It is a coming-of-age story about a young Jamaican girl named Jean Landing, whose life is complicated by the complex nature of Jamaica as it becomes an independent country. What makes the novel particularly interesting are the many narratives of her ancestors that lead into the diverse and thorough history of Jamaica. Jean’s family lineage is a combination of African, Spanish, English, Irish, Chinese, and Scottish heritage; while her half-sister is part Indian. The novel acts as a historical and cultural text about Jamaica, and that is why I really liked the story.

6) When do you hope to accomplish your goal of 12 books read?

My goal is to have read 12 books by 11:59 P.M. on December 31st, 2014. Even if I read less than 12, I will still feel accomplished. It is better to have read than not read at all.

7) Do you usually go to the library, borrow, or buy books?

I have always gone to the library to borrow books. There is a sense of accomplishment when I go find a book, check it out, read it, then return it. I also like the feeling of reading a book that so many other people have read as well. It is interesting to consider that I am not the only person who has touched or will touch the book. Library books are historical documents in that way.

I would like to buy books, but I do not have space for them. Hopefully, one day I will have a large bookcase that holds all the books I’ve ever read. And I hope that is a very large bookcase.

8) How have books, or the stories contained within them, affected or improved your life, well-being, outlook, or work?

Books are filled with so much knowledge, it is impossible not to learn anything from them. Many of the books I have read shifted my perspective of life. The realization that we are living in a complex society is important. I believe stories will always connect us, no matter how different we think we are from each other. Every narrative gives us the insight into histories, cultures, languages, social attitudes, and economic standings. I can learn about any ethnic group, sexuality, religion, nation, territory, gender, and age from past to present. All by reading a book! Through this, I gain the ability to empathize with other people and my knowledge of the world continues to grow.