Tag Archives: book-review

I want to discuss this book with you!

We often tell kids how important it is to read books that open up new worlds—stories that reflect different lives, voices, and experiences. My absolute top pick so far this year is We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (please read this!), and I enjoyed The Hair Dare by Faith Knight (see my interview with the author here). But I believe if we want young readers to explore beyond the familiar, we’ve got to lead the way. Plus of course reading diversely isn’t just good for children—it’s good for all of us. So although my blog usually focuses on kids books, every now and then I sneak in a grown up book. This is one of these times.

As well as being by a black author, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association by Ola Awonubi is also the first book positioned as a Christian read that I’ve picked up. I’m not particularly religious myself, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when a book has a faith-based back story but it is naturally woven into the themes about family and Nigerian culture. And the main character is older – what a treat to not be reading a romcom with a 30-year-old lead!

I remember being deeply frustrated by Tess of the d’Urbervilles which I read for one of my A-level English texts as she was so passive to “fate”, and I feel that the family pressures here are sort of similar in a way – actually I really want to debate this with my bookish buddies as I suspect it will split opinions, and it’s certainly not an obvious comparison. This need to discuss is the mark of a great book to my mind!

So what did I think? It’s interesting, well written, great characters, and thought provoking, and here is a competition (UK only) to win a copy for yourself. Good luck!

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association (Open to UK only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494619/?

Blurb

Friendships – fantastic. Family – getting better. Career – promotion on the cards.

Romance – *seriously delayed*

Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, have anything to say about it.

She might love her job, have great friends, and even own her own home, but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50. Not wanting to turn into a bitter aunty herself, Sade knows it’s time to get serious, but the options aren’t looking great – zero potential at church, work or in her social life.

What if her prayers for the perfect man have got lost? Or maybe Sade’s happy-ever-after is right on time…

Author Bio

Ola Awonubi is an award-winning author, creative writing tutor, and speaker, known for her compelling storytelling that bridges cultures and histories. Born in London to Nigerian parents, she spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK, where she pursued her passion for writing.

At the age of 40, Ola rekindled her dream of becoming a writer and earned an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East London. Her talent quickly gained recognition—her short story The Pink House won first prize in the National Words of Colour competition (2008), and The Go-Slow Journey secured first prize in the fiction category of Queen Mary Wasafiri’s New Writing Prize (2009). She was also honored with the Best Author CA Award (2019).

Ola has authored eight books, including Love’s Persuasion, Love Me Unconditionally, and the anthology Naija Love Stories. Her historical fiction novel, A Nurse’s Tale, published by One More Chapter Books (HarperCollins) in July 2023, became a bestseller in Canada, earning a spot on The Globe and Mail’s historical fiction chart. It was also recognized by the Brown Girl Collective as a favorite historical fiction book of 2024.

Her upcoming romantic comedy, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association, is set for release in Summer 2025, as part of a two-book deal. She is also working on a Jane Austen adaptation set in Lagos, currently under consideration by publishers and agents.

Beyond her writing, Ola is a creative writing tutor and speaker, sharing her expertise at prestigious events such as the Black British Book Festival, Meet-Cute Romance Festival, and London Festival of Writing. She will also be speaking at The London Writers Festival, Jericho Writers Conference, inspiring aspiring authors with her insights on storytelling, publishing, and book marketing.

Ola’s work has been featured in Afreada, Brittle Paper, Story Time, Woven Tale Press, and NaijaStories.com, with over 15 short stories published across various literary platforms.

Through her Substack newsletter, “The Resilient Writer,” she provides actionable writing guidance, digital resources, and industry insights, helping fellow creatives refine their craft and build their author brands.

Can you be harassed by a chicken?

True story. My dad used to work in wildlife conservation and was once called out because a man was being harassed by a pigeon. It would wait for the poor chap to come out of his house and then start attacking his head. He had to wear a hat. It would even follow him in the car and attack him again when he got out at the end of his journey. On that basis, Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knows him) being picked on by a chicken is entirely plausible. And if you have a chicken (or pigeon) on your head, you might very well fall down a hole. So Tucker’s Time Machine Telescope is practically a true story.

This is the fourth (I think) book by Robin Bennett I’ve reviewed, and I’m always delighted when an invitation to review one pops into my inbox. Like his other books, it’s a snappy fun read. Here is a typical bit that made me smile:

‘the flapping chicken wings in his face meant he couldn’t see the small hole left by workers in the middle of the pavement.

Luckily he missed it.

Unluckily, there was a much larger hole right next to it.’

Cue an eclectic set of adventures for Tucker (and the chicken).

Perfect for independent reading but, since I promise you’ll enjoy it as much as the kids, this would be a great book to read aloud.

Blurb

Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knows him) is walking innocently down the street when he is attacked by a chicken and falls down a hole. Unlikely as it sounds, this is how he ends up finding the Time Machine Telescope.

Unfortunately, Tucker seems to attract chaos and bad luck the same way that someone standing on top of a mountain waving a metal pole will eventually attract lightning and a free Xray.

Can he survive killer robots, Tudor kings, dinosaurs … and Kylo Hens long enough to complete his Time Machine Wish List

  • GET RICH 
  • HAVE FUN! 
  • GET MUM AND DAD TO SPEND LESS TIME ON THEIR MOBILE PHONES

There’s only one way to find out…

About the author

When Robin grew up he thought he wanted to be a cavalry officer until everyone else realised that putting him in charge of a tank was a very bad idea. He then became an assistant gravedigger in London. After that he had a career frantically starting businesses (everything from dog-sitting to cigars, tuition to translation)… until finally settling down to write improbable stories to keep his children from killing each other on long car journeys.