The fact that River Road printers have networks all over the country selling everything from atomic habits to a romantasy you've never even heard of says everything you need to know.
A well thought out piece. Once I saw a chokoraa/homeless person (for lack of a better word) reading under a flyover and I was quite fascinated by that. Reading happens all the time. It happens every minute of the day. Online and offline. And I like how you have shown that it actually does. You know your shit.
This line, "We know Kenyans are reading books because we see that our booksellers are doing alright," definitely stood out for me because it's a truth I hadn't considered. The medium and the genres and the audience has changed but it remains a thriving industry that people have relied on as service providers and customers.
About that point on Kenyans perceiving reading as an obligation: I have always felt bad that most of my reading is scientific papers and blogs instead of blogs.
I loved this 🥰 Your observation that it is not that Kenyans do not read, it is that they engage with stories differently today, resonated.
It reminded me of this indie library in Nanyuki that offers a reading and wine experience (I bumped into it on TikTok). I loved it so much that I am making arrangements to make it my next solo outing (I am from Nakuru). In this regard, or at least with me as a statistical sample 🤭, you are right, readers have found such different and interesting ways of engaging with books and stories.
I would argue that this phenomenon is not just a Kenyan thing but also an African thing. That when people say Africans do not read, it is only because they are judging how Africans read by the nostalgic post-colonial standard you described...
This is such an enlightening post. I resonate with the comment that "Kenyans don't read". You are right, kids and young adult books are in low circulation.
The fact that River Road printers have networks all over the country selling everything from atomic habits to a romantasy you've never even heard of says everything you need to know.
A well thought out piece. Once I saw a chokoraa/homeless person (for lack of a better word) reading under a flyover and I was quite fascinated by that. Reading happens all the time. It happens every minute of the day. Online and offline. And I like how you have shown that it actually does. You know your shit.
Thank you for reading...:)
This line, "We know Kenyans are reading books because we see that our booksellers are doing alright," definitely stood out for me because it's a truth I hadn't considered. The medium and the genres and the audience has changed but it remains a thriving industry that people have relied on as service providers and customers.
Brilliant observational piece.
It is an enduring form...:)
And still has really great PR, unlike screen-based media.
Thank you for reading...:)
About that point on Kenyans perceiving reading as an obligation: I have always felt bad that most of my reading is scientific papers and blogs instead of blogs.
This post is very reassuring maze....thanks!
Reading scientific papers is a LOT of reading...:)
I loved this 🥰 Your observation that it is not that Kenyans do not read, it is that they engage with stories differently today, resonated.
It reminded me of this indie library in Nanyuki that offers a reading and wine experience (I bumped into it on TikTok). I loved it so much that I am making arrangements to make it my next solo outing (I am from Nakuru). In this regard, or at least with me as a statistical sample 🤭, you are right, readers have found such different and interesting ways of engaging with books and stories.
I would argue that this phenomenon is not just a Kenyan thing but also an African thing. That when people say Africans do not read, it is only because they are judging how Africans read by the nostalgic post-colonial standard you described...
This is such an enlightening post. I resonate with the comment that "Kenyans don't read". You are right, kids and young adult books are in low circulation.