Good morning, Reader! Have you ever heard of the term book twin? Yes? No? Well, basically that’s someone who has the same reading tastes as you, likes the same books and basically, bookishly, you are similar. That’s who Edna is to me. My book twin. She’s one person who I blindly shop her bookshelf. If she says she loved a book, then best believe its going up on my tbr. I highkey trust her recommendations, and today, I get to introduce you to her. I hope you enjoy reading her answers as much as I did, and get some good books to add to your reading list.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Hi, my name is Edna Keng’ara. I’m a 24 year old Finance Professional Living in Nairobi, Kenya. I’m an avid reader and a foodie. If I’m not reading I’m in my kitchen throwing down.

What are you currently Reading?

Less by Andrew Sean Greer. I love it. Such a nice heartwarming book

What is your Favorite Genre and Why?

Contemporary Fiction is my Fav genre.Mostly because it is realistic & the characters are mostly people I can connect with more. Not that I understand what they are going through, but it’s more like I resonate with them. Contemporary Fiction also has a huge variety of subjects and is a genre with real elements.I also tend to read a lot of Historical Fiction.

What do you think about the reading culture in Kenya?

I really don’t understand why most Kenyans read the same book! There has been an increase in the number of readers online, or should I say people who are trying to adopt the reading culture but there’s lack of diversity in terms of what they read. In Addition, I wish more Kenyans adopted the culture of reading more during their daily commutes to and from work instead of using their phones. (Explains why most phones are stolen in traffic).Anyway, Needless to say, I appreciate how most guys are trying to adopt the reading culture and how many book clubs are coming up in Kenya as well as bookstagram accounts on Instagram.  Lately, I have seen most restaurants and  Hotels with a nice cute corner that’s stocked up with books and Libraries being renovated and them stocking up books which means you don’t have to break the bank to read a book .(Books are expensive y’all).

Name 3 Reading Habits that you have.

I read anywhere anytime, which simply means I always have a book with me.

I only read Physical books. I just can’t read e-books.

I read one book at a time. I get confused if I try to read more than one book at a time and I always end up not finishing one book. This explains why I have never finished Anna Karenina.

Do you prefer Tea or coffee? How do you take it?

Coffee .Though I don’t know if I actually like it or need it. (I don’t seem to get enough sleep on weekdays). I take it black with honey as my sweetener.

What is one book you recommend to people?

Just one? Can I at least throw in some authors I love? And two book recommendations?

Okay, Two books;

  • The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
  • The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

I recommend anything by Toni Morrison and Edwidge Danticat. Love these authors!

Where can we find you?

I’m on Instagram as edna_kengara

On Goodreads as Edna Keng’ara