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SemiScribbled Podcast

SemiScribbled Podcast

By Akinyi M

Semi Scribbled Podcast is about reading books that inspire marginalia, books that changed your world view, and life post those pages! Hosted by Akinyi.
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Finding Me..../The Other Black Girl/AKO Caine Prize Shortlist 2022

SemiScribbled PodcastJun 24, 2022

00:00
25:27
A Burst of Light: An ode to Audre Lorde
Dec 21, 202221:59
On Rotation aka "What is Romance?"

On Rotation aka "What is Romance?"

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 4 of Season 3 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this episode, I am falling into romance...get it? Lol. I talk about On Rotation: A Novel by Shirlene Obuobi. 2022 has been a rough year and I was looking for an escape from the usual tough, hard, challenging themes that this book delivered. It also goes with my own personal theme of the year on building community and working with a love ethic. The other themes: first-born African daughters who are raised to overachieve, discover themselves, freeing themselves from expectations are found within this book and were the perfect recipe for me. Also, what the avid romance readers and avid readers call spice was plenty! I recommend this read as we ease into the last quarter of this year. 

The something-to-note section is also full of what I've been doing out and about Nairobi to do with books!  Clips from this section are from a) 2022 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction, b) Idza Luhumyo wins the Caine Prize 2022, and c) Macondo Literary Festival.

Our editing maestro is THE Tevin Sudi.

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

In this episode:

Music by Coma-Media from Pixabay

Music by TuesdayNight from Pixabay

Music by TuesdayNight from Pixabay

Nov 12, 202224:03
Anthills of the Savannah feat Sarah (The Bookcast Club)

Anthills of the Savannah feat Sarah (The Bookcast Club)

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 3 of Season 3 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

This is my second episode with a Guest. In this episode, I am joined by Sarah of The Bookcast Club. Sarah and I take a deep dive into the Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe. AOTS is one of my favourite books of all time. It is election season in Kenya when this episode goes out so the themes in this book are fitting to discuss right now. I really enjoyed discussing the characters in this book especially and how they impacted us differently. Sarah was an awesome guest and you'll definitely understand why this is an hour-long episode once you start to listen.

My episode on the Bookcast Club with Sarah

Our editing maestro is THE Tevin Sudi.

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

In this episode:

Music by Coma-Media from Pixabay

Music by TuesdayNight from Pixabay

Music by TuesdayNight from Pixabay

Jul 17, 202201:17:11
Finding Me..../The Other Black Girl/AKO Caine Prize Shortlist 2022

Finding Me..../The Other Black Girl/AKO Caine Prize Shortlist 2022

Hello Everyone! I'm back and I missed you.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 2 of Season 3 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this comeback episode, I talk about Finding Me by Viola Davies, a memoir that I can get with. Authentic and so well written that I would definitely place it in my top 10 of 2022 and would easily revisit it. Viola is truly an artist of many talents. The journey of her life is so interesting and lets us into her personality and the choices we have seen her make publicly, which perhaps gives us a little more understanding. I also talk about The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris. I struggled with TOBG and I do my best to articulate why. I need to DNF books and let y'all know about it. Finally, I speak about the 2022 AKO Caine Prize for African Writing Shortlist! I am beyond excited about this year's list. 

This episode, the Something To Note Section, includes a clip of the 2021 Chair of Judges, Goretti Kyomuhendo obtained from the 2021 AKO Caine Prize Award Ceremony.

Our editing maestro is THE Tevin Sudi.

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

In this episode:

Music by Coma-Media from Pixabay

Music by TuesdayNight from Pixabay

Jun 24, 202225:27
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies feat Nyambura (100onBooks)

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies feat Nyambura (100onBooks)

Hello Everyone! 

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 1 of Season 3 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

This is the first episode of 2022 and my first episode with a Guest. In this episode, I am joined by Nyambura of 100onBooks. Nyambura and I discuss the first book that impacted them, the genre of books that they enjoy most, their contribution to the bookspace through 100onBooks, and we talk a great deal about The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw.

Our conversation meandered along various avenues and it was a pleasure to talk to Nyambura. I hope you will enjoy this conversation too.

Our editing maestro is THE Tevin Sudi.

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

Jan 30, 202254:58
A QnA and a Top 10 - 2021 Holiday Special
Dec 29, 202120:58
Open Water
Dec 16, 202120:24
All About Love - A Gathering!

All About Love - A Gathering!

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 7 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this episode, I talk about All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks. 

This book gathered me. I want you to read this book. To open your horizons about what love is and how it manifests, what makes sense about love according to your social conditioning, and what love can be if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities that it embodies. This book has often been described as being about romantic love but in my reading of this book, I found that love begins way before we find our romantic partners, and to be able to love those partners well we must embody love is in so many other facets of our lives. This book is a road map towards that. 

The Something to Note section is a commentary. A clip in that section is from the Booker Prize Ceremony here.

You can listen to and watch the live discussion of the Smart Brown Girl Book Club on All About Love here

Our editing and sound maestro is THE Tevin Sudi. 

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

Nov 14, 202131:46
Semi...what?

Semi...what?

Hi! Thank you so much for showing up. This is just a little sound bite about what semiscribbled pod will be about. 


Oct 30, 202100:29
Parable of The Sower

Parable of The Sower

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 6 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this episode, I talk about Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler.

I am enjoying my deep dive into the SciFi/fantasy genre and Octavia Butler does not disappoint as the next pitstop in this journey. This book is a gem and quite relevant for what we are facing today even though it was published 28 years ago! Octavia takes us through thoughts on climate change, economic collapse, and seeking new habitable environments. Let's get into it!  

There are two clips included in this review in my Something To Note section which is a commentary on news in the book world. The first clip was obtained from Global News "Tanzanian novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah wins Nobel Prize in Literature" which is available here. You can also read the tweet from Carey Baraka on Abdulrazak's writing on food. The Second clip was obtained from Netflix @Netflix Book Club with Uzo Aduba | Official Announcement Trailer" available here. More on Okwiri Oduor's forthcoming novel is also here. Finally, the long essay on Dambudzo Marechera is a must-read, enjoy!

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

Oct 30, 202128:01
The Broken Earth Trilogy

The Broken Earth Trilogy

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 5 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this episode, I talk about The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. 

This was my first foray into SciFi/fantasy genre and I am so glad that I jumped in right where N.K Jemisin is at. This was the right introduction into this wonderful genre and it did not disappoint. 

There are two clips included in this review in my Something To Note section which is a commentary on news in the book world. The first clip was obtained from News Central TV's "Chimamanda Adichie Pens Essay Against Social Media Hypocrisy Following 'Clash' With Akwaeke Emezi" which is available here. (Please note that the views of News Central TV are not the views of this podcast. TW: misgendering) The Second clip was obtained from R17 News "AKO Caine Prize: Meron Hadero named first Ethiopian winner" available here.

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

Let me know if you like my new intro and outro too!

Aug 27, 202120:33
Behold The Dreamers

Behold The Dreamers

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 4 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this podcast, I talk about Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to the star that is Imbolo Mbue. The themes and plot in this book were right up my alley: immigration, love, and ambition through an African lens! This book embodies real characters with a capital R and life situations that correspond to what we all mull about in current times, is the grass really greener elsewhere? Listen in to find out my thoughts on this.

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) I'd love to engage with you.

You can also send me an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

Let me know if you like my new intro and outro too! 

Jun 06, 202117:22
Death of Vivek Oji

Death of Vivek Oji

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 3 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this podcast, I tackle The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi.

They did it again! Another thought-provoking read that challenges our perceptions about life! The cast of characters in here left me in my feels. There was a lot happening, I must go back and re-listen (re-read)! Would I recommend it? Yes, 10/10. Is this an easy read? No. It will put you in a place to question what you believe love is and how it shows up, what family means, and how it should operate for the members within it. Go on, challenge yourself.

Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

You can also send us an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Mar 20, 202113:46
More Than Enough

More Than Enough

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 2 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this podcast, I tackle More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth.

This is our first Non-Fiction Review on the pod. Though I usually do not enjoy autobiographies, this book made its way into being an exception for me.

After getting through the foundational chapters getting into the gems dropped here was awesome and definitely something I will be rereading. Another rescue from my TBR.

Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

You can also send us an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Feb 14, 202124:28
Homegoing

Homegoing

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 1 of Season 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this podcast, I tackle Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

I give you a breakdown of my thoughts around my reading experience in this book and the story it tells and how it impacted me.

Reading this was a bit challenging for me, I did not get into it and had to have several attempts. I cracked it finally and rescued it from both my TBR and DNF lists. 

Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

You can also send us an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Jan 31, 202116:43
QNA and Happy Holidays!

QNA and Happy Holidays!

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 8 of Semiscribbled Podcast (You can call us "podcastsemi" if you are part of the family!).

This our first Question and Answer Episode. I answer your questions about the podcast: How do I read so fast? How do I edit? 

This is our final episode for 2020 and we will definitely be back in 2021 for more reading and laughter.

Happy Holidays! 

xoxo

Akinyi. 


Please follow us on twitter and instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Track: Fairytale Of Christmas — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: https://youtu.be/1mA4nwcqtq0

Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/fairytale-christmas

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Dec 24, 202012:35
The Havoc of Choice

The Havoc of Choice

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 7 of Semiscribbled Podcast (You can call us podcastsemi if you are part of the family!).

In this pod episode, I review The Havoc of Choice by Wanjiru Koinange.

We encounter the Mwangi's and the Muli's who are a family with a history of politics and corruption. The women in the family are trying to chart a new way of living away from the various trappings of the political fate of the patriarch of the family but the men seem to continue to remain entangled in vying for seats and the drama that comes with it. The backdrop of this narrative or rather the overarching historical event that underpins the narrative is the 2007 Elections and the post-election violence that followed. 

This is a breakthrough read for me in 2020.

Read this tweet to see what I really think of Jane! 

Please follow us on twitter and instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Dec 23, 202019:37
Freshwater

Freshwater

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 6 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this pod episode, I review Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi.

We are taken on a journey through the mind, soul, and being of Ada who is a daughter of a god named Ala, a child that was conceived when the portal to the spiritual world was open and so is inhabited by Asughara, Saint Vincent, and We. Ada also prays and believes that Yshwa (Jesus) will come to her aid. This is a narrative about how Ada learns to balance the presence of all these beings in her as she also grows into an adult woman. It is about the people she encounters on her journey as friends, lovers, and even healers. 

This book is in my top 5 books I've read this year. 

When I say in this episode that the book is not literary fiction, this is my source.

Please follow us on twitter and instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Nov 22, 202012:51
This Mournable Body

This Mournable Body

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 5 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this pod episode, I review This Mournable Body by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Wow! This book definitely took me through the wringer. I started out thinking I would DNF the book but I hang in there, sat in the feelings that it evoked in me and I am so glad I did because it was worth it! This book follows Tambudzai a 30 something-year-old woman living in newly independent Zimbabwe, in the capital Harare, and her quest to finally live the life she had envisioned for herself. When we begin Tambu has outlived her welcome at a women's hostel due to her age and is searching for all the things: a new place to live, a job, and a way out of the current state of life she is living. We journey with Tambu as she attempts to find her footing in life and the consequences that follow. This is one of the best books I've read in 2020. 

I listened to part of This Mournable Body via audible but this is not a sponsored episode!

Please follow us on twitter and instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Nov 07, 202013:13
The Shadow King
Oct 24, 202014:28
Enjoy The Vibes!
Oct 10, 202011:35
Dust: Memories are Ghosts

Dust: Memories are Ghosts

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 2 of Semiscribbled Podcast.

In this podcast, I tackle Dust by Yvonne Adhiambo. 

I give you a breakdown of my thoughts around themes in this book including complicated family relationships, the real history of Kenya, Memory, and Transitions. 

You can see the cover of the version of this book that I had on my Instagram page. 

Shout out in the podcast was to thenook.ke you can see their review of Dust here

Please follow us on twitter and instagram (both @podcast_semi) we'd love to engage with you.

You can also send us an email: semiscribbledpod at gmail.com

________________

Song Credits:

Artist: RAGE

Title: American Vernacular

Free Download: https://bit.ly/2xrIcVF

Available via: YoutubeStudio

Sep 25, 202023:09
Such A Fun Age: What is Ambition?
Sep 12, 202022:06