Member Article

Unravel Your Hidden Gems

The author of Dead Lions Don’t Roar is back, but this time with a book made up of short essays. To say I am excited is understatement.

Tolu A Akinyemi’s move away from poetry is genius in this new book – although we are reassured that another poetry book is due out in September. I am privileged to have one of the first copies to read and review so here’s what I think.

It’s a meaty book. A beautiful, traditional, satisfying handful of proper print. Good value for £9.99, especially when you consider Mr Akinyemi is making a donation to The Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund from the sales of this book.

I love the cover. Mine has a diamond radiating light from it in an open door, which tells a story in itself, although I understand there are two covers (one with a man radiating a similar light).

So what about inside? Writing talent is abundant, of that there is no doubt. It is easy to read and understand, with just a smattering of enough clever use of the English language to not feel intimidated if you aren’t a huge fan of reading but just the right amount to draw you in if you are an avid reader.

The short chapters make for it being a quick page turner – always good in my opinion.

Now to the topic and the emotions evoked. This book was described to me as a life bible for everyone. Yes there are a few undertones of Christian faith, but I am not religious and it spoke to me anyway in so many ways. The topics covered are vast – from love, to work, to life, to relationships – some is advice, some is observation. It’s a life bible of how to live, who to be and how to find your best version of you. Awesome.

However, what struck me the most was that every single chapter resonated with me in some way. It motivated me, made me want to be better, perform better, and most importantly it reminded to be myself. Love myself, Accept myself. I laughed, I cried, I sighed. I even tutted. But I kept reading. And reading…. I did mention it is a big book?

There’s a morbid fascination to knowing you are seeing inside someone else’s mind. And in Unravel Your Hidden Gems you see right into Tolu A Akinyemi’s mind including his experience, train of thought and feelings. But it isn’t uncomfortable – it is anything but. It’s like a warm blanket on a cold night. Reassuring and entertaining all in one.

As I came to the last chapter, I had a feeling of disappointment. Purely because I had finished the book and wanted more. It’s like when you get addicted to a TV series and then it ends, you sort of don’t know what to do with yourself and there’s a sort of grieving. I wanted more, to read more of this genius and guidance. It is the sort of book you know you will read again, very soon.

So do I recommend buying this book? If you want to read it then yes you need to buy it as no one, I say no one, is borrowing mine. It will stay right on my bedside safe and sound for a long time to come so I can reread and thumb through its beauty whenever I want!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophie Isobel .