20 MAY. 2024 · "As I left China farther and farther behind, I looked out of the window and saw a great universe beyond the plane's silver wing. I took one more glance over my past life, then turned to the future. I was eager to embrace the world." Wild Swans, by Jung Chang. Jung Chang is a Chinese-British author best known for her groundbreaking memoir "Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China" which chronicles the lives of three generations of women in her family against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history. She is also the author of a comprehensive biography of Mao Zedong, co-written with her husband Jon Halliday, titled "Mao: The Unknown Story," which offers a critical perspective on the Chinese leader's life and legacy. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

19 MAY. 2024 · "I say that Nhamo's grandmother was a witch because the people of the village said so. And she was."  "Nervous Conditions“, by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Tsitsi Dangarembga's debut novel, "Nervous Conditions" (1988), holds the distinction of being the first novel published in English by a Black woman from Zimbabwe. In 2018, the BBC recognized it as one of the top 100 books that have shaped the world. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

18 MAY. 2024 · "He is coming, and I am here." The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger is a captivating novel that intertwines romance and science fiction, exploring the love story between Clare, an artist, and Henry, a librarian who involuntarily travels through time. The narrative delves into the complexities of their relationship as they navigate the challenges posed by Henry's unpredictable time travel. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

17 MAY. 2024 · "We didn't call it Lagos then. The name was Eko, a name that must have belonged to our ancestors, those who lived here before the Portuguese came." From "Swallow", by Sefi Atta. Sefi Atta, the acclaimed Nigerian author, presents a compelling narrative in "Swallow," a novel that explores the lives of women navigating socio-economic challenges in post-colonial Nigeria. Through vivid characterizations and a gripping plot, Atta captures the struggles and resilience of her protagonists against the backdrop of Lagos' evolving landscape. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

16 MAY. 2024 · "This is not a full circle. It's Life carrying on. It's the next breath we all take. It's the choice we make to get on with it." Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood, by Alexandra Fuller. This poignant memoir captures her rugged and turbulent upbringing in war torn Africa during the 1970s and 1980s. Fuller's narrative is rich with evocative descriptions of the African landscape and offers a raw, intimate look at family life amid political instability and personal tragedy. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

15 MAY. 2024 · "Things started to fall apart at home when my brother, Jaja, did not go to communion and Papa flung his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the étagère." From "Purple Hibiscus", by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. "Purple Hibiscus" is a profound and poignant novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which explores themes of family, freedom, and oppression through the eyes of a young girl named Kambili. Adichie, celebrated for her vivid storytelling and insightful commentary on Nigerian culture and gender roles, has received widespread acclaim for her works, including this compelling debut novel. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

14 MAY. 2024 · "The white man whose power you know too well has ordered this meeting to stop." "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe ends with this poignant line. This is a seminal work of African literature that explores the tragic fall of the protagonist, Okonkwo, and the impact of colonialism on traditional Igbo society. Through its vivid portrayal of pre-colonial life and the disruptive forces of European colonization, the novel captures the complexity of cultural change and resistance. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

13 MAY. 2024 · "They called him Ma Ma Gombe, Ma Ma Water, out of respect and not mockery, because they were too wise to mock him."  From ""The Palm-Wine Drinkard", by Amos Tutuola. "The Palm-Wine Drinkard" is a novel by Nigerian author Amos Tutuola, originally published in 1952. Blending Yoruba folktales with surreal storytelling, it follows the adventurous journey of a man in search of his dead palm-wine tapster through a mystical and fantastical landscape. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

12 MAY. 2024 · "For a while longer they lie still. Then he whispers, 'Be good,' and then he whispers, 'Forgive me'". From "Disgrace", by J.M. Coetzee. "Disgrace" by John Maxwell Coetzee is a poignant exploration of post-apartheid South Africa, delving into themes of power, redemption, and societal change. Coetzee, a Nobel laureate, is renowned for his stark, thought-provoking prose that illuminates the complexities of human nature. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

11 MAY. 2024 · "The news that our district was to be visited by a celebrated actor had spread throughout the mountain area of Phoenix of the Sky." "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress", by Dai Sijie. Dai Sijie, a Chinese-born filmmaker and author, wrote Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, a semi-autobiographical novel inspired by his own experiences during China's Cultural Revolution. The story explores the transformative power of literature through the journey of two young men who discover forbidden Western books in a remote mountain village. Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds. Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.  Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.