This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
Quarantine Reading ¶
Published on July 11, 2020
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have found solace in reading. Diana Ngila, a non-fiction lover and book polygamist, shares her quarantine reading habits and favorite books.
Ngila, who is also the Chief Operations Officer at Bridges Credit Africa and author of 'Beyond 8 to 5 – Critical Lessons by a Retrenchee', is a self-proclaimed bookworm. She loves biographies, personal development, and entrepreneurial books.
Currently, Ngila is reading two books: 'From Third World to First: The Singapore Story' by Lee Kuan Yew and 'The Total Money Makeover' by Dave Ramsey. She finds inspiration in the stories of people who have transformed their lives and communities.
Ngila's love for reading is not limited to traditional hardcopy books. She has also started listening to audiobooks while commuting, finding it a great way to pass time during traffic jams.
When asked if books change people, Ngila firmly believes that they do. She cites 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama as a book that has influenced her life, giving her a 'bold voice' on any platform she is on.
Ngila's earliest reading moments date back to her childhood, when her father would bring home newspapers for her to read. She developed a keen interest in reading a wide array of subjects and has been hooked ever since.
During the pandemic, Ngila has discovered new hobbies, including setting up a vertical kitchen garden and writing her second book. She has also rekindled her passion for TikTok dance routines with her daughters.
Ngila recommends 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini for a beautiful emotional read and 'Beyond 8 to 5 – Critical Lessons By a Retrenchee' by Daisy Nyaga for a real-life experience on overcoming job cuts.
As she manages her reading with homeschooling for her children, Ngila has found a balance between her work routine and guiding her kids in their studies.
For Ngila, one book that has changed her is 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen Covey. She has also found inspiration in 'The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership' by John C. Maxwell and 'Success Through the Storms' by Jayne Stephen and Martin Muteti.
