This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
BY THE BOOK: Maryan Noor Yussuf ¶
Published on December 16, 2019
Maryan Noor Yussuf, a 20-year-old Kenyan author of Somali origin, has made a name for herself in the literary world with her two books, I Will Be Back and Nobody Knows My Pain. The latter, a nonfiction book, was published when she was still in high school, which she completed in 2018.
Currently studying Journalism at St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya, Maryan has a passion for reading and writing. In this interview, she shares her favorite books, reading habits, and writing experiences.
When asked about her favorite books, Maryan mentions Pocahontas by Linwood Custalow, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and Long Way Home by Michael Morpurgo. She loves these books because they connected with her emotionally and were fun to read.
As for her reading habits, Maryan reveals that she reads between 40 and 50 books in a year, depending on her daily activities. Her favorite spot to read is in her bedroom, especially at the far corner of her bed near the window.
When it comes to her favorite genre, Maryan confesses that she loves fiction. She believes that fiction allows her imagination to run wild and come up with new ideas.
With a vast collection of books, Maryan has a special place in her heart for Becoming Michelle Obama by Michelle Obama and The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon. She treasures these books because they are meaningful to her, but she doesn't lend them out as she's learned that people often fail to return borrowed books or damage them.
If Maryan were to become a character from any book, she would choose to be a villain. She loves villains because they get to do whatever they want.
When asked about her favorite authors, Maryan names Mark Twain, Sidney Sheldon, and Khaled Hosseini as her role models. She admires their writing style and the way they relate to her imagination.
For a 10-year-old, Maryan recommends Pocahontas by Linwood Custalow, I Will Be Back by Maryan Noor, and Trio Troubles by Jennie Marima. These books are easy to understand and teach valuable lessons about sibling rivalry, love, and having fun.
Despite facing criticism about her writing, Maryan persevered and continued to read and perfect her craft. She believes that aspiring authors should not give up and keep writing, reading, and perfecting their skills.
When asked about the appreciation of fairy tales in Kenya, Maryan notes that it's pretty good, especially among children. During book fairs and festivals, many children show up and buy fairy tale books.
However, Maryan observes that young adults in Kenya majorly read school set books and textbooks, rarely reading creative books. She suggests that book clubs should be formed in schools to encourage learners to develop a good culture of reading creative books.
When it comes to e-books versus hard copies, Maryan prefers hard copies. She likes the fact that she doesn't have to worry about charging her gadgets and can enjoy reading without devices.
Finally, Maryan shares that her last book was True Fire by Gary Meehan, which she found to be an awesome read. She loved the flow of the story and the transitions from one scene to another.
