The bold month that June was: From political accountability to Father's Day & Men's Mental Health month

June was a busy month. We featured and discounted books by male authors. There were political strides not seen in recent years in Kenya, courtesy of the youth. It is easy for the fact that it was Men's Mental Health Month to slide through the cracks as we witnessed a revolution that was televised and popularized through cell phones and social media.

Father's Day being in June, we featured 3 authors in our stores namely, CBD Kenyatta Avenue and The Hub in Karen.  “Business Conquest and Food for Thought” by Ian Dennis shows us how food Is essential for our sustenance, and thoughts are crucial for our abundance. The book explores the essence of daily life, offering a guide for introspection and personal growth. 

Larry Liza through the book “There has never been ANYTHING false About HOPE” talks about how hope is the beacon that lights the path to our futures. Only by learning from our experiences with patience and resilience can we give, and radiate goodness. 

Jacob Aliet, through the unplugged series of books, one, two, and three talks about the steady decline of the man’s role in the family. He seeks to help men understand female nature, revitalize masculinity and build full-stack men who can navigate relationships while providing leadership in an increasingly gynocentric world that has largely silenced men. He talks about pressing issues such as hard truths men must embrace to forge the psychological infrastructure that can make them obtain financial success, navigate relationships, and become fulfilled people in the new social order.

Peter Kimani’s "Nairobi Noir" is a collection that brings together stories by different authors. By exploring the city's dark, gritty, and sometimes humorous aspects, the stories depict men navigating complex social expectations and cultural norms. The pressure to succeed, maintain a certain image, and fulfill traditional roles such as being the breadwinner is one of the core themes. The stories delve into the world of crime and corruption, highlighting the psychological toll on men who are involved in or are affected by such environments. The book shows how men grapple with their sense of self in a rapidly changing urban environment.

"Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoir" by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is an evocative recollection of the author's early years in colonial Kenya during the 1940s and 1950s. This memoir provides a vivid account of his childhood, set against the backdrop of the Mau Mau Uprising and the struggle for Kenyan independence. Ngũgĩ blends nostalgia, humor, and resilience in his storytelling, offering a rich and textured portrait of his formative years. 

Ngũgĩ teaches family and community through his words. In an ever-present need for people to better their lives through better governance from the struggle for independence to the struggles today as seen throughout June, his words of resilience in adversity continue to give hope to generations spanning the lifetime that is Kenya. 

June was a month of dynamic and transformative events, from significant political movements driven by the youth in Kenya to the celebration of Father's Day and Men's Mental Health Month. The works of authors such as Biko Zulu, Ian Dennis, Larry Liza, Jeff Koinange, Lee Njiru, and Jacob Aliet, explore the essence of daily life and hope to address the evolving role of men in families and society, providing profound insights and guidance for personal growth and resilience.