2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Lightseekers, the first book in the Philip Taiwo series by Femi Kayode.

Pages: 432 pages

Length: 1 month (December)

Participants: SarahKat, Lorraine, Beth

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Hi ladies! I'll be starting this tomorrow on audio.

Starting this one today on Kindle borrowed from Libby. Very eager to get underway!

I just started Act 2 and have to say this book is quite good! Comments to come later today

I've finished Act 1 and hope to complete Act 2 tomorrow. (view spoiler)[ I appreciate that the author chose to call the sections "Acts" instead of "Parts" or "Chapters"—it adds a theatrical quality to the story. The structure, the buildup, and the drama all feel very much like a play. I enjoy the way he writes; in Act 1, we are introduced to many characters, and it's clear early on that something doesn’t quite add up. The police force seems to be involved in some way, which raises questions. It's hard to believe that any country would tolerate this kind of behavior from its citizens in the 2020s... (hide spoiler)]

I stayed up late to finish this, and I’m glad I did. This was really well paced, kept moving, and resolved well. I cared about all the MCs and want to know more about them. The contrasts that Philip made between his experiences in the US vs Nigeria were incredibly interesting.

This quote really hit home: “Nations that swept their injustices under the carpet with nothing more than a vigorous ‘Never Again’, tended to repeat the same mistakes. The ones that took collective action towards recognising the injustice, understanding why and how it happened, and then taking concrete measures to prevent it happening again, tended to succeed.”

Thanks to whoever suggested this book! Shall we read book 2? Looks like this is a 2-book series.

I just finished Act 1 and I'm liking it a lot. Downside to listening to it as opposed to reading it with my eyes is I won't know how to spell anyone's names.

Beth I'll have to see if I can get book 2 for cheap somewhere. I got this on audible with my last credit before canceling the subscription.

I just love a good psychologist story! 😁 I finished the book a few days ago, but with preparing for a short vacation, I was busy packing and forgot to comment.

(view spoiler)[Beth, I really like the quote you selected. I think it perfectly explains the population’s reactions and also highlights how many people who were abused as children, if they don’t take the time to understand what happened and work on healing, may end up repeating the cycle of abuse with someone else.

That said, I’m a bit disappointed we don’t know for sure whether the guilty culprit is truly dead. (hide spoiler)]My library has Book 2, so I’d definitely be interested in reading it, but it wouldn’t be possible for me before March. Let’s see if SarahKat can find a copy too!

I just finished Act 3. Lots of surprises and bad things happening! (view spoiler)[Do we know who trashed their room yet? I may be missing a thing or two occasionally. My mind wanders when listening. Salome being the defense for the people in the mob who killed the boys was a turn!
Figured Chika wasn't "Just a driver" from the beginning.
Godwin's death was pretty sad as well. (hide spoiler)]

I will probably finish this today or tomorrow.

Audible just gave me another 3 months for cheap so I can get the second book that way! March works for me. Shall I add it?

I will join you in March. So yes, go ahead

Ok!

Finished! Beth I do like the quote you posted. Seems like it's a problem that persists through time and space.

(view spoiler)[Seems like there's a lot left up in the air here. Where is Tamano? The cults are still running. It wasn't a nice tidy wrap-up. Which is a good thing sometimes! Makes it more realistic.

I am glad Philip and Chika made it out of the situation. And that he and his wife are still okay. (hide spoiler)]