About
A wanderlust person who loves good music, food and seeing people happy.
Hi, I'm Toke, a portrait photographer and graphics designer. I'm also a writer and currently studying dramatic arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University, majoring in playwriting.
I'm a music enthusiast and an avid lover of art and peace. I'm really proud of my taste in music and fashion and would be taking you through my life, one phase at a time.
Welcome again, do make yourself at home, you're in for a good time!
My Top Picks
MY TEN FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME
There is no doubt reading has a tremendous impact on who we are. The kind of information we consume from reading is capable of shaping our realities and how we see things.
Thus, reading the right books is one of the best things anyone could do to help themselves. To stay updated, knowledgeable, learn new things, become a better person, we have to constantly take out time to read books.
Also, books are where we great men, past and present speak to us.
I was a bit skeptical about reading nonfictions before I completed my secondary education, fictional novels felt like the best thing ever until I finished my secondary education and took out the pain to read my first nonfiction, Dale Carnegie's HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE. It was a life changing experience and I looked forward to reading more nonfictions afterwards.
It's been years since I read my first nonfiction and here's ten carefully selected books I've learnt the most essential lessons about life and living.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Love,
Extra Esther
UNINVITED: LIVING LOVED WHEN YOU FEEL LESS THAN, LEFT OUT AND LONELY BY LYSA TERKEURST
A great self help book to help you throw light at your endless questions. Lysa's style of writing completely captures your entirety and gives you that assurance that you are not alone. Because I found this book at a very dark time in my life, I'm totally recommending it for anyone and everyone and yes, it's my #1
THE 48 LAWS OF POWER BY ROBERT GREENE
If you haven't read this book, you've most likely heard of it or even seen it. In movies, at the library, at a friend's place, The 48 Laws of power is an all time classic tool for anyone who looks to wielding power the right way.
It's a powerful book just like the name implies and all 48 laws comes with stories of observance or trangression of the law and sometimes both.
I can bet you won't agree with all 48 laws, neither do I, nonetheless, it's a good read. I totally recommend.
INTUITION: KNOWING BEYOND LOGIC BY OSHO
Came across the Indian writer, Osho few years ago and I've been glued to his books since then. All of Osho's books are originally recorded and then transcribed into books which is why sometimes you might have to go through a page twice before fully understanding his message.
Intuition is a book on how every single human has a super power which is intuition and how merely relying on logic is going to deny us this amazing power. Intuition is inborn and will forever be asleep if we do not awaken it.
THE INTELLIGENT ENTREPRENEUR BY BILL MURPHY
Bill Murphy in this book researched into the lives of 10 successful entrepreneurs who graduated from the Harvard business school and how they prevailed despite the obstacles in their way.
All ten enterpreneurs featured in the book decided they wanted to become their own boss instead of working for already established firms, they knew the price they had to pay and totally went for it without holding back.
SHOE DOG BY PHIL KNIGHT
I find a striking resemblance in Phil Knight's story and that of the ten intelligent entrepreneurs and which is that entrepreneurship is one of the world's most demanding thing to venture into. I also found that once one is resolved to pay the ultimate price, liness will surely fall in place gradually.
Phil Knight, the founder of Nike takes us through how the idea of manufacturing sports shoe that would compete with Adidas and Puma was born. The prices he had to pay, the struggle to hold it together even when things are falling apart and the perseverance to see it through till the end.
This book is no doubt one book that had me glued right from the first time I picked it up till the end.
BORN A CRIME BY TREVOR NOAH
Born a crime gives a very clear picture of what it is like growing up in apartheid South Africa especially as a brown kid.
Although this book is an autobiography of Trevor Noah, the hero of the story is his mother. She decided to have a brown kid regardless of the situation of things at that time.
The dares, the risks, the beautiful use of imagery to describe an apartheid South Africa and the fact that the book is actually a comedy with all of the lessons ingrained in it is what makes it stand out. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy, or a Pdf like me.
P.s. I didn't drop my phone until I was done reading it
NO EXCUSES: THE POWER OF SELF DISCIPLINE BY BRIAN TRACY
This book explores self discipline as the key to living a fulfilled life. Be it finances, relationships and even health. You'd be surprised you can even maintain a good weight by simply abstaining from sugar, salt and flour according to the book.
THINK BIG BY BEN CARSON
Think Big is definitely another classic you have definitely read or come across at one time or another. It's the autobiography of Ben Carson's life, growing up and all the lessons he learnt along with it.
Ben rose to the top of his class after his mother made it mandatory for he and his brother to read more books instead of sitting glued to the tv after school and it definitely payed off in a big way.
His mother's wisdom and unwavering faith in God in tribulationsand in joy, his honesty and hunger to garner as much wisdom which was what made him stand out in his field makes the book one of the best I've ever come across.
THE WAY TO WEALTH BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
An old book full of wisdom which is still very much relevant in today's world. The Way to wealth explores topics such as business, moneyfinances and a whole lot of other topics which are key in the creation of a long lasting wealth.
It is a collection of adages and advice presented in Poor Richard's Almanac during its first 25 years of publication, organized into a speech given by "Father Abraham" to a group of people
The best part of it is, it's a quick read and the shortest of all of my recommendations so far which makes it easy to read and re-read for better absorption of the message
MAMA NEEDS A DO-OVER BY LISA PENNINGTON
If you're a keen on finding beauty in simple things, this book is for you. Lisa is a mother to nine children who has decided to make a book out of her everyday experiences with her family and how she turned her daily battles into victories.
You're definitely going to enjoy each and every bit of reading this book.