Views, Vibes & Very Strong Opinions: Meet Brian

One Two! Make a Circle. Three Four… To keep things going for this circle, members like Brian have always been open to extend their hand and make this space comfortable for everyone to join in. You hear Karara, you see Brian.

Conversations with Brian, will always lead you to the Arsenal backyard or leave you questioning his controversial takes. Behind every event, and every financial hiccup this club gets into, Brian has had a hand in saving the day. Besides being the ‘Liquor Moderator’ iykyk, he has a lot more going...

Personal Life 

Who is Brian outside The Reading Circle? 

Hmmh this question hehe. I never understand why it is usually the hardest to answer yet everyone claims to know themselves😅.

Anyways I am a chilled guy sina maneno mob.

I enjoy the simple things life has to offer.In short, the best way to describe who myself is....."I am a collection of  paradoxes and messy contradictions." I saw this somewhere and I feel it best fits me out here.

In this busy world what are some things you do aside from reading that still make you connect, have fun and just be human?

I am a music enthusiast/purist. I listen to lots of music. Mara nyingi najipata najua ngoma kibao,  kumbe ni mazoea tu. I enjoy watching and playing football. Hii lazima ningesema. The banter especially when you are winning is something else. And watu wasisahau sisi kama ARSENAL, we won the league. Watu walitii. Nilisumbua watu sana hehe. I love travelling, ambience and great views.

Nothing beats an amazing view. Sherehe here and there ni muhimu, one needs to unwind and life is too short as well. In short, fun is anything that enriches my soul(hapa nimekuwa philosopher hehe) and makes me come alive. That simple.

In your work life, if you were to have superpowers, name 3 powers/abilities you would love to help you navigate your job or just generally a busy life? 

Hmmh interesting,  First would be reading peoples minds when I want to. Saves you alot of drama,lies and unnecessary shenanigans. Two would be teleportation,  the number of times nimetamani nitoke job nidisappear nifike home without having to navigate all the traffic, at times nataka tu a power nap after a long day.  Lastly, weather manipulation, Sometimes the difference between a good day/night and bad day/night is just the weather. I love the rain at night, sunny when I am outside, cloudy when relaxing, light drizzle when reading. It goes a long way🙂

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be and why? 

Damn. . I have so many many choices here but for this time let me go with Courage the Cowardly Dog. Hehe. . I know it's a weird choice but here me out. Courage had some of the craziest experiences, lived in Nowhere, supernatural drama left right. He gets battered left right but he always finds a way to do the right thing and solve the problems no matter what. His famous line " The things I do for love" tells the whole story to some extent. Ironically he was never a coward when you think about it.

What’s the hardest thing about being an adult, and what’s the best thing about it?

Hardest..the obvious - Paying bills .Its a never ending cycle you have to contend with. . Best thing - Free will. You can do whatever the f you want, hakuna mtu atakuchapa. . Consequences or not.

Time with the Book Club

Name a book you secretly (well not a secret now) want the club to read and why.

Well I wish the club could read the whole series of George R.R Martin but instead of one maybe two because they build on each other.  A Song Of Ice and Fire and A Storm of Swords. Reasons are simple both books are the highest form of high level fantasy but ironically all issues touch on the same reality we live in.

Pacing is immaculate and they build up on each other and the other books in the series, The depth in the very many characters is unrivaled. It delivers on political intrigue and aspect, multiple POVs, world building and events that shatter you. I could go on and on. P.S. The series is awesome, really is but nothing compares to the books. It's just different in all the right ways. Hapa nimeongea sana hehe

Has the book club influenced your personal or social life? If so, how?

Yeah it has for both aspects. The club brings a sense of belonging and commitment. You meet new people, indulge in different perspectives in relation to various topics and unaskia vituko pia hehe. Vitu watu husema sometimes unashangaa tu.

Which book character from the books we’ve read would you like to swap lives with for a day, and why? 

This is a good one. To be fair there are many to choose from. But I would go with Ben Wachira, Going Down River Road by Meja Mwangi.

This guy had one of the most unhinged experiences out there. From hero to zero, having unhinged friends and moments. Great moments as well though fleeting. He has had to go through it all and in reality I can relate to that in Nairobi because to be honest the issues he faced really changed that much. Food for thought. Also he depicts for me that no matter what there is always need to be hopeful that better days are and will come in the future.

What is your favourite book club memory? 

The physical meet up at the Amani  Ya Juu Gardens. It was a vibe. Games, Drinks😂. It was a lovely afternoon and great evening.

If reading circle was a football club, which position will you be playing and why think so, and no you cant be the coach?

I would definitely be an attacker, specifically a winger, it's because of the dynamic aspect that is required to be one. Creativity, thinking on your feet and delivering when it matters the most for your team. Plus I am a big fan of Saka, Olise, Yamal, Trossard and many more.🙂.Its all about the positive chaos.

Fun/Quickfire

What’s your most unpopular book opinion? 

I will be subtle here. . . Sometimes the books aren't good but the characters and concepts are.

If you could travel back in time, what would you change?

Tempting question but nothing. I wouldn't even go back. Dont get me wrong, nobody asks kuteseka hapa nje but what would be the essence of life if you could go back and change things, especially bad moments. Mystery and the unknown is the spice of life. Everything that has happened so far was meant to happen. Lets see what the future holds.

What's more intense: the final chapters of a great thriller or the last 10 minutes of an Arsenal match? 

Last ten minutes of an Arsenal match. . Cause between the banter and the unknown...Unaona time inaenda mbio kama mmedraw or are losing and vice versa kama you are winning. Si rahisi😂.

What’s one thing the book club members would be surprised to learn about you? 

I am extremely professional.Most members have not seen that side of me and might be surprised. Also I have some of the wildest takes when it comes to certain issues. When someone takes time to know me they can experience this part as well.

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done for love? 

Haha. . Wowwww. . Young love was crazy. Anyways nilichukua gas cylinder yangu full hadi kwa mrembo apike juu yake imeisha. Mind you ni usiku and it was a serious distance.. Kilometers..Baridi ilinichapa hiyo siku... Hata nachoka nikifikiria tu. Anyways mimi ndio nilala njaa hiyo siku.😂😅

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