Reading gives you wisdom and an extra advantage.

Adedoyin Jaiyesimi is a Communications Advisor, Corporate Trainer and Co-Founder of The Comms Avenue, a capacity-building and networking platform for communications professionals across Africa with over 1500 professionals from 25 African countries in its mission-driven community.

What are you reading currently?

I am currently reading Blake Healy’s book “Profound Good”. It showcases God’s everlasting goodness through the author’s encounters and experiences.

What informs your choice of a book to read?

It depends on many factors. I always try to read books that will help me update my professional knowledge, deepen my understanding of God, and gain information that will be useful for other areas of my life. For example, for professional books, I focus on books that cover what I need to learn. I want to learn more about data storytelling, so I have been reading books on that topic. For leisure, I read Christian fiction or a memoir.

Which books would you rate as the Top 5 in your reading experience?

The first book is definitely “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. That book portrayed the love of God for humanity in such a vivid and compelling manner – a reminder of how deep God’s love for us is. Other books in my ‘Top 5 List’ are the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, “When in Doubt, Make Applesauce: Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional” by Marc Whitt, “The Ride of a Lifetime” by Bob Iger, and “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.

What books would you return to again and again?

Again, “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. So far, I have read the book every year. The same applies to other books written by Francine Rivers. I have read “Masterpiece” at least three times.

Please suggest five essential books in your discipline.

I would recommend that every Communications and Public Relations professional should read the following books:

1. The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication
2. PR Technology, Data and Insights: Igniting a Positive Return on Your Communications Investment by Mark Weiner
3. Daughter of Africa: An Autobiography by Gina Din
4. When in Doubt, Make Applesauce: Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional by Marc Whitt
5. From Clueless to Success by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi

Could you recommend five general interest books that should be must-reads for young people?

The books I would recommend are:

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
2. Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise by Horst Schulz
3. Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
4. To My Younger Self by Ronke Onadeko
5. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Do you prefer hard copies or digital texts?

I’m a hard-copy girl all day, all year. I love holding a book and writing down my thoughts as I read through the pages. Essentially, I can do whatever I want with a hard copy, and every reading experience is memorable. I read digital books because, as an avid reader, I can’t buy all the books in the world or take them around every time. So, I have to opt for digital copies of some books.

Any preference between fiction and non-fiction books?

No, I don’t have a preference because they have their value and benefits. People focus more on non-fiction books because they do not appreciate the importance of reading fiction. Fiction helps hone your creativity and expand your mind in ways non-fiction books can’t. So, I read both because they are both valuable.

Is there any preference between Nigerian and foreign authors?

No, I don’t have a preference. I read books from authors living across the world, including Nigeria. As long as the book is valuable and the topic interests me, it doesn’t matter whether it is a Nigerian or a foreign author. What is important is that it is a good book, and it will be worth my time.

Who are your all-time favourite authors?

Francine Rivers, Timothy Keller and Myles Munroe

Do you do audiobooks? What are your thoughts on audiobooks?

Currently, I don’t listen to audiobooks. The only book that I listen to the audio version of is the Bible. I’m primarily visual, so I learn and assimilate better when I read. It takes great effort for me to connect with and follow an audiobook. When I zone out, I have to rewind and get what was said, which makes the experience quite tedious.

What about podcasts?

Yes, I love podcasts. I love the conversations from valuable and timely ones. I listen to faith-based podcasts and those in my area of expertise: communications. Some of my top podcasts include The New CCO, a deep dive into the Chief Communications Officer role, and Mere Christians, which showcases how regular Christians operate as ambassadors of Jesus Christ in their jobs and everyday lives.

Do you share the notion that Nigerians do not read? What informs your response for or against?

I don’t share the notion that Nigerians don’t read. There are Nigerians who love to read. While working at a media company several years ago, someone told me a particular piece of content wouldn’t work because Nigerians don’t read. Shortly after, some celebrity news broke on Twitter, and the interview excerpt was almost eight pages long. Not only did people read it, but they also analysed it on Twitter.

I have discovered that it is only partially true that Nigerians do not read. They read what they are interested in or whatever captures their attention. They read whatever is relevant to them regarding pop culture for the younger generation. So, instead of just giving that blanket excuse that Nigerians do not read, authors and writers need to challenge themselves to write in a way that will capture the attention of their target audience and not make assumptions about them.

Any thoughts on reading generally and what it contributes to readers?

Reading is essential for every human being. I’ve been reading since I was a toddler. A lot can be gained from cultivating a good and consistent reading habit. One of the things I love about reading is that it expands your mind and perspective. It gives you a view of the world you may never have because the context of your country constrains you. If you have never travelled outside the shores of your country or your continent, you can learn what happens in other nations and continents through a book.

It does expand your mind in that way, and it expands your vocabulary, too. You never know where life will take you, and it is something you read from a book that gives you wisdom or some extra advantage. That has happened to me several times.

I encourage everyone to read at whatever age. Reading should be a lifestyle for every single person.