Michelle Omeno (@empressofbookingham)

Meet Michelle Omeno. One of the most energetic characters I have ever crossed paths with! Michelle was the first friend I made when I joined Bookstagram. I remember really admiring her account and direct messaging her for more information about the Kenyan book community. This led to us discussing not only our love for books, but also our shared love for Chris Martin (the dancehall musician, not the Coldplay one). From these timid beginnings, a friendship has developed so much so that we spend good amounts of time laughing about random things even outside of Bookstagram. We constantly do buddy reads of different books and have enjoyable discussions (and at times rants) about these reads.

I asked Michelle three questions to shed more light on her love for books and this is what she had to say:

What do books mean to you on a personal level?

Books are my little slice of heaven. Susan Sontang once said ‘My library is an archive of longings’. This quotes hits the nail on the head, hard, and sums its all up. Books have shown me wonders. They have helped me heal and let go of what doesn’t serve me. They’ve been my companion when I’ve been lonely, sad, crumbling. I dream through them and because of them. I’ve traveled, literally, through them; my ticket out of a loud, demanding world. I’ve even slayed demons (read the Mortal Instruments Series). Having a bad day, I pull out ‘The Law and The Promise’ by Neville Goddard and somehow I’m uplifted, filled up, reminded of the goodness in me and that promise of a glorious now and phenomenal tomorrow.

What are your thoughts on the growing Bookstagram community in Kenya?

Its so exciting that every day I wake up to a new bookish Kenyan joining this community. I need more of us, we need more of us. When I began this journey (we are almost officially 2 years in) I knew of only two Kenyan bookstagrammers then; Bill of @Kenyanlibrary and Faith of @suckerforcoffe. They are both profound readers and it was just refreshing having someone I could relate to more.

Maybe my lens was obscure because I connected with Faith and she introduced me to many awesome Kenyan bookstagrammers, whom I adore, respect and totally enjoy their ‘virtual’ company. The community has grown by leaps so much so that the other day one of us hosted a Kenyan readathon for the month of September that I’ve truly benefited and nourished from.

I have seen and felt only love and support from this community. We are at a place where we all respect each other and accept each other’s choice of literature. After all we all love these things called books, isn’t that more than enough?

You’re always so energetic….what’s the secret?

Ha! Ha! Ha! I thought everyone is like this. There is no secret really. Let me be honest, I’ve always been this hyperactive child who couldn’t stand be idle. I’d just be buzzing to do one thing or another, some way to channel this energy and creativity. I guess this is the one thing about me that I have not let adulthood fizzle out.

But then again I’m someone to whom the little things spark so much. That, gratitude and the fact I tend to be on the optimistic side of life. It’s the fact that am alive and healthy. It’s that like on my post. It’s that I have people around who add so much joy and creativity. It’s the beauty all around me and the fact I can feel it. It’s because of the people whom I have never met but they just give me this much love and allow me to reciprocate. That tag or random DM sharing their love. It’s the fact I have people to share my love for words and books. Besides, I’m the Empress of my Bookingham. That should be exciting enough for me.

Michelle is a veteran on these Bookstagram streets. You can follow her booksta account for amazing book content. Not only does she take amazing book pics, but her captions are truly meaningful. Many times, her captions are in the form of poetry. You can read more of her poetry on her blog.