Li’l Weirdos

Come join us for Li’l Weirdos, where we’ll explore the world of literature through the lens of short, strange books. Often literary, sometimes freaky, but always weird, these books will span genres, and they will all make you say “what the fuck did I just read?” Come join Ellyn, one of Dog-Eared’s co-owners, and Mariah, its most voracious book-clubber, as we dive into some of the most ineffable books the world has to offer.

This month’s book is Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda

In this beguiling collection of twelve imaginative stories set in Lagos, Nigeria, ’Pemi Aguda dramatizes the tension between our yearning to be individuals and the ways we are haunted by what came before.

In “Manifest,” a woman sees the ghost of her abusive mother in her daughter’s face. Shortly after, the daughter is overtaken by wicked and destructive impulses. In “Breastmilk,” a wife forgives her husband for his infidelity. Months later, when she is unable to produce milk for her newborn, she blames herself for failing to uphold her mother’s feminist values and doubts her fitness for motherhood. In “Things Boys Do,” a trio of fathers finds something unnatural and unnerving about their infant sons. As their lives rapidly fall to pieces, they begin to fear that their sons are the cause of their troubles. And in “24, Alhaji Williams Street,” a teenage boy lives in the shadow of a mysterious disease that’s killing the boys on his street.

These and other stories in Ghostroots map emotional and physical worlds that lay bare the forces of family, myth, tradition, gender, and modernity in Nigerian society. Powered by a deep empathy and glinting with humor, they announce a major new literary talent.

Purchase a copy to read, or grab it from the library, and join us at Dog·Eared Books at 6 PM on February 7th, to discuss the book with book club hosts, Ellyn and Mariah! This book club is free to anyone who wishes to participate, no registration necessary.

Also, for 20 minutes after each club meeting, you will receive 20% off all books and merchandise!

Content Warnings for The BOO*-k Club 2024-2025
Content Warnings for Ghostroots
Content Warnings for The English Understand Wool
Content Warnings for Assembly
Content Warnings for Greek Lessons
Content Warnings for Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel