At a book party, Tomi Falade unveils literary works.

Onaolatomirin Falade, a lifestyle journalist and editor, wrote two books. Among the guests at the launch were Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, a former presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, and Ayodeji Joseph, MD/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.

Tagged, the Tomi Falade Book Party, saw the publication of OLOBUN: Matriarch of Ondo, Mother of Legacy and Dates From Hell.

It was coincidental, according to Independent Newspapers’ Life Editor Falade, that the two books were presented at the same time. “I moved Dates From Hell to 2024 due to prevailing circumstances,” she stated, adding that the original plan was to launch the project in 2023. However, since both books were ready, I made the decision to release them simultaneously. For this reason, I dubbed the gathering “a book party.”

A lot of people are unaware of how enjoyable literature can be. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate that reading literature can be truly enjoyable.

Regarding the books’ contents, Falade remarked, “The two books are very different.”

“Olobun is a drama that takes place in the Oyo Empire in the fifteenth century and explores themes of exile, adventure, and the beginning of the Ondo Kingdom’s enduring legacy. The intention when I began writing it more than ten years ago was to turn it into a stage play.

Dates from Hell, on the other hand, is a compilation of short stories based on actual incidents involving individuals going on romantic dates. Every story is as distinct as it is humorous.

In addition to dance performances, the event included a panel discussion, a drama scene from Olobun, a skit based on one of the dates mentioned in the book, and a popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, as its anchor.