February 2011 Selection (Self Matters By Dr. Phillip C. McGraw)

The well-known "life strategist" and TV personality Dr. Phil begins this upbeat self-help book by recalling one of the most unpleasant phone calls he ever had to make. In 1989, ten years into a flourishing career, McGraw called his father to say that, despite the outward trappings of success, he was miserable. His new plan was to move away and start a new career and a new life. According to McGraw, many people are currently in a similar situation-trapped in unsatisfying lives or jobs that they loathe. Too many people, says McGraw, are "so busy being busy, that they have let the colors fade from their lives." They're worried about superficial matters rather than what's important: "I'll bet 90-plus percent of them spent months, or even years, planning their wedding and almost no time planning their marriage!" To change their lives, McGraw's readers must first complete two questionnaires he designed to assess their "authentic self" and their "congruency" (how someone's current life compares with a vision of an ideal life). With the scores from these tests, readers can then embark upon a specific plan for changing their lives-and for determining which external and internal forces they will, or won't, allow to control their futures. Readers familiar with McGraw's aggressive TV personality may be surprised by this book's thoughtful and serious tone. McGraw's notion of making change is not a simple one-it requires readers to examine every aspect of their daily lives-and it's likely that some readers may not be able to make all the changes he advocates. But his book offers a thorough, realistic resource for those who are committed to turning their lives around to get what they really want and need.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

January 2011 Selection (Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson)

Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family house in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Seeing the project as the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her self-absorbed husband and his snobby Atlanta friends, Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project. But things are not what they seem, both in the house and within the complex history of her family. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will Jo-Lynn's marriage survive the renovation? Jo-Lynn isn't sure she wants to know the truth--but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known. The past comes alive in this well-written and thoughtful novel full of secrets, drama, and family with a hint of Southern drawl.

December 2010 Event - Movie (DESERT FLOWER)

In December 2009,NBc read the book Desert Flower and was completely taken by the story of Waris Dirie, so in December 2010, we decided to see the movie, which is an autobiography of a Somalian nomad circumcised at 3, sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against circumcision.

Enjoy the trailer.

NBc'S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (NOVEMBER 2010)

NBc's journey through her first year was memorable and funfilled. In the space of her first 12 months of existence, her members were able to read autobiographical novels like Desert Flower, Christian fiction (e.g The Shack), a collection of short stories (e.g Say you are one of them) and so many other genres and in the process traveled to so many countries and got insight to their cultures without boarding a plane or leaving the comfort of their homes.

In between, they even found time to do things outside reading, like bowling and learning how to prepare a dutch delicacy "Aardappels puree".

All the aforementioned activities has in so many ways helped in strengthening the relationship between the members of the club. I can say for certain, that NBc is now much more than a club, it is a gathering of friends and family with a common interest - READING.

The success of her first year was celebrated on 27th of November 2010 amongst other celebrations.

NBc would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all her members (both the relocated ones) for all their contributions towards making the club a success till date.

THANKS. You are all the best.

November 2010 Selection - Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self ( Danielle Evans)

Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self will be released on September 23rd, 2010, by Riverhead books. The author Danielle Evans,is funny as hell. Which only makes all the heartbreak in these stories more surprising and satisfying. The young women in this collection are always on the edge of real trouble but don’t be fooled, they’re the dangerous ones. Written with wonderful clarity and a novelist’s sense of scope, Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self is a fabulous literary debut.”

Special Invitation to NBc's One Year Anniversary

October 2010 Selection (Summer By Karen Kingsbury)

Hollywood actor Dayne Matthews and Katy Hart are married and living in Bloomington, Ind., where Dayne has found a solution to his on-camera love scenes—he wants Katy to star in his next film.
The Baxter family learns that Ashley and Kari are both pregnant, but an ultrasound reveals that something is wrong with one of the babies. As the summer progresses, the sisters pray for a miracle while trying to face the unthinkable.
The Flanigans continue to draw closer to their only daughter, yet Bailey struggles to find her way amidst the turmoil of adolescence. She has always made good decisions, but she wants to experience more of life. Her friendship with Cody Coleman—the young border staying with the Flanigans—continues to blossom in this summer after his graduation

September 2010 Selection ( The Thing Around Your Neck By Chimamanda Adichie)

The thing around your neck is a collection of 12 short stories by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie exploring relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, siblings and Nigeria and the West.

This collection of engaging and thought-provoking stories highlights the inconsistencies and strengths of a variety of relationships. Contrasting responsibilities, expectations, jealousies, sacrifices, everyday circumstances and extraordinary events, Adichie’s storytelling skills help readers to both identify with central characters and acknowledge them as flawed and complex individuals.

If you have read the book, we would like to know your take on the stories.

NBc Summer Outing- Bowling (July 2010)

For the months of July and August, NBcites have decided to take a break from reading and enjoy the summer holidays.
To kick-start the vacation mode, we agreed to flex our muscles and enjoy ourselves in a friendly atmosphere- The Bowling Alley.

On this beautiful Saturday, we met at the Dolfijn Bowling centre in Scheveningen, got our lane, changed our shoes and dived straight into the game. Being all amateurs, we could'nt stop laughing during the game, but I must mention that we had a couple of "STRIKES", which indeed lifted our spirit. In all, we had a swell time. We also learnt a prinicle:
"If you would just hold on till the end, you never know how thing may turn out". This is because during the game, we saw some major turn arounds,where the last became the first just before finishing a game.

We enjoyed every minute of the game and some of us wished we had more time to show- off, because we got better with every throw . After the game we settled down to a delicious plate of Sate each as we recounted the lovely game.

Relocating NBcite (Uduak Ubom)

YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

Seasons change, friends move away,and life goes on from day to day.
Flowers fade and streams go dry and many times we wonder why,
... but as the saying goes " CHANGE is the only constant thing in life".

You will definitely be missed. As part of the founding members of NBc, your PHYSICAL absent will be greatly felt, but we rejoice in the fact that your relocation does not sever your link with us.

Collectively, we say thanks you for being YOU and for the various ways you have positively touched our individual lives. We pray that as you and your family move onto the next phase of your lives, you all will carried on ANGELS WINGS.

Warmest wishes.
- NBcites

June 2010 Selection ( The Wednesday Letter by Jason Wright)

The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright is a wonderful story of love and commitment; forgiveness and redemption. A beautiful story line entertwines the pain of the past with the challenges of the present; the example of loving and devoted parents with the discovery of some of their deepest, darkest secrets; the loss of death opens the window to knowledge of things that turn the world upside down, if only for a moment. The example of the Wednesday letters will lead many of us to write more letters– to reach out and to communicate with loved ones even during the rough spots.