Restful anthology (print)

What is Restful?

Restful is a collection of essays, interviews and photography projects exploring how Nigerians are navigating stress and cultivating respite amidst this country's crinkum-crankum and higi haga. It is a make-shift temple to compassion, gentleness and responsibility in a country that rarely makes room for softness.

"The Restful anthology is a delightful read that surprised, soothed and educated me equally; Nigerians reflecting on themselves, their society and their place in that society. It is especially relevant as a balm to the unending distress that has dominated the Nigerian experience in recent years.

My advice: don't read it in a mad rush. Place it on your tongue, like a piece of chocolate, and let it melt. The taste won't leave you after you've read the last page."

-Nnamdi Ibeanusi (2024 CBC Short Story Prize longlist, 2015 Awele Creative Trust shortlist)

Who made it?

The book was curated and edited by Immaculata Abba, with support from the Goethe-Institut Nigeria’s Support and Connect grant. 

What’s inside?

10 essays, 4 book reflections, 3 interviews, 3 playlists, a podcast excerpt, an original photography project and a poem.

Editor-in-Chief & Creative/Art Director: Immaculata Abba.

Contributor(s): Immaculata Abba, Adetutu Adediran, Niji Adelugba, Daniel Adeyemo, Oluwakemi Agbato, Grace Awodi, Abiola Babarinde, Oyindamola Depo-Oyedokun, Yvonne Etinosa, Ujah Godwin, Stella Inabo, Olayiwola Ojo, Gbope Onigbanjo, Hauwa Saleh, Rachel Seidu, Ozoz Sokoh, Blessing Mam Tarfa, Pamela Naaki Tetteh, Zenas Ubere, Wana Udobang.

Cover illustration: Amina Gimba.

Editorial Designer: Radhika Valjee

Publisher: Studio Styles (Restful imprint)

Who is it for?

• Nigerians breathing deeply through the grind.
• Diaspora folks craving the textures of home beyond headlines.
• Anyone studying the politics and/or aesthetics of work, exhaustion, rest and healing.
• The tired, the beauty-seekers, the people holding on.

Specs:

• 143 pages
• Silk matte cover
• Full colour
• A5 size: 210 x 148 mm
• ISBN 978-978-776-340-7
• First printing, first edition, 2024
• Printed in the UK.

🫧 Pre-orders open. Shipping begins mid-May. 🫧