Set in contemporary Gambia and England, UK, “Reading the Ceiling” by Dayo Forster is a riveting novel that centres on the experiences of a Gambian female student who epitomises many of her generation. The narrative style being the simple present tense of the first person singular, the discerning reader would notice that the story is a representation of a typical experience, especially among career girls, though to some extent it deals with prevailing attitudinal realities.

Forster skillfully depicts an adolescent schoolgirl who, after transiting from the innocence of childhood into adulthood by dint of an amorous adventure, comes to realise the enormity of the challenges of the life of a grown-up. The task of making potentially far-reaching choices among a host of alternatives, after having been already prejudiced for the wrong or right reasons, confronted the main character, Ayodele, both at home and in far away England. In both phases the story shows how impressionable and, by extension, susceptible she has been, especially as regards romantic relationship.

The book details an account of the escapades of the average school-goer, particularly the outgoing, socialite girl who, out of curiosity and sheer bravado, goes against the proprieties and ends up exposing herself to complexities she is ill prepared to deal with.

The diction, having a blend of local terminology, readily appeals to the comprehension of the indigenous reader while at the same time makes for the understanding of the non-Gambian reader with accompanying explanations of such terminology, amounting to definitions of sorts.

The challenges and demands that marriage life poses, particularly to the female party in the Gambian social set-up, are portrayed while simultaneously the effects on the social status of the female being single, regardless of economic position, are spelt out.

Aside from vivid descriptions of The Gambia’s maritime scenery, the author also treats the reader to graphic accounts of objectionable realities in Gambian officialdom as she sees it while showing the opportunities that are up for grabs for well-performing overseas-educated returnee graduates.

An all pervasive thread that runs throughout the story is the comparative merits of relationships, both conjugal and casual, a comparison which in the denouement tips the scale in favour of married life in spite of the odds.

The book, available at Timbooktoo Bookshop, is compelling read for students with career ambitions, career people, notably women and all interested in following current trends in social intercourse.

Gambian international winger, Edrissa Sonko, did not hide his bitter regrets on Gambia’s failure to qualify for the 2008 Nations Cup finals in Ghana.

As Africa’s premier football bonanza ended last night in Accra, Sonko was, in one respect, a frustrated spectator.

Like England's bid to qualify for the European Championships, The Gambia narrowly missed out on the African equivalent and, just as the likes of John Terry and Steven Gerrard will be doing in June and July, the Gambian international has looked on enviously as the events of the competition unfolded in the west African nation.

"If you want to be in a competition but do not qualify then of course you have regrets," he said. "You need a little bit of luck in qualification and, I suppose a bit like England, Gambia did not get much.”

"It is hard watching the competition on television when you know you could have been there."

The flip side of Gambia's failure to qualify is that Edrissa Sonko has been able to stay in England and, especially during January where he picked up the Powerade Player of the Month Award, has been in fine form. It is something he is determined to keep up during the weeks and months ahead.

"I am happy with how I am playing at the moment," he added. "I have been working hard and want to keep playing well."