Today, I’m sharing 5 SIMPLY AMAZING books by African writers that you should – MUST read in your lifetime!
These books are so so good that I plan to re-read them this year even though I have read them before and I am so so jealous of you if you get to read them for the first time this year. They are funny, entertaining, plot twist-filled, lessons-filled, exciting reads!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Click on the video below to watch and thank me later!
Title: Ogadinma
Author: Ukamaka Olisakwe
Published By: Masobe
Release Date: 2020
Genre: Coming-of-age, Fiction
Format: Paperback
Length: 260 pages
Synopsis
Ukamaka Olisakwe’s heart-wrenching novel tells the story of the naive and trusting Ogadinma as she battles against Nigeria’s deeply-ingrained patriarchal systems in the 1980s, a time of coups, food shortages and religious extremism.
After a rape and unwanted pregnancy leave her exiled from her family in Kano, thwarting her plans to go to university, she is sent to her aunt’s in Lagos and pressure into marriage with an older man.
As their whirlwind romance descends into abuse and indignity, Ogadinma is forced to channel all of her independence and resourcefulness into finding her voice and strength in the face of abuse and cultural expectations.
Review
I thought that this book was a beautiful read and would definitely recommend if you’re looking to read a nice Nigerian fiction.
Watch my full review on this book by clicking on the video below:
Title: The Fishermen
Author: Chigozie Obioma
Published By: Cassava Republic Press
Release Date: 2015
Genre: Fiction
Format: Paperback
Length: 301 pages
Synopsis
Nine-year-old Benjamin is the youngest of four brothers. They live in the rocky hills of Akure. When their civil servant father is transferred to another town, the boys begin misbehaving; smashing windows, severing chicken heads and praying truant to follow billionaire politician M.K.O. Abiola’s campaign trail.
For six weeks, they take to fishing in the forbidden Omi-Ala river. There they run into Abulu, a filthy yet visionary madman whose pronouncement that the eldest boy, Ikenna will be killed places a dark and fearful cloud over the brothers.If they prophecy is true, which of them will be the murderer? Abulu’s words have devastating yet redemptive consequences for the family, as guilt and sadness bind the brothers, while their parents sink into despair.
Review
WHOOSH!
Chigozie Obioma knows his stuff!!! He does! This man can write!
I thought that this book was beautifully written and the author’s use of words simply blew my mind. I enjoyed the character development, the time setting and the plot of the book. As soon as I opened the book, I was thrust into this world that kept me captivated.
Watch me share my thoughts on this lovely book by clicking on the video below:
Ahhh *insert dramatic pause and sigh*
The dreaded reading slump. The number one enemy of book lovers no matter who you are and where you’re from. Reading slumps happen to book lovers every now and then, so if you’re currently in a reading slump, then I come bearing gifts!
Here are some great book recommendations written by Nigerian writers to help you come out of that slump! They are funny, engaging, easy to read and guaranteed to get you reading again!
Click on the video below to watch:
I am really passionate about History in general; history of people, place, thing or whatever it may be.
As far back as I can remember, I have been interested in the history of the people occupying what is now known as Nigeria, but most of the books I read at secondary school level and later on left out significant details of the history of the Nigerian people.
In recent times, I sought out and started reading lovely, genuine, in-depth and detailed accounts of past notable occurrences written by Nigerians and compiled a list of these books, so if you are looking for sources of African history, particularly Nigerian history, this is for you.
Click on the video below to watch:
Title: The Death of Vivek Oji
Author: Akwaeke Emezi
Published By: Kachifo Limited under its Farafina Imprint
Release Date: 2020
Genre: Fiction, Coming-of-age
Format: Paperback
Length: 263 pages
Synopsis
They burned down the market on the day Vivek Oji died.
One afternoon, a mother opens her front door to find the length of her son’s body stretched out on the veranda, swaddled in akwete material, his head on her welcome mat. The Death of Vivek Oji transports us to the day of Vivek’s birth, the day his grandmother Ahunna died. It is the story of an overprotective mother and a distant father, and the heart-wrenching tale of one family’s struggle to understand their child, just as Vivek learns to recognize himself.
Teeming with unforgettable characters whose lives have been shaped by Vivek’s gentle and enigmatic spirit, it shares with us a Nigerian childhood that challenges expectations. This novel, and its celebration of the innocence and optimism of youth will touch all those who embrace it.
Review
This book is HEAVY!
I don’t know why it has taken me this long to put up a review of this book but hey, life happens.
I read this some months ago and I had some thoughts on it. I shared in my review on my YouTube channel (which I recorded 4 score years ago btw but did not put up for whatever reason known to me🙄 )I have now put up the review.
I enjoyed it and finished in a couple of sittings. I loved that the book is set in eastern Nigeria with Nigerians deep-set in traditional beliefs and cultures as the major characters. The dominant themes explored in the book were also issues that need to be discussed in the Nigerian society, but in my opinion, we’re not ready for that yet. But hey, this literary piece is out there and that counts for something
Watch my full review on this lovely book by clicking on the video below:
Rachel Eyo 