Book Recommendations

Reading books is a way you could learn about a world you had little or no knowledge of. In this article, I will be suggesting a few books from African authors I have read or have been recommended to me. 

Black Sunday by Tola Rotimi Abraham

This captivating book centers around the life of two twin sisters, Bibike and Ariyike. After their mother loses her job in 1996 and their father gambles away all their savings, these sisters and their brothers are forced to live with their grandma in the slums of Lagos. During this time, the twins face different paths. I find this book particularly interesting because it shows the complexity of sisterhood and how people can react differently to a single event. It’s a must-read.

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

If there is one thing I love, it’s stories on black romance. Open Water is not one of those books that have a dramatic plot but it is so tender, it is difficult to put down. Open Water is about two black artists in London who fall in love with each other. While the man is a photographer and the woman is a dancer, both are trying to find their place in the world. Their relationship is put to the test for over a year by forces beyond their control. The beauty of the book is in the descriptions. Nelson describes the characters, setting, and feelings of the characters so well, it feels real.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Set in 18th century Ghana, two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born in different villages and are unaware of each other. While Effia marries an Englishman and lives in the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana), Esi is captured and sold into slavery. The story follows the descendants of these two sisters and shows how the memory has been inscribed into the soul of a nation. I have not read this book but from my friend’s praises, I am confident it is amazing.

Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

In 1750, Kintu Kidda unleashes a curse that will plague his family for generations. Makumbi weaves together the stories of Kintu’s descendants as they try to break free from the shackles of their shared past and reconcile their traditional legacy with the modern world that awaits them. Kintu is another book I have not read but it will be a page-turner. 

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma

This is probably one of the best books I have ever read. I must say, Chigozie Obioma has a way with words I cannot express. The Fishermen is set in a small western town in Nigeria called Akure. It is about four young brothers who use their strict father’s absence from home to fish in a forbidden local river. On one of these days, they encounter a madman who predicts that the oldest will be killed by his other brothers. This encounter unleashes a tragic chain of events on their family. This book was so emotional, it brought me to tears.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of the countless African novels that will keep you glued to your seat. From romance to action, there are African books for all genres. I love these novels because most of them do not center on the description of Africa that the majority of the world is familiar with. Instead, they shed light on the side of Africa that the media refuses to show. Africa where families face everyday problems, where people fall in love, struggle with their identity, experience an epiphany, or just have a unique sense of humor. I hope you enjoy these recommendations and that they whet your appetite for more African fiction.

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