I should have done this on October 1st, during my country Nigeria’s 57th independence day, but I guess I was feeling lazy and not that motivated to blog. But oh well, since I’ve not been reading or writing reviews, I feel it’s time to recommend some good West-African, Nigerian books, I’ve read and also come across.

p.s. by clicking the title of the book, it takes you to Goodreads on another page, for you to read the blurb and also check out people’s reviews and thoughts on the book.

Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo

I was super intrigued by the story and how everything would play out, I understand why some will say it’s similar to the Secrets of Baba Sege Wives and all but it’s different a bit, it’s about love and how ones extended family especially in the Nigerian society can destroy the love and how it’s now up to couple to fight to keep that love and marriage going. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and it has made so much waves this year, I’m actually very happy about it. I loved the writing style and how well the story plays out and how everything is revealed to us eventually even the secrets and all the deceit.

Under the Udala Tree by Chinelo Okparanta

My favourite read this year. The story of a Nigerian lesbian, it starts from when she was small, and what led to her discovering herself. I loved it, it was interesting, sad and sweet to read. I recommend it to everyone. It’s not explicit, it’s just a great story, in my opinion.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyi

I read this book many years ago, and it has always stayed with me. I was lucky to meet the author this year and I gushed about how much I loved it, she also gave me good advice, about writing. Which is just write, lol. This story is about a polygamous home and what goes on in it and I loved the huge secret because I wasn’t expecting it.

Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko

I still haven’t read it, but it’s a must-read for me. It deals with the serious issue, of incestuous rape, and how many Nigerians, like brushing such issues aside, without giving the victim the required psychological treatment and how it can go ahead affect the way a victim lives her life. The story shows strong familial bonds and my friends loved it.

On Black Sister’s Street by Chika Unigwe

I have only heard good things about this book, which I was going to buy, but they were out of copies, my sad luck. It’s a story of four different Nigerian women in diaspora. Like this is an excerpt from the blurb tells the haunting story of four very different women who have left their African homeland for the riches of Europe—and who are thrown together by bad luck and big dreams into a sisterhood that will change their lives. The full blurb is very captivating and I can’t wait to read it.
 

Blackass by Igoni A. Barrett

This story is so bizarre, but I love it nonetheless and I think it’s a satire to Nigerians, and how many have a white is superior complex, and then there is a subtle nudge to the LGBT+ community because this is the only Nigerian story I know featuring a Transgender.

Chasing Facades by Elizabeth Olushola Adeolu

This is one book I started but got busy, so I didn’t have time for it, but the starting is promising and it’s a Nigerian detective, crime-solving book, which is so great because I love Crime/Mystery books.

29, Single and Nigerian by Naijasinglegirl

I just got myself a copy and I look forward to reading this, the writer of this book is a fellow blogger and I enjoy reading her posts, whenever I remember to check her blog, I love her writing style and voice and I know I’ll enjoy the book when I read it. I mean the title is self-explanatory.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I read this book during my A-Levels, and I swear it’s because of literature that I went ahead to University, but that’s a story for another day. This book is different, it’s interesting, even though I thought the build-up was a bit slow, but the story captivates you and you actually learn a lot about the Biafran period.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I read this in Secondary School, for literature and I loved it, and the ending is one of those you’ll love and hate at the same time. I think everyone should read this book. It’s a tale about Kambili and the very hard religious life she endured growing up. This story is a bit tough, becase a lot of abuse goes on in it.

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I don’t know if I’m going to read this book, I started it but I stopped. But just know Chimamanda is a good storyteller, and you’ll be blown away by the tales she weaves.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This is one book, everyone has been telling me to read, that they loved it since it got published and I don’t know why I haven’t picked it up to read yet. All I know is now that I have a copy, just waiting for it to be delivered to me, I will definitely be reading it sometime next year. All I know is it’s about a Nigerian lady, who moves from Nigeria to America, and her experiences in life, which brings light Nigerian culture and behaviours, long distance relationships? etc. Everyone who has read it, always tell me it’ a wonderful book.

Have you read any Nigerian book? Or do you have any West African book (doesn’t have to be Nigerian) that you have read and left a great impression on you? Please drop recommendations down below and no it does have to be fiction. Thanks for reading!

Twitter ‧ Instagram ‧ Goodreads ‧ Services