A Must Have on your Reading List

A Naked Needle, Nuruddin Farah

Set in post revolutionary Somalia during the 1970s, A Naked Needle is Farah’s only book originally written in his native Somali. The book follows the love story of two people from different worlds, a young university professor and his fiance Nancy who we met in London. In his second novel Farah mirrors his own disillusionment with the Somali Revolution. The book was released in 1976 while he was in the UK. Due to the topics examined in the book, Farrah found himself unable to return to Somalia and found himself exiled for the next 20 years.

Everything Good Will Come, Sefi Atta

This coming of age story by award-winning Nigerian author Sefi Atta tells the story of a young woman growing up in post-colonial Nigeria. The story starts with Enitan as only a young child and we are invited to explore the harsh themes of political unrest, religious and racial injustice and war through the eyes of an innocent child. As Enitan grows older, we experience the cultural landscape through her personal experiences, giving the reader intimate insight into what living in Nigeria during Nigerian-Biafran War would have been like as a woman.

I know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou

This 1969 autobiography follows the early years of Maya Angelou. The first of a seven volume series, in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya discusses the racism and sexual abuse she experienced as a child, and her time living with her grandma in the deep south during the 1930’s. 

Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe

Achebe’s debut novel tells the story of Igbo community leader, Okonkwo. Chronicling the events leading up to the killing of one of his clansmen and his subsequent banishment of seven years, to his eventual return. Things Fall Apart explores the impact of colonialism and white missionary culture on African tribes and communities. 

The Hate You Give, Angie Thomas

Sixteen-year-old Starr is living in two worlds, and it looks like they’re about to collide. She lives with her parents and two brothers in the poor, predominantly black neighborhood of Garden Heights. During the day, she attends a “posh” high school in the suburbs with mainly white classmates. Her two worlds clash when Starr becomes the only witness to the fatal shooting of her best friend by a white police officer. The Hate You Give is a product of the Black Lives Matter movement and a deep analysis of the police brutality that disproportionately targets POC and the mainstream complacency that has allowed it to continue.  

African Proverb/Saying

Roots, Alex Haley

Tracing his ancestry through the generations, Alex eventually discovers 16-year-old Kunta Kinte from the 18th century. Taken from his home and brought to the slave markets, Alex relives Kunta’s journey and how it ultimately shaped the next six generations of of their family tree. A poignant look at how the enslavement had a ripple effect on their descendants and the generational trauma experienced by modern African Americans.

Becoming, Michelle Obama

In her own words, Michelle Obama weaves the story of an ambitious young African American woman from the South Side of Chicago. This intimate memoir follows her journey from being a successful executive balancing motherhood and a corporate career, to ultimately finding herself the first African American First Lady. 

The Healers, Ayi Kwei Armah

It’s the 19th century and the British are taking over the kingdom of Asante in Ghana. The Healers follows the journey of Densu, as he sets out to become a practitioner of traditional African Medicine as Asante falls to the British.