Africa Reading Challenge

More information about the challenge can be found at Kinna Reads’ blog.

The aim of the challenge is as follows:

Reading Goal: 5 books.  That’s it.  There will be no other levels.  Of course, participants are encouraged to read more than 5 books.  Eligible books include those which are written by African writers, or take place in Africa, or are concerned with Africans and with historical and contemporary African issues. Note that at least 3 books must be written by African writers.

Although Kinna states that there is no need to make a list of books beforehand, I could not help but browse my shelves and look for books that would be eligible. Here’s what I found:

• The Other Crucifix – Benjamin Kwakye
• God Dies by the Nile – Nawal El Saadawi
• Purple Hibiscus – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Half of a Yellow Sun – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Black Mamba Boy – Nadifa Mohamed
• Spilt Milk – Kopano Matlwa
• Broken Glass – Alain Mabanckou
• An Elegy for Easterly – Petina Gappah
• The Devil that Danced on the Water – Aminatta Forna
• The Memory of Love – Aminatta Forna

This is a tentative list of books to choose from. There are lots of other options, since I am a very inexperienced reader of African lit. I just hope I’ll be able to make it past 5 books this year!

Books Read:

1. God Dies by the Nile - Nawal El Saadawi
2. Three Strong Women – Marie Ndiaye
3. Broken Glass – Alain Mabanckou