Yes, we are back with another selection of books you should add to your reading list ASAP. If you’re not a fan of foreign authors or you just don’t know what Nigerian authors to check out, you’re in luck. We have curated a list of top-rated books written by Nigerian authors and each of them have come highly recommended by book experts. Check them out:
- “The Icarus Girl” by Helen Oyeyemi: This book tells the story of an eight-year old who befriends a mysterious girl in her mother’s compound. What she doesn’t know are the big and small secrets this mysterious girls knows. If you enjoy magical realism, this book is rife with a lot of Nigerian mythology with a dose of psychological suspense.
- “Everyday Is For The Thief” by Teju Cole: People that have lived in other countries or who have been immigrants will be able to relate to the story of a young Nigerian living in New York who has decided to come back home to Lagos. Thoroughly captivating book that explores the immigrant life and all that comes with it.
- “Stay With Me” by Ayobami Adebayo: As a woman and her husband struggle to conceive for years, the addition of a new wife who is also more fertile, threatens the once peaceful lives of the couple. This book explored a much talked about topic in Nigeria – polygamy and it is a wonderfully woven story of motherhood, marriage and sacrifice.
- “The Fisherman” by Chigozie Obioma: With the socioeconomic state of Nigeria in the 1990s at the forefront, this book looks at the mystical and dangerous prophecy that pushes a family out of control. A rewarding, heartrending read.
- “Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Adichie: Told through five really memorable characters including a pair of sisters whose return from studying in the UK finds them struggling to adjust in a now war-torn homeland, this book is set during the Nigerian civil war. Chimamanda tells the story of the Biafra struggle – a subject often avoided in Nigerian consciousness – with supreme tact illuminating an important moment in recent African history. A must read for every Nigerian.
As always, let us know what other books you think we should check out in the comments. Happy reading!
