JoV's Book Pyramid
Africa
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Every time I read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novels, I savour and wanted it not to end. There is something about how she writes. She writes honestly, blatantly, without frills, without fear. With enough satire to keep me on my toes. I have read everything Adichie’s has written, except The Purple Hibiscus. Yes, I am biased. I … Continue reading
The Shadow of the Sun (My African Life) by Ryszard Kapuściński
I love reading travel books and have often wonder if there is a book that could write about the whole continent. A diverse continent like Africa. I’m glad to say I found one, it’s this book. Kapuściński has been visiting Africa as a journalist since 1957 right before Africa is swept with a wave of … Continue reading
Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe
What it is: Ezeulu, headstrong chief priest of the god Ulu, is worshipped by the six villages of Umuaro. But he is beginning to find his authority increasingly under threat – from his rivals in the tribe, from those in the white government and even from his own family. He still feels he must be … Continue reading
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo, a proud and highly respected Igbo from Umuofia, somewhere near theLower Niger. Okonkwo’s clan are farmers and they grow Yam and cassava and practice ancient rituals, some virtuous and some ritual practices may make the readers cringed with dread. It begins with Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, who is lazy … Continue reading
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
While growing up I heard so much about this book. Since it’s republished as 2004 edition I picked the book from the library. There are a few things that surprise me about the book. I did not expect the book to be an epistolary novel, so easy to read, entertaining and full of wisdom. The … Continue reading
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series is the only cosy mysteries that I read every single book in it. Many who has read it knows the appeal of gentle wisdom and the appeal of idyllic everyday life in Botswana which is unsullied by the influence of the modern world. Alexander McCall Smith publishes a new one every year, … Continue reading
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
It is very uncharacteristic of me to read a book and drag on for months before deciding whether to abandon or finishing it. This year I have done it for this book and 2666. Before the year ends in 2 days, I’m planning to finish reading 2666. The Thing around your neck doesn’t falls in … Continue reading
Daniel by Henning Mankell
The year is 1875. Hans Bengler, a young Swedish entomologist, leaves Sweden on an expedition to the Kalahari Desert where he hopes to find an undiscovered insect so that he could name it after himself. Through a long tumultuous sea journey and into the desert with his cattlemen and oxens he wandered, close to meeting his … Continue reading
Half of the Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I’m reading this book in conjunction with the Nigerian Literature Challenge hosted by the lovely Amy @ Amy Reads. I’m a day late in posting the review but here goes! Half of a Yellow Sun follows the lives of several characters before and during the Nigerian-Biafran War of 1967-1970. The book opens with Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old boy from a … Continue reading
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
Meet Baba Segi . . . A plump, vain, and prosperous middle-aged man of robust appetites, Baba Segi is the patriarch of a large household that includes a quartet of wives and seven children. But his desire to possess more just might be his undoing. And his wives . . . Iya Segi—the bride of Baba … Continue reading
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Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
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