I didn't initially have any plans to do a post for International Women's Day, because as cheesy as it may sound - everyday is Women's Day for me, but as I was scrolling through twitter I read a tweet where someone mentioned what book would make it on their top 15 books of ALL time. This then got me thinking, which books by African women writers would make it on my top books of ALL time? 

Artwork by Nicholle Kobi Definitely not as glamourous when I'm reading.

Now, here's the catch - I am notoriously bad with deciding what my favourite books are. I struggle with choosing one favourite for many reasons - because different books have meant different things to me at different points in my life; because the ones that I love, I love them in different ways. At the same time, I also do know that there are some books that stay with me long after I have read them, that I would recommend if someone asks for a recommendation, and that I would shout (if I was the shouting type) at the top of my lungs about how absolutely awesome/amazing/epic/stunning/add other words to the list the book is. 

So, here I am about to share some of the contemporary books by African women writers that I absolutely adore, and would make my top books of ALL time. I'm starting with 5, mainly because when I asked myself, in the last 5 years which 5 books I've read would make it onto a list like this, they were the ones that instantly popped into my head. I'm also starting with 5 because I liked the sound of 5 books in 5 years :). Others came up afterwards, which makes me want to give myself more time to put together a longer list of my ALL time favourite books by African writers. That will soon come.

For now here are the first 5 - and in the order in which I first read them. I should add that four out of five of the books have one thing in common - they are either historical fiction, or have strong elements of historical fiction in them. While three of the five have strong elements of fantasy fiction and mythology. And, if there are two genres I stan hard for, it is fantasy and historical fiction. 

I first read Byrony Rheam's This September Sun in 2013 thanks to a copy sent by 'amaBooks (a Zimbabwean publisher). I instantly fell in love with the story and the characters. This September Sun is set mainly in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and tells the story of Ellie - trying to make sense of her life and her grandmother, Evelyn - whom she had a really close relationship with. There was something about Ellie's constant sense of longing that I was drawn to. She never could quite fill it- she didn't quite fit in in her hometown, longed to escape but when she finally moved to the UK (thinking that void would be filled), it didn't quite make a difference. I loved the historical elements of the story, Evelyn's diaries and letters that Ellie finds when she returns home and begins to piece her grandmother's life together. 



I first read Irenosen Okojie's Butterfly Fish in 2015. As I have admitted in a review I wrote on the book, I never would have read this novel if it wasn't for a book chat I had with Irenosen Okojie at Ake Festival in 2015. What a travesty that would have been, because this book is everything I love in one - it's intergenerational (following a family), it's historical fiction (starting in 19th century Benin and going all the way to modern-day London), it's set across multiple locations (Benin, Lagos, London), there's somewhat of a curse (oh I love a good curse), there's the fantasy and mythical element, but there are also layers. In Butterfly Fish, the main character Joy's mother unexpectedly passes away and we see how Joy copes with that loss, especially as it's been only her and her mother since day one. There's more than that, as while Joy in modern-day London is trying to cope, we also go way back to 19th century Benin to the Oba's palace, where we meet his new and eighth wife, Adesuwa. There's more, of course, an inheritance, a brass head, a diary, and tons of secrets (I also love a good secret). Okojie is a beautiful storyteller, she creates fascinating worlds and I absolutely love the way her mind works.





Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi's Kintu, I first read in 2016 immediately after the Writivism Festival in Kampala. I had been wanting to read Kintu since it was published by Kwani?, but unfortunately it was extremely hard to access it outside of Kenya and Uganda. So, obviously when I was in Kampala, I knew I had to get a copy of it, which thankfully I did. I didn't even wait to get home - I read the book on the flight back to London from Entebbe. I was sucked into the world Makumbi created from the prologue in Kampala in 2004. Again, here was a book including elements of all the things I love - multi/intergenerational (it follows a family), historical fiction (going as far back as the Buddu Province in 1750), there's also the fantasy and mythical elements, a family curse (I really do love a good curse), and layers upon layers. Told in six parts, I loved how each part was separate, but also interconnected (as the family curse wove through). And I was intrigued by how one man's terrible action and even more terrible decision to hide that action affected his entire generation, which made me think about the scars we are left with based on actions made and decisions taken by our ancestors.




I first read Ireonsen Okojie's Speak Gigantular late 2016, while in Jos for work. If Butterfly Fish didn't already make me a fan of Okojie, Speak Gigantular definitely cemented it. It felt like Speak Gigantular was written for women like me who love reading about weird and twisted things. Most (but not all of the stories) are set in London. There's one in a Danish town with a boy who is growing a tail (like I said wonderfully weird). There are tales of suicide and ghosts haunting the London underground; twin sisters, impersonation, and inner demons coming to life; deadly foot fetishes and more. After reading it I posted on instagram that it was 'without a doubt ... now one of my favourite short story collections. It's so so so good. It's also really disturbing, but I like my oh so very weird and wonderful reads'. I still feel that way 18 months later.





Laila Lalami's The Moor's Account is the most recent book I've read on this list - having read it in 2017. I will admit when I first picked it up to read I wasn't feeling it. So, I put it aside and read something else. A few weeks later, I decided to give it another try, and I.was.blown.away. The Moor's Account is epic - I can't think of any other word to describe it. In the acknowledgement of the book Laila Lalami writes '... my protagonist, about whose background nothing is known, except for one line in Cabeza de Vaca's "Relacion" ("The fourth survivor is Estevanico, an Arab Negro from Azamor")'. From that one line, Lalami gifted us with 428 pages of Estevancio's life. From how he came into this world, to his life in Azamor, to wilfully selling himself as a slave, to his first 'owner', to how he happened to be on this voyage to the Americas, to their experiences in the Americas. I could not put the book down. It's rich, it's gripping, it's remarkable ... I could go on.




As I mentioned earlier these were the first five books that came to my mind when I asked myself the question, but since then I've thought of at least ten more books I would add to this list (by women writers alone). So I definitely am going to put together a list of my ALL time top books by African writers. Until then, what would be in your top 5?

.... because I unapologetically judge books by their covers, here is the cover of Tomi Adeyemi's debut YA fantasy novel, Children of Blood and Bones courtesy of Teen Vogue. Isn't it lovely? It's designed by children's book illustrator and designer, Rich Deas. Book one of the trilogy is not out until March 6 2018. Can't wait!!!! The seven-figure deal for Adeyemi's fantasy trilogy also includes a movie deal with Fox 2000. So doubly can't wait!!! 


In Children of Blood and Bones:

Zélie Adebola remembers remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. 

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.  

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy.

About You

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself (where you’re from, what you do, any fun details)

I’m a Nigerian Brit. I was born in Calabar (SE Nigeria - Cross River State) and moved to the UK with my family when I was seven months old. (Today happens to be the anniversary of that move). I’ve lived mostly in Manchester but have just relocated to London. I’m an LCF alumni and have been working in the fashion industry as an independent designer for the last few years. I’ve also worked as a freelance fashion/entertainment writer which was my introduction to writing as an adult. Right now I’ve just started a course at SOAS so I’m back in academia. I’m also a Mum, I have an eight year old angel. She’s delightful.

What was the first piece you ever wrote?

What draws you to writing?

The art of storytelling. I love telling stories, whether visually or with words. I’m deeply drawn to history and the unearthing of stories that remain untold. I’m a bit obsessed with making tangible intangible things. It’s my way of understanding the world and my place in it. I can’t really explain why. It’s an urge that I feel compelled to follow.

What do you do when you are not writing?

These days it’s rare for me not to be writing something. I’m working on my baby at the moment, the book that I’ve always wanted to read without realising that I would be the one to write it. It is my first work of adult fiction and is very close to my heart. However it deals with weighty subject matter which can be overwhelming at times. I wrote my entry for the Golden Baobab prize in-between researching for my book. Delving into a child’s world made tackling my other book easier. When I need a complete writing break you can usually find me in my home studio designing and making clothes and jewellery. Alternatively I’ll be illustrating, painting or doing something creative like making music or cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I also love visiting the theatre, going to exhibitions or generally doing something cultural with my little lady.

I first heard about Nnedi Okorafor through a friend who saw her novel Zahrah the Windseeker and thought of me - it was YA, fantasy and the main character not only had my name, but it was spelt the exact same way as mine. Obviously I had to read it! Unfortunately I didn't get to read it until I was in Lagos and from the first page I was in love. All I kept on thinking as I read it was where were you when I was younger. 

Sadly, I haven't been able to read Nnedi Okorafor's other novels, which is why they are in my Must Own, Must Read list. I thoroughly enjoy her Wahala Zone Blog and her website, The Wahala Zone, is so cool. I honestly go to both sites to learn more about her. There's about eight novels (she writes for children, young adults and adults - so it's like everyone is pretty much covered :) - with two more on the way this year (Lagoon and Akata Witch 2). This is not even mentioning numerous short stories - which can be found here. She's also won tons of awards. And did I mention she's a professor. Amazing!!!! Enough gushing on my end. Here's a look at her novels that I must own and read. 

Shadow Speaker (2007)

When 15-year-old Ejii witnesses her father's beheading, her world shatters. She embarks on a mystical journey to track down his assassin. But she soon discovers that her journey has greater purpose. Spontaneous forests, polygamy, strange insects, Nigerian 419 scammers, really fast cars, a different kind of Sahara Desert, male beauty contests, the apocalypse, life, death, sword fights, fat chiefs, assassins - The Shadow Speaker is a wild story of mind-blowing technology and tantalising magic, set in an alternate version of the country of Niger.

Who Fears Death?  (2010)

In a far future, post-nuclear-holocaust Africa, genocide plagues one region. The aggressors, the Nuru, have decided to follow the Great Book and exterminate the Okeke. But when the only surviving member of a slain Okeke village is brutally raped, she manages to escape , wandering farther into the desert. She gives birth to a baby girl with hair and skin the colour of sand and indistinctively knows that her daughter is differnt. She names her daughter Onyesonwu, which means 'Who Fears Death'? in an ancient African tongue. Reared under the tutelage of a mystery and traditional shaman, Onyesonwu discovers her magical destiny - to end the genocide of her people. The journey will force her to grapple with nature, tradition, history, true love, the spiritual mysteries of her culture - and eventually death itself. 

Akata Witch  2011 (What Sunny Saw in The Flames - Nigerian Edition)

magical, occasionally dangerous, and always imaginative locations you didn't know you needed. This debut short story collection by an award-winning author includes notable previously published material, a new novella co-written with New York Times-bestselling author Alan Dean Foster, six additional original stories, and a brief foreword by Whoopi Goldberg.