African authors and their books

The africa study bible teaches christianity and its most important events from a truly african perspective. Chimamanda adichie has been called the most prominent of a procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors that is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to african literature. Five novelists from five different african countries each select their favorite. Best south african romance novels to read in 2018 books. Mar 31, 2017 being a lover of african literature and literature of the diaspora, i find that ghanaian authors and their work arent as popular as kenyan, south african, nigerian or zimbabwean literature. Travelling through the ancient roads created by my forefathers, grasslands. Novels, biographies, politics, academics, business and many more. Coetzee, the shining girls by lauren beukes, cry, the beloved country by alan paton, spud. The red sea press is also a distributor of books of over 250 publishing companies, specializing in books by and about people of african decent and the african diaspora. The collection is a radical departure from conventional anthologies and the love theme is aimed at debunking the myth that african women are poor and helpless victims. Books 20 important books you should have read before you were twenty.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. Aalbc the largest site dedicated to books by or about. African authors reclaim their work from french publishers. Africas 100 best books of the 20th century african. The secret lives of baba segis wives by lola shoneyin. Jan 28, 2020 thanks to the work of african american authors, the world can better understand both the struggles and triumphs of black people in america.

Feb 09, 2019 10 african american books and their authors i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou this is the first autobiography about the life of maya angelou and she tells us from first person. Promote your book africa book club africas best books. Top 12 must read books by black authors for 2019 black. Read on to see these authors major books and read interesting facts about them.

In its present conception, therefore, african literatures inevitably reflect the social and. Bringing african authors to a worldwide audience a s conversations about childrens and young adult books are underway at the bologna childrens book fair. Feb 12, 2017 if you didnt know, february has been marked as black history month in the united states since 1926, which has served as an annual observance of noteworthy people and events of the african diaspora. This anthology is a radical collection of love stories from african women. From achebe to zora, youll discover a wide variety african american and black writers from all over the world. Born in nigeria in 1977, chimamanda ngozi adichie is part of a new generation of african writers taking the literary world by storm. Even though his story is about serious struggles faced by. Hlomu the wife is essentially a love story that takes its cues from life in a south african township. Africanamerican authors from african and the african. Get your own author profile on, or let us host your primary web presence. Chimamanda ngozi adichie was born in nigeria in 1977.

His first groundbreaking novel titled things fall apart was published in 1958. A young woman named mahlomu meets mqhele zulu and they fall in love. Its an important goal, in a world in which books in translation and books from authors of. As french publishers continue to control distribution and pricing, classic authors go missing from bookshelves while contemporary authors struggle to get their books in the hands of local readers. African authors and their books explore african books. A jury made the final decision from the short list and the final list of africas 100 best books was announced on february 18, 2002. She has also said that agents told her the novel was too african and that it is. The author adds this novel to her other bestselling books, including let the church say amen the basis for a 20 feature film, i know ive been. It includes poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. Manchester happened by jennifer nansubuga makumbi upon finishing jennifer nansubuga makumbis debut novel kintu, many a reader sat in impatience waiting for news of her next book.

The theory of flight may be siphiwe gloria ndlovus first novel, but its written with the kind of excellence and detail one would expect of an author with decades of experience. Dec 02, 2019 begun by catalyst press, which has offices in both the u. African writers series aws is a series of books by african writers that has been published by heinemann since 1962. It consists of an introduction, the top twelve list, the top hundred list, and a selection of web resources. There, she discovers her ancestors and becomes entangled in their lives. Mar 06, 2019 the author adds this novel to her other bestselling books, including let the church say amen the basis for a 20 feature film, i know ive been changed, and say amen, again.

So, in celebration of the honorary occasion, were commemorating the best books weve read and recommended to read by black authors. She shares the joy and painful experiences from her childhood. Here is a list of books by african authors that came out this year we think theyre worth adding to your summer reading list. Amos tutuola was born in 1920, abeokuta in western nigeria and died. In tadunos song, nigerian author atogun combines a retelling of the. Adichies works are primarily characterdriven, interweaving the background of her native nigeria and social and political events into the narrative. It is an epic story of mothers and daughters and our complicated relationships and connections. Explore the most talented writers in africa and their books.

Black history month gives us 29 days to honor african americans and the everexpanding contributions they make to culture. African writers series aws is a series of books by african writers that has been published. Chinua achebe is one of the best african authors who have contributed a lot in the field of african literature. She is the author of three novels, purple hibiscus 2003. This may be bhekisisas debut book but its written with such intelligence and wit. Best south african romance novels to read in 2018 books in. May 06, 2019 the following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. Things fall apart by chinua achebe, americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi ad. Publishers form partnership to promote african childrens. I purposely did a mixture of classic and contemporary african american literature.

Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Butlers kindred is a classic of african american science fiction. For authors and publishers interested in promoting their books, africa book club provides a number of opportunities. Coetzee shelved 8 times as southafricanauthors avg rating 3. Things fall apart by chinua achebe, americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, half of a yellow sun. Sep 08, 2017 a quick browse through their online bookstore shows a vast array of subjects and genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and childrens literature. There are many, many reasons to love this book and each is a title in this brilliant collection. Discover the best african literature in best sellers. Acclaimed american poet, author and activist maya angelou was born in st. Dec 21, 2018 here is a list of books by african authors that came out this year we think theyre worth adding to your summer reading list. These are 10 examples from a huge number of talented authors of the continent. The contributions of black writers to american literature span genres and generations. Ayi kwei armahs novels are known for their intense, powerful depictions of political devastation and social frustration in armahs native ghana, told from the point of view of the individual.

Echoes of kenyas freedom struggle pulsate through the book, as do the. Upon finishing jennifer nansubuga makumbis debut novel kintu, many a reader sat in impatience waiting for news of her next book. The asc library, documentation and information department has compiled a dossier on africas 100 best books of the 20th century project. Jul 16, 2019 from evocative prose to moving memoirs and hilarious satire, we bring you some of africas best reads from the first half of 2019. Begun by catalyst press, which has offices in both the u. She has written four books, two childrens books published by macmillan, and many other short stories and essays. Black history month is a great time to highlight the work of black authors in the u. The authors note the high rate of divorce in the u. One of the worlds most widely recognized and praised writers, chinua achebe wrote some of the most extraordinary works of the. Chinua achebe is one of the best african authors who have contributed a lot in.

This is a list of prominent and notable writers from africa. Welcome back to part 3 the final installment of the series. It gave me goosebumps when i read it the first time. Here we showed only 10 of a big number of talented authors. This novel which has since been translated into over 50 languages due to its high demand, made achebe very popular. Wole soyinka is also one of the great heroes in the list. Below are the romance novels by south african authors you need to get your hands on. Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their. The following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres. From wise artists like maya angelou to new voices like marlon james and kiley reid, and leaders like the obamas, weve gathered some of the best books by black authors to add to your reading list.

African writers bear the traces of their origination as a class in colonialists desire to hand control to worthy successors they could trust to oversee and preserve the sociopolitical structures colonialism had built. These books are mustreads to add to your 2019 list of books to. Finally, it has arrived and once more, the ukbased ugandan writer has. Authors great listens from african american authors. The series has ensured an international voice to major african writersincluding chinua achebe, ngugi wa thiongo, steve biko, ama ata aidoo, nadine gordimer, buchi emecheta, and okot pbitek. Feb 20, 2019 black history month gives us 29 days to honor african americans and the everexpanding contributions they make to culture. In the interest of public health, all aadl locations are closed indefinitely. One of africas most influential women authors, mariama ba is known for her.

Popular south african authors books showing 150 of 535 disgrace paperback by. This book is vivid and poetic and told close to the heart. This list includes a mixture of some of my favorite books and also some new books i have simply enjoyed reading. The top 10 contemporary african writers you should know. With african sun nibbling on my dark skin and gentle winds soothing my foreboding, my past life and current responsibilities overwhelmed me occasionally. We celebrate black culture, through books, for readers of all backgrounds to enjoy. South africa has a rich and vibrant history of producing excellent literature. This allowed ample time for those involved authors of nominated books and their publishers to prepare for participation in zibf2002. Africas 100 best books of the 20th century columbia. You may also share your work with readers on our discussion forums just dive right. A quick browse through their online bookstore shows a vast array of subjects and genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and childrens literature. Francophone african authors, whether classic or contemporary, are often published by french, not african presses. Being a lover of african literature and literature of the diaspora, i find that ghanaian authors and their work arent as popular as kenyan, south african, nigerian or zimbabwean literature.

The top west african diaspora authors you must read. They also provide historic context for the instability of many black families, the legacy of families tossed about by slavery. Collected poems by gabriel okara nebraska university press along with publishing a first book by an emerging new african poet each year, the africa book fund has also committed to publishing a collected edition of a major living african poet each year, and this year it is gabriel okara, the only person who could ever be called both the elder statesman of nigerian literature. Books the top west african diaspora authors you must read. Aalbc is the largest and most popular online bookstore dedicated to african american literature and black literature from around the world. Here we have the list of best african writers of all time. May 17, 2018 10 books by nigerian authors with feminist themes. He was born in 1930, and schooled at the university of ibadan, nigeria. From a mystery novel set in nigeria to a scifi graphic novel following the life of a warrior princess, this list of books by black authors has something for everyone, no matter your genre.

Apr 02, 2019 bringing african authors to a worldwide audience a s conversations about childrens and young adult books are underway at the bologna childrens book fair. From evocative prose to moving memoirs and hilarious satire, we bring you some of africas best reads from the first half of 2019. Books of interest to african americans and people of color. Most are from a christian perspective biographies, devotionals, bibles, childrens books, urban christian fiction. As a person of ghanaian heritage, i enjoy discovering new ghanaian writers and learning about our pioneer writers. Being a lover of african literature and literature of the diaspora, i.

There has never been a better time than right now to be a reader of african literature, especially in the united states historically, an underdeveloped nation in this regard. Thanks to the work of african american authors, the world can better understand both the struggles and triumphs of black people in america. Best african writers books are known and highly valued in the world. Often referred to as a spokesman for african americans and women through her many.