Many millennials discovered their passion for books in different forms: a literature book, FOMO because all your friends were reading or just general curiosity, etc. Whatever reasons that made us love books were good enough.
In this article, I’m going to share some of my personal favourite books that were definitely some of yours too.
1. Koku Baboni — Kola Onadipe
I read this book when I was in Primary 5 and it’s one of the books that have stuck with me since then. It was part of the school curriculum but it was very well written for kids. Koku Baboni is a story about an abandoned boy who was rescued by an old lady and raised by her. I hope to get a copy and read it again. 10/10 book.
2. A Woman in Her Prime — Asare Konadu
I’m glad that books written by African authors have come a long way from being forced into school curriculums. But I’m also glad that this was included in mine back in the day (the day being 2010). This book made me know what a woman being in her prime really means to society. It touches on barrenness, the need to have children before your “time” runs out and how much women sacrifice to have children of their own.
3. The Joys of Motherhood — Buchi Emecheta
The first time I read this book, I was too young to understand the intricacies of it, but I know I felt nothing but grief at the end. A young woman who had many children died on the road at the end of the book. The Joys of Motherhood conjured so many emotions in it: from rage, to hope, sadness, pity, exhaustion, more rage, etc. It’s What a life!
READ: These 7 African Books Need to Be Adapted Into Film ASAP
4. The Concubine – Elechi Amadi
The concubine is about a woman whose husbands die after marrying her. The book touches on Igbo culture, tradition and the worship of gods amongst the eastern people of Nigeria. I don’t remember much about it, but I know it’s a book I should pick up to read again.
5. Purple Hibiscus — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Purple Hibiscus touches on several topics, but for me, it mostly opened my mind up to the complexities of fanaticism. Beyond its focus on religion, the book also focuses on life from childhood to teenagehood and family and societal impacts on young adults.
