The books listed below are books I either bought from bookstores once the lockdown eased up and opened up the stores or from publishers. I am grateful that I continue to add onto my already packed up bookcase during this time. There are new authors as well as old favourites, which I’m excited about because they have reminded me that I need to collect their entire work in order to appreciate their new work. There’s fiction and non-fiction as part of my rule to read at least one non-fiction for each fiction title I read. I hope that I won’t be adding too many books onto the collection this year as I need to start reading the ones I already have – but a girl can never have enough books! Please share with me what you’re reading this year and what your target goals are for your reading are.
1. No Be From Hia – Natasha Omokhodion-Kalulu Banda, published by BlackBird Books
A homecoming tale of a family brought together by migration and torn apart by tragedy and secrets. In a search for identity, love and acceptance – two ordinary girls travel from London to Lusaka to Lagos in order to save their family and discover their destiny. See a live book reading of the book here on my YouTube channel.
2. Those Who Live in Cages – Terry-Ann Adams, published by Jacana Media
An intimate look at life in Eldorado Park, told through five women – Bertha, Kaylynn, Laverne, Janice and Raquel. Their lives intersect as they attempt to do the most important thing: survive another day in ‘The Park”. I have seen reviews mention that there’s sections where Bertha speaks only in Afrikaans – I am so looking forward to that as I haven’t read Afrikaans since high school lol.
3. The Book of Proverb – Tebogo Thekisho and Paballo Rampa, published by Penguin SA
This memoir by one of South Africa’s most brightest and humble stars lets us in on the man known as Proverb provides us with life lessons which he’s learnt throughout his life and career spanning over a decade. He pays homage to people that he has crossed paths with in his career and his family who have been a part of his journey and helped him become who he is. There are frank parts and honest accounts of his difficult times as well like his much publicized divorce and his attempted suicide.
4. Quirky Quick Guide to Having Great Sex – Tiffany Kagure Mugo, published by Kwela Books. This book will answer your burning questions and tell you all you need to know, in accessible bite-sized bits. A guide to all things sex and sexuality, busting myths and upgrading the knowledge you already have, it is the ultimate tool to help elevate your sex life!
5. Scatterlings – Resoketswe Manenzhe, published by Jacana Media
This is the 2020 winner of the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award
South Africa, 1927: In this journey, someone will get lost, someone will give up and turn back, and someone may go all the way to the end. All of these people will try to tell you the story of what happened. Abram, a South African winemaker, will tell you that things went wrong when his wife Alisa stopped loving him, when his children couldn’t be citizens of their country of birth, and his country tried to put him in prison, steal his vote and his estate. He will also tell you that in a twist of irony, his treason came about because he loved his wife and children.
6. Paradise in Gaza – Niq Mhlongo, published by Kwela Books
When Mpisi Mpisani travels to his home village for the burial of his mother and a visit to his first wife, he is anxious to hurry back to Johannesburg. His second wife, waiting in Soweto, will give birth soon. Giyani, his eight year old son, accompanies him. But when Giyani disappears, Mpisi stays to search for him. He tries to ignore the villagers who blame magic for the boy’s disappearance. Meanwhile Mpisi’s city wife, Ntombazi, bears a boy with a birthmark that seems to be a sign…
7. The Pride of Noonlay – Shanice Ndlovu, published by Modjaji Books
The stories in The Pride of Noonlay are crackling, lyrical, and controlled, and the worlds Ndlovu conjures are fascinating and vivid. This collection is a fresh contribution to African fantasy. Take a deep dive into stories of love, sacrifice, and loss – with this collection, you won’t want to come up for air. Ndlovu’s voice is original, confident, and lyrically beautiful, weaving tales of humanity even in the strangest of circumstances. See a live book reading of the title story here on my YouTube channel.
8. My Roots, My Heritage – Dorah Sithole, published by NB Publishers
40 Years of iconic food is the product of Mama Dorah Sitole’s culinary journey, which began growing up in the townships and led to her becoming the exceptional food icon that she is today. Each chapter features various stages of Mama Dorah’s fascinating life, with recipes to match: traditional African, Township, Pan-African and Western. Mama Dorah passed on in January 2021 – may her precious soul rest peacefully.
9. Exhale – Queer African Erotic Fiction – published by BlackBird Books & HOLAAFRICA! Project Exhale is a queer anthology wrapped in the idea of a release, a letting go, breathing out. An orgasm. These are the stories that come out when you play sip or spill, truth or dare, never have I ever and lasts longer than 7 minutes in heaven. With sexual experiences from all over Africa, this anthology introduces some exciting new literary voices and bring you some of your established favourites.
10. The Hundred Wells of Salaga – Ayesha Harruna Attah, published by Cassava Republic Aminah lives an idyllic life in the village of Botu, until she is brutally separated from her home and forced on a journey that will turn her from a daydreamer into a resilient woman. Wurche, the willful daughter of a chief, is desperate to play an important role in her father’s court at Salaga-Kpembe. The lives of these two remarkable women converge in a tumultuous meeting that takes them from mistress and slave to unlikely allies, as Aminah and Wurche find themselves tangled in a web of desire, jealousy, political intrigue and illicit affairs. Meanwhile, infighting among Wurche’s people threatens to leave the region exposed to powers much greater than themselves.
So that’s the main 10 books I’m looking forward to reading, along with the other 20 + that I shared on my Instagram recently as a teaser of sorts and a way for me to not really show what it is I’m going to be reading but sharing it? Lol, anyways – till next time!
Happy Reading! O
