Read Around Africa Challenge
Read at least one book by an author from each country in Africa.
Best books from Africa (597)
291.
No Easy Task by Aubrey Kachingwe EN
MalawiDescription:
A book about a young journalist who ends up involved in the political events that led his country to independence from Great Britain.
292.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer EN
Description:
Now a Netflix film starring and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is a gripping memoir of survival and perseverance about the heroic young inventor who brought electricity to his Malawian village. When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle... continue
293.
Smouldering Charcoal by Paul Tiyambe Zeleza EN
Description:
This powerful first novel chronicles the lives of two families: the first, poor, working-class and ill-educated, is compared to a young politically aware college student and her journalist fiance.
294.
The Bird Boy's Song by Steve Chimombo EN
Description:
The Bird Boy's Song is a retelling of the common Malawian folk story. "The Orphan and the Slave". The story recounts a slave's usurpation of his master's place, which he enjoys for a short time, until he is unmasked. The author used modern storytelling techniques to dramatise this popular trickster tale.
295.
Description:
From beloved Malawian storyteller Upile Chisala comes the revised and expanded edition of her second collection of poetry. In nectar, Chisala guides readers through a beautiful process of growth and renewal. These poems celebrate our always complex, sometimes troubled roots while encouraging us to grow through and beyond them toward a passionate self-love. Chisala's hope is that her words will encourage readers to sow seeds of change in their own lives and the lives of others.
296.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind : Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer EN
Description:
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger, and a place where hope and opportunity were hard to find. But William had read about windmills in a book called Using Energy, and he dreamed of building one that would bring electricity and water to his village and change his life and the lives of those around him. His neighbors may have mocked him and called him misala—crazy—but William was determined to show them what a little grit and ingenuity could do. Enchanted by the workings of electricity... continue
297.
Soft Magic by Upile Chisala EN
Description:
'soft magic.' is the debut collection of prose and poetry by Malawian writer, Upile Chisala. This book explores the self, joy, blackness, gender, matters of the heart, the experience of Diaspora, spirituality and most of all, how we survive. 'soft magic.' is a shared healing journey.
298.
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver EN
Description:
A terrifying 1930s ghost story set in the haunting wilderness of the far north.
299.
The Fortunes of Wangrin by Amadou Hampâté Bâ EN
MaliDescription:
A novel on the evils of white colonialism in Africa. Set in French-ruled Mali, the hero is a young teacher who plays the white man's idea of a good black in order to advance his career.
300.
Bound to Violence by Yambo Ouologuem EN
Description:
The African empire of Nakem is exploited by Arabs and colonialism and spiced with black magic, cannibalism and murder.