Tag Archives: Africa

Akata Witch, by Nnedi Okorafor

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Amanda

From Goodreads: Born in New York, but living in Aba, Nigeria, twelve-year old Sunny is understandably a little lost. She is albino and thus, incredibly sensitive to the sun. All Sunny wants to do is be able to play football … Continue reading →

Posted in 2019, Children's, Prose | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Children of Blood and Bone, by Tomi Adeyemi

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Amanda

From GoodReads: Zélie Adebola 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in 2018, Prose, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Half the Sky, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Amanda

Subtitled: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide This book explores gender inequality around the world, focused primarily on sex trafficking, violence against women, and maternal mortality. It also discusses potential solutions and gives accounts of some successes and failures … Continue reading →

Posted in 2017, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Nekropolis, by Maureen McHugh

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Amanda

Hariba has voluntarily entered a life of forced servitude to escape the death-homes of Nekropolis, the section of a large Moroccan city where she was raised. She’s working for a rich couple who buy the contract of many such forced-servants, … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cress, by Marissa Meyer

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Amanda

Cress is third in the Lunar Chronicles, after Cinder and Scarlet. To recap previous feelings, I’d wished Cinder was standalone, and left out all the moon-alien-people, which felt superfluous. Then, in Scarlet, I didn’t mind so much, because the story … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, Prose, Young Adult | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Timeless, by Gail Carriger

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Amanda

Major spoilers. Fifth and final book in the series, this time involving a trip to Egypt and a lot more information about the backgrounds of many, many characters. Lots to like in this book, though I didn’t like this one … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sweetness in the Belly, by Camilla Gibb (audio)

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Amanda

Lilly is born to British parents, but raised in Africa by a devout Muslim teacher, and eventually moves to Ethiopia as a teenager. When Ethiopia is torn apart by war politics, she becomes a refugee in London, and eventually turns … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

West With the Night, by Beryl Markham (audio)

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Amanda

Beryl Markham grew up in Kenya. In her adulthood, she first worked with race horses and later became a pilot. At one point, she crossed the Atlantic from Europe to North America solo, one of the first people to do … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Amanda

William Kamkwamba was a young boy from a small village in Milawi, Africa. He built a windmill and brought “electric wind” to his village. This is his story. I’m so, so sorry, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Amanda

Okonkwo is a strong, angry man, famous and important in his tribe in Nigeria. He has three wives, many children, and a successful farm, mostly due to his relentless determination to keep everyone in his family (including himself) working harder … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment