Tag Archives: Africa

West With the Night, by Beryl Markham (audio)

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Thistle

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 Thistle

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 Thistle

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

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Thistle

This is the story of two women. Little Bee is a refugee from Nigeria in Britain. Sarah is a wife, mother, and magazine editor, also in Britain. This is the story of how their lives collide and intertwine. I’ve seen … Continue reading →

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

Carnet de Voyage, by Craig Thompson

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Thistle

Carnet de Voyage is Craig Thompson’s illustrated travelogue/travel journal over two months visiting France, Spain, and Morocco. He was partly doing research for his upcoming book Habibi (which I’m very much looking forward to) and partly on tour for international … Continue reading →

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

African Sojourn, by Uwe Ommer

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Thistle

I read this book as a companion to my Enchantment: Senegal book. It’s a book that is supposed to highlight the beauty of the female African body. West African, specifically (but not just Senegal). Unlike Native, the photography book that … Continue reading →

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

Monique and the Mango Rains, by Kris Holloway

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Thistle

Kris Holloway was a Peace Corps volunteer in the West African nation of Mali in 1989-1991. Her host in the small town of Nampossela was Monique Dembele, the local midwife and health worker. This book chronicles their experiences over those … Continue reading →

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

Baking Cakes in Kigali, by Gaile Parkin

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Thistle

Once again, I have a reason to be so happy I went to ALA. I picked this ARC up at some booth – not even sure which – because I haven’t read many things about Africa and thought this sounded … Continue reading →

Posted in 2009, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Aya, by Marguerite Abouet

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Thistle

This graphic novel takes place in the late 70s in the Ivory Coast. Aya is a teenage girl with academic ambition, while her two best friends, Adjoua and Bintou, are far more concerned with partying. This, of course, eventually leads … Continue reading →

Posted in 2009, Visual, Young Adult | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Thistle

A parson named Kumalo from a small town in South Africa is called by another parson to Johannesburg to help his “ill” sister (meaning she’s gotten into prostitution and illegal alcohol/drug distribution). Kumalo fears Johannesburg – every member of his … Continue reading →

Posted in 2009, Adult, Prose | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment