7 Nigerian books to read in 2023
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Loading... - Chimamanda Okoye
- 28 Feb 2023
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Malorie Blackman once said, "Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else's shoes for a while," and she is correct.
Reading transports you to another world without having to leave your seat. But that’s not all, as it also strengthens the brain, and improves memory, and concentration skills, as well as analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, conversational skills, vocabulary, and spelling.
It increases knowledge and cultural understanding. It also inspires and challenges a person’s imagination. And, because Nigeria is rich in culture and blessed with writers who can put it into words, it is only natural to invest in reading books written by Nigerians.
Nigerian literature has expanded dramatically in the last 50 years. From early writers like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka to more contemporary writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the number of stories depicting the Nigerian experience has increased.
Here are some novels to explore in 2023 for individuals who enjoy reading, those who are just beginning to do so, and those for whom reading is one of their New Year's resolutions:
1) “Stay With Me” by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
"Stay With Me" spans 25 years and is set in 1980s Nigeria during the political turmoil. It tells the story of Yejide and Akin, two university sweethearts who are unable to conceive after years of marriage. Although polygamy is fairly common in their community, they both agree that it is not for them.
However, things become complicated when Yejide's interfering in-laws intervene and introduce another woman for Akin to marry, shattering the widely held belief that infertility in a marriage is solely the fault of the woman and has nothing to do with the man.
Yejide suffers psychologically as a result of this new development, and she resorts to desperate measures in order to conceive and save her marriage.
The book makes inferences on how society handles sensitive issues such as infertility and child loss. It also investigates the communication chasm that exists between an older generation that still believes in old beliefs and superstitions and a younger generation that is more open-minded.
Infertility, motherhood, loss, heartbreak, male fragility, and family dynamics are among the topics covered. Read More…
