Nigerian Independence Day Reading / Reviewing Project
Today I want to officially share the details of the Nigerian Reading Project scheduled for October 1st, 2011. Everyone is invited to read any work by a Nigerian author or author of Nigerian descent, or a book about Nigeria, and review it during the dates of September 29th and October 3rd. The format, length, or topic doesn’t matter, all that matters is that it deals with Nigeria. Your web site does not have to be a dedicated book blog. I will be posting about on October 1st, which is Nigeria’s Independence Day.
Celebrate Nigeria and Nigerian literature with me by joining in! There are so many great books that you’ll have trouble choosing just one to read. And no matter how small or ill-stocked your library, it should (I hope!) at least have a copy of something by Adichie or Achebe! If you need inspiration, check out the review database to see what others have thought of various titles. It doesn’t matter what you read – romance, young adult, mystery, literary fiction, nonfiction, faith based books, poetry, Nigeria has it all.
I also am so excited about the prizes that I have for participants!! Simply by linking your review to the review database between the dates of September 29th and October 3rd, 2011 you will be eligible! NOTE: review has to be posted during those dates as well to be eligible. Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are international.
Up for grabs for participants will be:
- In Dependence by Sarah Ladipo Manyika, provided by the author
- Oil on Water by Helon Habila, provided by the author
- The Granta Book of the African Short Story edited by Helon Habila, provided by Anansi (Canada only, very sorry!)
- A Heart to Mend by Myne Whitman, provided by the author (if winner is outside the US, will be an ebook)
- A Love Rekindled by Myne Whitman, provided by the author (if winner is outside the US, will be an ebook)
- Blackbird by Jude Dibia, provided by the publisher (ebook)
- Kehinde by Buchi Emecheta, provided by the publisher
- Kemi’s Journal by Abidemi Sanusi, used copy donated by me
- Yellow-Yellow by Kaine Agary, used copy donated by me
- On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe, donated by me
- The Trouble with Nigeria by Chinua Achebe, donated by me
Note: if you are an author or publisher who would like to donate a book to this project please email me at amy[dot]mckie[at]gmail[dot]com.
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I feel incredibly guilty that it’s a Friday and I don’t have a Nigerian literature review for you all, dear readers. This is the first Friday I’ve missed all year! If you need some good recommendations do check out the dedicated page I’ve made, or the Nigerian Literature Review Database. Speaking of the database – have you added the links to any and all Nigerian lit you’ve reviewed? Please do so! I’m happy to report that we’re at 79 reviews to date!
For details on why I don’t have a book read and reviewed do check back tomorrow (for details on the TIFF screenings I’ve caught) and Sunday (for an update on my work travels, which were only confirmed on Wednesday).
Trackbacks
- Sunday Salon: Remember That Hiatus? | Iris on Books
- Sunday Salon: Academic Library Love | Iris on Books
- Reminder: Nigerian Independence Day Reading / Reviewing Project Open « Amy Reads
- Nigerian Independence Day Reading / Reviewing Project « Amy Reads
- Nigerian Independence Day Reading / Reviewing Project « Amy Reads
- Nigerian Independence Day Reading / Reviewing Project Open « Amy Reads
- Nigerian Lit Project Update and Canada Reads 2012 Recommendations « Amy Reads
- The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Iris on Books
- The Power of a Plate of Rice by Ifeoma Okoye | Brown Paper
- September 2011 Reading Wrap-Up « Amy Reads
- A Year of Nigerian Reading « Amy Reads
I really hope I will have read something in time for the event Amy. And look at all those prizes! I hope many will participate.
Thank you Iris, I really hope so too!
This is wonderful, Amy! Looking forward to reading Achebe’s book by Oct 1st
Looking forward to reading Nigerian book reviews on Nigerian Independence day.
Yay thank you so much VIshy
I read THINGS FALL APART last month and never posted about it becuase I just couldn’t find the words. Maybe I’ll reread it and post about it for this. I also have Adichie’s stories…I’ll try to get something in!
Oh that would be great Rebecca, if you do get a chance
Thank you!
looking forward to this event. Cheers!
Thanks Geosi
Fantastic, fantastic. I have several books to choose from and will definitely participate and support you. Those prizes look wonderful
and all the best.
Thank you Kinna! I am sorry about the Granta collection being Canada only!
I just bought two more titles by Achebe, so I will definitely try to get this squeezed in!
I already read Things Fall Apart, but I have No Longer at Ease as well as The Education of a British-Protected Child on my shelf. Any suggestions as to which one to read?
Ah I am so excited to hear that Allie!! I highly recommend Education, his nonfiction is so fantastic I think
What an amazing project, Amy! Your generosity is boundless. I can’t guarantee that I am going to be able to participate, but I will definitely make every attempt. Thanks!
Thank you for trying Michelle
Great project, Amy. Will definitely participate. Three of those books are on my TBR list so it should not be difficult really. Only one question: How would you decide who gets which book among the winners? Just curious:)
I’m so glad to hear it Adura! I will pick the winners simply by using random.org and picking random numbers I think.
I’ve got it marked in my calendar, Amy; I’m really looking forward to it and pleased to see that it will last more than just one day!
Thanks so much BuriedInPrint
I wanted to make sure that as many could participate as possible!
Oh, this has snuck up on me! I started Chris Abani’s Graceland, but haven’t made too much headway. I’ll have to concentrate on it for the next couple days so I can get my post up in time.
I hope you enjoy the book MJ – and that you finish it, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts
Awesome! I’m actually reading Sozaboy by Ken Saro-Wiwa for class right now (it’s an African lit course) so this is great timing. I’ll have the post up some point soon. Thanks for hosting!
Oh fantastic timing K
I would love to hear what all you are reading in the course, sounds like a lot of fun!
This is my review for Nigeria’s independence Day: Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka
http://freduagyeman.blogspot.com/2011/10/46-death-and-kings-horseman-by-wole.html
Thanks Nana!
Um, I couldn’t figure out how to link my review to the database. So here it is: http://niranjana.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/the-power-of-a-plate-of-rice-by-ifeoma-okoye/
Thanks Niranjana
I’ve added the link.