Ghanaian Literature Week 2 hosted by Kinna
Today marks the start of the second annual Ghanaian Literature Week hosted by Kinna of Kinna Reads. She has big plans for the week and you can read the full details in her introduction post.
Last year I read some really fantastic books but ended up reading mostly young adult as that was what I was able to source easiest on my Kindle. I read True Murder by Yaba Badoe, Mother’s Tribute by Diana McBagonluri, Between Sisters by Adwoa Badoe, and Powder Necklace by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. I also read two adult fiction titles - Changes by Ama Ata Aidoo and a short story collection titled The Prophet of Zongo Street by Mohammed Naseehu Ali. This year I’ve read two additional Ghanaian titles – the nonfiction Daughters of Anowa by Mercy Amba Oduyoye and the short story collection Opening Spaces edited by Yvonne Vera which contained a story by Ama Ata Aidoo.
This yearI have a number of books sets aside to read and review, though I didn’t get as much of the planned advance reading in as I had been hoping to. I have The Housemaid by Amma Darko, Two Thousand Seasons by Ayi Kwei Armah, African Love Stories edited by Ama Ata Aidoo, The Other Crucifix by Benjamin Kwakye, Spellbound: Inside West Africa’s Witch Camps by Karen Palmer, Anowa and The Dilemma of a Ghost by Ama Ata Aidoo, The Chicken Thief by Fiona Leonard, and Ama by Manu Herbstein. I certainly won’t get them all read and reviewed, but I hope to feature a few reviews through the rest of the week. I’ve finished The Housemaid and am almost finished both African Love Stories and Two Thousand Seasons. Any recommendations on what I should pick up next?
Besides literature, Ghana has a lot to offer in other ways as well. I had been meaning to watch Yaba Badoe’s documentary on Ghanaian witch camps, The Witches of Gambaga, as part of this week’s festivities but of course I forgot to pack the movie and so it is sitting at home on my desk where I left it. Ghana also has some great music artists. For a taste, check out No One Knows by M3nsa – I really like this fun and upbeat song. Africa is a Country, This is Africa, and Okay Africa all often post Ghanaian music as well as culture and news information.
Another thing to celebrate about Ghana during this Ghanaian Literature Week is the many book bloggers from the country. Maybe other African countries have as many, but I’ve certainly interacted the most with those from Ghana and they’ve all made a big impact on what I read and when. These bloggers include Kinna herself, Nana who blogs at ImageNations, Geosi at Geosi Reads, Accra Books and Things, and Fiona at A Fork in the Road. Who else should I be following?
From what I see online, it seems that Ghana has a truly vibrant literary scene. I look forward to reading more literature from the country and thank Kinna for hosting this project and reminding me to read some of these books I’ve been collecting on my shelf!
There is still time to pick up a book yourself to read and review this week! Don’t miss out on the great authors and books coming out of the country.
Thanks for the links to all the other bloggers from Ghana – apart from Kinna I don’t follow any of them *heads off to investigate*
They are all very worth a follow Jackie
I hope you enjoy!
What a great stack you have to choose from: the planning and dreaming is a big part of the fun, isn’t it! Looking forward to your thoughts as the week ambles along….
Thank you BuriedInPrint, you are very right
Planning and dreaming is always fun!
This is such a cool event, and I am looking forward to seeing what you think of the books you have read. It sounds like you have a great set to choose from, and I hope that you enjoy them all! Good luck!
Thanks zibilee, so many great books to choose from!
looking forward to your reviews Amy ,all the best stu
Thanks Stu!
I wondered when you mentioned Two Thousand Seasons. Even though it remains one of my favourite books and the author too, many have described the book as woody including Soyinka. I love that book to the core.
I just reviewed Tail of the Blue Bird and would be reviewing The Other Crucifix tomorrow. In all you’ve a jealous collection of books. And you reminded me that I should be getting to Chicken Thief and Ama pretty soon though I plan to spend December to reduce the list of books on my Top 100 Books Challenge.
Hmmm… I will review it tomorrow Nana. I liked some parts but overall wasn’t a super huge fan. Felt he just didn’t trust the reader enough to understand anything and had to spell it all out so clearly and repeatedly it frustrated me a bit. But still an interesting read for sure!
I just picked up The Other Crucifix, I think I may start it tonight if this headache goes away
Great plan for December too. I really must work on my own books too I think rather than focus on review copies if I can.
Dearest Amy, thank you very much for reading, and then bringing your very impressive Ghanaian literature + + list to our attention. And more thanks for, as we would say here in Ghana, “giving us such fans!”
Thank you so much for the visit and comment Ejinma. All thanks really go to Kinna for these weeks convincing me to pick up more books. And thanks to Ghana for supporting so many great writers!
Wow, such a wonderful haul! And thanks for participating. I’m looking forward to your review of African Love Stories, which I consider as one of the best African publication in this new century!
I’ve been saving the books up for just this occasion Kinna
I am loving African Love Stories so much Kinna – I have to say, I always thought that I didn’t really like short stories but you convinced me to try them more this year and now I realize how much I love them. And yes, I would agree that this may just be one of the best publications in a long time, not just out of Africa. Love every story so far.
Great post-do you have any short story recommendations? I posted yesterday on a story by Mohammed Naseebu Ali “Mallam Sile” which was short listed in 2009 for the Caine Prize and I know of one other story by a writer from Ghana that was short listed for the Caine prize and will post on her soon.
Hmmm… I have short stories by Ghanaian authors in different collections, Mel U, but I really don’t know where to find any online… I wonder if Kinna may know of some places to look? So sorry I’m not more of a help. I tried a few Google searches but sadly no luck yet. Will let you know if I find something