A Year of Nigerian Reading
It’s hard to believe a year has passed and my project is over. A year ago I decided that because I had been left with quite bad memories of Nigeria thanks to an ex, I would immerse myself in Nigerian literature as a way of ensuring that any time I thought of the country, I would think only of the good. After a year of reading (mostly) fantastic books I am happy to say that the project was a success. I’ve also been lucky enough to make friends via twitter and the blog with some really fantastic Nigerians with whom I can discuss books and news.
My small collection of Nigerian lit on my shelf. (A large percentage of what I read is on the Kindle rather than in print form.)
I read quite a lot of titles through the year, and have linked to all of my reviews on the dedicated page. Some of my new favorite authors have come via the project and certainly some of my favorite books of the year. I expanded from my usual reading fare to include children’s books, romance, mystery, as well as fiction and non-fiction. I sought out authors who are still in Nigeria though that was a bit more difficult. Thanks to technology these days, however, it is becoming easier and easier.
I’m unsure if I can keep up every Friday, but I certainly won’t be giving up on Nigerian literature. The country is a fascinating one with such a huge population, with the divide between religions, and with the history the country has experienced. Authors there are coming out with some really great books, and there are so many of them to check out. I am also planning on hosting another Nigerian reading challenge this year though perhaps doing more like Kinna did with her Ghanaian Reading Week and expanding it to a week-long event filled with different exciting activities. Do let me know what you think on that idea.
If you ever need a recommendation for a Nigerian title, you can check out the review database here, and don’t forget to add your own reviews to it.
I will leave you with a new short story from a new favorite author, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, that she shared with me. All readers and collectors of books will be truly touched, I guarantee!
That sounds exciting. I’m doing a reading challenge and for our first month we are reading a Nigerian author. http://sidnereviewez.blogspot.com
Thanks for the link reading, I’ll check it out. I hope you love the book. And do add your review to the database when you get that far please!
Wonderful. Glad you were able to read all. You know, I kept gleaning at your collection (in the pic) just to see if i could pick out titles. I picked up most. Next year, i hope to start a poetry blog, reviewing African poetry alone. Hopefully I can continue when I start hahaha. Happy new Year
Thank you Nana Yaw Sarpong. A few of the titles in the picture were read pre-blogging and not reviewed but many of them are the popular titles
I look forward to reading your blog! All the best and happy new year to you as well
I salute your commitment and enjoyed your reviews. Tis a difficult thing you did and not only did you succeed but you surpassed all expectations: creating a database for Nigerian writers. This is something that needs to be emulated and even if you are unable to repeat it this is enough.
Thank you do much Nana. I do wish that I could keep it up but weekly was too much of a scramble! Glad you enjoyed
I am amazed that you did so much within this challenge, and that you read so many books that focused on Nigeria. It was so great to be able to read all your reviews and get a better picture of the place and its history. Thanks for you commitment to sharing it all with us!
Happy New Year, Amy!
Thank you Zibilee. It was a lot of fun for me so I’m glad others liked if as well! Happy new year
I’m seriously humbled by how much African lit you read! It is amazing. I really admire your database too. It makes me feel i should do better with my blog!
Thanks Sarah, all of the bloggers in Africa keep recommending good books. So hard not to listen to everyone
Thank you for hosting. because of you, I read Nigerian Lit. I’m sure there are many more books to explore and I’m ever so thankful that I have your database to rely on. This is why we blog, to continue encourage each other and open new horizon for each other. Thanks for being you, Amy! Happy New year and may it be a happy one indeed.
Thank you so much for the kind words JoV! I’m so glad to know that people enjoyed and got something out of it. I agree, that is the best part of blogging, expanding horizons and learning! Happy new year to you as well
It’s so cool that you have such a passion for a specific area of books.
And that you really stick with it.
Thanks Trisha. The books are just (almost) all so good!
I’m so glad that you got to read some awesome Nigerian books and that you shared them with us. I’m hoping to focus on a specific country next year, most likely India.
Thanks so much Aths. It was a lot of fun so I’m glad you’re going to try it out too
I’ll be watching to see what you read! I read quite a few great books from there after my trip earlier this year.
it has been inspiring you nigerian reading amy ,all the best for 2012 stu hope you get a computer sorted soon
Thanks Stu, I hope that it gets fixed soon too!
Your project has been inspiring. Reviewing a NIgerian book every Friday? Pfff, I don’t think I could read that fast
I am glad to see it enabled you to have happy memories of the country.
It was definitely hard to keep up Iris, I ended up reading more shorter books than I would have otherwise. Thanks!
That’s so impressive Amy! I’ve now been inspired by you to do a more formal Mexico reading project leading up to my trip.
Thanks Eva! I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do!
Good for you Amy, very impressive.
http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Thank you very much
It was a great project and a pleasure to follow it from this side of the line. It would be great if Kinna would organize the African Literature Challenge this year. I’m on the look out for the announcement.
I’m very glad that you enjoyed Alex. And the good news that I’ve heard is that the announcement is coming for her African Lit Challenge!
Amy thanks for sharing your list. I will be definitely using it.
Thanks so much reading rendezvous reviewz, so happy to hear it
I just noticed you were following me on twitter. Went on your profile and found the link to your blog. I love it…subscribing to your rss feed.
You got read some pretty amazing Nigerian books. I’m glad you liked them.
Thank you so much Yetti! Much appreciated. And I agree, definitely some amazing books
Amy, you did so well with this challenge, week in and week out. A big thank on behalf of all
. Whatever you decide to do, I’m sure will be just as fantastic, well-executed and fun. Of course, you know I’m inclined to a week long celebration of Nigerian independence.
Thanks so much Kinna, I think I’ll have to do the week long celebration now!
I don’t always comment but I do like seeing which Nigerian books you’re going to talk about next. I’ll look forward to the Nigerian reading week too!
Thanks Rebecca! I’m glad you’re looking forward to it