Book Reviews and Reflections
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Book Review and Reflection: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Reading Time: 2 minutesBuy Book Here Introduction In preparation for Oyinkan Braithwaite’s follow-up book, Cursed Daughters (due for release in September 2025), to My Sister, the Serial Killer, I have decided to re-read My Sister, the Serial Killer and write a review about it this time. I’m glad I did, because it not only gave me a chance to reflect on it again, but also really looking forward to the new book as I was left wanting more of the story. Cursed Daughters seems to promise the “more” I’ve been seeking. Book Summary My Sister, the Serial Killer is Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut novel, and it is as gripping as it…
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Book Review and Reflection of Living, Loving and Lying Awake at Night by Sindiwe Magona
Reading Time: 5 minutesPublished: 2003Genre: Short Story Collection / Literary Fiction Buy the book HERE Introduction Motherhood is a multitude of existence. When one becomes a mother, they cease to exist for themselves. The first chapter of Living, Loving and Lying Awake at Night reflects this. Mothers are charged with bringing life into the world, cultivating it, pruning it, watering it, and caring for it. Most mothers would do anything for their children’s well-being and survival. Sometimes, it means leaving them (physically) to be their mother, as one of the protagonists in this book emphasised. Book Summary and Reflections Living, Loving, and Lying Awake at Night is a collection of…
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Book Review and Reflection of We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo
Reading Time: 4 minutesGenre: Coming of Age, FictionDate of Publication: 2013Get a copy HERE Introduction Another literary gem from Zimbabwe. Firstly, I adore the cover of the hard copy I received. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo is striking from the very start. Chilling themes are revealed early on and continue to unfold throughout the book. The writing is excellent. NoViolet takes readers into a vivid world that feels almost tangible, with its incredible nuances threaded throughout. One may miss hidden meanings if they aren’t looking closely. For instance, in Chapter One, Darling, the protagonist, says: “We just walk nicely like Budapest is now our country too, like we…
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Book Review and Reflection: Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza
Reading Time: 3 minutesBook Published: 2006Buy the Book: HERE Introduction I have always had a keen interest in learning about the Rwandan Genocide, stemming from my undergraduate studies in law. The 1994 Rwandan Genocide, where nearly one million Tutsis were slaughtered in just 100 days, is a significant aspect of Rwanda’s history. My dissertation for my LLB honours degree focused on the human rights of women and children during this tragic time. However, most of my early research was based on official documents and academic papers. As my interest deepened, I grew a strong desire to learn about people’s lived experiences of the Genocide. Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza…
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Book Review and Reflection of My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System Sandra Igwe
Reading Time: 3 minutesPublished: 2022 Buy Book HERE Introduction This book is not very long, so it is easy to get through—yet it took me a while to finish. I kept reading, pausing, and coming back to it. That’s because it is not an easy read. I am a Black mother living in England at the time of reading. Fortunately for me, I had my daughter outside England. I was lucky enough to have a well-paying job, so I was able to afford giving birth in a private hospital, where I received premium care. Moving to England, I quickly realised that motherhood here was very, very different. In this book,…
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Book Review and reflection of: Nephilim Origins: Rise of the Nephilim by Chido Hove
Reading Time: 3 minutesIntroduction I often go into books blind — no synopsis, no reviews, no expectations — just vibes. I want my reading experiences to be fresh and unfiltered. Nephilim Origins: Rise of the Nephilim by Chido Hove was one such read. The title was unfamiliar, but the cover hinted at supernatural elements that piqued my curiosity. Book Summary Set in a quiet village, the story follows Naamah, a young girl whose life takes an unexpected turn after a visit to the market. There, she meets a mysterious, ethereal man by the stream — tall, beautiful, and utterly enchanting. At the same time, Naamah is promised to another man…
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Book Review and Reflection of If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga
Reading Time: 4 minutesPublished: 2022Accolades: [As listed on Amazon] Genre: Fiction (This becomes confusing towards the end, but research confirms it is fiction.)Buy the book HERE Country: Egypt Introduction If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English is framed around two individuals from vastly different backgrounds meeting and forming a relationship. What a book! The first thing that struck me, and I loved it very early on, was how it was written. The story is narrated by the boy from Shobrakheit and the American girl. It is lyrical and poetic. Book Summary and reflections The book is divided into three parts. Every section in Part One begins with a question, such as, “Question:…
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Book Review and Reflection of African Love Stories: An Anthology
Reading Time: 5 minutesAfrican love stories is authored by various African women from various African countries. Edited by: Ama Ata Aidoo Published: 2006 Get the book HERE African Love Stories: Introduction In my usual way, I went into this book blindly. I read the title, and I was sold. I love love and was extremely excited to read about African love stories. But Ama Ata Aidoo makes it very clear in the introduction that these are not conventional (the Western love stories we are used to) love stories. These stories are about love nevertheless—in the various ways it is experienced. Relationships that sometimes had a romantic connection, and others with…
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Book Review and Reflection of I Am Not Your Slave: A Memoir by Tupa Tjipombo with Chris Lockhart
Reading Time: 4 minutesBook Details Genre: Biography Year: 2020 Buy Book HERE Introduction “After a while, a person can get used to almost anything.” — Chapter 9 Imagine living a joyful life among your people, surrounded by family and familiarity—only to be suddenly plunged into a world of captivity. This is what happened to Tupa. She was violently uprooted from her home in Opuwo, Namibia, and trafficked into Angola. From there, she found herself trapped in a cycle of exploitation, moving through various countries across Africa and eventually to the Middle East. Tupa’s story is one of survival. She endured witchcraft, sexual exploitation, and years of domestic servitude. Her memoir…
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Book Review and Reflection of Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter by Nozipo Maraire
Reading Time: 6 minutesBook Review and Reflection of Zenzele Date of Publication: 1996Genre: FictionBuy the book HERE Introduction Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter, in my opinion, should be ranked as an African literary classic and should be part of the curricula in schools in Africa and around the world. This is the book I wish I had read before moving to England, and it’s the book I wish everyone would read before moving to the West. For this reason, I decided on an extensive Book Review and Reflection of Zenzele as reflected below. The first thing that came to my mind while reading is Maraire’s beautiful storytelling talent—so lyrical,…