Annette S Random Africa Reading Challenge 2021

[Annette]

1. Eritrea I Will Not Grow Downward by Yikealo Neab

2. Mauritius Eve of Her Ruins by Ananda Devi

3. Mali Segu by Maryse Conde

4. Guinea The Dark Child by Camara Laye

5. Equatorial Guinea La Bastarda by Triforia Melibea Obono

6. Eswatini (Swaziland) Chaka by Thomas Mafolo

7. Cabo Verde Chiquinho by Balthazar Lopes

8. Seychelles The Edge of Eden by Helen Benedict

9. Senegal So Long a Letter by Mariana Ba

10. Nigeria The Death of Vivek Oji by Akweake Emezi

11. South Africa Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

12. Chad Told by Starlight in Chad by Joseph Brahmin Seid

13. Madagascar Beyond the Rice Fields by Naivo

14. Algeria A Savage War of Peace by Alistair Horne

15. Libya The Return: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between by Hisham Matar

[Carolien]

Nice choices! I read The Return this year and it was so interesting. Trevor Noah is also a good choice.

[Annette]

I look forward to reading them! I’ve enjoyed the South African books I’ve read by Nelson Mandela, Alan Paton, and Mark Mathabane so Trevor Noah should be an interesting choice.

[Annette]

I’ve finished reading Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Trevor uses his amazing wit to tell the story of his difficult childhood, made more complicated by the fact he was born to a South African mother and a white father. He describes his difficulty in fitting into distinct ethnic groups as a child, throughout his school experience, and in more serious adult situations. At times I was laughing so hard at his telling of situations, and at times so deeply sad at some of his experiences. I’m sorry it took me so long to read this book.

[Carolien]

Annette wrote: "I’ve finished reading Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Trevor uses his amazing wit to tell the story of his difficult childhood, made more complicated by the fact he was born to a South African mother ..."

It's a great book.

[Orgeluse]

I also audio-read this book about 2 years ago and found it amusing but also insightful at the same time. I can remember that it had some lengths but overall a good book!

[Annette]

I’ll bet the audio reading was hilarious!

[Orgeluse]

Yes it was indeed! He reads it himself and can also do the different voices perfectly well :)))

[Annette]

I’ve finished Beyond the Rice Fields by Naivo, the first book written by a native Malagasy and translated. I would highly recommend reading it.

[Annette]

I’ve also finished Nigeria The Death of Vivek Oji

[Annette]

I’ve finished reading So Long a Letter, which was an extremely short but delightful read. Here’s a link to the review I provided: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I have 4 more books in the mail to ensure I make regular progress on this list as I have time to read. So far I’ve really enjoyed the books I’ve read and getting to know more about these countries.

[Orgeluse]

You are making good progress, indeed! I have So Long a Letter listed in my TBR takedown challenge and am curious as to whether its number will be drawn :))

[Annette]

I've finished reading Eve out of Her Ruins. I had ordered it to read later but I read it in 1 - 1/2 hours it was such a fast read.

I've finished 5 of my Random Africa books and am part way finished with The Dark Child, another interesting but very fast read. I'm determined to finish these books as early as possible this year@

[Orgeluse]

I read Eve out of Her Ruins two years ago. What do you think of it? I thought it was good but rather bleak.

[Annette]

Orgeluse,

It’s definitely rather bleak. But well written. These situations are unfortunately true for many parts of the world.

[Carolien]

You're making great progress, Annette. I'm adding some of these to my TBR.

[Annette]

I've finished reading The Dark Child by Camara Laye. This book, originally published in French in 1954, was a fast but enjoyable read. Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Annette]

I'm finishing up the last couple of books on this list now - a few days late. My list remained mainly the same from my original projections, with one book substituted. For Algeria, I read Algerian Childhood instead of A Savage War of Peace, which is still in my TBR pile. I enjoyed them all - long and short books - and learned a lot about each of these countries.

[Orgeluse]

Congratulations, Annette!! And thanks for sharing your list!!

[Annette]

Thanks Orgeluse! I’m really looking forward to this year’s challenge.