“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” – William Stryon.
Books are a great way to take a break and get lost in the imagination, feelings and opinions of others, going with them on a journey that could lead to various destinations. From the thrilling adventures of a reporter turned detective to a woman reluctantly giving love another try, a doctor recounting intriguing real life stories, a couple on the run during a political upheaval or just a collection of short stories on human interaction.
Here are 5 books you should read that guarantee a wonderful experience.
LIGHT SEEKERS BY FEMI KAYODE
Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and selected as a Best Crime Novel of the Month by The Times, Sunday Times, Independent, Guardian, Observer, Financial Times and Irish Times.
When three young students are brutally murdered in a Nigerian university town, their killings – and their killers – are caught on social media. The world knows who murdered them; what no one knows is why.
As the legal trial begins, investigative psychologist Philip Taiwo is contacted by the father of one of the boys, desperate for some answers to his son’s murder. But Philip is an expert in crowd behaviour and violence, not a detective, and after travelling to the sleepy university town that bore witness to the killings, he soon realises that someone really doesn’t want him there and will do anything to prevent him learning the truth.
Will he uncover what really happened to the Okiri Three?
Winner of the 2019 UEA Crime Writing Prize, Lightseekers is the start of a major new crime series introducing investigative psychologist Dr Philip Taiwo.
HONEY & SPICE BY BOLU BABALOLA
Banana Island Living podcast had a fantastic interview with Bolu Babalola’s father (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0rtakHlJruuBIBafXI4JtZ) so we are definitely biased but, with dozens of good reviews, Honey & Spice stands gloriously on its own merit.
International bestselling author, Bolu Babalola’s witty tale about a young, black British woman, who reconsiders her negative stance on love when she suddenly finds herself in a fake relationship with someone who is everything she avoids. Read and all will be revealed. Charming, knowing and real.
POWER OF WOMEN: A DOCTOR’S JOURNEY OF HOPE AND HEALING BY DENIS MUKWEGE
From Nobel laureate, human rights activist and world-renowned doctor,, the Power of women is a thought-provoking memoir about Dr. Denis Mukwege years as a doctor caring for women brutalized by war.
The inspiring and powerful tales of the women are retold in this book as a clarion call to reassure survivors that they can heal with the right care and support, and also call for a united stand against sexual violence.
THE SCENT OF BURNT FLOWERS BY BLITZ BAZAWULE
Widely known as Blitz the ambassador, Ghanian born multidisciplinary artist Blitz Bazawule spins a compelling tale around a couple on the run meeting someone who offers help but they all end up going through unprecedented events and occurrences as the then President’s regime crumbles around them.
A romantic thriller infused in the history of Post Colonial West Africa and the Civil rights movement, this novel grips its readers from start to finish.
FOR YOU, I’D STEAL A GOAT BY NIQ MHLONGO
South African writer and journalist Niq Mhlongo’s recently released For You, I’d Steal a Goat, is a collection of stories with unique characters and nail biting plot lines, set within the context of South African society.
The collection is made up of 10 short stories and they explore “the things people do for each other, but also to each other,” including big themes such as injustice, corruption, love, desire and the dynamics of human interaction. An intriguing and satisfying read indeed.
What book would you be starting with and which ones have you read?