African books review

 'The secret lives of Baba Segi's wives' was my first African writers book I picked up this year. Being another  Nigerian  author, her debut novel, 'the secret lives of Baba Segi's wives' is set in a  Nigerian  village and explores the family dynamics of a polygamous marriage. Baba Segi is a traditional man who has four wives, three of whom are  illiterate . His educated fourth and youngest wife whom he seems to warm to the most is the obvious envy of the other three older wives. On the downside, she turns out to be the one who is unable to take seed or rather the one who manages to expose Baba Segi's lack of functioning sperms. So who fathered the 7 children from his other three wives...... Read to find out. An interesting story of culture,  scandals, secrets and an encounter of modern and traditional beliefs with  humor .

This book is a must read to all Ghanaians. There's trouble in Sikaman (referring to Ghana). Through citing real life experiences both past and present Nana Damoah addresses the current state of affairs in the nation, saying it as it is - lots of talk with minimal action! He tasks all Ghanaian at home and in the diaspora to contribute to building the better Ghana. Packed with rich quotes and amusing humor, you will want to flip the pages. He concludes beautifully with a taste of Ghana's beautiful tourist sites in the Volta region and yet sadly how the industry seems neglected. I Speak of Ghana is the book all Ghanaians should be "speaking" about.

Well, well what can I say about EYO, definitely not a book for the faint-hearted. I found myself cringe once too many times as it's a harsh realization of the unfortunate plight many families and young girls find themselves in. EYO is a happy young girl living in the slums of Nigeria with her parents and two siblings. She hawks cold water on the streets with her younger brother in the day and is the object of her fathers sexual escape at night. When the opportunity to migrate to the UK came along, little did EYO know her worst nightmare was yet to come. A story of brokenness, child trafficking, physical & sexual abuse, hurt and when finally there's a ray of sunshine it turns out it's too good to be true. A brave writer who has clearly done her research to open up closed doors. Read if you dare.

'Tales from different tales' by Nana Awere Damoah is now an endorsed 'must read' recommendation by myself. The book is a collection of 8  short stories set in different parts of Ghana. He covers stories starting with life on a University campus to students parting ways, a national service chapter, Kojo seeking greener pastures in the city and a hilarious public transport journey amongst others. The order of the stories is almost replicable of a typical students journey after university. For someone who never experienced life beyond secondary school in Ghana, the book certainly got me wishing I could experience that environment.  The stories are memorable, humorous and thought provoking with lessons to be learnt.  Nana Damoah’s descriptive choice of words and creation of vivid scenery takes you into the lives of the characters making it even more captivating.  The book overall is an easy read and will certainly lighten up your day from start to finish.  Check out Nana

  Its been a while since I picked up a romance novel. I don't think I've even read any since I got bored of my teenage Mills& Boon pleasurable days and I must say I'm glad I did. Another Ghanaian author by name of Embi Baryeh. Her debut novel 'the most eligible bachelor' turned out to be a page turner. The opening of the story from two strangers making out on valentines day after a first encounter got me skeptical but Empi certainly had a plan. The sex scene was beautifully written so I had to read on :-). As the story unfolds, the book soon becomes a page turner and fixes a smile on your face. The characters are real as is the series of events that follow. It is also an easy read with creative vivid descriptions and the grammar is almost perfect. Ofcourse a happily ever after ending to crown the read.  I've got a couple of western books lined up to read next but her second book changing faith promises to be better and its next in line on my African writers