Books are a great way to learn more about cultures, identities, and much more. That’s why we want to help you add a few more to your summer reading list.
For Africa Day this year, we asked our ONE Champions and staff about what books resonated with them when it came to resilience, innovation, leadership, and African identity. Their recommendations did not disappoint — here are 7 books to read by African authors to learn more about African identity, culture, and more.
1. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A top recommendation by ONEsters, this story is set during the Biafran War in Nigeria. This powerful novel follows three characters whose lives are upended by conflict. Through love, loss, and loyalty, Adichie explores the human cost of war and the enduring spirit of those who survive it.
Adichie’s storytelling has played a pivotal role in bringing African narratives to global audiences, highlighting the complexities of identity, nationhood, and resilience. Her works, including Purple Hibiscus, Americanah, and Dream Count, were popular picks as well, and continue to challenge stereotypes and affirm the promise and power of African voices.
2. L’invention de l’Afrique (The Invention of Africa) by Valentin Yves Mudimbe
This book is a philosophical examination of how Africa has been conceptualized by Western thinkers. Mudimbe challenges readers to reconsider narratives around African identity and knowledge systems.
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A cornerstone of African literature, this novel tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected Igbo leader, as colonialism and cultural disruption transform his world. Achebe captures the tension between tradition and change with timeless clarity.
4. Le Ventre de l’Atlantique (The Belly of the Atlantic) by Fatou Diome
Through the eyes of a young Senegalese immigrant in France and her brother back home, Diome reveals the myths and realities of migration, and the longing for both home and opportunity.
5. Youth Can by Lizz Ntonjira
A collection of inspiring stories from young changemakers across Africa, highlighting the power of youth leadership and the belief that change is possible when young voices are amplified. “It is about rising above challenges and narratives as young Africans,” points out Mercy Mutana, a ONE Champion.
6. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo
Told through the sharp eyes of 10-year-old Darling, the novel moves from a Zimbabwean shantytown to life as an immigrant in America. It’s a poignant reflection on displacement, survival, and the search for identity.
“I recommend this book because it captures the voice of a generation navigating the complexities of identity, migration, and hope… It reminds us that the African story is not one of defeat, but of survival and transformation,” says ONE Champion Nehemiah Mukoya. “The book challenges stereotypes and amplifies a young African voice with honesty, humor, and depth.”
7. So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ
A deeply emotional letter from a recently widowed Senegalese woman to her best friend, exploring themes of womanhood, tradition, and resistance. So Long a Letter is a feminist classic in African literature.
Feeling inspired?
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