Names of african authors and their books

The novel is frequently assigned for reading in courses on world literature and african studies. Many writers incorporate other arts into their work and often weave oral conventions into their writing. I am a promiscuous reader and we need new names is only one of the many books im now dating. To learn more about each author, visit their website below. Amos tutuola was born in 1920, abeokuta in western nigeria and died. This depicted the migration of a young farmer and his. It should be noted, im going to stray from authors we hear about all the timeoctavia butler or nalo hopkinson, for instancein favor of authors relatively few people have heard about.

From an author who adopted an african name as an adult, comes the most allinclusive book of african names. African americans urban life fiction, african americans. So happy to see a list encompassing more than one african writer of the moment. Adichies works are primarily characterdriven, interweaving the background of her native nigeria and social and political events into the narrative. Amazons most sold charts rank books according to the number of copies sold and preordered through, amazon books stores, and books read through digital subscription programs once a customer has read a certain percentage roughly the length of a free reading sample. Best black urban fiction authors black urban fiction books. We need new names by noviolet bulawayo admittedly, ive only just started reading we need new names. Francophone african authors are finally getting their work. Kindred octavia butler their eyes were watching god. Washington the color purple alice walker incidents in the life of a slave girl. For more information on your favourite author, simply click on the first letter of hisher name e.

His first groundbreaking novel titled things fall apart was published in 1958. As an activist, panafricanist, sociologist, educator, historian and prolific writer, w. Aug 25, 2012 okwiri oduor wins 2014 caine prize for african writing described as joycean in its reach, kenyan author s short story my fathers head is named winner of. We recommend printed books for young readers, or when reading to a child.

It apparently speaks volumes about the target audience of the books set in this genre. Like in everything else, african american authors are often excluded from best books list. I read that when i was in primary 4, and it affects my outlook till today, it remains a joy for me, anytime. There are some books that stay with you long after the last page has. Annie allen is a collection of poems that follows the life of the author from childhood to womanhood surrounded by poverty, racial discrimination, parental expectations, and unhappiness.

Each of the above links contains a bio of that author as well as all of their books listed divided into series. France claims him and he lives in paris, but the focus of his novels has. A jury made the final decision from the short list and the final list of africas 100 best books was announced on february 18, 2002. So i have not got to the part of the book where the quote i want to end this blogpost with is located. His most famous novel, things fall apart 1958, is a devastating depiction of the clash. African writers series aws is a series of books by african writers that has been published by heinemann since 1962. African writers bear the traces of their origination as a class in colonialists desire to hand control to worthy successors they could trust to oversee and preserve the sociopolitical structures colonialism had built. Rowling 87,868 harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban by j.

Famous books of african authors literature nigeria. Poetry, business leadership, academic novel, drama, fiction, nonfiction, biography, and more. The moment you decide to check out other genres, i would like to introduce you to five black women authors whose books will keep you reading all night. A founding member of the writers association of kenya, and the first african female writer to be published in english, grace ogot has been a pioneering figure throughout her career. Most famous authors list of famous writers in history. This highly autobiographical novel is the one its author liked best. The community is hosted by a group of bestselling and awardwinning christian authors who write stories of faith, family and love. The central figure in this historical novel written in sesotho, is chaka zulu. This february, were taking a look at recent history and celebrating contemporary icons. The most important and famous books of the writer are. A treasury of over 10, 000 unique, traditional, and creative names for the new millennium norman, teresa on. A treasury of over 10, 000 unique, traditional, and creative names for the new millennium. The diary of patsy, a freed girl book 1997 y fiction dear america none available added.

Oct 12, 2003 from don quixote to american pastoral, take a look at the 100 greatest novels of all time the 100 greatest nonfiction books the 2015 version of the 100 best novels. This is a list of prominent and notable writers from africa. Books by african authors to add to your reading list. He was the first african american author whose book native boy was chosen by the book of themonth club. This year was filled with thoughtprovoking, pageturning, nailbiting and aha inducing literature. His most famous novel, things fall apart 1958, is a devastating depiction of the clash between traditional tribal values and the effects of colonial rule, as well as the tension between masculinity and femininity in highly patriarchal societies. Nonetheless, it is only now that urban fiction authors have begun to attract interest from major publishers. The weaving of music into the kenyans play points out another characteristic of african literature. The series has ensured an international voice to major african writersincluding chinua achebe, ngugi wa thiongo, steve biko, ama ata aidoo, nadine gordimer, buchi emecheta, and okot pbitek. A jury made the final decision from the short list and the final list of africa s 100 best books was announced on february 18, 2002. Rowling 86,1 harry potter and the halfblood prince by j. It refers to the difficulties of immigration and the important consequence of deportation and its surrounding fear.

We need new names received the hemmingway foundationpen award for debut work of fiction. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Nonetheless, here is our attempt to list some of the best novels by african writers in the. Select your favorite author and keep coming back for their latest releases. Destined to become a classic keepsake, the african book of names shares in depth insight. She was nominated for a pulitzer prize in 1971 and she was selected to read her poem on the pulse of morning at the inauguration of bill clinton in 1993. Grow in wisdom with your favorite christian authors.

Chinua achebe is one of the best african authors who have contributed a lot in the field of african literature. Also check out a beautiful collage of all 25 african womens photos, a list of all of their books, and our list of 25 african male writers you should read. The best female authors of all time shop for books, art. Huffington post blackvoices has compiled an extensive book list, featuring a range of genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, sciencefiction and the autobiography.

Mar 26, 2018 evidently, coetzee is a talented and well know south african novelist. Ayi kwei armahs novels are known for their intense, powerful depictions of political. Black history month is a great time to highlight the work of black authors in the u. South africa has a rich and vibrant history of producing excellent literature. Askhari johnson hodaris book than its list of more than 5,000 african names. Children book authors, industry professionals, and avid readers contributed their favorite childrens books to this list. Born in kenyas central nyanza district in 1930, ogot published her first short stories in the early 1960s and her first novel, the promised land, in 1966.

His emotional and expressive writing style reflected the culture and experiences of african americans. To locate their profiles and find out more about them and their books, simply browse the alphabetical list of all names. List of famous harlem renaissance writers, authors and books for kids. With a total of seven autobiographies and several poetry works to her name, angelou is one of the more successful african american authors to date. Many of these same writers began to reconnect to their african roots, and draw comparisons between caribbean society and others with similar colonial heritage. Chinua achebe and wole soyinka are two names synonymous with nigerian fiction. The black notebooks is one of the most extraordinary and courageous accounts of race in this country, seen through the eyes of a lightskinned black woman and a respected american poet.

Rowling 84,292 harry potter and the goblet of fire by j. The book of african names duke university libraries. These books are mustreads to add to your 2019 list of books to. Apr 19, 2017 one is the nationality of many black urban fiction authors african american. The contributions of black writers to american literature span genres and generations. Yet the literary output of the country is far from limited to these two greats. Brooks became the first african american to receive the pulitzer prize for this book. These 20 african fantasy novels explore entirely new worlds, utilize fun and inventive magic in our own world, andor add surrealist twists to an otherwise normal setting. Here, we look at ten authors whose international success attest to their talent and the depth in contemporary nigerian literature. Here we have the list of best african writers of all time. Achebes characters pepper their speech with proverbs in things fall apart 1958. But theres one problem with me writing a list of the 20 best childrens authors. I even got my masters in writing books for children and teenagers. So, in celebration of the honorary occasion, were commemorating the best books weve read and recommended to read by black authors.

List of books and articles about african literature. Black christian reads christian fiction authors writing. It challenges all our preconceived notions of what it means to be black or white, and what it means to be human. Read on to see these authors major books and read interesting facts about them. In these dark, cold winter months, let us take comfort in the amazing things black people are doing in literature. And tlwt cmiong them children bear a first name, akemdiui the souls name. Top 150 recommended africanamerican childrens books. It includes poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. This book, by nigerias most famous writer, portrays the impact of british. The last ten years have seen writers from africa take the literary. We know children and young readers will enjoy most, if not all, of these books, as they have already brought joy to countless children. Check out these terrific titles for teens written by african american authors.

Two of his most controversial books were, native son 1940 and black boy 1945. Unity dow 1959, judge, human rights activist, writer and minister of basic education. Browse a long list of black female and male book writers authors in the african continent and their books. Africas 100 best books of the 20th century african studies centre. Things fall apart by chinua achebe, americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi ad. Rowling 104,781 harry potter and the chamber of secrets by j. Latina authors on the books that changed their lives. Things fall apart by chinua achebe, americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi. Chinua achebe is one of the best african authors who have contributed a lot in. In tadunos song, nigerian author atogun combines a retelling of the orpheus myth. Bessie head 19371986, novelist and shortstory writer born in south africa. Unfortunately, in this new and unfamiliar setting, boy is made to deal with some. From ralph ellison to jesmyn ward, many of the authors have been heralded with national awards in the united states.

The top 10 contemporary african writers you should know. This novel by one of south africa s most prolific authors, set in the 1970s, brought the issue of deaths in detention to the notice of many who would rather have not known about it. Aug 03, 2017 the app, created by digital library company overdrive, gives users access to their local librarys entire inventory of ebooks and, for some libraries, audiobooks, comics, and magazines, too. Putting the authors name in quotations will help get better results. South african authors books showing 150 of 535 disgrace paperback by. Feb 12, 2017 if you didnt know, february has been marked as black history month in the united states since 1926, which has served as an annual observance of noteworthy people and events of the african diaspora. The top 100 bestselling black authors authors of african descent on 1 to 24 african american literature book club celebrating our literary legacy since 1997 black literature is for everyone african american literature book club. Coetzee shelved 8 times as southafricanauthors avg rating 3. The death of jayson porter by jaime adoff in the florida projects, sixteenyearold jayson struggles with the harsh realities of his life which include an abusive mother, a drugaddicted father, and not fitting in at his predominately white school, and bring him to. One of the worlds most widely recognized and praised writers, chinua achebe wrote some of the most extraordinary works of the 20th century. You can read about your favourite penguin random house authors here.

Collected poems by gabriel okara nebraska university press along with publishing a first book by an emerging new african poet each year, the africa book fund has also committed to publishing a collected edition of a major living african poet each year, and this year it is gabriel okara, the only person who could ever be called both the elder statesman of nigerian literature. The opinions expressed in posts published on diversity in ya are those of their authors, and not necessarily those of diversity in ya, malinda lo, or cindy pon. In its present conception, therefore, african literatures inevitably reflect the social and. Africas 100 best books of the 20th century columbia. Du bois was one of the most influential african american thought leaders of the 20 th. The poignant words of tanehisi coates, who won the national book. Francophone african authors are finally getting their work published within africa words posted. This book, by nigerias most famous writer, portrays the impact of british colonization on. They included, he wrote, anna karenina, far away and long ago, buddenbrooks, wuthering heights, madame bovary, war and peace, a sportsmans sketches, the brothers karamazov, hail and farewell. Others, such as zadie smith and tsitsi dangarembga, have. From fiction to nonfiction, there were some undoubtedly moving books by black authors that deserves a spot on everyones bookshelf or kindle. The 10 best contemporary african books culture the guardian.

A folktale from the american south hamilton, martha. This book tells the story of a 52 yearold professor david lurie who has. Leetile disang raditladi 19101971, playwright and poet. Langston hughes 1902 1967 was the most famous of all the harlem renaissance writers and authors. She may have been churning them out like butter for over two decades, but every new book brings new and. Mar 31, 2017 being a lover of african literature and literature of the diaspora, i find that ghanaian authors and their work arent as popular as kenyan, south african, nigerian or zimbabwean literature. The novel describes the conquest of algeria and the war of. He was born in 1930, and schooled at the university of ibadan, nigeria. May 06, 2019 the following books by black authors in alphabetic order by title were published in 2018 and fall under a wide range of genres.

Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their. Their friendship plays out against the backdrop of political turmoil in nigeria. Black history month gives us 29 days to honor african americans and the everexpanding contributions they make to culture. We can basically all agree, as readers, that she is one of the greatest historical romance authorsand allout storytellersof our time, black, white or otherwise.

The book is also about the meaning of names, the power of names to change us, the role of names in connecting people to their histories, the expectations that names inspire, and the way names reflect the cultures that create them. When i dont like a book, i usually think something is wrong with me, not the book. A list of all of the authors featured at american literature, organized alphabetically by last name by row, left to right so that you can find your favorite authors stories, novels, poems and essays easily or use the search box above. Below is a complete listing of every author whose books we have listed and in order here at. When a white south african investigates the death of a black friend in police custody, he uncovers the brutal truth about apartheid south africa. Born in nigeria in 1977, chimamanda ngozi adichie is part of a new generation of african writers taking the literary world by storm. Top 10 most popular and mustread south african books. Feb 20, 2019 black history month gives us 29 days to honor african americans and the everexpanding contributions they make to culture. As i read about the importance of names in african culture and grappled with my afroindigenous identity, i started to think about the.