Joshua Hammer
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu and Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts
By American Author (New York)
Setting: Africa
Genres: Historical Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Ages: 18+
Features Muslim representation and themes of cultural loss and war.
In The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, Joshua Hammer recounts the daring mission of Abdel Kader Haidara and his team to save ancient Arabic texts from Al Qaeda militants in Mali. Haidara, once a humble archivist, transformed into a bold smuggler to protect over 350,000 manuscripts. Facing the threat of destruction by extremists, he orchestrated a risky plan to move the priceless texts to safety. Hammer's narrative sheds light on the resilience of art and literature in the face of extremism, showcasing a remarkable victory for cultural heritage.
Nnedi Okorafor
Death of the Author
By Nigerian American author
Setting: Chicago, USA and Nigeria
Genres: Science Fiction, Crime and Mystery
Novel
Ages: 18+
Representation and Themes: Disabled Nigerian American protagonist, themes of art, love, identity, connection, the human experience, and the relationship between author and narrative.
Zelu, a disabled Nigerian writer perpetually at odds with her family’s expectations, hits rock bottom when she loses her job and faces another book rejection. In a defiant pivot, she crafts a sci-fi epic featuring warring AI. This unexpected manuscript propels her from the margins to sudden literary fame, sparking a transformative journey across continents and space. This brilliant work of metafiction examines the blurred lines between creator and creation, weaving a poignant narrative on the profound power of our stories.
Peace adzo Medie
His Only Wife
By West African author
Setting: Ghana, West Africa
Genres: Literary Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Novel
Ages: 18+
Representation and Themes: explores themes of identity, empowerment, and the complexities of love and family within the context of Ghanaian culture, highlighting the struggles of women in traditional roles and the pursuit of personal agency.
Afi Tekple, a young seamstress from a small Ghanaian town, finds her life transformed when she marries into the wealthy Ganyo family. However, her husband, Elikem, is absent from their wedding, sending a stand-in instead. Relocated to Accra, Afi encounters a city full of opportunities and challenges. Meeting Elikem, she discovers he loves another woman, and his family expects her to win him back. As Afi navigates her new life, she begins to forge her own identity, questioning traditional roles and finding empowerment. In His Only Wife, Peace Adzo Medie crafts a compelling tale of love, family, and self-discovery, introducing a resilient heroine in a rapidly changing world.
New Adult/Adult Africa: Standalones
A growing shelf of standalone novels and nonfiction from across Africa for new adults and adult readers. Here you’ll find stories that sit with work, love, family, politics, faith, and everyday life—each one a complete journey you can step into and step back from, one book at a time.
My Sister, the Serial Killer
By Nigerian-British author
\Setting: Nigeria
Genres: Mystery, Horror, Fiction, Thriller
Novel
Ages: 18+
Features Nigerian characters with themes of sibling abuse and loss.
Korede faces a moral dilemma when her sister, Ayoola, repeatedly seeks her help in disposing of boyfriends in self-defense. Despite knowing the right thing to do, Korede is torn between loyalty to her sister and her own feelings for a man Ayoola starts dating. As the tension escalates, Korede is forced to make a difficult choice between saving her sister or the man she loves.
Mark and Delia Owens
Secrets of the Savannah
By American authors
Setting: Africa
Genres: Wildlife, Nonfiction
Memoir
Ages: 18+
Representation and Themes: Conservation, human-animal connection, poaching, wildlife protection, the beauty of Africa, resilience, and the struggle for balance in nature.
In *Secrets of the Savanna*, Mark and Delia Owens recount their thrilling journey in Africa's Luangwa Valley, where they fought to protect elephants and villagers from the threats of poaching. Their narrative explores the deep connections between humans and elephants, highlighted by the story of a young elephant named Gift. Through meticulous research, the Owenses reveal the parallels in behavior between the two species. This adventure is not only a testament to their commitment to wildlife conservation but also a vibrant depiction of the beauty and challenges of life in Africa. The book captures their passionate struggle to maintain the delicate balance of life on the savanna and embodies the essence of fighting for what one loves.
Peter Allison
Don't Look Behind You! A Safari Guide's Encounters with Ravenous Lions, Stampeding Elephants, and Lovesick Rhinos
By Australian author
Setting: Africa
Genres: Animal/Wildlife, Nonficton
Memoir
Ages: 18+
Representation and Themes: Adventure, Wildlife Conservation, Human-Animal Interaction, Resilience, Humor, Cultural Insights, Tourism Challenges
Incredible true tales from a world-renowned safari guide and celebrated author.
Being a safari guide isn’t always the glamorous adventure it seems. Often, it involves daunting challenges, like spending a night in a thorn tree with hyenas below. For Peter Allison, these moments fuel his passion. In Don’t Look Behind You, the author of Whatever You Do, Don’t Run shares captivating stories from his time in safari camps across Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia—regions he loves, even as they test his limits.
Allison recounts thrilling adventures few would dare to experience. From launching a makeshift raft into a river filled with hippos and crocodiles to finding a leopard in his tent, the tales are as exhilarating as they are perilous.
Beyond wildlife encounters, Allison offers candid insights into tourists who have pushed him to the brink of early retirement. While respecting all creatures, he humorously fantasizes about leaving a challenging tourist on the Skeleton Coast—a desolate area with minimal rain, where lions and hyenas roam.
Join Peter Allison for another riveting look at the safari experience. Expect to be amazed, entertained, and grateful to emerge unscathed. Don’t Look Behind You promises a wild ride that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
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Standalones
Series
Abi Daré
The Girl With The Louding Voice
Author: is from Lagos, Nigeria
Setting: Nigeria
Genres: Literary Fiction, Contemporary
Novel
Ages: 18+
Features Nigerian characters and deals with themes of forced marriage, gender inequality, and abuse.
Adunni, a determined fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl, craves education despite being sold as a third wife to an old man. After facing tragedy, she becomes a domestic servant in Lagos, where she uncovers the mystery of her predecessor's disappearance. Throughout her struggles as a daughter, wife, and servant, Adunni refuses to stay silent and vows to find her voice for herself and others like her.
Katie Davis with Beth Clark
Kisses from Katie
By American author - Tennessee, USA
Setting: Africa
Genres: Nonfiction
Memoir
Ages: 18+
Representation: Young female leadership, cultural exchange, humanitarian work, resilience, and faith.
Themes: Purpose, selflessness, love, community support, and the impact of individual actions on global change.
At eighteen, Katie Davis, a senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, defies expectations by leaving behind her family, friends, and the love of her life to pursue a calling she discovered during a mission trip to Uganda. Inspired by the resilience of the Ugandan people, Katie returns to live a life of purpose, adopting 14 children and founding Amazima Ministries. This initiative supports over 400 children with education, meals, medical care, and spiritual guidance. Her efforts extend to aiding the Karamojong people through a feeding program serving over 1,200 children daily. At just 21, Katie exemplifies profound love and faith, showing how one young woman can transform countless lives.
paul mclain
Circling the Sun
By American author - California, USA
Setting: Africa
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Ages: 18+
Representation and Themes: explores themes of freedom, love, resilience, and self-discovery, while representing the complexities of early-twentieth-century Africa, gender roles, and the pursuit of one's dreams.
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of early-twentieth-century Africa with Circling the Sun, a tale that vividly portrays the fearless Beryl Markham. As a pioneering aviator, Beryl is entangled in a passionate love triangle with the enigmatic Denys Finch Hatton and the renowned author Karen Blixen. Her journey begins in England, leading her to Kenya, where she is raised by her father and the Kipsigis tribe, shaping her into a bold spirit with a deep connection to nature. As she matures, Beryl faces tumultuous relationships that test her resilience. Determined to forge her own path, she becomes a skilled horse trainer, captivating the elite Happy Valley set. Her intense love affair with Denys Finch Hatton helps her discover her true self and sets her on a path to soar through the skies. Set against Africa's breathtaking landscapes, Paula McLain's narrative explores freedom, love, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who dares to chase her dreams.
heart. Their intense love affair not only reveals Beryl's truest self but also sets her on an exhilarating path toward her ultimate fate: to soar through the skies.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Africa's majestic landscapes, Paula McLain's powerful narrative unveils the extraordinary adventures of a woman ahead of her time. Circling the Sun is a poignant exploration of freedom, love, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who dares to chase her dreams against all odds.
Completed Series:
Harry's Girls
Dream Girl (Book 1)
Numbers Girl (Book 2)
Mary Kamau
Author and Setting: Kenya
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Mystery Suspense
Novel
Ages: 18+
Representation and themes: grief/loss
In Nairobi, Kenya, Hope and Dean's paths cross amidst the impending loss of Harry, her father. Their intertwined journey unfolds amid challenging and perilous circumstances, as they grapple with decisions of love, hope, and trust to safeguard Harry's enduring legacy.
Epic NA and Adult Sagas & Series
Africa - New Adult/Adult Series
A growing shelf of series and sagas from across Africa for new adults and adult readers. Here you’ll find multi-book journeys that follow characters over time—through shifting cities, families, histories, and futures—so you can settle in and stay with their stories for more than one volume.
Out of Africa Series
Out of Africa (Book 1)
Shadows on the Grass (Book 2)
Isak Dinesen
By Danish author
Setting: Africa
Genres: Nonfiction
Memoir/Biography
Ages: 18+
Representation and Themes: Cultural heritage, connection to nature, wildlife conservation, personal growth, and the interplay between tradition and modernity in Kenyan life.
In this enchanting memoir, the author invites readers into her life on a Kenyan plantation, where the vibrant tapestry of nature and culture unfolds. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Ngong Hills and the aroma of blooming coffee trees, she shares her extraordinary encounters with diverse guests, from the Prince of Wales to the humble charcoal burner, Knudsen. The memoir vividly describes traditional festivals celebrating the rich heritage of local tribes and the wild wonders of the African landscape. As she navigates life alongside majestic wildlife—lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, and buffaloes—her heart is captured by a remarkable gazelle named Lulu, symbolizing the beauty and fragility of life in the wild. This book is a heartfelt homage to the land and its people, celebrating the extraordinary connections between humans and nature, revealing the magic of Kenya and its indelible mark on the soul.