Great African Reads discussion

Dear members
We appreciate all of you, and thanks to all of you who participate!

We would like your input! What would you like to read in this group, what kind of activities would you like to participate in?
Or just general thoughts on the group?
Currently we have a bunch of challenges, the regional reads, french reads and short stories - but it looks like few people are participating - so how can we engage more members? Or maybe just make the group more fun for the active members?
Let us know - what would you like?

I'm really enjoying this group and appreciate all the comments and book recommendations. I seldom participate in the group reads because I have a hard time finding the books. But I've received some great book recommendations and been introduced to some writers I had never heard of before. I recently read Measuring Time and Minutes of Glory--neither of which I had heard of before. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. So I'm happy with the way things are going and am thankful to be here.

But you asked for suggestions. Perhaps consider doing challenges around time periods. For example, any book written during a specific decade. Members can then choose a book that is readily available to them as long as its original date of publication is within the decade stipulated.

Just a suggestion.

Great to hear you are enjoying the group Tamara! And nice to know less engagement with the regional reads etc. does not mean lack of usefulness :) - I makes me also think that a well placed "what are you reading now"- thread might be good for inspiration, and a way to discuss ones reading even if it is not a group read?
Thanks for the suggestion as well - it would allow people to read something on their TBR under a common theme, I think that would be interesting.

Several years ago I ran a discussion on nonfiction by African authors. It didn't get too far before my work life made moderating untenable. Would there be others interested in starting up something like that again? I'd be a happy participant if someone else wanted to drive, or a low-key mod for something like 2 books a year, with my availability nowadays.

I do like the regional reads, both in English and French, and would not mind continuing them. Maybe put in some more variation, focusing on themes or on specific countries that have a vibrant literature (e.g. Nigeria)?
Though I did not take part this year, I do like the "African Lit TBR Takedown" and the Bingo challenge. Would be nice to repeat them next year!

I am also in favour of the suggestion to create a thread "what are you reading now", just to exchange more.

And Tinea, I like the idea of reading more non fiction by African authors! I'd be happy to take part in that as well.

Hi. I'm new and would love to see this group blossom. I like the idea of reading books around themes and/or around time periods. Also like the idea of thread with discussion of what we're reading. Thanks to the moderators who keep things going!

I've participated in a couple reads and enjoyed them, but tend to not be as interested in the winners - I think it's because I don't usually read general fiction, but enjoy things like non-fic and speculative fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, etc) instead. There have been a few that fit those areas, and I think it's only been non-fic I've participated in.

Dictates of the Heart
I am new in this group and I am excited to be a part of this. I am also excited about this new author from Nigeria, Chinyere Obinna Onwuchekwa. Her new book, Dictates of the Heart is already on the top of the list on Amazon for Nigerian novels. It is a wonderful find and I am nominating it. Please read it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733315608/...

Anetq wrote: "Dear members
We appreciate all of you, and thanks to all of you who participate!

We would like your input! What would you like to read in this group, what kind of activities would you like to part..."

Hi Anetq,
this group is my favourite group here on GR as it recommends and discusses literature that is far from being widespread and that is eye-opening and educational for me so I would like to stress first of all that I am grateful that there are so many moderators in this group doing a great job. Thank you ALL very much!!!!

As far as the challenges are concerned, here are my experiences so far this year (my first year of taking part in reading challenges ever):
At the beginning of this year I enjoyed enroling in the Random African Travels Challenge very much, especially getting prepared and doing research for the literature from the different countries that were given to me. I started off with Rwanda and the books were all eye-opening and really good reads but I also learned about myself that I apparently cannot cope with one heart-wrenching book after another. I ended up in a sort of reading slump and was reluctant to pick up the books I had intended to read for CAR and thus got very much behind my reading schedule (the year is not yet over and I intend to continue in due course so I have not given up entirely :)))

I would definitely appreciate the TBR Takedown Challenge next year and think this would already be a kind of "what are you reading now", wouldn't it?
Like Wim, I enjoy the regional reads but I would also be okay with focussing on particular countries. I do not know if themes are a good idea but this is just a feeling...
As I have been reading more non-fiction in the last two years I think I would also be fine with a non-fiction thread.

My sparse participation in group discussions is due to a combination of being a slow reader and lack of spare time this year. It definitely does not stem from lack of interest in this group's activities!!!

Finally I want to stress that I appreciate that the reading schedules for the books are for two months (there are other groups that pick a new book every month which for me would be insane).

As I mentioned above thanks again for running this group, I appreciate it a lot!!!

Thanks for your feedback Orgeluse, and great to read you like the group (it is my favourite too :))
I think we can set up a non-fiction thread as Tinea suggested and already select one group read for the remaining months of the year.

I would definitely be interested in a non-fiction thread - maybe 2-3 books a year?

Orgeluse wrote: "this group is my favourite group here on GR as it recommends and discusses literature that is far from being widespread and that is eye-opening and educational for me so I would like to stress first of all that I am grateful that there are so many moderators in this group doing a great job. Thank you ALL very much!!!!..."

Thank you so much Orgulese for the kind words :)

Tamara wrote: "I'm really enjoying this group and appreciate all the comments and book recommendations. I seldom participate in the group reads because I have a hard time finding the books. But I've received some..."

The theme idea seems to be resonating with a few people, and be a bit more flexible, then some of our other group reads.
Would anyone like to head up some thematic reads? Tamara? Susan? Jessica? (you showed interest) Or someone else?
I think it's a great idea - and we'd love to involve more people active in getting more discussions going and having more fun activities in the group, so if anyone would like to - don't be shy :)

Hello, I hope you are all well. I apologize, I'm rarely ever on Goodreads, but I aim to be a better member in 2020! Thank you for running this group that showcases African literature. I think you guys should really consider adding Ben Hinson's Eteka: Rise of the Imamba as a reading selection. I personally like action/adventure thrillers and its a combination of action, suspense and tons of history, and its story line spans a good number of countries across North, East, West and South Africa. Its definitely very different from most Cold War books and books centered on Africa that I have read to date. Like I said I am hardly ever on Goodreads, but when the next poll runs I'll be sure to recommend it (again). Regarding activities, maybe explore doing Zoom chat sessions for book discussions?

I love this group, been a member for a while. I have just read that author Abdulrazak Gurnah from Tanzania (Zanzibar) has won the Nobel price in literature..perhaps we could have a section for prize winners.

Good idea Laura!
We could also nominate his books for the coming Eastern Africa regional group read (Nov-Dec).

Laura wrote: "I love this group, been a member for a while. I have just read that author Abdulrazak Gurnah from Tanzania (Zanzibar) has won the Nobel price in literature..perhaps we could have a section for priz..."
There are several articles about Gurnah and his writing, including this one from the UK Guardian newspaper https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

Great article actually. I love the quote:' Pringle said Gurnah had always written about displacement, “but in the most beautiful and haunting ways of what it is that uproots people and blows them across continents”.

Thanks Nina for the reference to the Guardian article on Gurnah. I have now discovered another great African writer to explore.

Thank you for organizing this group. Although I don’t often respond. I follow avidly and read much written on about and by Africa and also like the idea of a ‘what are you reading now and perhaps sharing TBR shelves and recommending books from others TBR shelves. We could each have an Africa TBR shelf

Margaret wrote: "Thank you for organizing this group. Although I don’t often respond. I follow avidly and read much written on about and by Africa and also like the idea of a ‘what are you reading now and perhaps s..."
I think that's a great idea Margaret!

Anetq wrote: "I think that's a great idea Margaret!"

I completely agree.

Would anyone be interested in a group that reads Portuguese, like you have one for French? África Lusófona?
Also, I couldn't find Cape Verde in the Tours.

I wish I could read Portuguese, but did be super interested in Cape Verde literature

Ana Lúcia wrote: "Would anyone be interested in a group that reads Portuguese, like you have one for French? África Lusófona?
Also, I couldn't find Cape Verde in the Tours."

I sounds great Ana, if there are more people interested and you'd want to head it up - let us know!

Gostaria muito de ler mais em português!

I do read Portuguese (preferably on kindle with the dictionary only one finger touch away), and would love to read more from África Lusófona.

Maybe two things to keep in mind:
- Not too many of us read Portuguese... we need a core group of regular readers to keep the discussions going and interesting.
- I am not sure how available many of the books are... I live in Ouagadougou, and essentially depend on kindle to find books.

On the other hand, the French group also reads lots of books that exist in English translation, allowing for non-French speakers to join the read and the discussion (which we still hold in English, which might discourage native speakers to participate?).

So I would say, let's go for it!

Wim wrote: "Gostaria muito de ler mais em português!

I do read Portuguese (preferably on kindle with the dictionary only one finger touch away), and would love to read more from África Lusófona.

Maybe two t..."

Excellente! I'd love to read along in translation, when available as I've quite enjoyed some of the lusophones of Africa (Agualusa is a recent favorite)

Laura wrote: "I wish I could read Portuguese, but did be super interested in Cape Verde literature"

Try The Last Will & Testament of Senhor da Silva Araújo

I sounds great Ana, if..."

I think there is some (small) interest, so I offer to head it up. However, I am new to Goodreads (only really got into it last month) and would have to learn how to do it. I mean the technical part, especially.

Wim wrote: "Not too many of us read Portuguese... we need a core group of regular readers to keep the discussions going and interesting."
True. But even if it is a small group, I would not mind to try to keep it going.
"- I am not sure how available many of the books are... I live in Ouagadougou, and essentially depend on kindle to find books. "
There are many Kindle books in Portuguese at Amazon.com.br and I bet at the Portuguese Amazon too. If you have access to my shelves, I have a "My African Reads" that I just created so that I can participate in the 2022 challenge for this group!
There are also a lot of Google ebooks in Portuguese.
And they tend to be so much cheaper than the English versions... :)

Wim wrote: "On the other hand, the French group also reads lots of books that exist in English translation, allowing for non-French speakers to join the read and the discussion (which we still hold in English, which might discourage native speakers to participate?)."

Great two points! It would be great to have non-speakers to read along in another language (probably English), but also if the discussions are in English some people would be left out. I invited two friends, and they don't speak English. I guess we would have to see the make up of the group.

I've set up a thread for anyone interested in joining Portuguese reads to find one another - maybe @wim and Ana Lúcia can join too - it's here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Anetq wrote: "I've set up a thread for anyone interested in joining Portuguese reads to find one another"
Thank you, Anetq! We've had some interest already! But I am not sure where to go from there. Is that thread to be used to get the group started, or are there formal/technical steps that need to happen first?

Ana Lúcia wrote: "Is that thread to be used to get the group started, or are there formal/technical steps that need to happen first?"

Yes, Ana Lúcia, we can use that thread to get the group started.

Ana Lúcia wrote: "Anetq wrote: "I've set up a thread for anyone interested in joining Portuguese reads to find one another"
Thank you, Anetq! We've had some interest already! But I am not sure where to go from there..."

Yes - everyone interested can go there - and you can discuss further plans - and Wim has promised to help out with getting things set up :)

Anetq wrote: "Yes..."
Thank you!

Hello Everyone,

Anteq, this is a great probe that you have initiated. I’m currently reading my first book with this group “The Open Door” I’m loving it so far. I would’ve never found it without this group and I’m thankful for all the work you put in.

I myself would like to request some sci-fi/ fantasy reads when and if possible. Although some take issue with this term- the Afro-futurism movement in literature and the arts in general is so vibrant and fun right now. It would be cool to have some discussions around that.

I love challenging literature. I also still love YA, and children’s books as well. Is that something that would interest anyone?

I would also love to participate in Portuguese, and French language boards if translations are available and if there are English language discussions available.

May I suggest intentional invitations to non-members that read similar books that are discussed and write reviews? Perhaps there’s not much much knowledge of the group? Thanks for your work!

Hello Simone,

Thank you for your feedback and appreciation of the group. Happy to read that you are enjoying The Open Door! You are most welcome to share your impressions in the discussion threads.

You are right, the Afro-futurism movement is fascinating and we could do more around that. Personally, I haven't read many sci-fi/fantasy reads, apart from Nnedi Okorafor's work that I enjoyed a lot. Maybe Kintu and The Old Drift also qualify as sci-fi?

Promoting the group would certainly be a good thing, but I don't really see how to do that? Except maybe by inviting friends?

Simone wrote: "I myself would like to request some sci-fi/ fantasy reads when and if possible. Although some take issue with this term- the Afro-futurism movement in literature and the arts in general is so vibrant and fun right now. It would be cool to have some discussions around that."
Hi, Simone. I think that is a great idea!

Simone wrote: "May I suggest intentional invitations to non-members that read similar books that are discussed and write reviews? Perhaps there’s not much much knowledge of the group?."
Just venting: I have been posting about the group on Facebook, and in particular about the upcoming Read in Portuguese subgroup, and although I get people saying they are interested it is taking long for them to join, although I shared all the links... :( Anyway, it is what it is.
But yes, I like the idea of divulging the group and am trying to!

I am closing this thread as we have another one over here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...