2023 Book Wrap-up

In 2023, I travelled the world through books. I visited Vietnam, Syria, Congo, Kenya, Ghana, UK,China, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, USA, Trinidad and Tobago.

I run a book club and I also joined another book club run by Amyn aka Lipgloss Mafia of the Indulgent Bibliophile. I was enjoying the best of both worlds. I encountered some really amazing,memorable reads. I can confidently say that I had a good reading year. Follow my bookstagram for all the updates and reflections.

I hosted some of the authors on the Meet Your Author podcast. Take a listen.

Here are my 2023 reads:

1. In the Company of Men by Venronique Tadjo (Fiction, Ivory Coast)
2. The Havoc of Choice by Wanjiru Koinange (Fiction,Kenya)
3. Inferno by Catherine Cho (Memoir, UK/China)
4. Even When Your Voice Shakes by Ruby Yayra Goka (YA Fiction, Ghana)
5. Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (Fiction, Vientman)
6. Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn (Fiction, Jaimaca)
7. The Middle Daughter by Chila Unigwe (Fiction,Nigeria)
8. Beneath the Lion’s Gaze by Maaza Mengiste (Fiction, Ethiopia)
9. Call and Response by Gothataone Moeng (Short Story Collection, Botswana)
10. A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (Fiction,Nigeria)
11. As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh (Fiction, Syria)
12. Co-Wives, Co-Widows by Adrienne Yabouza. Translated by Racheal McGill (Fiction, Central African Republic)
13. Manchester Happened by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Short story collection, Uganda)
14. Tomorrow I become A Woman by Aiwanose Odafene (Fiction, Nigeria)
15. The Blessed Girl by Angela Makholwa (Fiction, South Africa)
16. House of Rust by Khadijah Abdalla Bajaber (Fiction, Kenya)
17. The Gold-diggers by Sue Nyathi (Fiction, Zimbabwe)
18. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Fiction, Ghana)
19. A Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Fiction, Sierra Leone)
20. Whispers from Vera by Goretti Kyomuhendo (Fiction, Uganda)
21. The World is Ours by Lucie Chihandae (Fiction, Uganda)
22. Black Moses by Alain Mabanckou (Fiction, Congo)
23. Cassandra by Violet Barungi (Fiction, Uganda)
24. Zura Maids by Apio Peace Otuko (Fiction, Uganda)
25. Sweet Mercy By Frances Mensah Williams (Romance, Ghana)
26. Rootless by Krystel Zara Appiah (Fiction, Britain/Ghana)
27. For What Are Butterflies Without Their Wings by Troy Onyango (Short Story Collection, Kenya)
28. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal (Fiction, Pakistan)
29. Best Black Women’s Erotic. Edited by  Blanche Richardson (USA)
30. The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey (Fiction, Trinidad and Tobago)
31. Valentine by Kiyu Tare (Romance, Nigeria)
32. Worthy by Taye Kiru (Romance, Nigeria)
33. River Wild by Frances Mensah Williams (Romance, Ghana)
34. Dating Mr Famous by Gloria Abah (Romance, Nigeria)
35. Heat of Love by Meka James (Contemporary romance, USA)
36. What a Match by Mimi Grace (Sexy romance, USA)
37. The Unmatchable Bachelor by Kelly Papyrus (Contemporary romance, USA)
38. Hey, Lover by DL White (Romance, USA)
39. Rival Bid by Reese Ryan (Romance, USA)
40. Mr Tall,Dark & Unavailable by Tina Martin (Romance, USA)
41. The Kwanzaa Brunch: The Holiday Novella by DL White (Romance, DL White)
42. Tomorrow, I’ll Be Twenty by Alain Mabanckou (Fiction, Congo)

Can you identify any similar reads from my list?