APRIL '24 LIBRARY REVIEWS

GENDER STUDIES (GHANA)

The Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, 2022
R280 from The Book Lounge

Liberation has many avenues – and sex is simply one more path towards liberation that Africans have to traverse. Black and Afro-descendant women’s experiences with sex, sexualities and pleasure are comprehensively documented in this fascinating exploration of these almost universally taboo subjects. At times painful, joyful and humourous – and always candid – this is the eye-opening and informative book we have all been needing. LM

CHILDREN’S REFERENCE (CONTINENT-WIDE)

Africana: An Encyclopaedia of an Amazing Continent by Kim Chakanetsa with illustrations by Mayowa Alabi, 2022
R495 from The Book Lounge

From Africa’s amazing ruling dynasties to its topography and its multiplicity of fascinating cultures, Africana has it all. For organisational ease of use, it’s divided into broad geographical zones: North, Southern, Central, East and West – and every section features something special and new to discover. Did you know that Burkina Faso hosts Africa’s largest annual film festival, FESPACO, which was founded in 1969? With a beautiful hard cover and large format, plus delightful illustrations that bring the fact-packed, easy-to-read text to life, this book is the perfect gift for kids aged six to nine. RA

CHILDREN’S REFERENCE (CONTINENT-WIDE)

Africana: An Encyclopaedia of an Amazing Continent by Kim Chakanetsa with illustrations by Mayowa Alabi, 2022
R495 from The Book Lounge

From Africa’s amazing ruling dynasties to its topography and its multiplicity of fascinating cultures, Africana has it all. For organisational ease of use, it’s divided into broad geographical zones: North, Southern, Central, East and West – and every section features something special and new to discover. Did you know that Burkina Faso hosts Africa’s largest annual film festival, FESPACO, which was founded in 1969? With a beautiful hard cover and large format, plus delightful illustrations that bring the fact-packed, easy-to-read text to life, this book is the perfect gift for kids aged six to nine. RA

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (ETHIOPIA)

The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat, 2023
R350 from The Book Lounge

In The History of a Difficult Child, author Mihret Sibhat offers us a kaleidoscope through which to consider the events of history – both global and local – through the intimate, evolving viewpoint of a child born in tumultuous times. While the setting is revolutionary Ethiopia in the 1980s, the themes of loss, corruption, intimacy, faith, and liberation ricochet the reader between places and events, while remaining accessible to anyone who has ever felt deeply about a place, person or idea. Our young narrator, Selam, the “Difficult Child” of the title, is the spark that ignites journeys and questions, and whose indomitable spirit will not be denied a better future even if she has to reinvent the truth to craft it. LB-P

ART (CONTINENT-WIDE)

Street Art Africa by Cale Waddacor, 2020
R740 from Clarke’s Bookshop

The first survey to take in the street art of the African continent, this enlightening book was written by Johannesburg-born Cale Waddacor, who has been documenting local graffiti for decades and wrote Graffiti South Africa in 2014. Street Art Africa covers no less than 250 artists in 35 countries, and also includes a glossary of graffiti terms, interviews with top artists and an excess of gritty yet striking images. The book is divided into five sections for Eastern, Central, Northern, Western and Southern Africa, and explores the graffiti scene in various countries and cities. It introduces festivals, projects, and regional differences, while also examining how politics, place and history influence street art. JB

ART (CONTINENT-WIDE)

Street Art Africa by Cale Waddacor, 2020
R740 from Clarke’s Bookshop

The first survey to take in the street art of the African continent, this enlightening book was written by Johannesburg-born Cale Waddacor, who has been documenting local graffiti for decades and wrote Graffiti South Africa in 2014. Street Art Africa covers no less than 250 artists in 35 countries, and also includes a glossary of graffiti terms, interviews with top artists and an excess of gritty yet striking images. The book is divided into five sections for Eastern, Central, Northern, Western and Southern Africa, and explores the graffiti scene in various countries and cities. It introduces festivals, projects, and regional differences, while also examining how politics, place and history influence street art. JB

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