‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe tells the story of Okonkwo, a prosperous Nigerian man and his family, whose life is dominated by fear and anger. The novel, written in 1958, explains how his culture unravels and is permanently shifted due to European colonialism and gradual erasure of Nigerian practices and religions.
‘Token Black Girl’ by Danielle Prescod
“Token Black Girl” is a memoir of Prescod’s experiences as the only black girl in predominantly white communities, particularly as she pursues a career in the beauty and fashion industry, which has deep rooted patterns of racism and sexism. “Token Black Girl” examines themes of perfection and identity through the lens of a young girl living in a Eurocentric society.
‘Americanah’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Americanah” tells the journey of a young Nigerian woman, Imefelu, who moves from military-ruled Nigeria to the United States in order to attend university. Obinze, her partner, isn’t able to join her due to the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. This book has themes of homeland and belonging, centering around their experiences away from home and away from each other, one in the United States and the other in London.