Book picks similar to
Kings & Queens of East Africa by Sylviane A. Diouf
type-picture
africa
african-litterature
childrens-read
Look at Me
Jennifer Egan - 2001
She returns to New York still beautiful but oddly unrecognizable, a virtual stranger in the world she once effortlessly occupied.With the surreal authority of a David Lynch, Jennifer Egan threads Charlotte’s narrative with those of other casualties of our infatuation with the image. There’s a deceptively plain teenaged girl embarking on a dangerous secret life, an alcoholic private eye, and an enigmatic stranger who changes names and accents as he prepares an apocalyptic blow against American society. As these narratives inexorably converge, Look at Me becomes a coolly mesmerizing intellectual thriller of identity and imposture.
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History
Brian Kilmeade - 2015
Like their acclaimed bestseller George Washington's Secret Six, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates sheds new light on a vitally important episode that has been forgotten by most Americans. Only weeks after President Jefferson's inauguration in 1801, he decided to confront the Tripoli pirates who had been kidnapping American ships and sailors, among other outrageous acts. Though inclined toward diplomacy, Jefferson sent warships to blockade Tripoli and protect American shipping, and then escalated to all-out war against the Barbary states. The tiny American flotilla—with three frigates representing half of the U.S. Navy’s top-of-the-line ships—had some success in blockading the Barbary coast. But that success came to an end when the USS Philadelphia ran aground in Tripoli harbor and was captured. Kilmeade and Yaeger recount the dramatic story of a young American sailor, Stephen Decatur, who snuck into the harbor, boarded the Philadelphia, and set her on fire before escaping amid a torrent of enemy gunfire. Another amazing story is that of William Eaton’s daring attack on the port city of Derna. He led a detachment of Marines on a 500-mile trek across the desert to surprise the port. His strategy worked, and an American flag was raised in victory on foreign soil for the first time. Few remember Decatur and Eaton today, but their legacy inspired the opening of the Marine Corps Hymn: “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea.” Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates tells a dramatic story of bravery, diplomacy, and battle on the high seas, and honors some of America’s forgotten heroes.
What is Islam (Goodword)
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan - 2013
And it is in submission to God and living a Godoriented life that man finds complete fulfilment and purpose of life. When he discovers God and worships Him, when he remembers Him, when his mind is turned towards Him with full concentration, when he makes a request or a plea, he establishes a contact with his Creator. In the words of the Hadith, at that particular moment he comes to whisper with his Lord. He has the tangible feeling that he is pouring his heart out to God and that God in turn is answering his call. He starts receiving inspiration from God. This is the beginning of living a GodOriented Life and the development of a positive personality.
Ebola: Story of an Outbreak
Laurie Garrett - 2014
In this masterful account of the 1995 Ebola outbreak in Zaire, Garrett, now the Senior Fellow for Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations, shows how superstition and fear, compounded by a lack of resources, education, and clearheaded government planning have plagued our response to Ebola. In an extensive new introduction, Garrett forcefully argues that learning from past outbreaks is the key to solving the Ebola crisis of 2014. In her account of the 1995 Zaire outbreak, first published in her bestselling book Betrayal of Trust, Garrett takes readers through the epidemic's course-beginning with the Kikwit villager who first contracted it from an animal encounter while chopping wood for charcoal deep in the forest. As she documents the outbreak in riveting detail, Garrett shows why our trust in world governments to protect people's health has been irrevocably broken. She details the international community's engagement in the epidemic's aftermath: a pattern of response and abandonment, urgency that devolves into amnesia. Ebola: Story of an Outbreak is essential reading for anyone who wants to comprehend Ebola, one of mankind's most mysterious, malicious scourges. Garrett has issued a powerful call for governments, citizens, and the disease-fighting agencies of the wealthy world to take action.
If You Want to Make God Laugh
Bianca Marais - 2019
Eight months pregnant, Zodwa carefully guards secrets that jeopardize her life.Across the country, wealthy socialite Ruth appears to have everything her heart desires, but it's what she can't have that leads to her breakdown. Meanwhile, in Zaire, a disgraced former nun, Delilah, grapples with a past that refuses to stay buried. When these personal crises send both middle-aged women back to their rural hometown to lick their wounds, the discovery of an abandoned newborn baby upends everything, challenging their lifelong beliefs about race, motherhood, and the power of the past.As the mystery surrounding the infant grows, the complicated lives of Zodwa, Ruth, and Delilah become inextricably linked. What follows is a mesmerizing look at family and identity that asks: How far will the human heart go to protect itself and the ones it loves?
Double Yoke
Buchi Emecheta - 1982
While Nko pursues an education despite the resistance of those who feel a woman's identity is assumed in traditional marriage, Ete Kamba's love for her is severely tested as he is himself locked into the rigid attitudes from which Nko is attempting to break free. Nko must further contend with unscrupulous professors who would take advantage of her tenuous role as a woman in a male-dominated environment. As the author candidly portrays the status of women in emerging African nations, the choices facing Ete Kamba and Nko are neither clearcut nor perfect. In Double Yoke, Buchi Emecheta faces them head on.
How to be ferociously happy and other essays
Dushka Zapata - 2016
You proceeded to accomplish truly complicated things: you learned to talk and walk and write. Language is complex and daunting and you did it. You already come equipped to be good at many things. The ability to pick them up is part of your original composition. Trust that.
Scatterling of Africa: My Early Years
Johnny Clegg - 2021
Suspended for a few seconds, they float in their own space and time with their own hidden prospects. For want of a better term, we call these moments “magical” and when we remember them they are cloaked in a halo of special meaning.’For 14-year-old Johnny Clegg, hearing Zulu street music as plucked on the strings of a guitar by Charlie Mzila one evening outside a corner café in Bellevue, Johannesburg, was one such ‘magical’ moment. The success story of Juluka and later Savuka, and the cross-cultural celebration of music, language, story, dance and song that stirred the hearts of millions across the world, is well documented. Their music was the soundtrack to many South Africans’ lives during the turbulent 70s and 80s as the country moved from legislated oppression to democratic freedom. It crossed borders, boundaries and generations, resonating around the world and back again. Less known is the story of how it all began and developed. Scatterling of Africa is that origin story, as Johnny Clegg wrote it and wanted it told. It is the story of how the son of an unconventional mother, grandson of Jewish immigrants, came to realise that identity can be a choice, and home is a place you leave and return to as surely as the seasons change.
soft magic.
Upile Chisala - 2015
is the debut collection of prose and poetry by Malawian writer, Upile Chisala. This book explores the self, joy, blackness, gender, matters of the heart, the experience of Diaspora, spirituality and most of all, how we survive. soft magic. is a shared healing journey.
Poacher
Leon Mare - 2012
Poacher is an action-packed romantic thriller which gives the reader a glimpse of what the tourists never see - the real Africa. Sam is a man who puts his trust in the laws of nature rather than in those of man.The lucrative but dangerous trade in rhino horn and ivory has been re-classified to the status of organised crime.Sam lives as a hardened bachelor at the Nwanetzi outpost and has, for the first time in his life, fallen in love. He has a fiancée who loves him to distraction, and he is a contented man.All this changes when Linda enters his life. She is determined to make Sam her own, and she sets out to stalk him with the stealth of a hunting leopard.Sam Jenkins gives new meaning to the saying “Africa is not for sissies”.
An Unproductive Woman
Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali - 2008
Despite the obvious heartbreak this causes Asabe, Adam marries a second wife, the very young and beautiful Fatima. Double tragedy prevents the realization of Adam's hope and Asabe stands firm with her husband to gather the broken pieces of their life. But, Adam isn't prepared to count his loses. He compounds their difficulties by marrying the cunning and deceptive divorcee, Sauda. This choice yields anguish and confusion, and Adam loses more than hope, but a piece of his spirit.Neglected and living in the shadow of Adam's desires, Asabe yet again proves her worth as the true bedrock in his life. Asabe becomes the catalyst that brings Adam's life full circle.Read An Unproductive Woman to learn what secrets Adam has withheld that would explain his unreasonable longing and pursuit of a son at all costs.
Dragon's Curse
H.L. Burke - 2014
When the unwanted attentions of an aggressive knight and the sudden appearance of a hated dragon turn her world upside down, she decides to take matters into her own hands even if doing so proves dangerous.Finding herself strangely drawn to the company of the dragon, Gnaw, Shannon must force herself out of her safe world of books and botany to come to the aid of her unexpected ally in a strange kingdom, cursed by a fateful encounter with a dragon and the loss of a beloved prince. Can she learn to put aside her fears, and perhaps sacrifice her deepest desires, to help a friend and restore a family?
The Gauntlet
Rebecca Ethington - 2019
One bite from a Vily and you are filled with what many call ‘the power of the gods’ and sent to Imdalind Academy for training.No bite, no magic, no Academy, and no place in society besides with the Drains that live in the old tunnels that dot what once was Europe. Unless you are me, who after one bite from a loose Vily is left with a diseased fragment of magic like the Chosen magic carriers of my world. I may not be as strong as the bastards that lord over us, but that isn’t going to stop me from raising more than a little hell.This year I am running the Gauntlet, and enrolling myself in their damn academy. There is no better way to take down the evil overlords of our world than from the inside.Those royal bastards won’t know what hit them.Now, if I can just get the king's son Rowan out of my way…Imdalind Academy is a stand alone spin-off to the Internationally Best Selling Imdalind Series. Three series + Two Ultimate book boyfriends = The Best Magical Binge.
Collided
Portia Moore - 2019
It’s something I never wanted and decided I’d never have. Love nearly killed my mother. It devastated and destroyed her. I promised myself I’d never be captured or ensnared like she was. Love deceives. It isn’t genuine. It doesn’t last. It’s just poison…a silent killer. The one taste I got nearly killed me but I was fortunate enough to escape it. But then I met him, and love didn’t just catch me. I collided with it.
Horrid Henry's Christmas
Francesca Simon - 2009
She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UKwith a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to-read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won't be able to resist Henry's amazing talent for trouble!FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HORRID HENRY AT JABBERWOCKYKIDS.COM!PRAISE FOR HORRID HENRY"Henry's over-the-top behavior, the characters' snappy dialogue, an d Ross's hyperbolic line art w ill engage even the mo st reluctant readers." Publishers Weekly"Like Dennis the Menace and Curious George, Horrid Henry is either finding trouble or creating it, and the kids are crazy about his antics." Meredith Smith, grade school teacher, DolceBellezza.blogspot.com"Kids will love reading the laugh-out-loud funny stories about someone whose behavior is even worse than their own." School Library Journal"Will make you laugh out loud." Sunday Times"Why Horrid Henry?"Kids love it! "I love the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon. They have lots of funny bits in. And Henry always gets into trouble!" "Mia, age 6, BBC Learning is Fun""It's easy to see why Horrid Henry is the bestselling character for 5-8 year olds." "Liverpool Echo"Because it's funny "My two boys love this book and I have actually had tears running down my face and had to stop reading because of laughing so hard. My oldest son is rereading all the books in this series on his own now and he still loves them. Happy reading!" " T. Franklin, Parent""A modern comic classic." "SF Said, Guardian Children's Books Supplement "Kids get to be harmlessly rebellious "Henry is a beguiling hero who has entranced millions of reluctant readers... little rebels will love this collection and even little angels will be secretly thrilled by Henry's anti-heroic behaviour." "Herald"Henry's naughtiness is a yardstick against which children can get a sense of their own moral goodness and social justice "What is brilliant about the books is that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world." "Emily Turner, Angels And Urchins Magazine"Reaches the most important age group - children who are learning to read "I have tried out the Horrid Henry books with groups of children as a parent, as a babysitter, and as a teacher. Children love to either hear them read aloud or to read them themselves. The books are spot on for the 5-8 age range and are fun for the adults who share them too." "Danielle Hall, Teacher"The structure provides new readers with a real sense of accomplishment "My son is 7 years old and a big Horrid Henry fan. This book lived up to his expectations! Horrid Henry is like most boys: he always has a plan and is always getting into mischief! It was amusing, and he could not put it down. Can't wait for the next. He read it cover to cover by himself in 2 days! That for me sells a book! He can't wait for the next one to be published. He has recommended it to all his friends." "Mrs. Tami Gold, Parent"Reaches both boys and girls equally "Wonderfully appealing to girls and boys alike, a precious rarity at this age." "Judith Woods, Times Books"A global publishing phenomenon with 12 million copies sold!"WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HORRID HENRY: ""Parents reading them aloud may be consoled to discover that Henry can always be relied upon to behave worse than any of their own offspring." Independent"An absolutely fantastic series and surely a winner with all children. My son took this book as his favourite during book week at his school and converted a few children to the cause. Long live Francesca Simon and her brilliant books! More, more please!""My 5-year-old adores them so much he couldn't wait to start reading because of them.""I really like Horrid Henry and like reading it to my dad. It's funny!" Matthew, 9, St. Albans"Horrid Henry is a fabulous anti-hero: monstrously selfish and greedy, he does things most children only dream about... a modern comic classic." The Guardian"My 6-year-old son has now read the whole series unaided and is quite content to re-read the stories again and again. My 5-year-old is dying to be able to read well enough so she can read them independently too!""Henry is really naughty and makes me laugh. He's very funny and he has lots of adventures." Martha, age 5, Bella"A flicker of recognition must pass through most teachers and parents when they read Horrid Henry. There's a tiny bit of him in all of us." Child Education"It didn't even make it to the library shelves and there's a long waiting list for it! Enough said." Nancy Astee, Child Education"A definite must for every teacher - reading about Henry makes your naughtiest child seem like a saint!""As a teacher of 8-year-olds, it's great to get a series of books my class love... They torment me to lend them the books so they can read them on their own. Need I say more?"