Recs if you like The Old Drift...

“Take the map of Africa, place Europe and America together and there's still room left. Why be a sunflower and turn toward the sun? I myself am the sun!” - Ousmane Sembène

1-3 books (mostly fiction, some nonfiction) from or about each of the 54 countries in the African continent. Listed by country from Algeria to Zimbabwe. (Unfortunately, no books for Niger included). The first book listed is a book by a Kenyan writer that encompasses why this list exists.

africanfuturism & afrofuturism see african and african-diasporic writers (respectively) explore Black culture, history, mythology and power through new futures, technologies, and speculative imaginings. these books offer a glimpse into afrofuturist & africanfuturist worlds.

Fictional stories about families spanning across multiple generations. Books that focus on the life of a matriarch or patriarch (roots) and continue along their blood lines (branches) in an epic tale. Please feel free to recommend any fictional stories that fit within this description.

an engaging collection that captures the depth and diversity of African storytelling, blending tradition, history, and modern life through powerful voices.

A few lovely books written by Black women spanning every genre!

Southern Hemisphere reads!! we will be running an unofficial SH season readalong, and our Spring readalong book is Wale Rider (1/9-30/11)! this is for any books written by SH authors, especially those set here, so pop your fav recs in the comments 😁 (i haven't read all of these! so double check content warnings if you need to)

Books pictured in the "Bibliography of Recommended Titles" at the end of Insectopolis

Just a list of books I've read from around the world, hoping others will find it useful.

This is the list from The Atlantic. "In 1868, a little-known writer by the name of John William DeForest proposed a new type of literature, a collective artistic project for a nation just emerging from an existential conflict: a work of fiction that accomplished “the task of painting the American soul.” It would be called the Great American Novel, and no one had written it yet, DeForest admitted. Maybe soon."

I challenged myself by creating this list of readings. I am saving one book or two per country. The books can be classics, thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, contemporary novels...