Former US President Barrack Obama
Immediate past US President, Barack Obama, has recommended Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” and Chimamanda Adichie’s “Americanah” among six books for the 2018 Summer reading list.
He made this known on his Twitter handle where he announced the six all-African authored books.
Obama is billed to visit Kenya and South Africa soon.
“Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a true classic of world literature,” he wrote.
“This novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism.
“A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa and around the world.
“Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora and the search for identity and a home.”
The other books Obama suggested included “A Grain of Wheat” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o and “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela.
He also announced the launch of a civic leadership programme by the Obama Foundation after selecting 200 rising leaders from 44 African countries, holding on July 14 in Johannesburg, South Africa.