Happy International Women’s Day
March 8th is the International Women’s day.To celebrate this wonderful day, I decided to share a recap of the awesome books that I have read this year written by female authors from around the world.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin is filled with humor. The language used is simple but quite raw (uncensored). Although, the story is told by multi-narrators, it is easy to follow the witty narration. The story has everything from jealously, lust, anger to love. Its characters are also quite memorable. All this make it a very fascinating read. Lola is my favourite female author from West Africa second to Chimamanda Ngozi.
You can read more about Lola here
“When we stand before God on the last day, will he ask whether we went to university?” ― Lola Shoneyin, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
I enjoyed The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. The author took a number of risks that paid off. For instance; the narrator is killed right at the start. The identity of the killer is then revealed just as fast. However, this does not take away the suspense. The book was also quite moving; it made me think about life after death and especially about what happens to those who are no longer part of the living. Read my full review of the book here
Here is more information about Alice Sebold
“Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never even knew you had.”
― Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones
The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy
This is a collection of short stories all about traveling. I thought its a perfect read for vacation. Easter holidays are coming up soon so this may be a great choice to take with you as you travel.Here is my review of the book
You can read more about the author here
The Help by Kathyrn Stockett
This book has both sad and happy moments that make the characters easy to relate with. Although, a work of fiction, The Help is a historical but timeless masterpiece that will make readers take another look at the way they treat their helps. This book also takes readers back to the tumultuous time in history that shaped the world we live in today. . You can read my review of the book here
“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
― Kathryn Stockett, The Help
About the author
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd will take you on an emotional journey. It demonstrates how friendships can rise above all kinds of obstacles such as race. You will get attached to all the characters because of their uniqueness and some of them will break your heart. You will be moved by unlikely friendships and even romance. The story is funny, sad and full of drama that makes it hard to put down. I found myself reading it at home, in coffee shops and once in traffic whereby I had to take breaks to keep the tears from flowing in public. This is just a beautiful book. The copy that I read was borrowed from a library but this is one book that I plan to buy and add to my own personal book collection.You can read my review of the book here
“We can’t think of changing our skin color. Change the world – that’s how we gotta think.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees
Author information
Room by Emma Donoghue
Emma Donoghue’s Room is a book that I highly recommend. It’s a moving story that takes readers on an emotional roller-coaster although the ride is definitely worth it. Here is my review of the book.
About Emma Donoghue
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I loved the book and highly recommend it. It is well paced right from the first page and keeps readers engaged all the way to the very last page. It’s the kind of thriller that readers will keep talking about long after they turn the last page.
Here is my full review of the book
About Paula Hawkins
Abducted: The Fourteen Year Fight to Find My Children by Jacqueline Pascarl
Abducted: The Fourteen Year Fight to Find my Children by Jacqueline Pascarl is an interesting story. As I already mentioned before; it is based on true events and so does not have the twists commonly found in fiction. However, it is a heart wrenching and inspirational story that will move each reader. It also contains a number of lessons about child abduction. This is a heartrending story of a mother’s love, bravery and relentless fight to find her children.
About Jacqueline Pascarl
I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui
I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui is a heartrending story. However, it is also quite inspiring. Nujood is wise beyond her years and her bravery is to be admired. I highly recommend this memoir.
About Nujood Ali and her story
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I really enjoyed reading The Color Purple by Alice Walker. I used to look forward to getting home from work so that I could get lost in the pages of the story. I thought about Celia and could picture her through her journey to a strong woman. I had this image of Shug Avery too. She was strong, beautiful and confident. I could also picture Nettie and especially the Olinkas as their lives transformed with the colonialism. At the end of the book, there were a few pages about Alice Walker with photos of her family from back in the 1930’s. They are beautiful photos that also tell the story of the author. This was a beautiful book that I am sure will stay with me for a very long time.
About Alice Walker
Behind Closed Doors by BA Paris
I enjoyed reading this book. It fast paced and suspenseful and it kept guessing all the way to the last page.
Here is my full review of the book
You can also read about the author here
The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo
About Beverly Naidoo
I enjoyed this book. Its more suited for YA readers although it has some sensitive themes of asylum seekers and also bullying. A beautiful story though about two brave children who end up stranded in London after being smuggled out of Nigeria.
P.S: I Love you by Cecilia Ahern
What I liked about PS: I Love you by Cecilia Ahern is the theme of grieving and healing. I enjoyed reading about Holly’s journey. The fact that Gerry was helping her get through her loss was also an interesting angle to the story.
About Cecilia Ahern
Currently reading:Halos by Kristen Heitzmann
I love this book so far. Its quite interesting. I has some good suspense that has kept me turning the pages. Its my first book under Christian Fiction but it is so good that it has given me more motivation to read the Francine Rivers books which have some
really good reviews by the way.
My TBR List has Francine Rivers
Happy International Women’s Day to you all!
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