Illustrations by Kevwe Ogini; Design by Dami Mojid / THE REPUBLIC.
the REPUBLIC INTERVIEWS / FIRST DRAFT
Illustrations by Kevwe Ogini; Design by Dami Mojid / THE REPUBLIC.
the REPUBLIC INTERVIEWS / FIRST DRAFT
Don’t fight me, but I believe books make the most memorable gifts! I am always grateful when someone takes the time to select books they think I’ll enjoy or learn from. With the holiday season approaching, there is no better time to choose a book as a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Why? Books are a complete package—they inform, entertain, inspire, and reveal shared interests, making them timeless presents. To help you find just the right book for your family and friends, we asked writers and booksellers featured in our First Draft interview column at The Republic this year for their top holiday recommendations.
Here, you will find Adedayo Agarau’s pick, a satirical collection that reflects everyday Nigerian life, as well as Chimezie Chika’s recommended coming-of-age tale that resonates with millennials across Nigeria. For memoir enthusiasts, Tobi Eyinade vouches for the powerful resilience captured in Zain Asher’s Where the Children Take Us. And for fans of speculative fiction, Noo Saro-Wiwa shares her current fascination with Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower.
Whether you’re shopping for a friend who loves to laugh or a family member who enjoys soul-searching stories, here’s a holiday list of books these writers believe make perfect gifts.
ADEDAYO AGARAU
I recommend Oyindamola Shoola’s book, Face Me I Face You. This collection breaks away from the regular and becomes a satirical retelling of our common lives. It is brilliant and funny, and everyone can read it. Read Agarau’s full interview here.
CHIMEZIE CHIKA
Two books come to mind. The first is Uche Okonkwo’s A Kind of Madness. Okonkwo’s debut collection includes stories of different experiences that are uniquely Nigerian. There are stories of family, of domestic conflicts, of friendship, and stories of subtle political import. Okonkwo’s touch is light yet wise. Her talent for wry humour is remarkable. Her language is quintessentially Nigerian and her concerns are contemporaneous with the realities of our present. It is a book I would recommend to people who are not perennial readers. The combination of simplicity and lightness of touch without compromising the complexity of its serious subjects is a winning combination for a work of literature.
The second is Loss is an Aftertaste of Memories by Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera. Another debut work, this is a coming-of-age tale that creates immense beauty out of nostalgia and the language of memory. Nosike, the hero, is a young boy growing up in Nigeria’s Benin City. As we follow him through his fortunes and misfortunes, we realize that his story is also our story. It is the story of every millennial who grew up in Nigeria, which makes every detail of this novel very recognizable. For this reason, it will be a delightful read for anyone who came of age at any time between the late 1980s and early 2000s. Read Chika’s full interview here.
TOBI EYINADE
I don’t think I have a lot of recommendations for non-fiction. However, I can put my name on the line for Zain Asher’s Where the Children Take Us. I think it is remarkable that the CNN anchor chose to write an astonishing memoir in honour of her mother’s resilience to raise four successful children following the tragic loss of her husband. Obiajulu’s uncommon display of strength and parenting style inspires a fresh wave of doggedness in readers. Best part, my mom read a copy last year and was deeply moved.
For fiction, A Very Gidi Christmas by Tomilola Coco Adeyemo is a book for the holiday season. While I haven’t read it, I’m hopeful it will live up to the hype beyond just its apt title. Also, these books: This Motherless Land by Nikki May, Call Me Legachi by Adesuwa O’Man Nwokedi and Yorùbá Boy Running by the late Biyi Bandele are delightful reads this holiday. Read Eyinade’s full interview here.
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THERESA LOLA
My pick for this holiday is For Such a Time as This by Shani Akilah. This is a short story collection with a nuanced portrayal of Black British millennials in London. Their lives are interconnected and the stories have both African and Caribbean influences. For Such a Time as This also depicts the tough realities of sickle cell, mental health, and workplace experiences. Read Lola’s full interview here.
CHIOMA OKEREKE
A Very Gidi Christmas by Tomilola Coco Adeyemo, or—because the holiday season is all about food for me—possibly Ina Garten’s Be Ready When The Luck Happens: A Memoir. Read Okereke’s full interview here.
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OTHUKE OMINIABOHS
I have a list of five books perfect for this holiday. The first is Broken by Fatima Bala. Broken is a captivating contemporary novel that explores the complexities of love, culture, and faith, offering a compelling journey of self-discovery that resonates with the themes of reflection and renewal often celebrated during the holiday season. Another is Sister Spirit by Efua Traore. Traore’s book is a supernatural thriller that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration, weaving together African myth and the search for identity, making it a thought-provoking choice for those seeking connection and inspiration during the holiday season.
I also recommend Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s When We Were Fireflies. This beautifully layered story of love, memory, and destiny is perfect for immersing yourself in a world of wonder and mystery, making it an unforgettable read during the holiday season. The Bishop’s Prodigal Daughter by Timendu Aghahowa is another pick. It beautifully explores themes of love, faith, and family reconciliation, making it a perfect choice for those seeking inspiration and connection during a season often centred around togetherness and second chances. And lastly, I recommend A Very Gidi Christmas by Tomilola Coco Adeyemo. This book will leave you laughing and in love. It intertwines themes of resilience, ambition, and rekindled romance against the backdrop of a festive season, making it a delightful exploration of hope and second chances during a time when miracles are most cherished. Read Ominiabohs’ full interview here.
NOO SARO-WIWA
Here are my top picks for the holiday season:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler: I’m reading this sci-fi novel at the moment and loving her realistic portrayal of a post-industrial, urban dystopia.
African In Greenland by Tété-Michel Kpomassie: A magnificent book, one of the best by the Togolese adventurer who spent two years in Greenland in the 1960s. It is a deep, engrossing and insightful exploration of Greenlandic culture, and a twist on a genre that usually involves writers from the global north visiting other cultures. A magnificent achievement.
American Daughter by Era Bell Thompson: This is a memoir by the long-time editor and journalist at Ebony magazine. I love Thompson’s life trajectory—she did things differently. She grew up in North Dakota in the 1910s, one of the few black families in the state. After attending journalism school at Northwestern University, she travelled extensively, including around Africa, and helmed Ebony magazine in its heyday.
Sozaboy by Ken Saro-Wiwa: My father’s novel describes the fortunes of a young man who is recruited to fight in the Nigerian Civil War. It is a powerful anti-war novel that chronicles the protagonist’s naive enthusiasm, which eventually turns sour. The use of pidgin and broken English adds to the sense of innocence and marginalization. Read Saro-Wiwa’s full interview here⎈
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