Story Tags

Ghanaian Authors

Ghana. The first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence, a regional power in West Africa, and home to 30 million people. Ghana -- like many other African countries -- has a rich oral literature history. For this post, I wanted to discover the writings of Ghanaians, and this selection of books is a good introduction to Ghanaian authors and a peek into Ghanaian culture and history. Each one of these authors has Ghanaian ancestry and was born and/or raised in Ghana.

La France des Mystères

Mysteries of all types in the land of wine and cheese

Get swept up in the land of wine, cheese...and mysteries. This collection of novels, murder mysteries, and non-fiction all take place in France where the background has no shortage of terrior (or sense of place). There is something for everyone, whether you like true crime, cozy mysteries, or dark puzzles. Bon Voyage!

Year End Reads

As the official winter season gets closer, the weather slows things down and instills a heaviness that really makes us feel ourselves in our bodies. When we are not as frenetic, books are a great companion to the new (but cyclical) rhythm. It’s a vista from which to take stock, particularly with a new year on the horizon line. The books below offer characters or writers who are speaking to a centeredness, steadiness, or timeliness.

Cooking: Spain and Latin America

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, check out these cookbooks celebrating the culinary diversity of the Spanish speaking world. The Spanish, Middle Eastern, and African Cookbook by Pepita Aris et al.

Novel to Screen: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Staff Recommendation

When Rachel Chu goes to Singapore for the summer, her boyfriend Nick doesn't tell her a few important details about himself. Find out what happens next in the best selling novel, Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. The novel is the basis for the movie by the same name.

A black man wearing a black superhero suit

Book Recommendations for Fans of Quirky Recent TV

Many would argue that there’s never been a better variety of storytelling available on TV. With a wider variety of platforms, shows can flourish without having to appeal to absolutely everyone. And it can be great, as a fan, to discover that someone else loves a show that’s more of a niche than a giant watercooler hit. So, as a reader who also loves good TV, here are some quirky recommendations based on my favorite recent, or in some cases recently cancelled, TV shows.

Books In Verse

YA Titles With Impact Using Fewer Words

Using different styles of writing can be a great tool for authors who want to mix up the young adult reading scene. In the titles below, each author uses the in verse writing style that delivers less words to arrive at deep emotion, character flaws and pivotal plot points. A reader could interpret this writing style as similar to poetry or symbolic to user interpretation. Do you agree?

Caught Between Two Cultures

It's difficult to be caught between two cultures. In these novels, women from India or women of Indian descent are coping with the challenges and opportunities that come with living in America. Is arranged marriage still a viable option? One character struggles to accept her daughter's biracial marriage. Another character must not only deal with the loss of her father, but also the proper way to scatter his ashes in India.

The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker

Add a Little Magic

Novels with a pinch (and sometimes a cup) of magic

Much like the rich tradition of magical realism across the Caribbean and the Americas, the literary use of magic of all forms in everyday settings is alive and well across the world.