2024 was undoubtedly a memorable year for African literature lovers as they were treated to amazing African books that quenched expectations, sparked conversations and left so much to think about. This year is picking up to be much better. Several renowned publication announcements show that the African literary scene is primed to make 2025 another remarkable year of ground-breaking publications. Lovers of African books are excited and eager to read rich stories that explore different places, periods, and genres. These books also feature much-anticipated releases from the literary giants to the blooming voices of new authors.
It’s safe to say that the most significant of these announcements is that of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s fourth book, Dream Count, which will be published in March. Eloghosa Osunde, Chika Unigwe, Mukoma wa Ngugi, and Nnedi Okoroafor are not left out, as these prominent African authors have publications on the horizon.
Another exciting reality about publications this year is the amount of poetry debuts. With the recent blossoming of African poetry, it is no surprise to see many groundbreaking literary projects from African poets. These 10 African books are brimming with stories and characters with memorable and thought-provoking prospects. Let’s get into them, shall we?
- Death Of The Author by Nnedi Okorafor
This book takes us into the world of Zelu, a disabled writer facing hurdles in her writing career and family pressures. After her novel gets rejected by another publisher, Zelu moves to write an epic sci-fi novel set in a post-human world.
One thing Zelu didn’t expect writing this novel is a journey that will change her life and reality forever. From Chicago to Lagos to the far reaches of space, Okorafor gives us a book within a book while exploring themes of identity and family.
- Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
For fans who have been anticipating Adichie‘s next book, Dream Count is more than simply a new book; it marks the well-known author’s triumphant comeback after almost a decade and a half. This novel explores the connected lives of four women grappling with loss, love, betrayal, and self-discovery.
The novel centres around Chiamaka, a travel writer who, in the middle of the pandemic, thinks about her choices and regrets with her past lover. Zikora, her best friend, deals with betrayal and comfort from an unexpected person. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin, navigates self-doubt despite her successes. Kadiatou, a mother in America, deals with a life-altering situation that threatens all her life efforts.
Adichie explores the hard choices women make in their personal and professional lives while exploring themes of self-discovery, identity, female friendships, familial bonds and happiness in today’s world.
- The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole
In her brilliant debut, Bankole masterfully renders an epic story that takes us across New Orleans, Nigeria, and the United States and three generations of women. The book centres around a prophecy and how it comes back as questions between a daughter, her mother and her Nigerian family.
This haunting novel explores Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore. Through the tellings of three generations of women, Bankole weaves a memorable story spanning themes of longing, promise, romance, and heartbreak.
- Grace by Chika Unigwe
In Grace, Unigwe weaves a story about agency and the ethics of motherhood through the lens of a successful young Nigerian woman with a hidden past. Grace has a husband, twin daughters, and a hospital, and she has a secret that threatens to ruin her life. When her estranged mother shows up at her family home, Grace is forced to confess about the pregnancy and child she gave up when she was only 15.
Her husband understands but disapproves of her private clinic, which doubles as a somewhat ethical baby farm. Can he and their twin daughters forgive her for this secret she has hidden from them all these years? Can Grace forgive herself? And will the baby, if she is to be found, accept her as a mother?
- Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi
In this fusion of fantasy and noir, Onyebuchi takes us into the life of veteran and private eye Boubacar, whose life changes when a bleeding woman stumbles onto his doorway, only to vanish just as quickly; Bouba reluctantly finds himself enmeshed in the secrets of a city boiling on the brink of violence.
As every clue reveals horrifying new truths, Bouba may face his past and secrets while deciding what he will offer next.
- Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osunde
In Necessary Fiction, Eloghosa Osunde poses these provocative questions and many more while exploring the paths, dreams, hopes and fears of more than two dozen characters staking lives for themselves in contemporary Nigeria.
- Tiny Things Are Heavier by Esther Ifésináchi Okonkwo
Tiny Things Are Heavier centres on Sommy, a young woman who, just a few days after her brother’s attempted suicide, travels to the United States from Nigeria to attend graduate school.
Tormented by pain and remorse, Sommy finds it difficult to adjust to her new existence. Sommy finds some security through complex relationships, but when she returns to Nigeria, she must face her old problems again.
- Bloodmercy – Itiola Jones
In Bloodmercy, Jones explores the smothering effects of love, familial ties, and persistent questions about God. The book examines the unbreakable tie of kinship and what it’s like to be permanently bonded to someone.
Readers will find an introspective exploration of the true meaning of humanity in this book.
- The Naming by Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto
In his first collection of poems, Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto traces and names a lineage rich in greatness and esoteric knowledge by fusing family history, Igbo ontology, and the traditions of origin and belonging. With its grand conception and thematic coherence, this poetry has much oral power.
- The Years of Blood by Adedayo Agarau
Many refer to Agarau‘s collection of poems as “an achingly personal coming-of-age” poetry that draws inspiration from Yoruba Cosmology.
