2026 African Reading Challenge: A Beautiful Book Challenge to Read More African Literature

Lately, I’ve been craving more intention in my reading life. 

Not just reading for vibes (though I love a good vibe), but reading with purpose, curiosity, and a little structure. 

That’s what pushed me to finally commit to making an African Reading Challenge.

This is actually a way for me to slow down, be more thoughtful about what I’m consuming, and make sure my reading reflects how wide and interconnected the world really is.

For this challenge, I didn’t just stop at one place. I intentionally picked books from every continent, with a strong focus on African stories, voices, and perspectives, while still leaving room to explore beyond familiar borders. 

The goal is simple and doable: two books every month, which adds up to 24 books in a year. 

To make things even more flexible, I added monthly options, so you’re never boxed in. 

You can follow the prompts, mix and match, or completely ignore them and just pick any two books you love that month. 

And this challenge might be even more fun with a reading buddy, so make sure to share with your friends.

JANUARY

1. Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi (Nigeria)

2. Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (Nigeria)

3. The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Uganda)

4. Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie (shorter, reflective option)

FEBRUARY

1. Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson (Ghana/UK)

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (Ghana/USA)

3. The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia)

4. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)

5. Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (Ghana/UK)

MARCH

1. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi (Nigeria)

2. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe)

3. Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah (Tanzania)

4. Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer (diaspora, interiority-heavy)

APRIL 

1. Wizard of the Crow by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (Kenya)

2. Petroleum by Kavita Puri (oil, power, African political economy)

3. Waiting for an Angel by Helon Habila (Nigeria)

4. The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell (Zambia)

MAY 

1. Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi (Nigeria/Canada)

2. His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie (Ghana)

3. Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola (Global/Africa-rooted retellings)

4. Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku (Nigeria)

JUNE 

1. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)

2. Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Uganda)

3. The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed (Somalia/UK)

JULY 

1. Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor (Nigeria)

2. The Death of the River by Lindsay Barrett (Zimbabwe)

3. The Marrow Thieves (African-adjacent eco themes; optional)

AUGUST 

1. An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria)

2. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin (Nigeria)

3. The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria)

4. The Dragonfly Sea by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (Kenya)

5. Ordinary People by Diana Evans (UK/Nigeria)

SEPTEMBER 

1. A Girl Is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Uganda)

2. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Ghana)

3. The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia)

4. Dust by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (Kenya)

OCTOBER

1. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James (Africa-centered epic)

2. The Famished Road by Ben Okri (Nigeria)

3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigeria)

NOVEMBER

1. The Promise by Damon Galgut (South Africa)

2  Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria)

3. At Night All Blood Is Black by David Diop (Senegal)

4. Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan (adjacent but powerful)

DECEMBER

1. Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor (Nigeria)

2. Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor (Ghana)

3. Rosewater by Tade Thompson (Nigeria)

4. David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Nigeria)

4. Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (Ghana/USA)

This challenge is a great way to explore diverse voices and support African authors. 

Share your favorite books in the comments and I’d love to see what you’re discovering!

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5. 15+ Books Celebrating African Culture