The festive season is a time for catching up with friends, family, and loved ones; a time to rest, recharge, and relax after what’s been, for most of us, a difficult year. 

For bookworms out there, resting and relaxing probably entails diving into a good book — absorbing all the benefits of reading, like expanding our perceptions of what life is like outside of our personal spheres, learning more about the world and its societies, and (bonus points) even improving our physical and mental health. 

Nigeria, often nicknamed the Giant of Africa, is blessed with world-renowned authors that include the likes of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, and many other exceptional storytellers.

Their books have garnered global recognition and have won laurels and accolades for the creative ingenuity put into each body of work. 

So this festive season, make sure to add some of these extraordinary authors to your reading list to help you discover Nigeria and all that the country has to offer. Here’s a list of some best-sellers Global Citizens can get stuck into over the holidays, and always, to help get you started.  

‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe

Flickr/Wolf Gang

Written by the late Professor Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart is referred to as the “most widely acclaimed book in African literature”. Though published back in 1958, it remains a revered global treasure. The book centers around the life and challenges of a fierce man from the eastern part of Nigeria amidst oppositions from missionaries and the colonial government. 

It is a beautifully crafted, unique, and indigenous story of a “strong man” whose life is dominated by fear and anger, as he tries to hold on to his much-loved Igbo heritage. Achebe’s subtle use of irony to shed light on the various innate qualities common to all men is reflected throughout the novel.

‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Unsplash/Suad Kamardeen

Half of a Yellow Sun is an emotional story of love and war. The novel unravels the experiences of five characters during the Nigerian Civil War that took place between 1967-1970. The book is a wonderful piece of art that showcases love triumphing in the midst of chaos, betrayals, and …….

Source: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/books-nigerian-authors-to-read/