It’s our pleasure to introduce to you The Channels Book Club top 13 books for 2014. If you are thinking of creating a list of books to read in 2015, you might want to consider this list compiled by our in house experts and friends of this show who are important players in the literary circles. NON-FICTION TITLES 1. HOW TO READ – MARTIN UDOGIE This fantastic book helps readers rediscover the pleasure and treasure of reading books. It is based on Martin Udogie’s personal journey into reading, from never picking up a book, ten years after graduating from the university, to now reading three to four books a month. It is also validated by the experiences of prominent individuals and achievers, such as Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Dr Ben Carson, and so many more famous personalities cited in the book. 2. HOW INTELLIGENCE KILLS – Okechukwu Ofili Technically published online and available online from November 2013, the paper copy only became available in Nigeria from January 2014. The book challenges popular standards of how intelligence is measured in children. Written in a funny, yet frank style, it is a rebellious but honest analysis of important issues like religion, education, respect and culture. 3. THE HOUSE MY FATHER BUILT – ADEWALE MAJA PEARCE Writer, essayist and literary critic, Adewale Maja-Pearce, in this new memoir published by Kachifo limited, delights readers with an earnest, humorous delivery and keen insights into the psyche of Nigeria and Nigerians. This brilliant book captures the essence of Nigeria in the last decade of the 20th century. 4. ARE WE THE TURNING POINT GENERATION? – CHIDE JIDEONWO Media entrepreneur and young African leader, Chude Jideonwo’s book contains a thought-provoking collection of essays on the paradox that is Nigeria. It resonates with young Nigerians while remaining relatable to previous generations. This book embodies the voice of a new breed of Nigerians willing to take a stand and do things differently. 5. POSSESSED – SUPO SHASORE Written by Supo Shasore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, this book reveals the history of Law and Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos (1861-1906). Possessed is a very important book on the history of Lagos. It helps the reader to understand the Lagos that existed as a viable kingdom before amalgamation, and helps one to see the evolution that led to the Lagos of today. 6. MY WATCH - OLUSEGUN OBASANJO Although very new and currently under circulation restriction by an Abuja High Court, due to this book’s immense popularity, the extent to which it is controversial and its historical importance considering contemporary Nigerian military and politics, former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest autobiography makes our list of top books of 2014. It a 3 volume autobiography that tells Obasanjo’s story from his earliest days in Owu and Abeokuta to his most recent days after serving three times as Nigeria’s Head of State and president. 7. WHEN CITIZENS REVOLT – IKE OKONTA This may end up becoming a classic on the struggles of the Ogoni people. It explores the evidences for their self-determination and raises questions that scrutinize post-colonial Africa. The book, which is drawn from Okonta’s doctorate research findings at Oxford Universty, was published by the Port-Harcourt based Ofirima Publishing House. 8. HIP HOP IS ONLY FOR CHILDREN – ONYEKA NWELUE This is a creative non-fiction book by Onyeka Nwelue, a Nigerian poet, novelist and filmmaker. It takes a critical personal perspective on Nigerian hip-hop culture, as adopted by Nigerians with an American influence. The book focuses on the The Golden Age, The Silver Age, The Bronze Age, The Stone Age, with a heavy concentration on The New Age Generation, which includes Davido, WizKid, TerryG, Oritsefemi, MC Galaxy, Iyanya. FICTION TITLES 9. ‘YORUBA LOVE STORIES’ & ‘THE RARE LEAF AND OTHER YORUBA TALES’ – Olola Olabode Ogunlana Two books combine to make one here. The first Nigerian Managing Director of the National Insurance Commission, 82 year old, Olola Olabode Ogunlana, stepped up to the plate to preserve legendary Yoruba folklores in his interesting books which are written in an accessible style for young people and those unfamiliar with the Yoruba stories handed down orally. 10. TOXIC EUCHARIST - UZOR NGOLADI This engaging book uses a compelling fiction story to slice through the often guarded layers of religion, tells the tale of vicious cycle of hypocrisy, deceit and unbelief woven around the laity and the clergy. Toxic Eucharist is chilling, gripping and incredible. It is intriguing drama from start to finish. 11. FOREIGN GODS – Okey Ndibe At all times captivating, Professor Okey Ndibe’s Foreign Gods, Inc tells the story of Ike Uzondu, a highly educated Nigerian born New Yorker whose cacophony of experiences mirror the experiences of many African immigrants. Like other great African writers, Ndibe lets us have Africa in all its madness and excitements in this thrilling book. Written with rare skills, wit and imagination, Foreign Gods, Inc is a morality tale for our time. 12. IREDI WAR – SAM UKALA This play, written by Sam Ukala, a playwright, poet, short story writer, actor, theatre director, film producer and Professor of Drama and Theatre Arts, won the 2014 Nigeria Prize for Literature. Iredi War addresses the socio-political history of Owa Kingdom and the imperialistic tendencies of the colonialists at the beginning of the 20th century. 13. LAGOON Written by Nnedi Okoroafor, the award-winning author of multiple science fiction novels and short stories and a professor of creative writing at Chicago State University, Lagoon touches on political and philosophical issues in the rich tradition of the very best science fiction, and ultimately asks us to consider the things that bind us together – and the things that make us human.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 23:08:49 +0000
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