Category: Goodreads Reading Challenge (2017)

Book Reviews, Goodreads Reading Challenge (2017)

2017 Recap & My Top 5!

by Darkowaa31 Comments on 2017 Recap & My Top 5!

Hey everyone!

I hope the holiday season has been relaxing for you all. 2017 is almost over and it’s time for a recap of the year! I ended up reading 28 books this year. The break down of my 2017 reading experience is as follows:

Average books read per month: 2 books 

Anthologies read: 3 books

Audiobooks ‘read’: 3 books

African literature: 10 books

Caribbean literature: 4 books

African-American literature: 13 books

Others: 1 book (this is a non-African/non-Diaspora book. Written by Cheryl Strayed).

20 women writers ;  5 men writers

Top 5 favorite books of 2017

  1. Questions for Ada by Ijeoma Umebinyuo
  2. Our Sister Killjoy by Ama Ata Aidoo
  3. Born On A Tuesday by Elnathan John
  4. Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono
  5. Now We Will Be Happy by Amina Gautier

These were the most insightful, affirming and enjoyable books for me this year! School/life has been quite hectic this year, so I’m behind on book reviews. Expect the remaining book reviews in 2018, but in the meantime, I HIGHLY recommend these 5 books!

Reviews for books read this year are in the Book Reviews section of the book blog.

What were your top 5 favorite books of 2017?

Favorite bookish events / images of the year:

No more stacking of my books! I finally got a custom-made bookshelf for my bedroom :)
No more stacking of my books! I finally got a custom-made bookshelf for my bedroom 🙂
Ama Ata Aidoo at Pa Gya! Literary Festival, hosted by Writers Project Ghana
Ama Ata Aidoo at Pa Gya! Literary Festival, hosted by Writers Project Ghana
A bookstand at Pa Gya! Literary Festival, hosted by Writers Project Ghana
A bookstand at Pa Gya! Literary Festival, hosted by Writers Project Ghana
Spotted Teju Cole's (super heavy & super expensive) new release at the Harvard Coop Bookstore over the summer
Spotted Teju Cole’s (super heavy & super expensive) new release at the Harvard Coop Bookstore over the summer
Fave place to buy used books in Boston!
Fave place to buy used books in Boston!
Achebe collection spotted from Raven Used Books; Boston, MA
Achebe collection spotted from Raven Used Books; Boston, MA
Christmas gifts I got some loved ones this holiday!
Christmas gifts I got some loved ones this holiday!
Yagazie and Akwaeke Emezi found my book review of Freshwater (2018) on Goodreads and appreciated my sentiments. My day was made!
Yagazie and Akwaeke Emezi found my book review of Freshwater (2018) on Goodreads and appreciated my sentiments. My day was made!
Yagazie and Akwaeke Emezi found my book review of Freshwater (2018) on Goodreads and appreciated my sentiments. My day was made!
Yagazie and Akwaeke Emezi found my book review of Freshwater (2018) on Goodreads and appreciated my sentiments. My day was made!
One of the African Women Writers Badges from Libreria - a new private library in Accra.
One of the African Women Writers Badges from Libreria – a new private library in Accra.
Sylvia Arthur, founder of private library - Libreria, in Accra with some of us who attended the preview opening of the space! Me: 1st person on the left; Arthur: 3rd person from the right
Sylvia Arthur, founder of private library – Libreria, in Accra with some of us who attended the preview opening of the space! Me: 1st person on the left; Arthur: 3rd person from the right
I planned on reading these books by Ghanaian women writers before the end of the year. So far I've only been able to finish 'Our Sister Killjoy'
I planned on reading these books by Ghanaian women writers before the end of the year. So far I’ve only been able to finish ‘Our Sister Killjoy’
Amazing Book chat series on being 'well read' - https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/11/21/book-chat-on-being-well-read-part-2/
Amazing Book chat series on being ‘well read’ – https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/11/21/book-chat-on-being-well-read-part-2/
Book chat with The Sankofa Book Club (podcast) https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/08/28/book-chat-the-sankofa-book-club/
Book chat with The Sankofa Book Club (podcast) https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/08/28/book-chat-the-sankofa-book-club/
I love the book covers for Tiffany Gholar's YA novel! https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/05/31/a-bitter-pill-to-swallow-by-tiffany-gholar/
I love the book covers for Tiffany Gholar’s YA novel! https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/05/31/a-bitter-pill-to-swallow-by-tiffany-gholar/
Image via LibreriaGH's Instagram. Me at the private preview of Libreria GH - the new/only library in Accra
Image via LibreriaGH’s Instagram. Me at the private preview of Libreria GH – the new/only library in Accra
Abena aka: Bookwormingh - a favorite bookstagramer of mine, with her tote bag from Libreria GH!
Abena aka: Bookwormingh – a favorite bookstagramer of mine, with her tote bag from Libreria GH!
Nana Darkoa signed my copy of the anthology - 'It Wasn't Exactly Love'
Nana Darkoa signed my copy of the anthology – ‘It Wasn’t Exactly Love’
Nana Darkoa reading her short story from the anthology - 'It Wasn't Exactly Love'
Nana Darkoa reading her short story from the anthology – ‘It Wasn’t Exactly Love’
Me and my faves! Abena and Shika of bookstagram accounts - Bookwormingh & Bookpress, respectively
Me and my faves! Abena and Shika of bookstagram accounts – Bookwormingh & Bookpress, respectively
African Book Addict! was an Editor's pick on Wordpress Discover! One of the highlights of my year :)
African Book Addict! was an Editor’s pick on Wordpress Discover! One of the highlights of my year 🙂
Antiguan writer - Joanne C. Hillhouse had an insightful book chat on Caribbean Literature with me over the summer. It's still one of my favorite posts!! - https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/07/30/caribbean-literature-chat-with-writer-joanne-c-hillhouse/
Antiguan writer – Joanne C. Hillhouse had an insightful book chat on Caribbean Literature with me over the summer. It’s still one of my favorite posts!! – https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/07/30/caribbean-literature-chat-with-writer-joanne-c-hillhouse/

African Book Addict! FEATURES:

It’s been both overwhelming and exciting being recognized for all the hard work that goes into creating content for this book blog. Book blogging here at African Book Addict! is purely a hobby (as I’m currently a 4th year Dental Student – its a 6 year program), so receiving recognition and praise is always affirming and such a blessing.

Below is a list of the features and recognitions African Book Addict! has gained this year:

Also, special thanks to the authors who’ve contacted me to show their appreciation for reviews of their books that have been posted on this platform and/or AFREADA.

Image via novelscript Instagram stories

2017 Reading Intentions round up:

At the beginning of the year, I set 3 reading intentions. But I don’t think I’ve successfully achieved them all…

  • My first reading intention was to READ MY OWN DAMN BOOKS. Only 9 of the books I read this year had been on my bookshelf for a while. The rest of the books I’ve enjoyed were acquired THIS year! Is it possible for a moody book lover to restrict him/herself to just the books sitting on one’s bookshelf? It’s tough y’all!

 

  • The second reading intention was to PURCHASE LESS books this year. Well… I ended up purchasing about 30 books (discounted/ used books – chill out!) over the summer and many, many more for friends & family as gifts. I might have jinxed myself by setting this goal/intention for myself!  *shrug*

 

  • Lastly, I set out to buddy-read some novels with other book bloggers/ book lovers. I successfully read Behold The Dreamers with Ifeyinwa Arinze and we had a great conversation on the book as well! I had planned to read books with other bloggers – Osondu (of Incessant Scribble), Didi (of Brown Girl Reading) and Afoma (of Afoma Umesi). Osondu and I weren’t excited about the book we set out to read, so our buddy-read was unsuccessful; Didi and I were to read a debut that a writer had sent us – but we couldn’t get passed the first 50 pages, so we quit; Afoma and I also tried to read an ARC together this month, but the book is super slow… maybe we’ll continue to read it together in the new year. Buddy-reading has been challenging! I think I’ll talk more about this in the new year.

Were you able to achieve some of your 2017 Reading Intentions? 

[Don’t beat yourself up if you weren’t able to – its definitely not that serious and you can still achieve them in 2018!]

Total books read in 2017

I’m TRULY grateful to everyone who frequents this book blog and for the great discussions (agreements, disagreements and recommendations) we have in the comments section. I always appreciate the support and love shown here, from you all. This year, I’ve enjoyed discovering new book blogs, book lovers & Bookstagram accounts (Book Instagram) and I hope to connect with more in the future! Here’s to more great years of reading ahead, for all of us. 🙂  

 

Book chat, Goodreads Reading Challenge (2017)

2017 Reading Intentions

by Darkowaa49 Comments on 2017 Reading Intentions

New Year, new reading goals – right?

Instead of using the word ‘goals’, I’ll use the word ‘intentions’. Goals focus on the future, while intentions focus on the present; goals are focused on a specific achievement, while intentions are lived on a daily basis – which is how I intend my reading experience to be this year.

My reading intentions for 2017 won’t be as intricate as my 2016 reading goals. This year, I’ll be reading what my mood calls for. I don’t have a set number of African, Caribbean or African-American books to read nor do I have a specific number of books written by women or men I’d like to read either. I like to track books read each year via Goodreads, so entering the Goodreads Reading Challenge helps me do that. Every year I like to declare a goal of 20-25 books as a set point, just to help me gauge my reading experience for the year. Whether I exceed the 20-25 books goal or not, I’ll just be going with the flow – no need to make reading stressful. Reading isn’t a race or competition – at least not for me.

Below are some intentions I’ll be considering during the year:

  • To READ MY OWN DAMN BOOKS! On my bookshelves, I have about 55 books that haven’t been read. I’d like to get through a good chunk of those books by the end of the year.
  • To PURCHASE LESS books, especially during the first half of the year – so help me God. (So far I’ve only purchased one book, so I’m trying here!)
  • To buddy-read with other book lovers/ book bloggers. This should be exciting! Thus far, I’ve planned to read 1 book each, with 3 different book lovers/ book bloggers. Due to scheduling issues, I haven’t successfully buddy-read a book with anyone yet, so I’m really looking forward to this experience!

There are definitely other things I’d like to pursue throughout the year with respect to reading and this book blog, but these are the intentions I’ll share for now.

Here’s to a successful year of reading (with few reading slumps), for all of us!

It’s almost the end of the 1st month of 2017, have you figured out your reading intentions/goals yet? Please do share some!