Black Books & Black Literature: The Noisy Book Club Podcast

In this Member Book Chat, host Benny and Modupe Daramola, a member of the Noisy Book Club, dive into The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kolawole—a gripping, deeply emotional novel about survival, migration, class, and the search for a better life.

Together, Benny and Modupe unpack the powerful journey of Able God, a low-paid hotel worker whose life is upended after a violent encounter forces him to flee into the desert with a group of migrants. Along the way, we discuss how Kolawole’s novel unravels the myths of salvation, exposes the brutal realities of human trafficking, and challenges our notions of faith, ambition, and belonging.

This reflective, raw, and passionate discussion captures the essence of what The Noisy Book Club is all about—stories that move us, questions that challenge us, and voices that demand to be heard.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

1. A breakdown of the plot and themes in The Road to the Salt Sea

2. Their reflections on Able God’s journey and transformation

3. Honest conversations around migration, religion, and class in Nigeria

4. A deep dive into Kolawole’s writing style and narrative choices

5. An open discussion about what the book made us feel, question, and confront

About the Book

The Road to the Salt Sea follows Able God, a hotel worker whose chance encounter with a sex worker catapults him into a dangerous world of violence and escape. Joining a group of desperate migrants led by a self-proclaimed prophet, Able’s journey toward a new life quickly spirals into a fight for survival. From the corridors of a four-star hotel to the harsh edges of the desert, Kolawole’s novel is a haunting, suspenseful, and emotionally rich exploration of hope, faith, and the harsh costs of displacement.

Whether you're part of a book club, interested in African literature, or drawn to stories of survival and identity, this episode is full of insight, honesty, and thought-provoking conversation.

Listen, like, and follow us for more member chats, author interviews, and deep dives into books that matter.

Share your thoughts in the comments—what did you think of The Road to the Salt Sea? Which part of Able God’s journey stayed with you the most?

Our September book of the month is The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kolawole. Get tickets to attend our September book club meeting ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Twitter (X)⁠⁠.

For our very first Author Book Chat, podcast host Benny sits down with award-winning Nigerian-Canadian writer Francesca Ekwuyasi, the brilliant author of Butter Honey Pig Bread. Together, they dive deep into the novel’s unforgettable characters, powerful themes, and the creative journey behind this internationally acclaimed debut.

In this warm, reflective, and engaging conversation, Francesca shares her thoughts on faith, family, queerness, love, food, and the bonds that hold us together—all central to Butter Honey Pig Bread. From Lagos to Halifax, from the myth of the Ogbanje to the quiet complexities of sisterhood, this episode explores how storytelling bridges cultures and continents.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

1. Francesca’s journey to writing Butter Honey Pig Bread and finding her voice as a storyteller

2. How food and memory become acts of love and healing in the novel

3. Deep dive into characters Taiye, Kehinde, and Kambirinachi—their pain, choices, and growth

4. The creative process of writing across Nigeria, England, France, and Canada

5. A lighthearted “This or That” Nigerian food game with Francesca

Whether you’re part of a book club, a fan of African literature, or simply love hearing authors talk about their craft, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and inspiration.

About the Book

Butter Honey Pig Bread is a stunning novel of love, loss, and the resilience of family. Shortlisted for the 2020 Giller Prize, it follows twin sisters Taiye and Kehinde as they navigate trauma, forgiveness, and reconnection, guided by their enigmatic mother, Kambirinachi.

Listen, like, and subscribe for more author interviews, African storytelling, and book club conversations.

Share your thoughts in the comments—have you read Butter Honey Pig Bread? Which character stayed with you the most? We have monthly book club meetings in Lagos, every last Saturday of the month.

Our September book of the month is The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kolawole. Get tickets to attend our September book club meeting ⁠here⁠.

Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Twitter (X)⁠.

Noisy Podcast presents “The Noisy Book Club” a podcast series where we will bring to you, interviews with African  authors of our Monthly reads, town hall episodes of our actual monthly Book club meetings as well as reviews and conversation around books that will make you laugh, cry or rethink something you thought you knew! 

The Book Club Podcast is a place to discuss and celebrate African stories and authors. Subscribe to be a part of the conversation.

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