Fresh from receiving his MFA at Brown University on Rhode Island, we had conversation with Shedrach Akanbi about his experience, his journey towards becoming a writer, what getting an MFA in Creative Writing was like and we dive into his short story that was the titular story for the 2024 Flame Tree’s Writer’s Workshop anthology, Someone Should Hold Farida.

Listen to entire conversation here.

#literature #booktube #shedrach #akanbi #book #review #african #nigerian

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For Marvelous Michael Anson, her debut novel was born when she saw ice-capped mountains while flying over the Sahara. For us readers, we met this story finished, packaged and wonderful and travel through the six rings with its heroes.

Here is a conversation where we talk about this wonderful author, her influences and the super-amazing things she writes about in this masterful work, The Firstborn of The Sun.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

“Every weed that grows is a wild mouth eating children”On a plane to the United States, Adedayo Agarau will pen the first poem that will make it into this powerful collection that in part chronicles the events in his childhood and also expands its node to witness the psychological injuries inflicted upon the people around.For our seventh episode, we catch up with the very talented poet, Adedayo Agarau, on the years past and then dive into his poetry collection, The Years of Blood.#thebookreplay #adedayo #agarau #theyearsofblood #literature

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

Tendai Huchu is one of the most prolific writers in the world today. His ability to craft stories across genres, styles and forms has marveled readers and lovers of literature globally. We were very fortunate to catch him between activites and we quizzed him on his second novel, The Maestro, The Magistrate and The Mathematician.

Or did he quiz us?

We spoke of so much more than his book and you will have to watch to find out.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

“It’s more about the systems that make those things stay…it’s about the practices…the things that we do that kind of entrench injustice. And both men and women are complicit in it.”Yejide Kilanko’s third contemporary novel breathes gently through its 420-page read as it explores the systems that stay the hand of injustices against women through the lives of Fadaka Silva and Senami Mausi.In Our own Ways is her latest novel from Narrative Landscape Press and we had a conversation about the story and the ideas around it.Catch this on Spotify too.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

The extraction of youth is one recurring theme that cuts deep in this novel.This month on The Reader’s Pod, we’re joined by Esperance Mulonda where we chat about Alain Mabanckou’s Dealing with the Dead (Le Commerce des Allongés). From its second-person narration to the vivid streets of Pointe-Noire, Alain explores complex themes of capitalism and colonization into a “ghost story” in a haunting and personal way.“If you are dead, you are on the reverse side of life,” - Esperance saysListen in as we break down why this short novel should be your next read.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

Tendai Huchu is one of the most prolific writers in the world today. His ability to craft stories across genres, styles and forms has marveled readers and lovers of literature globally. We were very fortunate to catch him between activites and we quizzed him for several hours on his second novel, The Maestro, The Magistrate and The Mathematician.

Or did he quiz us?

We spoke of so many things and you will have to watch to find out.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

What was the TJ Benson’s second novel really about?

Was it about a young nurse who travelled to a war zone in search of better life? Was it about the decay of the Nigerian economy? Was it the diary of an aid worker?

In this author chat with TJ Benson, we dive into the book, its themes and the stories behind this work of literature.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim's artistry has received national awards, crossed seas and barriers of language. He has published four book, the latter When We Were Fireflies has a French translation that we are dying to read.This was an exhaustive chat that covered even more than the topics in the book. We went much deeper into the artistry of Abubakar Adam Ibrahim. We hope to have him back when we find the rest of his books.Please watch and tell us what you think.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com