6 Unforgettable Books I Have Read.

These books had such an impact on me that I keep returning to them. Enjoy a few of my recommendations.

Love in Color by Bolu Babalola.

I consider Love in Color a life-changing book. I read this book in 2022 and I still hold onto the stories told in the book. This book is a collection of retold mythical stories from around the world. This book was my first introduction to Bolu Babalola and I have to say that she writes about love so beautifully. The stories in this book showed me how much I adore love and how beautiful love is. From the author's note, you see that she also is passionate about love. The book is a reminder that God is love, Love is what makes the world better, and the beauty of loving.

This book showed how one wants to be loved, the desire to be seen, to be heard, to be worth fighting for, and to be honest about love and who you love. This book is for lovers of love and for those asking the question of, why love?

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson.

I describe this book to be lyrically beautiful. I have to say that Caleb Azumah Nelson, is a brilliant writer and in this book, he captures the concept of love, art, vulnerability, race, trauma, and masculinity so well. Open water follows a British-Ghanaian photographer who falls in love with a woman and him navigating life and his relationship with this woman. This book is so memorable, beautiful, and artistic because, through this story, masculinity was defined. The author touched on being a black man, experiencing trauma, and living in it. It showed the feelings of men and their struggle with being vulnerable and how these things can also reflect in their relationships. This is one of the most honest books I've read and I can never stop recommending it.

Of This Our Country.

I can't talk about this book without commending Nigerian Writers because they are good. Of This Our Country is a collection of Essays by Nigerian Writers that share their perspectives on being Nigerian and this goes across from those that live in Nigeria to Nigerians in the diaspora. The honesty in this book is what I love most. We see the beauty of Nigeria and its ugliness, we see the pride of our Nigerianness and the shame in being a Nigerian. Also, we then visualize Nigeria we want to see. To know how much I love this book, I still go back to some essays and read them. While reading this book, you will feel so much, anger, laughter, pain, and hope. As a Nigerian, this is a must-read.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi-Adiche.

I know this book came out a long time ago but I just read it and I love it. Americanah is that book that everyone should read. This book follows the life of Ifemelu and Obinze who fell in love while young but life separated them. From this book, we get to see Ifemelu's life and the life of Obinze separately as immigrants. This book shows the reality of being an immigrant, to being an illegal immigrant. It dives into the concept that a better life is found abroad because of the realities of Nigeria. This book discusses race, culture, hair, blackness, love, and struggle. I find Americanah so insightful and real that it needs to be read by everyone.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.

When I say, I love romance books, I am talking about this book. Seven Days in June is such a beautiful love story that dives into topics like mental health, generational trauma, self-harm, and alcoholism. Yes, it talks about heavy topics but trust me, romance and love are still very present. This book is about Eva and Shane who are both writers and after years of losing contact, they meet again at a writer's event. This meeting brings back memories as once lovers, to their how they are living, and how they have overcome certain struggles. This book is so beautiful and emotional, I loved every bit of it. Second-chance romance is one of my least favorite tropes but this book changed my mindset on that. I was truly convinced that they needed to get back with each other. I can't fully express everything about this book, so just read it. Just a pointer, I love Shane and how honest and emotionally intelligent he was as he grew. More reason for you to read this book.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

This book is truly unforgettable. I stay and I remember this book and the story. This book is set in Afghanistan and is about the lives of two women Mariam and Layla and how the war brings them together and forces them to overcome certain struggles together. This book describes the war in Afghanistan, Domestic Violence, love, and the struggles of women. This book is truly emotional and so beautiful. It is written so well that you get to feel everything. This book was highly recommended to me and it did not disappoint. If you are looking for good Literary Fiction, this book is for you.