Latest Article

Date
January 14, 2026

Finding Home Part 1

The three boats were anchored against a log at the shore. Nobody was supposed to touch anything left in them until the next morning. Nobody slept. The whole island was awake as the devil. Prayerful men prayed. Women mourned their missing. Your mother said your dad had been so secretive the last few days before his disappearance. He had been closing himself inside his hut. Perhaps he was worrying about the tough times. We had been attacked by a belt of hyacinth and fishing was almost impossible. The lake’s clear water was now buried under green twigs and it would be so for months. He had told me over beer that he was thinking of going east. I told him to spit those words out of his mouth. He did. He never mentioned that again. 

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Filter

Click on the category to filter
Books Reviews
Featured
Author Profiles
Young Writers
Podcasts
Newsletter
Events
Book Serialisation

Keep up with the latest from Books In Africa

* indicates required
Featured
Date:
April 17, 2025
By
Virginia Clay

Story is an intrinsic part of being human. Whether recounting a challenging ordeal to our friends, explaining why something wasn’t our fault or closing a deal, the fabric of our daily life is woven through story.

Read  More
Featured
Date:
April 10, 2025
By
Tracy Ochieng

This year’s theme, “A Decade of Kenyan Stories – Past, Present & Beyond,” invites reflection not only on what Kenyan writers have accomplished, but where their stories are heading.

Read  More
Featured
Date:
March 27, 2025
By
Tracy Ochieng

If international success is the more viable route, what does that mean for the future of African literature and its relationship with homegrown audiences?

Read  More
Book Review
Date:
March 20, 2025
By
Tracy Ochieng

Imagine a time when topics like abortion, sexual harassment, and even women demanding equality in the bedroom were almost unspeakable—yet Maillu dared to write about them.

Read  More
Author profile
Date:
March 6, 2025
By
Mbugua Ngunjiri

Maillu, who refers to himself as the president of African Spirituality, says that 'Ka, the Holy Book of Neter', is the African answer to the Bible.

Read  More
Featured
Date:
February 27, 2025
By
Tracy Ochieng

The evening of Valentine’s saw a buzz of activities at Alliance Française, a venue well known for its long-standing support of the arts, with attendees in theme for the Red Party in their reds and blacks

Read  More