About
I grew up in literary, bookish household. I love books, reading, nurturing and developing my appreciation for the art form. I read mostly fiction, both contemporary and classic. I really enjoy world literature. I’m partial to women writers and their works, especially African women writers.
On this blog, you will find a good mix of reviews and commentary on novels, short stories and poetry.
Basically, Kinna Reads reflects my reading life.
I live in Ghana, West Africa.
You can contact me at kinnareadsATgmailDOTcom.
Credit: Blog banner converted from a wallpaper designed by Vladstudio
38 Comments
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I appreciate the honesty in your profile and I enjoy the selection of books I will be following you!
Do you have favourite African women writers? I see you’ve read Adichie. I read and really enjoyed half of a yellow sun, and I also liked a short story by her (which was my introduction)
Yes I do. My favorites are Nawal el Sadaawi, Ama Ata Aidoo, Mariama Ba, TsitsiDangarembga, Bessie Head, Adichie. I currently reading Yvonne Vera’s The Stone Virgins and its really good.
Thanks. I’ve only heard of a couple of those. I’ll keep an eye out for them.
My favourite book by a black female writer: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Great book. Thanks for stopping by.
yes, I loved this book too – and unfortunately lent my copy to someone and never got it back. Hmmm…I love to keep my books.
I’ve stopped lending books that I love out. They simply never make it back home.
Just found this page. Looking forward to learning and sharing.
I like your blog: its tasteful and honest.
And oh, i am a book lover too. I read whenever i can make time for it! But obviously you are a much more extensive reader. Would love to have your opinion.
Thank you for the compliment. And thanks for dropping by. Make more time for reading!
Wow Kinna. Africa has always been a place I have been dreaming of visiting – and the selection of literature you have from African literature is mind boggling. I have Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s Petals of Blood lined up to read, but I haven’t because it’s like a box of chocolates – sometimes you just like to know its there before it gets over. And we in India always struggle to come across these amazing African writers. And oh! A beautiful beautiful blog.
And we in Africa struggle to find Indian books. There should be more cultural exchange between countries of the Commonwealth. Thanks for stopping by.
Happy to have found you… would link you up on my blog
Me too. I thought I was the lone book blogger in Ghana.
Glad to have found you – even though it did take me a while! Sorry about that.
Oh, no need to apologise. I’m happy that you managed to stop by. Any more book bloggers in Ghana or in other African countries that you know of? I’m tying to put together a list of African book bloggers.
Great site. Look forward to reading some more.
Thanks. I love your blog too. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been looking for a blog with a focus on African writing, and now I’ve found it!
Lisa Hill, ANZ LitLovers, Melbourne, Australia
Oh, I’m glad because I’ve been following your blog and its focus on Australian literature. Thanks for stopping by.
Between the Canadians, the Australians and the Africans, we book-bloggers are doing a great job of promoting Commonwealth literature, if I do say so myself!
Yes we are. We are doing more than the Commonwealth Foundation! It’s really wonderful.
Oh, this is definitely a sign – my parents are travelling in Africa at the moment, and I’ve just been thinking that I should read some good African writing so I can vicariously share their trip! East Africa rather than west, but let’s not get too hung up on technicalities. I’ll read your blog with interest. PS. What a gorgeous banner – I love those rich, earthy colours!
For East African fiction: I’m currently reading Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o and loving it. I also recommend Tropical Fish by Doreen Baingana.
I am so happy to have discovered your Blog.
Thank you, from the US
And I’m glad that you left me a comment. Please subscribe and come back often. Thanks for dropping by.
wow you are from Ghana. I am going to wander around your blog for some time now and see if i can find any books to add to my wishlist. Nice blog.
Hi Kinna, this is a fantastic blog. I’m not sure what Ghana’s like, but here in Nigeria it’s difficult at times to find a bookstore with a good selection of books. How do you get your books?
My TBR list is about to triple in size!!!!
Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by. It’s also a struggle to find good books in Ghana . I get my books from bookstores in Ghana (university bookstores are good for African literature and the classics). I have a huge mountain of books to read that I had shipped to Ghana when I returned home. Of course, I’m also quick to request books from people who travel outside the country as well. One needs to employ a variety of tactics to get good books in West Africa!
I am very excited to have stumbled across this blog. Definitely bookmarking and becoming a regular reader. I’m very encouraged to see other people interested in African literature and sharing their reviews online.
I’ve also bookmarked your blog. Thanks for stopping by.
Link up itualive.blogspot.com. He comments on current Nigerian affairs and reviews music and books.
Lovely blog. Would u permit reviews by others?
I have a great interest in literature by African authors, most especially by women. Currently I am reading “I Do Not Come to You by Chance” by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani. This is my second time reading it, this time on my Kindle. I love the that the author uses humor to deal with some very serious issues.
I look forward to reading your blog for more suggestions. Another good read is “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives”. The author’s first name slips by me but her last name is Shoneyin. An interesting glimpse into the lives of four women living in a polygamous situation.
Thanks for the visit and for the comment. I’ve read and reviewed both books. I hope you stop by often and that my reviews and other bookish thoughts are useful to you. Happy reading!
I am training to teach in a primary school in London. I was helping a ten year-old girl with her poem, and she really didn’t seem to be getting it. No matter how much I talked about what poems looked like or sounded like, she wrote hers down like prose.
I asked her where her family came from. Ghana. And I asked her about Ghanaian poetry, thinking that this exercise would make more sense if the material weren’t written by a dead white man. She wasn’t sure, but said that her mother had written one for her sister (I’d like to see this, but don’t want to pry).
And here I am on Sunday morning, thrashing around for something to take into school, a poem to show to a bright, articulate child: Ama Ata Aidoo’s poetry came to mind, but I am at a loss as to what I should pick. Any ideas?
Please check your inbox. I’ve sent you an email in reply to your query. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment.
Nice being here, Kinna! Am a fellow blogger on ghanablogging.com;-)