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
March 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I appreciate the honesty in your profile and I enjoy the selection of books I will be following you!
April 4, 2010 at 12:48 am
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)
April 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm
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.
April 4, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Thanks. I’ve only heard of a couple of those. I’ll keep an eye out for them.
April 4, 2010 at 5:24 am
My favourite book by a black female writer: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
April 4, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Great book. Thanks for stopping by.
April 4, 2010 at 10:10 pm
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.
April 5, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I’ve stopped lending books that I love out. They simply never make it back home.
June 16, 2010 at 3:32 am
Just found this page. Looking forward to learning and sharing.
June 29, 2010 at 5:14 am
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.
June 29, 2010 at 8:10 am
Thank you for the compliment. And thanks for dropping by. Make more time for reading!
July 28, 2010 at 2:45 am
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.
July 28, 2010 at 6:27 am
And we in Africa struggle to find Indian books. There should be more cultural exchange between countries of the Commonwealth. Thanks for stopping by.
July 30, 2010 at 10:45 am
Happy to have found you… would link you up on my blog
August 3, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Me too. I thought I was the lone book blogger in Ghana.
August 9, 2010 at 9:52 am
Glad to have found you – even though it did take me a while! Sorry about that.
August 9, 2010 at 9:51 pm
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.
August 14, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Great site. Look forward to reading some more.
August 14, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Thanks. I love your blog too. Thanks for stopping by.
August 15, 2010 at 1:31 am
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
August 15, 2010 at 7:18 am
Oh, I’m glad because I’ve been following your blog and its focus on Australian literature. Thanks for stopping by.
August 15, 2010 at 7:45 am
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!
August 15, 2010 at 8:19 am
Yes we are. We are doing more than the Commonwealth Foundation! It’s really wonderful.
September 2, 2010 at 9:55 am
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!
September 7, 2010 at 4:12 pm
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.
October 18, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I am so happy to have discovered your Blog.
Thank you, from the US
October 18, 2010 at 4:29 pm
And I’m glad that you left me a comment. Please subscribe and come back often. Thanks for dropping by.
November 30, 2010 at 8:00 am
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.
December 29, 2010 at 2:57 pm
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!!!!
December 31, 2010 at 10:09 pm
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!
December 30, 2010 at 9:16 pm
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.
December 31, 2010 at 9:22 pm
I’ve also bookmarked your blog. Thanks for stopping by.
January 14, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Link up itualive.blogspot.com. He comments on current Nigerian affairs and reviews music and books.
Lovely blog. Would u permit reviews by others?
January 20, 2011 at 3:52 am
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.
January 22, 2011 at 5:22 pm
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!
October 2, 2011 at 8:14 am
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?
October 2, 2011 at 9:01 am
Please check your inbox. I’ve sent you an email in reply to your query. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment.
October 18, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Nice being here, Kinna! Am a fellow blogger on ghanablogging.com;-)
January 21, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I just love to read so much. Growing up in ghana all I read were books by african writers especially pacecetters. Pacesetters novels are so hard to come by now.
In my last visit to ghana I noticed children are spending more time watching tv emulating the west (mtv, bet etc) than reading like use to in the 80s. I use to read at least 3 books a week.
This has prompted me to open a bookstore (and stationery) in osu accra ghana by december 2012. My long term goal is to build a chain of libraries.
Please support my business by joining my facebook page “Barnicles Stationers”. A fabulous website is the works. I will comb the whole of africa and other commonwealth countries to bring the best books to my customer. If u don’t find it in barnicles tell me and give me 3 weeks to get it for u.
The only help I need from your blog readers tell me some of your favourite african writers and the title of their books. Last question is is there some kinda tradeshow in africa for all african writers and publishers if not I’d like to collaborate with an interested party to create such. Here in the states I always attend tradeshow and its so well organised I wish africa had such for our writers and authors.
January 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Oh I forgot to say a reading blog for my bookstore “Barnicles” is in the works apart from the website but if u love african movies you can stop by 3yr long running blog http://www.AfricanMovieReviewer.com – search keyword pacesetters (or google miss tilii pacesetters) , to read my whole listing of pacesetters books.
Thanks everyone. Let’s encourage our african youth to read more and watch less TV.
June 30, 2012 at 9:53 am
We just wanted to say, you have ‘One Lovely Blog’
…. Find your nomination here… http://easyondeyes.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/ooooo-and-were-lovely-too/
July 26, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Thank you. I’ve been away from this blog hence my tardiness in acknowledging the award.
July 27, 2012 at 5:50 am
No problem. Better late than never.
March 26, 2013 at 12:58 pm
hi iam glad i found you. iam togolese and though i like reading i much focused on francophone literature more especially female writers. ur blog is kind of an opening door to english writers. u ar doing a reali great job!!!!!
May 11, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Found your blog quite interesting! Now Following.
May 12, 2013 at 6:32 am
Thank you, Shaili.