Former US President Barack Obama is in Africa for the first time since he left office; he draws great inspiration from Africa’s literary traditions and shared with me his recommended summer reading list (technically he didn’t share with me but the Obama Foundation passed it along to me as an interested party in the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa program.)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A true classic of world literature, this novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism. A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.
A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
A chronicle of the events leading up to Kenya’s independence, and a compelling story of how the transformative events of history weigh on individual lives and relationships.
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
The Return by Hisham Matar
A beautifully-written memoir that skillfully balances a graceful guide through Libya’s recent history with the author’s dogged quest to find his father who disappeared in Gaddafi’s prisons.
The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes
It’s true, Ben does not have African blood running through his veins. But few others so closely see the world through my eyes like he can. Ben’s one of the few who’ve been with me since that first presidential campaign. His memoir is one of the smartest reflections I’ve seen as to how we approached foreign policy, and one of the most compelling stories I’ve seen about what it’s actually like to serve the American people for eight years in the White House.
**And I pleased to say I have read 4 out of the 6 books
President Obama will also address 200 emerging leaders who are in the Obama Foundation’s inaugural class of The Leaders: Africa program. A program to train and mentor the next generation of Africa’s leaders and exploring new ways to take on the biggest challenges in their communities.
You can find updates on this program on their website Obama.org or follow the hashtag #ObamaLeaders on social media
On Tuesday, July 17th, President Obama will deliver the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg. He’ll talk about how we can create the conditions to bridge divides, make change across ideological lines, and work together to resist oppression and inequality. The following day, July 18th, marks Mandela Day—the 100th anniversary of the South African leader’s birth—and people around the world will be honoring him by making a commitment to help make the world a better place.
Photo Credit: Whats Obama reading this summer(Olivier Douliery-Pool )
Becoming The Muse 
Thank you for sharing President Obama’s book list. The day America elected President Obama was one of the happiest of my life. I really thought we had turned a corner. I thought of Dr. King and pictured him celebrating a dream come true in Heaven. It all went so terribly wrong, so quickly, that I still can’t make sense of it. Thank you for sharing the information about Mandela Day, too. I admire Nelson Mandela so much. “…people around the world will be honoring him by making a commitment to help make the world a better place.” I try to do this every day with small acts of love, and will renew my commitment on Mandela Day. I’ve featured Mandela’s quotes often on under1000skies and will do so again on Mandela Day. Thank you. ♥.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Niki ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Yeah we encounter so many corners for a round world it makes your head spin and still we journey on, one step after the other, one kind deed at a time…….
cheers
~B
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. ♥.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on under1000skies and commented:
How will you celebrate Mandela Day on July 18th, the 100th anniversary of the great man’s birth. Thank you Beaton for sharing this blog. We’ll share Mandela quotes on Mandela day. What is your favorite?
♡. under1000skies
☼ A “Giftivism” Initiative ☼
We are photographers,
writers, artists & advocates
serving and connecting
homeless creatives.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great, lovely.
On Mon, Jul 16, 2018, 11:28 AM Becoming The Muse wrote:
> Beaton posted: “Former US President Barack Obama is in Africa for the > first time since he left office; he draws great inspiration from Africa’s > literary traditions and shared with me his recommended summer reading list > (technically he didn’t share with me but the Obama F” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for dropping by…….
~B
LikeLike
Sometimes it takes the absence of a person to realize their true value. In America we are reliving that hollow feeling every day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I watched the speech former president Obama and he made quite a lot of veiled hints on strong arm politics all over the world and the current caliber of politicians ~B
LikeLike
Current is right. We are represented by a lot of angry voices and it doesn’t have to be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing this reading list which obviously has a couple of big names in African literature and am proud to have read every other single book except: The Return by Hisham MatarThe World As It Is by Ben Rhodes and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie all of which I will make attempts to read
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi
Yes they are powerful books to read and have quite the African Narrative, I now have one book left from the list, The one by Ben Rhodes
~B
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucky you
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll catch up soon though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to know you are safe Big B. Praying for the best for you and Africa as a whole. Elections here is next year. Praying because it’s already not looking good. We have lots of diversify here.
LikeLiked by 1 person