The results of the vote were very close, but I think the perfect book was chosen—especially after I saw this recent audiobook review for it from Aima G: “Perfect narration! As a Nigerian, who rarely gets to hear audiobooks set in Nigeria narrated in the right accent, I was overjoyed to listen to this wonderful book narrated by the author herself. It felt like listening to gossip that I wasn't supposed to hear at my mom and aunts’ feet as a kid. The story was brilliantly written. The twists and turns revealed themselves at a deliciously perfect pace. Wonderfully written and narrated.”
But before we get to which book that is, let’s talk about the Adventures of Ada, a new kids book published this month about Nigeria. It’s a cute story, perfect for my niece & I even learned some things as well. If you have a child in your life who is 5 - 10 years old, I recommend this book.
The Kindle price is $0 as of this posting!
The co-author, Dr. Ogechi Egbujor, was raised in the US by Nigerian parents. She writes short stories about diverse cultures & believes it’s critical to show kids that representation matters:
“Adventures of Ada is about a curious and beautiful brown girl from Texas, who moves to Africa and travels to different countries on the continent.
If you are ready to learn about Africa, then join Ada and her family as they make their way through the continent. We start in Africa's most populated country of Nigeria. In this book, we go on an adventure with Ada as she starts to connect with her African heritage. Traveling through Nigeria with her family, she is fascinated by the colorful and diverse culture. She learns all sorts of fun facts about the country and its people.”
But what book are we reading for the club?
Important note: There are different versions of this book available. One version is a stage adaptation. Make sure you pick up the book & NOT the stage adaptation.
First published as The Secret Lives of the Four Wives. Re-released in many countries as The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.
Award-winning author Lola Shoneyin delivers an irresistible and entertaining story of marriage, family, power, and heartache set in modern-day Nigeria in her debut novel.
When Baba Segi woke up with a bellyache for the sixth day in a row, he knew it was time to do something drastic about his fourth wife’s childlessness.
For Baba Segi, his collection of wives and gaggle of children are a symbol of prosperity, success, and a validation of his manhood. All is well in this patriarchal home, until Baba arrives with wife number four, a quiet, college-educated, young woman named Bolanle. Jealous and resentful of this interloper who is stealing their husband’s attention, Baba’s three wives, begin to plan her downfall. How dare she not know her place, they whisper. How dare she offer to teach them to read. They will teach her instead, they vow, and open their husbands eyes to this wicked wind who has upturned the tranquility of their home.
Bolanle’s mother worked hard to educate her daughter and save her from a life of polygamy and dependence. She cannot understand why her daughter has chosen such a fate. But Bolanle hides a terrible secret—a secret that will unwittingly exposes the deception and lies, secrets and shame upon which Baba Segi’s household rests.
A stirring tale of men and women, mothers and children, servitude and independence, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives illuminates the common threads that connect the experiences of all women: the hardships they bear, their struggle to define themselves, and their fierce desire to protect those they love.
“Shoneyin's gripping debut set in modern-day Nigeria...masterfully disentangles four distinct stories, only to subtly expose what is common among them.” —Publishers Weekly
(Group read suggestion from Gemma Ware, book club moderator.)
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