The Book Replay Podcast

Fresh from receiving his MFA at Brown University on Rhode Island, we had conversation with Shedrach Akanbi about his experience, his journey towards becoming a writer, what getting an MFA in Creative Writing was like and we dive into his short story that was the titular story for the 2024 Flame Tree’s Writer’s Workshop anthology, Someone Should Hold Farida. Listen to entire conversation here. #lit...

For Marvelous Michael Anson, her debut novel was born when she saw ice-capped mountains while flying over the Sahara. For us readers, we met this story finished, packaged and wonderful and travel through the six rings with its heroes. Here is a conversation where we talk about this wonderful author, her influences and the super-amazing things she writes about in this masterful work, The Firstborn...

“Every weed that grows is a wild mouth eating children”On a plane to the United States, Adedayo Agarau will pen the first poem that will make it into this powerful collection that in part chronicles the events in his childhood and also expands its node to witness the psychological injuries inflicted upon the people around. For our seventh episode, we catch up with the very talented poet, Adedayo A...

Tendai Huchu is one of the most prolific writers in the world today. His ability to craft stories across genres, styles and forms has marveled readers and lovers of literature globally. We were very fortunate to catch him between activites and we quizzed him on his second novel, The Maestro, The Magistrate and The Mathematician. Or did he quiz us? We spoke of so much more than his book and you wil...

“It’s more about the systems that make those things stay…it’s about the practices…the things that we do that kind of entrench injustice. And both men and women are complicit in it.”Yejide Kilanko’s third contemporary novel breathes gently through its 420-page read as it explores the systems that stay the hand of injustices against women through the lives of Fadaka Silva and Senami Mausi. In Our ow...

The extraction of youth is one recurring theme that cuts deep in this novel. This month on The Reader’s Pod, we’re joined by Esperance Mulonda where we chat about Alain Mabanckou’s Dealing with the Dead (Le Commerce des Allongés). From its second-person narration to the vivid streets of Pointe-Noire, Alain explores complex themes of capitalism and colonization into a “ghost story” in a haunting an...

Tendai Huchu is one of the most prolific writers in the world today. His ability to craft stories across genres, styles and forms has marveled readers and lovers of literature globally. We were very fortunate to catch him between activites and we quizzed him for several hours on his second novel, The Maestro, The Magistrate and The Mathematician. Or did he quiz us? We spoke of so many things and y...

What was the TJ Benson’s second novel really about? Was it about a young nurse who travelled to a war zone in search of better life? Was it about the decay of the Nigerian economy? Was it the diary of an aid worker? In this author chat with TJ Benson, we dive into the book, its themes and the stories behind this work of literature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim's artistry has received national awards, crossed seas and barriers of language. He has published four book, the latter When We Were Fireflies has a French translation that we are dying to read. This was an exhaustive chat that covered even more than the topics in the book. We went much deeper into the artistry of Abubakar Adam Ibrahim. We hope to have him back when we find th...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

Andie Davis' work on Let Me Liberate You is simply brilliant. It answers the questions of self-determinism and lays out the course that nation a people or a community may have to chart as they determine their way to freedom. A simple premise that unfolds like a multilayered card, this book weaves satire into serious themes that we should consider. Watch the replay of Let Me Liberate You where I di...

On his book tour, Nkereuwem Albert stopped by the Yanga Book Club meeting at the Roving Heights Bookstore in Garki, Abuja. The conversation skimmed the book without spoilers and Nkereuwem dove as deep as he could into his inspiration for the novel, the city of Calabar and aspects of the craft. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...

Nkereuwem Albert’s debut centers its urban fantasy in Calabar, asking questions of power and peace and what it takes to keep peace among interests seeking to destroy each other at the drop of hat. The Book Replay’s Review of this book dives into all of the good stuff The Bone River contains. Watch. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

I find that Nana Sule is an author with one of the clearest voices I have experienced. She knows what she wants to say and as she says it, you hear every bit of it. And underneath that clarity where you think you know everything there is more. And this ties very well with her ethos as an artist, as a creative and as a person. Not So Terrible People is a short story collection of eleven stories fro...

Right after her book reading in Abuja in July, Nana Sule dropped by the Leopard House for a conversation with Shammah Godoz of the Book Replay. They talked about everything they could in 74 minutes, and of course, Nana's debut novel, Not So Terrible People was replayed thoroughly as we asked questions and confirmed theories. It was a good time we wanted to share with everyone. Not So Terrible Peop...

Right after her book reading in Abuja in July, Nana Sule dropped by the Leopard House for a conversation with Shammah Godoz of the Book Replay. They talked about everything they could in 74 minutes, and of course, Nana's debut novel, Not So Terrible People was replayed thoroughly as we asked questions and confirmed theories. It was a good time we wanted to share with everyone. Not So Terrible Peop...

Literature: Chimamanda’s Dream Count vacillates between mediocre-good This article was culled from my video review of the novel. Watch it here. Dream Count by Chimamanda Adichie — The Book Replay, Episode 6 So much has been said about separating the art from the artist. And never have I had such a deep interrogation of that idea than I did with Dream Count. The queston I was asked before this revi...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com

I have travelled through hell, where my GPU nearly burnt, and high water to bring this review to you and despite that, I feel like I have not done enough justice to this book. Umar Sidi Abubakar did something incredible with this book. The structure, the level of craft in it is not just high level, but it is also groundbreaking. He truly is one of the greatest literary minds of our generation. Ple...

The thing is, I did not think The Madhouse would make me feel the way it made feel. You know when something is created in front of you, there are expectations you have of it and this book exceeded all of those expectations. Truly and enjoyable read. Do you like this content? Have you suscribed? Don’t be shy. Subscribe so you can get more of this. This is a public episode. If you would like to disc...

I made it to Ake Festival and it was epic. Filled me with so much hope where I had none. So, five years later, we are reviving the Book Replay. And bringing it to Substack because, why not take advantage of such a great platform, no? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebookreplay.substack.com