Books With Abena

A conversation between host Abena Maryan and guest Ama Asantewa Diaka, known as Poetra Ama Asantewa about her second book "Someone Bithed Them Broken. About the Book : In this startling collection of short fiction, Ama Asantewa Diaka creates a vibrant portrait of young Ghanaians' today, captured in the experiences of characters whose lives bump against one other in friendship, passion, hop...

In this episode, Bene, Nasiba and Amba discuss their reading journey thus far in 2024. Books Mentioned: Favourite book/books of the year so far Amba: Someone Birthed Them Broken by Ama Asantewa Diaka Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Amezi The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson Heartsong by T.J Klune Bene: All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir Someone Birthed Them...

Author Ani Kayode Somtochukwu discusses his novel And Then He Sung a Lullaby with Abena Maryan. They discuss his work as a queer liberation activist, queerness, and homophobia in this conversation. About the Author Ani Kayode Somtochukwu is a scientist, writer, digital creator and queer liberation activist. His work interrogates themes of queer identity, resistance and liberation, with focus on Af...

On this episode, Abena talks to author Elvin James Mensah on his book Small Joys. They speak about father-son relationship, chosen family and mental health in the book Small Joys.  About the Book: An unexpected friendship saves a young man's life in this moving, utterly charming debut about chosen family, the winding road to happiness, and the grace of second chances. About the Author: Elvin J...

This episode features a conversation between Abena Maryan and voice actor and narrator Tsiddi Can Tamakloe on his experiences narrating audiobooks and voice acting.  About Tsiddi Can-Tamakloe Tsiddi Can-Tamakloe is Ghanaian voice actor/narrator. He has an avid interest in narrating documentaries, classic literature, and African writing especially. He lives in Accra and volunteers with the Nami Pro...

Here's an update to our series "Bookclubs in Ghana" In this episode, I speak with the founders of Two Bookclubs about creating a reading club. About the Bookclub: Two Bookclub is a bookclub created by bookstagrammers @Bene Reads and @Ka_karang to help readers connect with other readers and find a community.

Discover what made Abena Maryan take a break and catch up on her latest life updates! Email: bookswithabena@gmail.com 

This episode highlights Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi's life, writing, and achievements. Books: Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi read by Abena Maryan Manchester Happened by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi read by Amba, Naa Atswei & Prince Henry The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi read by Abena Maryan Related Articles:  https://jennifermakumbi.net/ https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/c...

In this episode, I talk to Kataru Yahya about her debut novel Home is a Silhouette. We discuss the writing and publishing of the book, themes and characters, and representation of Muslim women.    About the Book:   Asiya Abdullah has it all. But still, her heart is restless. She yearns for a closer relationship with her mother and friends who truly care about her. When a single mistake forces her...

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024!  Racheal and I discussed our reading goals from last year (2023) and this year's reading goals, the bookish ins and outs, and anticipated reads.

This episode features Bookstagrammers discussing their reading year.

Several book clubs exist in and around Accra to foster a love of reading and create a reader community. In this episode, I talk to Amba, a co-founder of Bibliophiles and Vibes and some Book Club members. Bibliophiles and Vibes is a book club created by four Ghanaian girls who share a love for books.

In this episode, Racheal Kizza and I discuss "How Book Influencers are Shaping the Literary Space." The rise of book influencers on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok has changed how readers connect and engage with literature. Recently, Book Influencers' increasing popularity and importance are clear as readers turn to Book Influencers for book recommendations...

In this episode, my guests and I talk about starting a book account on social media. Guests: @bene.reads @ka_karang @booksxbrews

Racheal Kizza will join me to discuss Ugandan books. The list is curated to help you add Ugandan authors and books to your reading list.  About my Guest: Racheal Kizza is a cultural practitioner with the Ugandan German Cultural Society, Ibua Publishing and Lolwe. She is the founder and host of Meet Your Author, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates African authors through collaborative discussi...

In this episode, my guests and I talk about Caleb Azumah Nelson's book Small Worlds. Guests: @bene.reads, @ka_karang and @booksxbrews Summary of the book:  Set over the course of three summers, Small Worlds follows Stephen, a first-generation Londoner born to Ghanaian immigrant parents, brother to Ray, and best friend to Adeline. On the cusp of big life changes, Stephen feels pressured to foll...

We are celebrating the memory of Ama Ata Aidoo, Ghana's first prominent female author, with news articles written by some Ghanaian writers. Articles read were written by: Annis Haffar published in the Daily Graphic  Nii Ayikwei Parkes online by The Republic  https://republic.com.ng/august-september-2023/the-indelible-life-of-ama-ata-aidoo/ Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah published online by The Guardian...

In this episode, my guests and I discuss DNFing books. DNF simply stands for did not finish. In this episode, we discuss why we DNF books and how we rate them after we do so.

Here's a look at some books with my favourite opening lines. Books Mentioned: Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangaremba The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones Their Eyes Were Watching God...

My guest Tryphena Yeboah talks about writing with vulnerability and heart. Books mentioned: Poetry Collection: A Mouthful of Home , selected by the New Generation African Poets Series Short Story: Lemon Dove https://www.birdfeastmagazine.com/sixteen/yeboah/ Bio/Profile: Tryphena Yeboah is a Ghanaian writer and the author of the poetry chapbook, A Mouthful of Home , selected by the New Generation A...

In this episode, Bene and Afrah discuss their reading journey thus far in 2023. Categories: Favourite book/books of the year so far Best New Release of the Year so far Biggest Disappointment of the Year so far Favourite Author or Authors of the Year so far Favourite Fictional Character of the Year so far A book that made you cry and a book that made you laugh Favourite Audiobook Anticipated releas...

In today’s episode, we will discuss Self Publishing with my guest Ami Tamakloe author of Charcoal. We talk about why they chose to self-publish, the cost of self-publishing, and the publishing industry.  About the author: Ami Tamakloe is human unravelling and reconstructing. Originally from Ghana, they are currently a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at Cornell University. Through art...

I speak with Martin Egblewogbe about the types of readers in Ghana, the reading culture in Ghana, publishing, the Writers Project of Ghana, and writing the novel "The Waiting." About my guest: Martin is a senior lecturer at the Department of Physics, University of Ghana. He is the author of the collection of short stories, The Waiting published by Lubin & Kleyner in 2020 and Mr Happy a...

In this interview, I speak to Uwem Akpan, author of the books New York My Village and Say You Are One Of Them, about the importance of war stories in our world today. About New York, My Village by Uwem Akpan Ekong Udousoro is the winner of the Toni Morrison Publishing Fellowship, he travels to New York to learn the in and outs of the publishing industry and curate a short story collection about th...

This is an unhinged episode with the other team members. Abena takes the Hot Seat in a Q&A section.  Thank you for listening to our Book Conversations. Enjoy