January in Review, Projections for February

My reading in January was aimed at fulfilling the Africa Reading Challenge, which is aimed at reading books from other African countries other than Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. In all I read eight books (or nine, counting the last book I read in December 2010, which was reviewed in January 2011). The countries I have read from are:
  1. Mozambique (Mia Couto's Voices Made Night and Lilia Momple's Neighbours: The Story of a Murder)
  2. Egypt (Alifa Rifaat's Distant View of a Minaret)
  3. Angola (Pepetela's The Return of the Water Spirit)
  4. Cote d'Ivoire (Veronique Tadjo's The Shadow of Imana)
  5. Malawi (Jack Mapanje's The Chattering Wagtails of Mikuyu Prison)
  6. Zimbabwe (Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions)
  7. South Africa/Botswana (Bessie Head's A Woman Alone - yet to be reviewed)
  8. Lesotho (Thomas Mofolo's Chaka, currently reading)
  9. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy (not on any challenge)

Map of Africa
This trend would continue. However, I would need to also work on my Top 100 books to be read in five years challenge, if I am to read even thirty percent of the books. The main problem with this challenge has been the availability of the books. 

There are hints in my immediate future that suggest that my readings might take a plunge. However, unlike before this academic progression would not take me totally away from reading, writing, and blogging. I hope when it comes you would not abandon this blog but would stick with me as I trudge my way through another academic mire.

For those who still do not know how big Africa is and still consider it as one country, I have embedded into this post a map of Africa so that you would appreciate the various countries from which I would need to read.

Thanks

Comments

  1. Amy31 January 2011 at 15:17

    Wow you are really doing fantastic so far with your reading - at this pace you will certainly hit at least a very large percent of the countries this year! Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Geosi31 January 2011 at 16:33

    Surely wouldn't abandon it. You're doing extremely well with the African Challenge too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ImageNations31 January 2011 at 17:01

    @Amy, I hope it does not dip.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ImageNations31 January 2011 at 17:01

    @Geosi, thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Myne31 January 2011 at 18:00

    You've been doing great and I've been challenged. I hope to pick up Minaret and Nervous Conditions if I can.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous1 February 2011 at 00:43

    well done I read Molfo last year not this book another but it didn't grab me ,hope you reach a grand total come the end of the year ,all the best stu

    ReplyDelete
  7. ImageNations1 February 2011 at 07:35

    @MW, And let me know what you think when you read them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ImageNations1 February 2011 at 07:36

    @Stu, this piece 'Chaka' is a great read. It recounts the legends of Shaka the Zulu. I pray I get that far.

    ReplyDelete

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