Top Five Books of 2018
At the beginning of the year, I made a conscious decision to revive my reading habits and it has been a rewarding experience. I've read 25+ books this year and they were all terrific, so I am spoilt for choice. However, after several hours of contemplation, I have managed to narrow it down to my top five. These books were highly informative, wonderfully written and deeply resonated with me.
That being said, if you are looking for a good book to read, here are some of my favourites from this year, in no particular order.
Edge Of Chaos: Why Democracy Is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth - and How to Fix It by Dambisa Moyo.
Like Moyo's first book - Dead Aid, Edge of Chaos is highly provocative. Moyo takes a critical look at the economic and political challenges facing many countries today and puts forward solutions to tackle the highlighted issues and catalyse growth.
Read my full book review here
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World— And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling.
The first chapter started off with a quiz, and that set the tone for the rest of the book. It was an exciting and illuminating read. The book focused on ten instincts that prevent us from viewing the world "factfully" and proposed practical steps to avoid these biases. The Late Rosling has permanently altered how I view the world.
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah.
I never thought I would relate to the story of a young man who grew up in post-apartheid South Africa. But, "Born A Crime" was a pleasant surprise. I was hooked by the first chapter. Most of the stories are heart-wrenching and tragic but, Noah manages to find humour in everything. It is one of those books that evokes a range of emotions and leaves you thinking about life.
There Was a Country by Chinua Achebe.
I have been a huge fan of Achebe and his literary works since I read "Things Fall Apart". I was searching for a book on the Biafra war and his memoir did it justice. It offered an extensive look at the war and a glimpse of the tragedies that occurred during that era. This is a book I deeply appreciated because I was able to learn through Achebe's words about a part of my culture that is often suppressed. If you are looking to learn more about the Nigerian civil war, this is a great place to start.
The Trouble with Nigeria by Chinua Achebe.
Another masterpiece from Achebe. This book had a prophetic feel because most of the issues he highlighted when this book was first published in 1983 are still ubiquitous in Nigeria today. 35 years later and nothing has really changed. For Achebe, the only problem with Nigeria is poor leadership, and I could not agree more. If you want to gain a better understanding as to why Nigeria is doing so poorly, pick up a copy. It is a short book with a lasting impact.
