I am a firm believer in the gospel that is short story collections. A good collection allows you to explore different themes, and worlds without committing to the length of a full novel. Several times, these short stories below have gotten me out a reading slump. They are great for a binge read, or an occasional pickup. Here are 12 picks for every mood:
“Nearly all the men in Lagos are Mad” by Damilare Kuku (2021)
This collection took the African book scene by storm 2 years ago when it was released. It became an instant favorite, and two years later, it still stands the test of time. The themes explore dating in Lagos. If you’re anywhere on TwitterNG, you know how hilarious and equally scary it is to find love in Lagos. This book captures varying experiences with so much humor that left me cackling all through.
Check out my review here
“The Thing Around Your Neck” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2009)
The essence of this book can be summarized as the Nigerian experience. This collection has 12 short stories that explores human relationships both in Nigeria and America. My favorite stories were ‘A Private Experience’ where two women have a chance meeting while hiding from riots and ‘Imitation’ which talks about a wealthy Nigerian woman living in the diaspora while her husband in Nigeria cheats on her.
Chimamanda’s distinct voice shines through and for me, this was just another confirmation of her brilliance and that fact that I will buy whatever she writes.
“Who’s Loving You: Love Stories by Women of Colour” (2021)
Asides its gorgeous cover which drew me in at the bookshop, this collection talks about love in different shapes, forms, and most especially, women of color in love and being loved. It explores long distance relationships, queer love, and intercultural relationships. I enjoyed it deeply but my favorite stories were ‘Rain…. Doubtful’ by Kuchenga which explored love as a trans woman and ‘Rani’ by Amna Saleem which explores the love between a granddaughter and her grandmother.
‘We understand love and desire, whether we’ve actually experienced it or not. The feeling of craving it, of being in it, of having lost it; these feelings are inherent to our humanity. Love is inside us- all of us.’
Sareeta Domingo- ‘Who is Loving You’
“A Broken People’s Playlist” by Chimeka Garricks (2020)
I was, and still am, dazzled by this collection. It is a kaleidoscope that peers into love and life and human relationships in such familiar but also novel ways. Much of this collection is based in Port Harcout. Each story is inspired by song and the author weaves these tales to make you long for something you didn’t know you lost.
‘Nothing has hurt me as much as your so-called love. Just so you know, right now, your love is perfectly useless.’
Chimeka Garricks- Desperado from A Broken Playlist
“Love in Colour” by Bolu Babalola (2020)
Bolu retells mythical love stories from around the world, with a modern twist. This collection presents much-beloved adages with a fresh voice that makes you fall in love with love. This collection enamored me in 2020, and 3 years later, it stands firm as one of my favorite pieces.
“Vagabonds!” by Eloghosa Osunde (2022)
If I could encapsulate this collection in a few words, it would be ‘bizarre, supernatural with beautiful sentences.’ I would probably chose Eloghosa to write my obituary. Her voice is powerful, with a clear message in Vagabonds! I struggled with it in the beginning but soon realized why this is a cult fave. This author strode on the literary scene with their smashing debut that tells a necessary story.
“African Love Stories: An Anthology” (2006)
Edited by Ama Ata Aidoo, these twenty-one short stories explore different aspects of African love- modern, contemporary, mythical, folklore. The language and writing style varies greatly as it is written by different authors but it was a good introduction to a few authors I’ve never read before. My favorite stories were ‘Scars of Earth’ by Mildred Kiconco Barya, a brief story about heartbreak and ‘Modi’s Bride’ by Sindiwe Magona.
‘I think love and pain have a symbiotic relationship. They are intertwined like twigs in a crown of thorns. You cannot have one without the other.
Mildred Kiconco Barya- Scars of Earth from African Love Stories
“Unaccustomed Earth” by Jhumpa Lahiri (2008)
This collection is a series of very long short stories that explore the immigrant experiences. These characters have rich experiences that extend from their past lives in India to their current home in America. Their stories intertwine and it is a very well-thought out collection. It is evident that the author is intimately acquainted with human relationships, and knows how to draw the complex emotions they evoke which makes for a very memorable read.
“Love is Power, or something like that” by A. Igoni Barrett (2013)
The power of this collection lies in how unsentimental it is. It pulses with the chaotic energy of contemporary Nigeria. Each story explores flawed characters and how their fault-coming impacts lives around them. It was a brilliant introduction to a new author, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
“The Secret Lives of Church Ladies” by Deesha Philyaw (2020)
The nine stories in this brilliant collection features black women, caught between who they are supposed to be according to the church’s standards and who they want to be according to their desires. There’s secret longings, hidden passions, affairs, forbidden love, and each story is more delightful than the previous. I binge read this in one sitting and it truly satisfied something in me. 100% recommend.
‘How do you make love to a physicist? With your whole self, quivering, lush, unafraid.’
Deesha Philyaw- How to make love to a physicist from The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
“God’s Children Are Little Broken Things” by Arinze Ifeakandu (2022)
I cried while reading these stories. As a whole, it explores queer love in Nigeria and what it means to survive in country that hates you. Each story is poignant and touching. The author writes with such tenderness and it’s a very strong debut from an author I’m looking forward to reading more from.
“My Pen is the Wing of A Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women”
This was my first translated fiction I ever read, and it was a brilliant intro. This collection of 25 stories shines a light into the lives of women in Afghanistan- their loves, loss, woes, suffering and joys. It offers a window to the lives of women in a society that stifles their spirit, and yet they continue to rise.
