The Feature Image, above is taken of a print that was in the reception of The Library Hostel in Nairobi while I stayed over Christmas 2025 and New Year’s Day 2026.
I will begin this year reading books based in Africa, and once I’m back in the UK I’ll read whatever takes my fancy!
Remote People – Evelyn Waugh, a travelogue that began in Ethiopia, where I am in early January.
West with the Night – Beryl Markham, who lived most of her life in Kenya.
Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor E Frankl, after reading a brief story about his life on Instagram.
In Ethiopia with a Mule – Dervla Murphy, an author I’ve wanted to read for many years, and I’m still in Ethiopia right now.
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller – Italo Calvino, in paperback which I found in a bookstore in Addis Ababa.
The Shadow of the Sun – Ryszard Kapuscinski
Desert Flower – Waris Dirie, because I’m heading to Somaliland tomorrow.
Thirteen Months of Sunrise – Rania Mamoun, which is based in Sudan.
Moon Tiger – Penelope Lively, who was born in Cairo. Moon Tiger is based in Egypt….the final destination of my Cape Town to Cairo trip. Since flying to South Africa in October 2025 I have read 15 books that are linked in some way to Africa, and one paperback book that I bought in Ethiopia.
I am still waiting patiently in Addis Ababa for my visa to travel to Sudan, and my application may not be accepted anyway. Now, I will begin to read my list of summer books.
Vain and Indecent Woman – Colin Falconer, which will be my tenth book of the year and was easily worth 5 stars on Goodreads.
A Very Short Introduction to Egyptian Myth – Geraldine Pinch.
The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck.
The Summer Book – Tove Janssen.
Tortilla Flat – John Steinbeck.
Floating Home – Adam Lind.
Sharpe’s Storm – Bernard Cornwell.
Murder on the Oxford Canal – Faith Martin, while I was cruising down the Oxford Canal to Oxford itself and onto the River Thames.
Clear – Carys Davies.
Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll, because I’m in Oxford, where Lewis Carroll (and Alice) lived. This is my 20th book of 2026.
Seascraper – Benjamin Wood, and the 2025 Booker Prize winner.
The Shortest History of England – James Hawes.
White Fang – Jack London, one of the books read by the lead character, Thomas Fleck, in Seascraper.
River of Stars – Georgina Moore, a novel based on an island on the River Thames…only last week I left the Thames to enter the Kennet & Avon canal.
Across Asia on the Cheap – Tony Wheeler, the first travel book written by the guy who went on to found the Lonely Planet enterprise with his wife, Maureen. It is now 27 August, and I’m heading to my winter mooring to then set off on my winter backpacking adventure. This will be the first book on my winter in SE Asia.
I am now reading…The Gentleman in the Parlour – Somerset Maugham, reflecting on his travels around South East Asia in 1922.
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