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.
I am now reading…White Fang – Jack London, one of the books read by the lead character, Thomas Fleck, in Seascraper.
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