Abena Maryan hosted a session at the just-ended Pa Gya Literary Arts Festival, which was organized by the Writers Project of Ghana (WPG). Guests: Kwame Brenya is an award-winning poet, a published writer, a Twi language teacher, and a traditional music artist with five (5) studio albums. Kwame’s music is mostly storytelling palm wine music through which he has documented his personal life story on the BRENYA NE BARIMA album as well as his experiences across West Africa on his EP, FOUR DAYS IN...

This is a live recording from the just ended All African Book Fair Guests: Leanne LecternTayTalesFlipping Chapters

This is a live recording from the just ended All African Book Fair.

This is a live recording from the just ended All African Book Fair. In this episode, we spoke with: Grace Dorcas Anan: Author, publisher and the founder of the All African Book FairThe Black Archives: A cultural center and archive on Black (Dutch) history, arts and culture in AmsterdamDr. Martin Egblewogbe: Author, Lecturer and one of the directors of the Writers Project of Ghana (WPG)Poetra Asantewa: Author, Spoken Word Artist and founder of the Black Girls GlowEmma Ofosua: Writer, Poet and...

This is a conversation with Bene and Nasiba inspired by @ka_karang's Unpopular Opinion.

A conversation between host Abena Maryan and guest Ama Asantewa Diaka, known as Poetra Ama Asantewa about her second book "Someone Bithed Them Broken. About the Book: In this startling collection of short fiction, Ama Asantewa Diaka creates a vibrant portrait of young Ghanaians' today, captured in the experiences of characters whose lives bump against one other in friendship, passion, hope, and heartache. About the Author: Ama Asantewa Diaka is a poet, a storyteller, and spoken word artist...

In this episode, Bene, Nasiba and Amba discuss their reading journey thus far in 2024. Books Mentioned: Favourite book/books of the year so far Amba: Someone Birthed Them Broken by Ama Asantewa DiakaSmall Joys by Elvin James MensahThe Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke AmeziThe Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-PearsonHeartsong by T.J KluneBene: All My Rage by Sabaa TahirSomeone Birthed Them Broken by Ama Asantewa DiakaSmall Joys by Elvin James MensahGod's Children are Little Broken Things by...

Author Ani Kayode Somtochukwu discusses his novel And Then He Sung a Lullaby with Abena Maryan. They discuss his work as a queer liberation activist, queerness, and homophobia in this conversation. About the Author Ani Kayode Somtochukwu is a scientist, writer, digital creator and queer liberation activist. His work interrogates themes of queer identity, resistance and liberation, with focus on African narratives of queerness and its varied contestations in the literary and political...

On this episode, Abena talks to author Elvin James Mensah on his book Small Joys. They speak about father-son relationship, chosen family and mental health in the book Small Joys.  About the Book: An unexpected friendship saves a young man's life in this moving, utterly charming debut about chosen family, the winding road to happiness, and the grace of second chances. About the Author: Elvin James Mensah was born and raised in South East London. He graduated from Bournemouth University, where...

This episode features a conversation between Abena Maryan and voice actor and narrator Tsiddi Can Tamakloe on his experiences narrating audiobooks and voice acting.  About Tsiddi Can-Tamakloe Tsiddi Can-Tamakloe is Ghanaian voice actor/narrator. He has an avid interest in narrating documentaries, classic literature, and African writing especially. He lives in Accra and volunteers with the Nami Projects, an organisation that advocates for products and services built through the various...

Here's an update to our series "Bookclubs in Ghana" In this episode, I speak with the founders of Two Bookclubs about creating a reading club. About the Bookclub: Two Bookclub is a bookclub created by bookstagrammers @Bene Reads and @Ka_karang to help readers connect with other readers and find a community.

Discover what made Abena Maryan take a break and catch up on her latest life updates! Email: [email protected]

This episode highlights Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi's life, writing, and achievements. Books: Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi read by Abena MaryanManchester Happened by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi read by Amba, Naa Atswei & Prince HenryThe First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi read by Abena Maryan Related Articles:  https://jennifermakumbi.net/https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/we-interview-the-writer-jennifer-makumbihttps://granta.com/contributor/jennifer-nansubuga-makumbi/

In this episode, I talk to Kataru Yahya about her debut novel Home is a Silhouette. We discuss the writing and publishing of the book, themes and characters, and representation of Muslim women.    About the Book:   Asiya Abdullah has it all. But still, her heart is restless. She yearns for a closer relationship with her mother and friends who truly care about her. When a single mistake forces her into the grasp of a successful, powerful, and wanted man, Asiya’s life is thrust into a dark and...

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024!  Racheal and I discussed our reading goals from last year (2023) and this year's reading goals, the bookish ins and outs, and anticipated reads.

This episode features Bookstagrammers discussing their reading year.

Several book clubs exist in and around Accra to foster a love of reading and create a reader community. In this episode, I talk to Amba, a co-founder of Bibliophiles and Vibes and some Book Club members. Bibliophiles and Vibes is a book club created by four Ghanaian girls who share a love for books.

In this episode, Racheal Kizza and I discuss "How Book Influencers are Shaping the Literary Space." The rise of book influencers on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok has changed how readers connect and engage with literature. Recently, Book Influencers' increasing popularity and importance are clear as readers turn to Book Influencers for book recommendations, trusting their opinions on books.

In this episode, my guests and I talk about starting a book account on social media. Guests: @bene.reads @ka_karang @booksxbrews

Racheal Kizza will join me to discuss Ugandan books. The list is curated to help you add Ugandan authors and books to your reading list.  About my Guest: Racheal Kizza is a cultural practitioner with the Ugandan German Cultural Society, Ibua Publishing and Lolwe. She is the founder and host of Meet Your Author, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates African authors through collaborative discussions and interviews. Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meet-your-author Books and...

In this episode, my guests and I talk about Caleb Azumah Nelson's book Small Worlds. Guests: @bene.reads, @ka_karang and @booksxbrews Summary of the book:  Set over the course of three summers, Small Worlds follows Stephen, a first-generation Londoner born to Ghanaian immigrant parents, brother to Ray, and best friend to Adeline. On the cusp of big life changes, Stephen feels pressured to follow a certain path—a university degree, a move out of home—but when he decides instead to follow his...

We are celebrating the memory of Ama Ata Aidoo, Ghana's first prominent female author, with news articles written by some Ghanaian writers. Articles read were written by: Annis Haffar published in the Daily Graphic  Nii Ayikwei Parkes online by The Republic  https://republic.com.ng/august-september-2023/the-indelible-life-of-ama-ata-aidoo/ Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah published online by The...

In this episode, my guests and I discuss DNFing books. DNF simply stands for did not finish. In this episode, we discuss why we DNF books and how we rate them after we do so.

Here's a look at some books with my favourite opening lines. Books Mentioned: Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi DangarembaThe Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola ShoneyinKintu by Jennifer Nansubuga MakumbiThe Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke EmeziHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieHis Only Wife by Peace Adzo MedieSilver Sparrow by Tayari JonesTheir Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale HurstonBreast and Eggs by Mieko KawakamiAgainst the Loveless World by Susan AbulhawaBrown Girl...