I just finished a book that is timely and relevant to issues of race in America, a book I loved and recommend wholeheartedly.
Americanah
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This book follows the lives of Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerians who fall in love as teenagers but then take separate paths to America and Britain.
While in the United States, Ifemelu struggles with survival, identity, and her new romantic relationships. Even when her anonymous blog called Raceteeth or Various Observations About American Blacks by a Non-American Black brings her financial security and purpose, her heart continues to pull her back towards Nigeria, where Obinze has also since returned to achieve his own successes.
In addition to insight from the experiences of non-American blacks in America and life in Nigeria, this book makes poignant observations on race in America. And I personally loved the blogging story line (and the intertextuality of included blog posts) and that it remains a love story even when the two lovers lose touch with each other.
Thank you to my friend Laura for recommending this book to me!