In this video I’m doing something I haven’t done in two years: I’m sharing 15 African literature books I want to pick up in 2026. I didn’t make this list for 2025 on purpose because I could tell I wasn’t in the mood for African lit this year—and I’m not forcing it. I’m a big mood reader, and because African literature can be heartbreaking and traumatic, I needed to protect my headspace (I’m highly empathetic and I get emotionally affected easily). So I pulled a stack I feel I can handle and I read a bit of each synopsis, tea in hand—because I always need a bevy for these chatty list videos. I talk through a mix of South African books (I’m prioritising local authors), thrillers, romance, memoir, and literary fiction—everything from Bantu Knots by Leu Mazibuko to Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi. I also share the books I’m most excited for: Making a Killing (I’m expecting a fun, darkly comedic time), The Journals of He (because I’ve heard it’s spicy and I’m excited to finally read Jane’s work), plus two heavier, curiosity-driven picks—The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women and Journey Kantu. At the end, I ask you to help me build a reading hierarchy and tell me which ones I should prioritise first.