Cassava Republic Press – förlag

A sharply-witted and tender portrait of a young girl's quiet rebellion and her refusal to be broken.Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026Winner of the British Book Award - Discover Prize'Dark, humorous, and passionately captures the unique realities of the northern Black experience' - The ObserverSet in 1960s Bradford, The Mercy Step follows Mercy, a precocious young child facing a world far too big for her small body. She lives with her Windrush-generation parents in a crowded household where her mother's attention is stretched between church and family, and her father's temper is something to be endured or avoided.Feeling like an outsider within her own home, Mercy retreats into books and the companionship of her beloved doll, Dolly, while learning early how to navigate the flaws and failings of the adults around her. Yet Mercy is nothing if not resilient. Armed with humour, style and fierce imagination, she quietly begins to plot her escape from a traumatic childhood.Raw and deeply affecting, Mercy's story is one of Black British culture, childhood, family and survival in 1960s Britain. Critical to understanding these untold stories, Marcia's debut is not to be missed.

Hassan and Hassana are twins who share everything. So why won't Hassan share his bike?In a quiet part of Sokoto city, the twins have always done everything together. As a reward for their excellent school reports, each gets to choose one special birthday gift: Hassan a bicycle, Hassana the Kalangu drum she heard being played at the market. She loves her drums, but she also loves riding his bike. So when his friends decide that bikes are not for girls, Hassan has to choose between keeping them happy and doing right by his sister.Hassan and Hassana Share Everything is a perfect read-along picture book about kindness, fairness and the quiet courage it takes to stand up for the people you love.

How do you survive Nigeria's power cuts, traffic jams and prosperity gospel? Accept that everything is a hustle and nobody is quite who they claim to be. With sharp wit and biting humour, Becoming Nigerian reveals the unspoken rules of Nigerian life.Written as a satirical survival guide, the book shows readers how to navigate modern Nigeria like a local. Through mock-instructional chapters on everything from power failures to becoming a pastor or a middle-class hustler, it exposes the absurdities, contradictions and everyday frustrations of Nigerian society with both affection and fearless honesty.Perfect for Nigerians who need to laugh at the chaos, diaspora readers looking for a candid window into home, and anyone curious about life beyond sanitised images of Africa, Becoming Nigerian is a brilliantly observant guide to the country behind the headlines.

Papa, why do you dance when you walk?'When Aden's 8-year-old daughter asks him this one morning in Paris, he is taken aback. The question is innocent, but the answer is not so simple. Unable to resist Bea's inquisitive spirit, he moves silkily between memories of his childhood: from his silent, mysterious mother and the shanty roofs of his neighbourhood to the malicious attack that changed his life forever and the ensuing struggle that made him a man. Anchoring his memories is a Djibouti on the cusp of independence; a land of shifting deserts and immense heat, French-from-France ex-pats, and one lonely and sick boy finding solace in books.Why Do You Dance When You Walk is a poignant and timeless story of the complexity of family, the value of poetry and freedom, and the ripple effect of the traumas that stalk our movement.

What marks life in Addis Ababa are the starkly different realities coexisting in one place. It’s a growing city taking shape beneath the fraught weight of history, myth, and memory. It is a heady mix. It can also be disorienting, and it is in this space that the stories of Addis Ababa Noir reside...These are not gentle stories. They cross into forbidden territories and traverse the damaged terrain of the human heart. The characters in these pages are complicated, worthy of our judgment as much as they somehow manage to elude it. The writers have each discovered their own ways to get us to lean in while forcing us to grit our teeth as we draw closer...Despite the varied and distinct voices in these pages, no single book can contain all of the wonderful, intriguing, vexing complexities of Addis Ababa. But what you will read are stories by some of Ethiopia’s most talented writers living in the country and abroad. Each of them considers the many ways that myth and truth and a country’s dark edges come together to create something wholly original—and unsettling.

In the early 1960s, Tayo Ajayi leaves Nigeria for Oxford University on a scholarship, where he meets Vanessa Richardson, the daughter of a former colonial officer. Their chance encounter begins a love story that unfolds across four decades, shaped by history, distance and the enduring legacy of empire.As their lives diverge and reconnect over the years, Tayo and Vanessa must navigate questions of race, belonging, faith, family and identity. Set against the changing relationship between Britain and Nigeria, their bittersweet romance reveals the personal cost of political and social change.Elegant, deeply moving and richly observed, In Dependence is an acclaimed novel about love, memory and the ties that bind people across continents, generations and cultures.

Nairobi Noir brings together some of Kenya’s most exciting and acclaimed writers in a bold exploration of the city’s shadowy underbelly. Set across Nairobi’s streets, neighbourhoods and hidden corners, these stories reveal a world where danger and desire sit side by side, and where survival often comes at a cost.From sharp, intimate portraits to gripping tales of crime and consequence, this collection captures the many faces of a city in constant motion. As Peter Kimani writes in his introduction, in this concrete jungle “the hunters and herders live on. As do the hunted…”Featuring new work from Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Stanley Gazemba, Ngumi Kibera, Peter Kimani, Winfred Kiunga, Kinyanjui Kombani, Caroline Mose, Kevin Mwachiro, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ, Faith Oneya, Makena Onjerika, Troy Onyango, J.E. Sibi-Okumu and Rasna Warah, Nairobi Noir is a vivid, unsettling and unforgettable portrait of a city.

A 55-year-old Muslim widow and a 25-year-old gang leader in Northern Nigeria ignite a forbidden, high-stakes affair that could destroy them if exposed.55-year-old Binta Zubairu is alone in her Kaduna home when 25-year-old gang leader Reza breaks in knife in hand—and an unexpected spark flare between them. That charged moment pulls them into a secret, intoxicating affair that neither faith nor common sense can contain. In the shadows, Binta rediscovers a desire she thought life had taken from her, while Reza finds a tenderness he never expected to feel. But as gossip and street violence close in, their forbidden connection races toward consequences they can’t outrun.Witness a tale of desire, risk and reckoning. Season of Crimson Blossoms has sparked conversation in Nigeria; now it’s your turn to experience it.

Told through the irresistible voice of a young boy, Dantala, Born on a Tuesday is a masterful and haunting coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of extremist politics and religion in Northern Nigeria.Dantala is a naive but bright Quranic student, who falls in with a gang of street boys, surviving on a regime of petty crime and violence. After being paid to set fire to the local headquarters of an opposition party, Dantala is forced to run for his life. Still reeling from the trauma of events, he stumbles into a Salafi mosque where he quickly becomes the favoured apprentice of the Sheikh and finds stability and friendship.From his place of refuge, Dantala confronts the hurdles of adolescence, first love and the splintering of family life - as his mother becomes increasingly unstable in the wake of a family tragedy and his brothers join a rival religious sect. But as political and religious tensions mount, he is torn between loyalty to his benefactor, Sheikh Jamal, and adherence to the Sheikh's charismatic advisor, Malam Abdul-Nur.When bloodshed erupts around him, Dantala is tested to his limits. In this raw, authentic and deceptively simple novel, Elnathan John explores boyhood in the wake of extremism and fundamentalism.Born on a Tuesday delves behind the scenes of the media's portrayal of Boko Haram bringing us a powerful and intensely personal picture of life in Northern Nigeria today.

Meet Dr Morayo da Silva: 75 years old, Nigerian-born, drives a Porsche, wants tattoos and refuses to disappear. Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun is a moving novella about ageing, immigration and the fierce determination to remain visible.Dr Morayo da Silva is a Nigerian-born academic living in San Francisco with style, wit and stubborn independence. When a fall threatens her autonomy, she is forced to confront the fear of becoming invisible as an older woman, an immigrant and someone the world would rather manage than respect. Told through multiple perspectives, the novella reveals an extraordinary woman through the eyes of friends, neighbours and lovers who witness her struggle to remain fully herself.Exploring identity, migration and ageing with warmth and insight, Sarah Ladipo Manyika's acclaimed novella is a powerful celebration of dignity, resilience and living life on your own terms.

When a mutilated woman's body is discovered outside a nightclub in Lagos, British journalist Guy Collins is arrested as a suspect. After a brutal introduction to the realities of a Nigerian police cell, he is rescued by Amaka, a fierce protector of the city's working women. Together they are drawn into a dangerous underworld where corruption, violence and the illegal organ trade thrive.As Collins uncovers the darker forces shaping life in contemporary Lagos, he also finds himself falling for Amaka. Fast-paced, atmospheric and richly observed, Easy Motion Tourist is a gripping crime novel that reveals the city's energy, contradictions and resilience.Praised by the Guardian as ""a rollercoaster ride through a world of extremes"" and by The Crime Review as ""gritty, gripping, and hard to put down"", this is a thrilling introduction to one of African crime fiction's most distinctive voices.

A gripping addition to the African crime genre from a talented debut author.Vee Johnson is an investigative journalist for the Cape Town magazine Urban. When she spots a photograph of a familiar-looking girl at a local hospital, Vee launches an investigation under the pretext of writing an article about missing children.Alongside her oddball assistant, Chloe Bishop, Vee delves into the secrets of the fractured Fourie and Paulsen families. What happened to Jacqui Paulsen, who left home two years ago and has not been seen since?Hawa Jande Golakai is from Liberia and trained as a medical immunologist.

Princess Arabella thinks her room is far too boring, so she decides to brighten it up all by herself. With a pot of paint, plenty of enthusiasm and a big imagination, she soon gives her room a colourful new look.A fun and lively picture book celebrating creativity, confidence and the joy of making something your own.

City-dwelling Mayowa is unhappy because he has been told he will be visiting his grandmother in Ilisan, Nigeria.When he gets there, Grandma pairs him up with the ever-hungry, fun-loving Denuyi. Together, they explore the town and all its wonders. The boys chase grasshoppers, dip their feet into a stream, visit piglets, climb a tree… and join in with a masquerade parade!By the time he returns to Lαgos, Mαyowa has learnt that there is more to life than computer games.

Join Adanah on an alphabetical adventure as she goes to visit her grandfather in Modakeke, Nigeria.Every letter, from A to Z, is featured in this African alphabet book, including C for a camera to take pictures, E for an eagle spied above the trees, P for a pump for fetching water, and S for stories told by Auntie Sumbo.Adana recalls with excitement a memorable experience at her Granddad's village and the relaxed pace of rural life compared to the bustling city that she lives in. Her audience is her best friend Zainab, to whom she extends an invite to join her, when next she returns.Written in a bouncing rhyming style, children will learn while having fun as they join Adanah on her school holiday adventure!The book is geared towards a reading age of 4-7 and the characters are positive models for the African culture, food and way of life.

A Ghanaian explores the increasing influence of China across the region; a Kenyan student activist writes of exile in Kampala; a Liberian scientist shares her diary of the Ebola crisis; a Nigerian journalist travels north to meet a community at risk; a Kenyan travels to Senegal to interview a gay rights activist; and a South African writer recounts a tale of family discord and murder in a remote seaside town.With an introductory essay by Ellah Allfrey, this anthology gathers new stories of contemporary Africa.

Phoenix Advertising Agency rising star Tishe is looking forward to her first date with the sharply-dressed Adnan. But she is horrified when she finds out that he is a tailor. She vows that there will be no second date ...ever. But then, they share a goodnight kiss, igniting more desire in Tishe than she cares to admit. They embark on a whirlwind romance as she struggles to reconcile her disapproval for Adnan's profession with her burning desire for him.Adnan is unwavering in his commitment to Tishe, planning romantic getaways and introducing her to his family. But can love cut across social class?Will Tishe give Adnan a second chance? Find out in this racy romance.

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.Yet in this delectable romance it is Toby, manager of cool hangout lounge, the Bar-Rage, who wins over feisty single mum and successful cake-maker Adoo Ibi with his tasty pizza. Not to mention his suave good looks and calm, confident demeanour. Soon, Adoo and Toby are enjoying spontaneous dates and passionate encounters. Adoo is thrilled to find a man who accepts both her and her son, and Toby is drawn to Adoo's down-to-earth manner and feisty independence. It's as if they've known each other forever. But both have been hurt before and are hesitant to commit to something more.Will Toby and Adoo overcome their pasts and embrace the present, or will they only have A Taste of Love?

Things are changing for the staff of Lagos firm City Finance, and not necessarily for the best. But for Ada Okafor, a bright, dedicated and beautiful trainee accountant, the only change worth noticing is the dashing, British-trained new assistant MD, Tony Okoli.Ambitious and determined, Ada ignores her feelings for Tony and focuses on juggling her work in accounts with completing her degree in business and finance.But their love of books draws them closer together and they embark on a secret but passionate affair.They soon discover that the course of love does not run smooth and a host of obstacles, from Tony's disapproving family to jealous colleagues, litter their path.Their passion for each other is truly tested as they fight to persuade themselves and the world that love, in the end, trumps social status.

For performance poet, radio broadcaster and recently jilted bride Kambi, the serene Obudu Mountain Resort is the perfect place to finish her poetry collection and heal her broken heart.But along comes Beba, the gorgeous, olive-skinned man from her past, who had rescued her from an attack several years ago. Back then, they came close to having a relationship but Kambi had pushed him away. In the lush mountain setting, can Kambi resist Beba's charms and keep up the pretence of being his fake fiancee in order to help him in his quest to find his mother? Or will a phony engagement be the key for Kambi to begin Finding Love Again?

Meet Mira Adure: an ambitious, creative twenty-something stuck as PA to the ruthless editor of high fashion magazine Black Sparkle.Her work is tedious, but her love life is even worse - a string of disastrous dates threatens to put Mira off men forever. And then she crashes into the flashy Mercedes of the gorgeous, tiger-eyed Dominic and is left fuming. Mira's luck changes when she is promoted to assistant editor. But when Dominic turns up at her office a few days later, she is infuriated to discover he's been hired as the photographer for her first edition in charge of Black Sparkle.As they embark on a photo shoot by the swaying palms of Coconut Beach, Mira and Dominic can't stop arguing. Will it be too late before Mira realises that beneath the tension is smouldering desire?Sparks fly as the creative energy of two talented individuals fuels a heady mix of fear, passion and desire.

One kiss in a Cape Town elevator changes everything.It’s Christmas Day when Sindi meets Edward in the elevator of her friend’s luxury apartment building. Handsome, successful and effortlessly charming, he sweeps her into an unexpected kiss beneath the mistletoe, igniting an attraction Sindi cannot ignore.Still rebuilding her life after a painful break-up, Sindi is determined to stay focused on her career and independence. Romance is the last thing she needs, especially with a man as persistent as Edward. But when he unexpectedly appears at her office and draws her into an important new project, resisting him becomes impossible.Set against the backdrop of Cape Town, The Elevator Kiss is a steamy, feel-good romance about ambition, desire and the risks of opening your heart again.

Rabato Sabato, better known as Soni Dike, is a Lagos big boy: a criminal turned grandee with a beautiful wife, a seafront mansion and a questionable fortune. Then, one day, he disappears, and his car is found abandoned in a ditch with the music still blaring.Soni's older brother, Abel Dike, a schoolteacher, travels to Lagos to search for him. Drawn into the city's unforgiving underworld, Abel must navigate encounters with petty criminals, corrupt police officers and his growing attraction to his brother's wife.Carnivorous City is a story of love, family and justice, but above all it is a vivid portrait of Lagos and the people who make the city by the lagoon what it is.

From Yemisi Aribisala, winner of the John Avery Award and the 2026 Fortnum & Mason Food Writer of the Year, comes a remarkable memoir that explores Nigerian cuisine through the lens of memory, identity and desire. Blending lyrical essays with cultural insight, Aribisala reveals how food carries history, shapes relationships and tells the story of a nation.Moving beyond recipes, she writes about pepper soup, pounded yam and everyday meals as gateways to Nigerian life, examining family, colonialism, longing and the pleasures of the table with wit, warmth and originality. Richly evocative and deeply personal, these essays celebrate the complexity and cultural significance of Nigerian food.Widely regarded as a modern classic of food writing, Longthroat Memoirs is essential reading for anyone interested in food, memoir and Nigerian culture, offering a fresh perspective on the ways food shapes who we are.

Blending European and African American styles with traditional African patterns, highlife music was the soundtrack of the independence era. Its influence still resonates today.Highlife Giants is an intimate portrait of the pioneering artists of West Africa's music scene from the 1920s onwards. It features interviews with stars including Victor Uwaifo and Ignace De Souza, revealing behind-the-scenes moments such as Louis Armstrong giving Eddie Okonta a trumpet with a golden mouthpiece.

Princess Arabella thinks her room is far too boring, so she decides to brighten it up all by herself. With a pot of paint, plenty of enthusiasm and a big imagination, she soon gives her room a colourful new look.A fun and lively picture book celebrating creativity, confidence and the joy of making something your own.

In this fabulous follow-up to the internationally acclaimed The Lazarus Effect, newspaper reporter Vee Johnson reprises her role as Cape Town’s most feisty female investigator. Vee and her ever-faithful sidekick, Chlöe Bishop, have been banished from the City Chronicle newsroom to review a tourist lodge in sleepy Oudtshoorn.But Vee and Chlöe are barely checked into their rooms when the first body is discovered, hanging from a tree with Vee’s purple silk scarf used as a noose. Is it suicide or strangulation?As Vee investigates the death, she is pulled into a bewildering world of conferences and corruption, dog-walking and drug addiction, break-ins and Black Economic Empowerment, all while juggling the two men in her love life.The Score is a unique combination of sex, intrigue and subterfuge, set against the fading colours of the Rainbow Nation.

Princess Arabella and her friends are excited for their very first day at Princess School. From unusual lessons to a special day when everyone brings their pets to class, there's plenty of fun, laughter and unexpected surprises along the way.Filled with warmth, humour and colourful illustrations, this charming addition to the much-loved Princess Arabella series is perfect for young readers discovering the excitement of starting school.

A new title in the popular Princess Arabella series.It's almost Granny's birthday, and Princess Arabella and her friends are determined to bake the most delicious and most gigantic cake in the world. But who will create the winning masterpiece: Princess Arabella, Prince Mimoun, Princess Sophie or Princess Ling?And what surprise is waiting inside the giant cake? A delightful picture book celebrating friendship, teamwork and birthdays.