Love comes in different shapes and forms, uniquely embracing us all while leaving behind memories within our palate. As we try to figure out what our lives become and navigate the lingering taste left behind, many of us face the reality that our social definition of love has succumbed to the avalanche of capitalism and the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day.

While we try to find out what love truly is beyond the annual celebration where we find ourselves drowning in roses, hearts and cupid arrows, we can dive into introspection and consider that love is not only romantic but also platonic. It includes family and friends – a love that decentres romantic relationships and focuses on the power of community, self-love and friendship.

So, if you wonder where to start this journey, we are here to help with this well-curated list of 10 African books on love, friendship and community – books that explore the different forms of love we often overlook but that need to be nurtured and given due attention. We hope you enjoy them and share them with your loved ones.

• The Spirit of Intimacy | Sobonfu Somé | Burkina Faso
  A profound exploration of intimacy that transcends romantic love, drawing on indigenous African traditions to highlight the importance of spiritual and communal connections.

  www.sobonfu.com

   

• The First Wife: A Tale Of Polygamy | Paulina Chiziane | Mozambique
  A bold and unflinching narrative that delves into the intricacies of polygamy, weaving a tale of resilience and sisterhood in the face of patriarchal structures.

  www.goodreads.com/book/show/26894137-the-first-wife
  
  

• The Deep Blue Between | Ayesha Harruna Attah | Ghana
  A poignant story of twin sisters torn apart by fate yet bound by an unbreakable love, navigating identity, loss and reunion across continents.

  www.ayeshaattah.com/books

   

• If an Egyptian Cannot Speak | Noor Naga | Egypt/Canada
  A lyrical and haunting exploration of love, power and identity, challenging how relationships are shaped by history and place.

  www.noornaga.com

   

• African Love Stories: An Anthology  | Ama Ata Aidoo | Ghana
  A collection of stories that celebrate the multifaceted nature of love in Africa, from the deeply passionate to the quietly enduring.

  Afrori Books LTD

   

• You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty | Akwaeke Emezi | Nigeria/US
  A lush and evocative novel about grief, healing and the unexpected forms love can take when we dare to embrace life again.

  www.akwaeke.com/fool-of-death
  
  

• So Long a Letter | Mariama Bâ | Senegal
  A deeply personal and epistolary novel that unravels the weight of tradition, the strength of female friendship and the quest for self-discovery.
  

  www.goodreads.com/book/So_Long_a_Letter
  
  

• Co-Wives, Co-Widows | Adrienne Yabouza | Central African Republic
  A testament to female solidarity, following two widows navigating inheritance and survival in a society that often sidelines them.
  Mahiribooks.com/products/co-wives-co-widows-by-adrienne-yabouza
  
  
• Return of the Soul | Tawfiq al-Hakim | Egypt
  A philosophical meditation on self, belonging and the transformative power of love that transcends the material world.

  www.penguin.co.uk/books/return-of-the-spirit-by-al-hakim-tawfiq
  
  

• All That We’ve Got | Jendella Benson | UK/Nigeria
  A heartwarming tale of community, second chances and the intricate web of love that binds families together despite hardship.

  www.jendella.co.uk