Explore every episode of the podcast Bookeesh Banter

This week we're stepping out of African fiction and into something a little different, and honestly? We needed this one. 💛Everything I Know About Love is Dolly Alderton's wildly funny, occasionally heartbreaking memoir about growing up — the bad dates, the terrible jobs, the getting drunk, the getting dumped, and the one thing that never lets you down: your girlfriends. It's part memoir, part love letter to female friendship, with recipes, lists, and brutally honest stories woven in between.This one is NOT just a romance read. We're talking about your twenties in all their messy, uncertain, hilarious, painful glory — and the slow, hard realisation that you are enough, exactly as you are.We had SO much to discuss. What does it mean to grow up as a woman today? Is Dolly's experience as a young British woman relatable across cultures? What did we make of her take on love vs. friendship? And did anyone else finish this book wanting to immediately call their best friend? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to know which part of this book hit closest to home for you! 👇

This week, we're diving into one of the most delightfully chaotic books we've ever read — Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto. 💐Meddy Chan is trying to navigate the impossible balancing act of family expectations, a blind date gone spectacularly wrong, and the wedding business she runs with her mum and aunties. Then one accidental death turns her already complicated life into complete and utter chaos. What follows is a hilarious, high-stakes adventure involving a body, a luxury wedding, and four fiercely protective aunties who will stop at nothing to keep their family together.This book had us laughing from start to finish. We talked about the wonderfully dysfunctional Chan family, the aunties stealing every single scene they were in, and how Jesse Q. Sutanto manages to blend mystery, romance, and comedy into one wildly entertaining story.We also got into the pressures of growing up in a close-knit family, the expectations placed on first-generation children, and how love can sometimes look a little... unconventional. Beneath all the outrageous situations is a heartfelt story about loyalty, belonging, and the messy ways families show up for one another.Whether you're here for the mystery, the romance, the family drama, or simply want a book that will make you laugh out loud, Dial A for Aunties is a wildly fun ride that never takes its foot off the gas.We want to know: were you Team Aunties through all the chaos, or did they take things just a little too far? And which auntie was your favourite? Tell us in the comments! 👇

This week, we're leaving Earth behind and putting our trust in one very unlikely hero — a middle school science teacher who wakes up alone in space with no memory of who he is or why he's there. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is the kind of book that reminds you why science fiction can be so special. Ryland Grace slowly pieces together the impossible truth: the sun is dying, humanity is running out of time, and he may be the only person capable of saving the world.This book gave us everything. The science is fascinating without ever feeling overwhelming, the stakes are enormous, and somehow, in the middle of a story about the survival of an entire species, Andy Weir delivers one of the most heartwarming friendships we've ever read.We talked about Grace's journey from reluctant hero to humanity's last hope, the problem-solving that kept us turning pages, and the balance between humor, suspense, and emotion that makes this book so difficult to put down. We also got into the themes of sacrifice, courage, loneliness, and what it really means to choose others over yourself.And of course, we had to talk about Rocky. 👽💛Few characters have captured readers' hearts the way Rocky has, and we spent plenty of time discussing why this unlikely friendship has become one of the most beloved relationships in modern science fiction.Whether you're a longtime sci-fi fan or someone who usually avoids the genre, Project Hail Mary has a way of pulling you in and refusing to let go. It's clever, funny, surprisingly emotional, and ultimately a story about hope when everything seems impossible.We want to know: did Project Hail Mary live up to the hype for you? And where does Rocky rank among your all-time favorite book characters? Let us know in the comments! 👇

We're staying in Chimamanda's world and this time, we're going back to where it all began. 🌺Purple Hibiscus is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut novel, and it is anything but a debut. Set in post-colonial Nigeria, it follows fifteen-year-old Kambili — quiet, obedient, suffocated growing up in a home ruled by a father who is beloved by everyone outside its walls and terrifying within them. A man who is deeply religious, generous to his community, and brutal to his family.This book wrecked us in the best way. We talked about Eugene — one of the most complex, difficult characters in African literature — and how Adichie makes you hold two completely opposing feelings about him at once. We talked about Kambili's silence, Aunty Ifeoma's fire, and what it means to finally find your voice when you've been taught your whole life that speaking is dangerous.Faith, freedom, trauma, family, and the slow, painful bloom of a girl coming into herself. Purple Hibiscus asks big questions quietly and that's exactly what makes it so powerful.If you thought Americanah and Dream Count were good, wait until we get into this one. We want to know where does Purple Hibiscus rank for you in Chimamanda's body of work? Tell us in the comments! 👇

This week, we're revisiting the one that started so many of our reading journeys — Americanah. 🖤Ifemelu and Obinze. Two young Nigerians, deeply in love, until life and an ocean pulls them apart. Ifemelu moves to America and discovers something she never had to think about back home: race. Obinze heads to London, undocumented and invisible. Years pass. Lives change. But some things don't.This book is so much more than a love story. We talked about Adichie's razor-sharp take on race in America, what it means to be African vs. Black in the Western world, the loneliness of the immigrant experience, hair, and that ending that still has people divided to this day.Whether you read it years ago or you're picking it up for the first time, Americanah is one of those books that leaves a mark. We're breaking down why it still hits differently and why Chimamanda remains in a league of her own.Drop your thoughts in the comments, especially that ending. We need to know where you stand! 👇

Four women. Four lives. One pandemic that forces them all to stop, look inward, and reckon with the choices they've made in love, work, and everything in between. Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer stranded in America, replaying her past loves in her head. Zikora is a sharp, brilliant lawyer who has mastered everything — until one man undoes her. Omelogor is bold, financially powerful, and starting to question whether she truly knows herself. And Kadiatou, a Guinean housekeeper raising her daughter in America, faces a hardship that could cost her everything she's built.This book is deep. We're talking about love, grief, womanhood, identity, the immigrant experience, what it means to want more and whether we ever really know the lives we could have lived.Did Adichie deliver? Which of the four women hit closest to home for us? We're getting into all of it: the beautiful moments, the parts that had us in our feelings, and yes, the conversations this book stirred up long after we closed it.Come through and join the discussion! 👇

This week we're in Lagos, and honestly… the title says it all. 😅Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku is a collection of 12 short stories — part love letter, part case study — following women navigating the wild, dramatic, and sometimes heartbreaking world of dating in Africa's most chaotic city. Serial cheaters, mummy's boys, men living double lives, and everything in between. Lagos really said no dull moments.We had A LOT to say. Which stories had us cackling? Which ones had us clutching our chests? Did we think all the men deserved their fate? (Mostly yes. 😂) And is the title actually accurate or do the women have their own madness too?We're also talking about the explicit content warning (yes, this book comes with some heat 🌶️), whether the short story format worked for us, and that first line of the book that immediately let us know we were in for a ride.If you've ever survived Lagos dating or just love sharp, witty African fiction — pull up a chair. This one's for you.Drop your thoughts in the comments especially if you've read it. We want to know which story hit hardest! 👇

This week, we're diving into Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn and oh, did we have THOUGHTS. 😄

Meet Yinka: 31, career-driven, British-Nigerian, and perpetually single — at least according to her mum and every auntie within a five-mile radius. When her cousin gets engaged, Yinka launches "Operation Find A Date for Rachel's Wedding," and things get messy, hilarious, and surprisingly moving very quickly.

We talked about the family pressure, the cultural dynamics, the cringeworthy moments we all low-key related to, and whether Yinka's real journey was ever really about finding a man at all. Spoiler: it wasn't. 💛

This one had us laughing, cringing, and rooting hard for a character who's just trying to figure herself out while everyone around her has decided they know better. If you've ever had someone publicly pray for your love life, this book is for you.

As always, we'd love to hear what YOU thought — drop your opinions in the comments below!

In this video, we review Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter — a dark and disturbing psychological thriller that pulls no punches. Centered around sisters Claire and Lydia, the story unravels years after the disappearance of their older sister. When another tragedy hits close to home, the two estranged siblings are forced to reconnect and uncover a horrifying truth hidden beneath layers of lies and trauma. We’ll walk you through the plot basics, discuss key themes like grief, justice, and survival, and explore Slaughter’s gripping writing style that keeps you turning pages — or covering your eyes.If you're into intense thrillers with strong emotional depth and shocking twists, this book might be for you — but it’s definitely not a light read. We’ll also share who We think will appreciate this novel the most, and who might want to skip it. Let us know in the comments if you’ve read Pretty Girls or if it’s on your TBR! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more book reviews, thriller recommendations, and all things bookish.

Buckle up for a ride like no other. In this review, we dive deep into the Mindfuck Series by S.T. Abby — a gripping, morally gray, and brutally emotional thriller that blends romance, revenge, and psychological suspense. Is it worth the hype? Let’s break it down.

Homegoing follows the descendants of two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana—one sold into slavery, the other married to a British colonizer.

Spanning continents and centuries, Yaa Gyasi’s powerful novel explores the lasting legacy of slavery, identity, and generational trauma.🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more book insights!

If you thought the first book was powerful, Book 2 dives even deeper into the hidden lives of Nairobi men—raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable.

Joan Thatiah once again delivers a compelling collection of real-life stories that explore masculinity, vulnerability, pain, and healing from the male perspective.In this video, we share our thoughts on the themes, the most striking stories, and why this book stayed with us long after we turned the last page.

In this episode, we review Confessions of Nairobi Men by Joan Thatiah—a bold, emotional, and eye-opening collection of real-life stories told by men living in Nairobi. In a world where men are rarely encouraged to express vulnerability, this book offers a rare glimpse into the hidden emotional lives of Kenyan men.From heartbreak and betrayal to trauma and healing, these deeply personal confessions reveal the pain, struggles, and resilience that many carry silently. Joan Thatiah creates a space for these voices—raw, unfiltered, and surprisingly tender—to be heard without judgment.This book isn't just about men. It's about humanity, emotional honesty, and breaking generational silence. If you're interested in gender dynamics, African literature, or stories that challenge societal norms, this book—and this review—are for you.📘 Watch for our honest thoughts, favorite stories from the book, and why this read left a lasting impression.

In this week's book review, we're diving into Sinners by Sarah Haluwa—a steamy, chaotic, and unapologetically messy rollercoaster of lust, lies, and late-night decisions ;). If you love your romance served with a side of sin and a whole lot of drama, you might just be in for a treat. Let’s break down the characters, the plot twists, the steamy scenes (yes, we’re going there), and whether it lives up to it's title.📚 Spoiler-light, sass-heavy, and totally honest.

In this video, we review Confessions of Nairobi Women Book 2 by Joan Thatiah — a gripping collection of real-life stories from women living in Nairobi. We discuss the powerful themes, impactful confessions, and how this sequel compares to the first book.Join us as we explore the bold, emotional, and sometimes heartbreaking truths shared in these pages. If you're into African literature or real-life stories, this one’s for you!💬 Highlights:Strong themes & emotional storytelling

Real confessions that stayed with us

Our overall take on the book

Real talk, real stories! 📖 In this episode, we dive into the raw, unfiltered confessions of Nairobi women, captured in real-time. Join us as we unpack their truths, struggles, and triumphs—straight from the heart of Nairobi. 🌆✨

In part two of our series, we pick up where we left off in Jackson Biko's Drunk, delving further into the evolving narrative, dynamic characters, and the thought-provoking themes that define the story.

Join us for another round of detailed analysis and discussion as we continue to unpack the book, chapter by chapter.

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more engaging reviews and insights!

In this first episode, we dive deep into Jackson Biko's Drunk and unravel its gripping narrative, unique characters, and the powerful themes explored in the story. If you’ve ever battled your own demons or loved someone who has, this one’s for you.

Hit play and let’s unpack this beautifully messy narrative together.

Stay tuned for insightful analysis and discussion as we break down the book, chapter by chapter! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more reviews.

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