Must-read African Fiction From Summer 2026

As summer draws to a close, a diverse collection of African fiction has captured readers’ attention across genres and settings. Fatima Bala’s The Lies We Tell examines love, marriage, silence, and survival among Hausa women in Northern Nigeria, moving between Zaria and Abuja. The Shipikisha Club follows Sali, a Zambian woman standing trial for killing her husband after years of hardship and silence. Oyinkan Braithwaite’s Cursed Daughters tackles family curses and female rivalry with humor, while Tomilola Coco Adeyemo’s Efun’s Jazz, released this August, follows a woman rediscovering herself in Osogbo. Other notable titles explore secrets, motherhood, supernatural forces, and complicated relationships. One Leg on Earth follows a pregnant young woman confronting mysterious drownings in Lagos, while A Siege of Owls follows a young boy through a fantastical journey across Nigeria. Rounding out the list are Aicha, The Heirs, Grace, and To Catch a Sinner, reflecting the breadth of contemporary African storytelling.