In the United States of Africa by Abdourahman A. Waberi

In thinking back over the books that I have read, I realized that I have a predictable tendency to gravitate towards American and English authors. Due to this revelation, I decided that I needed to broaden my literary choices. I have no idea how I discovered Waberi's book since Djiboutian authors are not normally on my radar, but I decided that reading fiction written from an African perspective could only be a positive thing.

This work is essentially a thought experiment. What would happen if Africa had been the colonizer instead of the colonized? It is the most complex 80 page book I have ever read.

What is the What by Dave Eggers

Valentino Achak Deng has led a tortuous life. He has seen his friends murdered, children eaten by lions, and walked hundreds of miles from one refugee camp to another. Valentino has changed his location, his opinions on faith, and his name. Eggers does a fantastic job in this epic novel based on Deng's autobiographical account of his life and allows the reader to catch a glimpse into the life of a Lost Boy. It leaves you wondering what exactly is the what.