The banker who writes, Kinyanjui Kombani, shares five of his favourite books to read

gloria mari

February 26, 2018 11:43 AM

Kinyanjui Kombani recommends the best books to read

After talking with one of Kenya’s most successful authors, Business Insider sub-Saharan Africa had to find out what lies in his bookshelf.

Kinyanjui Kombani already confessed that his work was heavily influenced by Meja Mwangi, author of Little White Man and Sam Kahiga’s Paradise Firm.

The Den of Iniquities author has an extensive library and he offered to recommend some books to anyone who was curious what an author loves to read.

Little White Man- Meja Mwangi

This book- also known as Mzungu Boy- was published in 1995. It covers the height of colonization in Kenya in the 1960s. It follows the misadventures of a young Kenyan boy, Kariuki and his Mzungu (white) friend, Nigel.

Cockroach Dance- Meja Mwangi

First published in 1979, it follows Dusman Gonzaga’s rebellion against society as he lives in a building overrun by cockroaches and bizarre neighbours.

Kombani recommends it because, “Captures complex life very simply and humourously.”

The Concubine- Elechi Amadi

“It is very hard to write a story that has no Western influences. The writer achieved this well,” Kombani states.

The Concubine is about Ihuoma, a beautiful young widow who has the admiration of her entire community and a hunter known as Ekwueme.

Published in 1966, the book is set in Nigeria and is a must read for people who enjoy West African literature.

Half a Yellow Sun- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The story follows the lives of three characters swept up in the turmoil of the Biafran War. Houseboy for a professor, 13 year old Ugwu; Olanna the professor’s mistress; Richard, an Englishman in love with Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister.

The Doomsday Conspiracy- Sidney Sheldon

“The writer tells many stories in one, with the ability to combine the stories in a great climax,” Kombani explains.

The Doomsday Conspiracy follows the adventures of US Naval Intelligence Commander Robert Bellamy and his quest to swear witnesses of a weather balloon crash to silence.

gloria mari