Greetings! I'm an American woman preparing to move to Lagos for three years with my job. Until now, my international work has mainly been in Latin America and Eastern Europe, and my employer is "trusting me to train myself" about Nigerian history, culture, and politics. I'm doing my best to immerse myself in Nigerian fiction and am enjoying it very much so far.

I would be so grateful if you would take the time to make some recommendations. What do you think the best non-fiction books about Nigeria and Africa are? What is the one modern book of fiction that you would recommend to me? (I love Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, but I know that there are so many more good authors out there.) And, do you have any words of advice?

I'm very excited about moving to Lagos! I can hardly wait.

Many many thanks to you all,
Yaara

Cool. Lagos has its share of troubles though, but I bet you'd enjoy it if you chose the right location.

Books you can read are numerous. If you care for stories, you can read Cyprian Ekwensi, a prolific Nigerian author. His books are easy to read and inform quite significantly about Nigerian culture. Sefi Atta is also good. if you enjoyed Adichie, you might find Atta quite interesting too.
if you care to understand the politics of the country, its military history and all that is wrong about that, then Wole Soyinka is a good read. Pick "Ake" or "the man died". His play "The Lion and the Jewel" is a masterpiece. It informs about local customs. Provides humour too.
Teju Cole is a new writer in Nigerian space, but his books are also quite interesting.

Ben Okri moulds magical realism out of local customs. His award winning masterpiece "The Famished Road" is definitely worth reading. Helon Habila is from the new breed. I don't particularly like his books (I don't like Adichie's either), but they (both) are interesting anywyz.
If you are a fan of plays, Ahmed Yerima is good to consult. Prolific writer, award winner. . . .

There are also lots and lots of books, criticisms and poetry in the Nigerian space. Rather unknown writers can even give you the reading pleasure you desire. When you get to Lagos, enquire about Jazzhole http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jazzhole/172837166078863. You'll find several interesting books there. Silverbird Galleria and Palms Lekki are also a places good books are sold. But these are for the elite.

If you can dare it, go to CMS, Yaba or Ikeja. There you'd find several old and new bookshops where fantastic (though sometimes pirated, and oftentimes old) books are sold. I doubt if you'd find anyone of these drab or dull!

Best of luck living in Lagos!

If you need more help looking for books and need to enquire about something, Nairaland is good to use. You can also drop your questions here!

Wow! Sauer, thanks so much! Those should keep me busy for a while.

I will probably be back with more and more and more questions. I'm due to arrive in Lagos the first week of July. Everyone tells me that the food there is wonderful, especially for people like me who adore spicy food, and that the people are welcoming and funny, and that I'm going to have the best time of my life. I know there are difficulties, but I'm counting the days.

Thanks again,
Yaara

You more than welcome and you can always post your questions here!

@Sauer, thanks so much for your post, I've been looking for such info for quite some time now, should have posted here

Anyway, just writing to say thanks and keep track of this post.

@OP,where are you coming from?
Just to add to the other inputs,before arrival,get in touch with your community(your countrymen) living here in Lagos,read their notes.

Lagos is a lovely city and also a no-mans-land.To survive,one has to be street smart,wise and fast.You would do well too if you learn to,as much as possible,mind your business.If you are a night crawler,make sure you have an id on you always and have in your circle,atleast 1 trusted friend.

Welcome. . .in advance

@OP,where are you coming from?
Just to add to the other inputs,before arrival,get in touch with your community(your countrymen) living here in Lagos,read their notes.

Lagos is a lovely city and also a no-mans-land.To survive,one has to be street smart,wise and fast.You would do well too if you learn to,as much as possible,mind your business.If you are a night crawler,make sure you have an id on you always and have in your circle,atleast 1 trusted friend.

Welcome. . .in advance

Hi! Right now I'm working in Latin America. Sorry to be vague, but my employer is rather strict about us posting personal info online.

I'm not a night crawler at all, I'm very boring!

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Yaara

This is also quite a site to check http://www.oyibosonline.com
Might be a little biased, but still good education.

And I believe you can also always get reliable information from your country's embassy. . .

Miss_Ife:

@Sauer, thanks so much for your post, I've been looking for such info for quite some time now, should have posted here

Anyway, just writing to say thanks and keep track of this post.

You welcome!
You can check http://www.kachifo.com for more details on established and up-and-coming Nigerian authors published by kachifo, who I believe are Adichie's publishers in Nigeria.

Lagos is not as sweet as some people here have painted it oo. It's very rough and dirty. You have to be at alert 24/7 or else you'll be an alert. Only the strong can survive in this city

Except you didn't bother reading between the lines, you'd know she is aware of all this already!

I'm not expecting everything to be sweet. I kind of like it when things are interesting. I'll be careful.

Yaara

Hello,

What should you know before moving to Lagos ? OK.....this is something difficult to tell here...

Can you visit the following post to know more on Nigeria....

http://ajaykmishra./2010/07/11/10-things-you-should-know-before-visiting-nigeria/

The girls!

afam4eva: Lagos is not as sweet as some people here have painted it oo. It's very rough and dirty. You have to be at alert 24/7 or else you'll be an alert. Only the strong can survive in this city

omo abule