Welcome to Litsy!

Two Ghanaian cousins have shared years together growing up but experienced them completely different. Akorfa is the rich and smart one who leaves Ghana for an education in the US. Her story felt too long and lightweight to me.
Selasi stays in Ghana and owns a restaurant. Her story is different. Lots of tough topics come by but her story felt hurried and lacked depth.

So no favorite of mine for the #WomenPrize.

This is a story of two women in Ghana and their different trajectories due their different familial situations. Akorfa and Selasie are cousins and the best of friends as children, but events eventually separate them. As with Medie‘s debut, the novel gives the reader insight into Ghanaian family life and the conflicting pressures and expectations placed upon women within that society.

#WeeklyForecast 16/24

I am reading Mrs S and have another two #womenprize books waiting for me. Also I‘d like to start Christ on an Bike which is a 💯 #blameitonlitsy choice.

#WomensPrize

Cousins Akorfa and Selasi are the best of friends but the relationship is strained and then broken as they grow up. This is a low pick for me. I appreciated the picture of life in Ghana but something in how it was told didn‘t sit well with me. I rooted for Selasi who found and used her voice putting her livelihood in jeopardy. The others were not my favorite.

Read in February 2024
What a family drama about these two friends. You will know about Akorfa perspective of what happened between she and Selasi. But then you will listen Selasi perspective and things will be seen in a different perspective about what happened between these two friends and the rol of Akorfa family. It was interesting to know the dynamics of these families, their culture, traditions, beliefs. It has some sad parts. 4⭐️

I snuck one more book in before April. I found this tale set in Ghana and the US of a friendship an easy, uncomplicated read. It was straightforward and engaging. I wonder if I will remember it over time. It would not make my personal short list for #thewomensprize. 3 🌟 (beautiful cover!)

Coming of age story of two Ghanaian girls, one academic high flyer who leaves for the US, and the cousin she leaves behind.

Until half way through, I felt like I'd been here before. And then the second narrator stepped in. I knew I was hooked as I wasn't having to watch the % at the bottom of the page...

#WomensPrize2024 #Longlist #Ghana

There are (at least) two sides to every story.
The first narrative in this book was entertaining but felt a bit lightweight. The second narrative elevated the story to a critique of sexism and women's standing in the family and in society in Ghana. This book reads super fast, but be aware that Bad Things happen. However, every female character in this book is a powerhouse (for good and for bad).

#WomensPrize2024 #WomensPrize #longlist

Some days we went to Osu and joined the crowds to ... window-shop. When we tired, we stopped for food, always paid for by Akorfa, at one of the fast-food restaurants, and sometimes her friends joined us. And how those friends of hers looked at themselves! As if only their eyes had opened in this world and the rest of us could not see where we were going. Showing off with their ready-made dresses, sri sri sri English, mobile phones, and long hair.

This family drama spans decades and continents. Akorfa and Selasi are cousins who grew up like twins- though family history, wealth and tragedies tore them apart. The first two sections reveal each girl‘s perspective, with the final section taking a third person view for both of them. Set mainly in Ghana, and partially in the US, this is a riveting read that has my own family drama not erupted, I would have tore through much faster! Well-written!

This is good ✍🏼

Pub day June 13