I want to start by stating that this post is not a comparison of both books. It’s unfair to compare them, even though they both focus on love. Instead, this post is intended to share my thoughts on each book. It has been a long time since I last shared a post about books—far too long. I continue to read regularly, aiming to complete one or two books each month, but I haven’t written about them.

I love African literature and have a special affinity for books written by African authors.

HONEY & SPICE

My friend, Jummy, and I decided to read Honey and Spice together in October. The book was on a list of recommended books for the year, and as we don’t live in the same country, we thought it would be a fun activity for us. I was first intrigued by the title and the vibrant book cover and was eager to read it.

What I Loved

I loved the main character, Kiki Banjo, and her persona, which kept me engaged throughout the story. I particularly enjoyed the moment she met Malakai, and her tough-girl demeanour began to soften. Kiki was messy yet composed, brilliant but still somewhat clueless—a perfect, believable blend of traits. I also appreciated the portrayal of the friendship between her and her best friend, Amina. I could vividly visualize the scenes, immersing myself in the story alongside the author. The subtle cues addressing issues like racism, startups, and the mindset of African, particularly Nigerian, parents were incredibly impactful.

What I Didn’t Love

On the other hand, Honey&Spice starts slow, almost making you want to drop it. I believe the book is unnecessarily long; a lot of things were somewhat dragged because the story didn’t need to be over 400 pages long. 

LOVE IN COLOUR

When I bought “Honey & Spice,” it felt natural to get “Love in Colour.” I shared a photo of both books on my Instagram story and asked my followers which one I should read first. Everyone who responded, except for one person, chose “Love in Colour.” I understood their preference once I finally started reading it.

What I Loved

“Love in Colour” is a collection of short love stories that I thoroughly enjoyed. I appreciated the book’s versatility; it felt unrestricted, and the author’s writing style was refreshingly different this time. If I hadn’t known it was written by the same person who wrote “Honey & Spice,” I might have assumed it was by a different author. The stories are captivating, and just when you’re longing to find out what happens next, they end. I loved the first story, the second, and the third, and by the time I finished the collection, it was hard to pick just one favorite. Many of the stories could easily be transformed into movies. A few that stood out to me, in no particular order, are “Alagomeji,” “Scheherazade,” “Naleli,” “Yaa,” and “Siya.”

What I Didn’t Love

Honestly, there wasn’t much to dislike except that some stories were too short. I wish the book was bigger and the stories were much longer.

Have you read any of these books? Did you enjoy them? 

Mariam Shittu