We might be a Nigerian tapas restaurant, but we want you to feast on Nigerian stories as well as Nigerian food. At Chuku’s, we invite you to celebrate Nigerian culture as a whole - going beyond what’s on your plate.
That’s why there’s a library of Nigerian reads in‑restaurant, for you to explore and discover a new book.
We don’t have a book club (yet), but if we did, we’d know that every good book club listens.
For Vol. 2 of our curated reading list, we’re sharing titles shaped by your recommendations — Nigerian books passed our way that deserve a spot on your to-read pile. Different voices, different stories. All worth spending time with.
The Reads 📚
The Mechanics of Yenagoa – Michael Afenfia
An exploration of the dynamics between working-class people as they undertake a colourful tour of Yenagoa, one of Nigeria’s lesser-known cities, while using humour, sex, and music, as coping mechanisms for the everyday struggle
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives – Lola Shoneyin
A vibrant story of love, secrets and a family like every other - happy and unhappy, truthful and not, sometimes kind, sometimes competitive, always bound by blood, and the past.
Tomorrow I Become a Woman - Aiwanose Odafen
A tribute to female friendship and a love story that spans two decades and continents against a backdrop of political turmoil and a fast-changing world.
The Tiny Things Are Heavier - Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo
A heart-rending debut novel about a Nigerian immigrant as she tries to find her place at home and in America - a powerful epic about love, grief, family, and belonging.
‘Til Death – Busayo Matuluko
Dive into a captivating Nigerian family drama as true-crime enthusiast Lara investigates anonymous threats targeting her cousin's wedding.
The Girl with the Louding Voice – Abi Daré
A coming of age novel about an extraordinary 14-year-old Nigerian girl's journey, who refuses to be silenced and fights for her education to gain a "louding voice" and a better future.
Where We End & Begin – Jane Igharo
Star-crossed lovers get a second chance at romance when they're reunited at a wedding in Nigeria.
A Spell of Good Things – Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
A dazzling story of modern Nigeria and two families caught in the riptides of wealth, power, romantic obsession, and political corruption.
Nigerian Men Will Stain Your White - Alexandria Humphrey
A novella about a Ghanaian woman married in Lagos, whose life is tested by a disapproving mother-in-law and the challenges of her friends’ love lives. But beneath the laughter and advice lies a secret that could unravel everything.
A Kind of Madness – Uche Okonkwo
A collection of ten short stories, unravelling the tensions between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends, siblings, and more.
Broken: Not a Halal Love Story – Fatima Bala
In this heartwrenching novel, a connection sends two lovers with different ideologies on a search for redemption in places far from home.
The Attic Child – Lola Jaye
Two children - a century apart - are trapped in the same attic, in this unique dual-narrative novel about family secrets, identity and belonging, seen through the lens of Black British History.
Want even more recommendations? Check out If Chuku’s Had a Book Club Vol. 1 for our first curated list of Nigerian reads.
Join the Weekend Brunch made for Book-Lovers
If you loved this read, you’ll want to be at our Afrobeats & Lit Brunch - where books, beats and bold Nigerian flavours meet.
Tuck into our signature Nigerian tapas, discover new books at our curated swap, and move to the beats of a live Afrobeats DJ. Don’t miss the next one - leave your details here and we’ll let you know when it’s happening.
