Say You're One Of Them

Written By: Mimi Tsiane: Nigerian author Uwem Akpan book debut collection of short stories, Say You're One Of Them, has been selected by U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey for her book club. Akpan's short stories resonated with Oprah who stated that the selection left her "stunned and profoundly moved." The collection published in 2008 captures the childhood of African children growing in a setting that is marred by devastation.

Oprah's book club has almost two million online members and books chosen for Oprah's book club propel authors to the top of the U.S. bestseller lists. Akpan joins a legion renowned African authors; Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ama Ata Aidoo and Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Akpan received his master's degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006 and he has been ordained as a Jesuit priest since 2003.

MIMI Related Links: MIMI Book Review: Say You're One Of Them—Uwem Akpan