redbush

The Woman who lived in a Tree by Don Pinnock (A book of short stories)
There really is a woman who lived in a tree - for 16 years in fact. A leopard occasionally shared her arboreal home; lions stalked underneath.
There's also a man who flew clean round the world in a microlight powered by a lawnmower engine. And a woman who single-handedly hauled a sled to the South Pole. A climber who turned back 150 metres from the top of Everest and an elephant whisperer who saved the Baghdad Zoo. These people are about as diverse as you can imagine, but they have one thing in common: they are Africans.
Their stories are extraordinary. They make you look back at your life and think of all the things you could have done with yours.
Previous book by Don Pinnock
African Journeys
Natural Selections
Loveletters to Africa
Blue Ice
Rainmaker

JaneB

After renting "Born Free" I read:

Joy Adamson: Behind the Mask by Caroline Cass


After renting "Out of Africa" I read:

Silence Will Speak-Life of Denys Finch Hatton by Errol Trbezinski

Lives of Beryl Markham-Denys Hatton's Last Love by Errol
Trbezinski

Lynneb

Blood River - Tim Butcher
Various by Redmond O'Hanlon
The Lion Children
Healing Land - Rupert Isaacson
Lost world of the Kalahari - Laurens Van Der Post
Various by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

and for North Africa and the Middle East
Naguib Mahfouz, Amin Maalouf and Ahdaf Soueif

VeeR

If you're in need of a good laugh Nick Green's "Boathouse to Botswana" is a fast read - though not strictly set in Africa, starting in the UK, with a little time spent in Mexico, then on to Namibia.

sallysaab

Tammie Matson's new book “Elephant Dance“, is out now.

sallysaab

2 I've just bought, A Game Ranger Remembers by Bruce Bryden & Whatever you do, Dont Run, by D Hood, J Hendry, C Roche & M Emmett

travellingted

Enjoying this exchange of information - some interesting titles I hadn't seen before!
But have to disagree with VeeR's recommendation of Nick Green's "Boathouse to Botswana" - I personally thought it was the worst travel book I've ever read, badly written and full of UK-centric Z-lister references about his life as a waiter. His Africa stories are unfunny tittle-tattle about guests, and the Botswana part of the book is a full (or not) 5 and half pages. I would say don't bother with this one!

tockoloshe

I've just been given 'Mma Ramotswe's cookbook - nourishment for the traditionally built' by Stuart Brown, a celebration of the food & culture of Botswana. I was pleasantly surprised by the care which has gone into the illustrations, quotations and captions, it's nice reminder of Botswana for those who have visited and those who like the Ladies Detective Agency novels.

Khakif

The Trouble with Africa-Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working by Robert Calderisi (an official previously with the World Bank). I'm finding the book intriguing and provocative. It has me thinking.

flatdogs

One of my favorite books about Africa, The Shadow of the Sun is a non-fiction book by the Polish writer Ryszard Kapuściński.

To Femi, Another upbeat recommendation, Safari Jema by Teresa O'Kane. available on amazon.com

Jane62

I read Safari Jema too and really enjoyed it. Also some of the others you all have recommended like the Peter Allison books, I think he's hilarious, #1 Ladies series of course, and Don't Lets Go to the Dogs. Thanks for all the other ideas, everyone. I'm getting ready to make my first trip to Botswana (second trip to Africa) so I'll need some good reading for the planes.

Muhindo

Lovers of culture, try The People of the Rwenzori published by Rudiger Koppe Verlang, Koln. It presents the rich cultural life of the inhabitants of mount Rwenzori in western Uganda and eastern DR Congo.Topics on "rain making", religion and the world of spirits, marriage.... are worth reading especially to those visiting this region. Copies of the book are available at Mbara Safari Resort near Kasese Town.