'Americanah' Selected as 2016 Arlington Reads Together Title

The Arlington Reads Together committee has selected “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as their 2016 community read.

“Americanah”, published in 2013, is the story of a young Nigerian woman who moves to America as a college student. She struggles to find her place, and eventually becomes a well known blogger exploring issues of race. Her high school sweetheart is an undocumented immigrant in London, struggling with his place in the world. “Americanah” is an examination of what race means, as well as the moving story of a woman finding her place and voice in society. It also explores themes of race, identity, and immigration. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the critically acclaimed author of “Purple Hibiscus”, and “Half of a Yellow Sun”, which won the Orange Prize and was a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist. “Americanah” won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and was named one of The New York Times Ten Best Books of the Year.

Arlington Reads Together started in 2002 as a way to bringing together the community through literature. The goal is to address issues, understand differences and create connections through the shared experience of one book. Programming around this book will take place in March 2016, and will include book discussions, thematic panels, films, and more.

“We are very excited about “Americanah”. Many of the books we read explored the issue of race, and this title stood out as a modern book. It is timely to explore issues of race and identity through literature, given the national and local headlines,” says Maura Deedy, Library Assistant Director and Arlington Reads Together coordinator.

The New York Times said, “’Americanah’ examines blackness in America, Nigeria and Britain, but it’s also a steady-handed dissection of the universal human experience — a platitude made fresh by the accuracy of Adichie’s observations”.

Arlington Reads Together is in its 13th year. The book is chosen by a committee consisting of librarians and community volunteers.

Questions can be directed to Maura Deedy at mdeedy@minlib.net or 781-316-3202.