Yesterday, Manasseh Azure Awuni made a post about this nice initiative MTN Ghana is introducing: A book club to encourage the culture of reading among the MTN employees.
This is a good thing.
My workplace for instance, the last Thursday of every month, 1pm – 5:30pm is time for “Learning and Development.”. No work. It is a time you must use to Learn or Read to develop develop yourself further.
Under Manasseh’s post, people have made 49 unique recommendations.
I have compiled all the recommended books under that post to make it easy for whoever is interested in reading them. I added my Campus Wahala book to make the list 50 (49 no be nice number).
Find the list below (in no particular order):
1: Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Chronicles the life and work of Dr. Paul Farmer, who dedicated himself to providing healthcare to impoverished communities. It inspires readers to believe in the possibility of creating positive change in the world.
2: Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
Explores different personality types and how to effectively communicate with each. Enhances understanding and communication skills in both personal and professional settings.
3: Rich Dad Poor Dad
Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book written by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It advocates the importance of financial literacy, financial independence and building wealth through investing in assets, real estate investing, starting and owning businesses, as well as increasing one’s financial intelligence
4: The Capitalist Manifesto by Robert Kiyosaki
The Capitalist Manifesto – A Call to Action Against Marxist Ideology Robert Kiyosaki’s Capitalist Manifesto is a powerful and eye-opening book that reveals the dangers of Marxist ideology and its spread through the education system
5: Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Discusses the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and their impact on success. Encourages a growth mindset, promoting resilience and personal development.
6: The Power of Positive Thinking
Advocates the benefits of maintaining a positive outlook on life. Improves mental well-being and fosters a more optimistic approach to challenges.
7: Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
Uses a simple story to teach lessons about adapting to change. Helps readers embrace change and develop a proactive attitude.
8: Making Futures: Young Entrepreneurs in a Dynamic Africa by Dr. Sangu Delle
Highlights stories of young African entrepreneurs. Inspires entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging markets.
9: The Richest Man in Babylon
Shares financial wisdom through parables set in ancient Babylon. Imparts timeless principles of wealth management and financial success.
10: The Captains and the Kings
A 1972 historical novel by Taylor Caldwell chronicling the rise to wealth and power of an Irish immigrant
11: The Communist Manifesto
A political pamphlet by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels advocating for communism. Offers a foundational understanding of communist theory and its historical impact.
12: The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli: A treatise on political theory and leadership. Provides insights into power dynamics and statecraft.
13: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Follows the life of an orphan named Pip and his growth and personal development. Explores themes of social class, ambition, and personal growth.
14: A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
The autobiography of Nelson Mandela, chronicling his journey from childhood to becoming South Africa’s first black president. Inspires resilience, perseverance, and the fight for justice.
15: The Gods Are Not to Blame by Ola Rotimi
A Nigerian adaptation of the Greek tragedy “Oedipus Rex.” Explores themes of fate, destiny, and cultural identity.
16: The Power of Your Mind by Pst. Chris Oyakhilome
Discusses the importance of the mind in achieving personal success. Encourages positive thinking and mental empowerment.
17: The Usurper’s Dream & A Thousand Suns by Kobina Yeayi
Likely explores themes of power, dreams, and African storytelling. Engages readers with rich narratives and cultural insights.
18: Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux
Chronicles the author’s journey across Africa. Provides an insightful travelogue and commentary on African life.
19: Beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia by Mensa Otabil
This revealing book gives scholastic yet simple answers to questions you have always had about the Black presence in the Bible. The roles and exploits of Blacks in the Bible that have been either omitted or treated lightly by European and Euro-American scholars are now revealed.
20: The Man in the Mirror by Patrick M. Morley
The Man in the Mirror has established itself as a cornerstone in men’s literature since its 1989 release. Winner of the prestigious Gold Medallion Award and appearing on the best-seller list eighteen times, it has helped thousands of men understand the person who stares back at them from the glass each morning and know what to do about his twenty-four most difficult problems. Written by a foremost Christian men’s leader, this powerful book invites men to take a probing look at their identities, relationships, finances, time, temperament, and most important, the means to bring about lasting change. If life’s demands are constantly pressuring you to run faster and jump higher, this book is for you. Rich in anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, biblical insights, and featuring focus questions in each chapter suitable for personal or group use, The Man in the Mirror offers a penetrating, pragmatic, and life-changing look at how to trade the rat race for the rewards of godly manhood.
21: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Classic guide to improving social skills and building relationships. Enhances interpersonal skills and influence.
22: Maximizing Your Potential by Myles Munroe
Discusses how to harness personal abilities for success. Encourages personal development and achieving one’s full potential.
23: Third World to First World by Lee Kuan Yew
Chronicles Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership. Offers lessons in leadership and national development.
24: Wilbur Smith (Various works)
Smith’s novels often explore historical and adventure themes. Provides engaging stories set in rich historical contexts.
25: James Clavell (Various works)
Clavell’s novels, such as “Shogun,” often explore historical and cultural themes. Offers immersive storytelling and cultural exploration.
26: Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John
Follows the life of a young boy in northern Nigeria. Provides insights into Nigerian society and the impact of conflict.
27: See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar
A motivational book encouraging personal and professional success. Offers practical advice for achieving goals and maintaining a positive attitude.
28: The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
A classic spy thriller about an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances. Provides suspenseful entertainment and insights into early 20th-century espionage.
29: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Compares the financial philosophies of the author’s two “dads” and offers financial advice. Teaches financial literacy and encourages smart money management.
30: Journey of an African Father by Mr. Lawrence Darmani
Chamba Jato was a witty old man full of practical wisdom and a lively attitude to work and life. This biographical book is full of such valuable lessons from the old man’s journeys of experiences.
31: Know Your Limits, Then Ignore Them by John Mason
Encourages readers to push beyond perceived limitations. Motivates personal growth and overcoming obstacles.
Offenses by Lawrence Tetteh: Unknown. Possibly discusses dealing with and overcoming offenses in life.
32: An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma
A tragic love story set in Nigeria, blending Igbo cosmology with contemporary themes. Explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and cultural identity.
33: Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
A satirical novel set in the fictional African state of Aburiria, addressing themes of power, corruption, and resistance. Provides a critical look at post-colonial African politics.
34: No Room for Small Dreams by Shimon Peres
The memoir of the former Israeli president, reflecting on his role in the founding and development of Israel. Inspires leadership and visionary thinking.
35: When the Honourable Becomes Vulnerable by Ayelma Shadrach Ayimbila
In this book, the author takes time to highlights why men of power ends up becoming vulnerable to power. What must future leaders know to prepare for lasting leadership that will maintain their influence at all times? The author gives details of what it takes to become such a leader who prioritizes his followers’ needs over his own and employs measures to keep his followers relevant. He gives clear steps and initiatives that visionary leaders must employ to sustain their leadership for future generations. This book will not only inspire you but will educate you on how to be an effective leader in politics, governance and other leadership spaces.
36: At the End of the Tunnel and Scars of Love by Peggy Oppong
She is beautiful and exceptionally brilliant. Born into a happy middle-class family, she appears to have it all. But all that changes when her parents’ divorce and she, together with her two siblings, is plunged into a nightmare of intense suffering. Her mother comes to the rescue, but extreme poverty compels her to put pressure on Sekyiwaa to give up the one passion of her life – a dream to become a pediatrician. She vows nothing will stop her as she fights against surmounting difficulties with dogged determination. She receives a lot of love proposals and a very tempting one from Jeremiah, a handsome undergraduate with lots of money to spend. Sekyiwaa battles with strong emotions, which threaten to derail her cherished plans. Faced with pressures from within and without, will she be able to achieve her dream?
37: Scars of Love by Peggy Oppong
All her businesses go bust, she suffers physical assault from city officials and loses devoted husband Dwamena. She has only a dream and an unflinching determination to succeed as she grapples with abject poverty while supporting four children. Caught in a cold, heartless city which has no place for losers, Assor is on a losing spree.
With her back to the wall Assor has to make the toughest decision yet of her life: Give up her last and most treasured possession, all her four children, permanently to a wealthy couple.
38: Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
The autobiography of neurosurgeon Ben Carson, detailing his rise from poverty to medical fame. Inspires determination and the pursuit of excellence.
39: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
A fable about achieving your dreams and fulfilling your destiny, told through the story of a successful lawyer who leaves everything behind. Encourages a balanced and meaningful life.
40: Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy: Provides practical advice on time management and overcoming procrastination. Helps readers prioritize tasks and improve productivity.
41: As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
Explores the power of thought and its impact on character and circumstances. Encourages positive thinking and personal transformation.
42: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A novel about the impact of colonialism on a Nigerian village, focusing on the life of Okonkwo. Offers insights into African culture and the effects of colonization.
43: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Provides a principle-centered approach to solving personal and professional problems. Helps readers achieve effectiveness and personal growth.
44: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Offers principles for personal and financial success based on Hill’s study of successful individuals. Encourages goal setting and a success-oriented mindset.
45: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie: Provides strategies for reducing worry and leading a more fulfilling life. It helps readers improve their mental well-being.
46: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Explores the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the present. Provides a comprehensive understanding of human history and evolution.
47: Voice of Conscience: In Search of Retribution
It is a tale of love and revenge that plays itself out on three continents. It follows the story of an adolescent boy who must flee from his native Turkey to save his life after the brutal murder of his family. As he grows into manhood, he is successful outwardly, taking on all the trappings of a normal life. Ultimately though he must come face to face with the legacy of revenge that has been carefully handed down from father to son.
48: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A novel about a shepherd’s journey to find his personal legend, blending mysticism and wisdom. Encourages following one’s dreams and listening to one’s heart.
The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound: An influential northern caucus is secretly meeting and grooming him to contest the man who will select him as a vice-presidential candidate. A meeting between the first lady and the Brong-Ahafo caucus results in, perhaps, the fastest ministerial reshuffle in the history of the country. At 2a.m., before the breaking of a major scandal, there is a meeting between the president’s friend and the investigative journalist about how to involve the main opposition leader, in the story to minimise its damage to the president in the upcoming election. The wife of the president reports the wife of the vice president to the vice president’s mother. The night before a crucial election, the president and his main contender are locked up in a meeting with Ghana’s most revered traditional ruler.
These and other revealing accounts on governance, policies and programmes of the fourth presidency of Ghana’s Fourth Republic are the intriguing contents of this book. Here, the journalist whose investigations are believed to have contributed to the downfall of the administration gets brutally intimate with the regime.
49: Aesop & The Ceo: Powerful Business Insights from Aesop’s Ancient Fables
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of business books flooding the market today. Even more daunting is the task of weeding through them to find the “golden nugget” of wisdom inside. Now David Noonan has simplified the process by providing this well-researched primer of the most essential advice from the greatest business books ever written. Further, in a clever melding of modern business sense and ancient wisdom, he has used the animal-based stories of Aesop as springboards to launch these 50 lessons. Both entertaining and informative, Aesop the CEO includes advice from well-known leaders such as Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Donald Trump, and Lee Iacocca. The short, easy-to-read vignettes cover every aspect of corporate life: negotiations, hiring and firing, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and sales, and day-to-day management.
50: Campus Wahala: My Love Encounter with the KNUST Waakye Seller
Zainab is devastatingly attractive, and Khan wishes she were his soul mate. She has a curved waist, whistling down from her bust as smoothly as the water from Kintampo Waterfall. She is simply irresistible.
The first time Khan saw her, he kept staring at her like Cristiano Ronaldo, the G.O.A.T, about to kick a well-placed free kick against Barcelona. Then his inner demon said to him: “Get close to her, pull her hair back, and give her a French kiss.”
Just when he was about to do it, he realized this was a public place, KNUST campus to be precise.
But from that day, with the zeal of a Katangee, he swore under his breath: “I must make a beast with two backs.”
Campus Wahala is the result of his three years of “Never say die” spirit.
Have a nice read.
Disclaimer:
I recommended the number 1 on the list.
Below is my commend under his post:
” Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. It is a public heath book. It documents the work of Dr Paul Farmer, American medical anthropologist and physician. He dedicated his life to fighting the “system” in order to make key vaccines for HIV and TB accessible for all, especially we in developing/under developed countries.
That book birthed my vision to make Dormaa East the most literate constituency in Ghana by 2042 at an estimated cost of 2 million US dollars. The book made me believe nothing is impossible.”
Manasseh Azure friend’s 50 favoriate books