Welcome to our Ten Book Challenge where our favorite authors share their “Book-It List”—a book bucket list with 10 of their most beloved and memorable reads—from the books with their favorite covers and best opening lines, to the reads they gift and the bookstores they frequent. This is a peek into your favorite authors’ perfect bowl of literary comfort food. We hope you discover something delicious! 

Jane Igharo is known for writing characters—most of all strong beautifully flawed Nigerian women much like the ones in her life—and settings that readers of today can relate to. Where We End & Begin is a heart-warming and evocative celebration of richly drawn culture and family, superstition and science, social standings and immigration struggle, and is the perfect kick off to your fall #TBR pile.

In Where We End & Begin, two star-crossed lovers reunite at a wedding in the beautiful nation of Nigeria. Dunni’s and her high school sweetheart Obinna’s chemistry may not have changed, but almost everything else has since she left Nigeria to attend college in America 12 years prior. But now Dunni is a Seattle geneticist, and while she may be engaged (yet not in love), her parents approve and all the success she could ever want is on the horizon. But once she sees Obinna, who has turned from a shy teen to a confident successful man, she’s reminded of the wonderful future they’d planned so many years ago, and a passion is stoked within in her—until past secrets of them both are discovered, and more questions than ever before are brought to light.

The Book I……

I last bought/am currently reading: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I recommend to everyone: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin

That was my favorite to read last year, and why: On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi. The main character was so funny and she also felt real and relatable.

Whose author I would love to have lunch with: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

That made me realize language had power: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I’d like to see adapted to the screen: Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin

That made me laugh out loud—or cry—while reading it: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate made me cry so much.

That has the most gorgeous cover: Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas

With the best opening line: His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

Bookstore that I frequent/is my favorite: Indigo

Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Jane Igharo on inspiration, writing through the tears, and diversity in publishing.