September is National Literacy Month, with International Literacy Day on 8 September 2026 and National Book Week from 5 to 11 September 2026.
For book lovers currently in a slump, people who haven’t picked up a book in a while, or those wanting to start reading as a hobby, there are many books you can read to get you back into it.
Here is a list of short stories with beautiful plots that suck you into worlds that only artists can imagine.
Also see: National Book Week: Advantages of reading fiction novels
1. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
This book is an Afro-futuristic fantasy novella about a young girl who leaves Earth to study at Oozma University in outer space. The 16-year-old faces conflict, adventure, and action, all while breaking tradition as the first of her people to be accepted at the prestigious university.
The book is the first in a trilogy with only 96 pages. Binti can be purchased at any local bookstore in the country, including Takealot.
2. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
A mystery coming-of-age story that begins with a mother finishing her son’s corpse in her house, The Death of Vivek Oji is emotional and compelling, drawing you into the mystery.
The book is 256 pages long and is available on Takealot.
Also see: How to cultivate a reading habit in a scrolling world
3. Passing by Nella Larsen
Passing is set in the 1920s during a period of high racial tension and division in the United States. The book follows two black women who were childhood friends and reconnect after many years apart. One has been living life as a Black woman and the other as a White woman, as both women were so light in complexion that they could “pass” for White.
The book is only 120 pages long and is available on Takealot.
4. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This book is a dark comedy and thriller about a woman who is a practising nurse covering up her sister’s murders of her boyfriends.
My Sister, the Serial Killer is 240 pages long and available on Takealot.
5. So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ
A beautiful show of grief, the recently widowed Ramatoulaye writes a long letter to her friend living in America after her husband passed. This is in keeping with Muslim custom, by observing mirasse, forty days of isolation and mourning.
The book is 100 pages long and can be purchased on Takealot.
Also see: How to help your child fall in love with reading
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