Welcome to Shelf Life, ELLE.com’s books column, where authors share their most memorable reads. In this series, writers recommend books that have consoled them, moved them profoundly, or made them laugh. If you’re in search of a new book to dive into, consider a recommendation from the authors featured in our series. Perhaps one of their favorite titles will become one of yours too.
Abi Daré, the author of And So I Roar, is the focus of this edition of Shelf Life. Daré’s second book picks up where her previous bestseller, The Girl with the Louding Voice, left off. The Girl with the Louding Voice earned Daré several prestigious awards, including the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Nigeria Prize for Literature. Daré’s inspiration for the story of a 14-year-old housemaid in Lagos, Nigeria, came from her daughter’s complaints about household chores. And So I Roar will be narrated by Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh in the audiobook version.
Daré, who was born and raised in Lagos and now resides in Essex, UK, has an impressive academic background. She studied law at the University of Wolverhampton and earned master’s degrees in creative writing and international project management. Daré founded the Louding Voice Educational and Empowerment Foundation, which provides scholarships to girls in rural Nigeria. She is also a board member of the BIC Corporate Foundation and works in project management for an academic publisher.
In terms of inspirations, Daré looks up to Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. She enjoys teaching, spending time in cafes, and the sound of rain while writing. Daré’s book recommendations cover a wide range of genres and themes, from resilience and finding strength through adversity to friendship, betrayal, and redemption.
One of Daré’s top recommendations is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, a book that helped her through a breakup or loss. She also highly recommends The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini for its exploration of friendship, betrayal, and redemption. Daré’s picks reflect her diverse reading tastes and the profound impact that books have had on her life.
Overall, Abi Daré’s journey as an author and her passion for storytelling shine through in her book recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a book to uplift your spirits, challenge your beliefs, or simply entertain you, Daré’s picks offer something for every reader. So, grab a copy of one of her recommended titles and embark on a literary adventure that may just change your life.