The Next Chapter

Nosakhare Ibraheem of Nile Valley Books shares the books that are popular in his Toronto store

The indie bookstore specializes in diverse and inclusive books and resources by Black authors.
Nile Valley Books is an independent bookstore based in Toronto. (Submitted by Nosakhare Ibraheem, Jane Van Koeverden/CBC)

This interview originally aired on Sept. 12, 2020.

Nosakhare Ibraheem is the owner of Nile Valley Books, an independent bookstore based in Toronto. Nile Valley Books specializes in diverse and inclusive books and resources by Black authors.

Ibraheem spoke with The Next Chapter about what books are popular in his store.

Africville by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Eva Campbell

Africville was on the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award shortlist for young people's literature — illustrated books and the 2019 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. (Groundwood, shauntaygrant.com, Brian Geary)

"Africville was a community populated by the Black Empire loyalists and the freedom fighters who came from Jamaica in the 1700s.

"The book is talking about the history of the community and some of the social injustices that they had to fight to endure and keep themselves as a strong community."

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley

Writer Alex Haley is the co-author of The Autobiography of Malcolm X. (Grove Press, Fred Mott/Getty Images)

"You're looking at his life experience and where he traveled. He was invited to countries all over the world and spoke about the African condition, both the good of it and the bad of it. 

"His story continues to motivate and inspire people today."

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist. (Random House Trade Paperbacks, Katy Winn/Getty Images)

"What Maya is saying is use your adversity to make yourself a better, stronger person in whatever field that you're interested in. 

"This is especially personal development, self-esteem, that sort of thing."

Nosakhare Ibraheem's comments have been edited for length and clarity.

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