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The desk beyond the review

Littafi Blog

These are the essays, opinions, lists, debates, and the notes writers actually use. This is the room for argument, craft, and the long look at books, film, and the culture around them. Every card carries the piece's own image.

Hand writing in a notebook on a wooden desk

Takes

Opinions

The short argument. Character alignments, reading parties, romance rules, and the habits critics refuse to apologize for. Our opinions are signed takes, not news.

If Nollywood Cast Our Favourite African Books: Who Would Play Who? October 19, 2026

If Nollywood Cast Our Favourite African Books: Who Would Play Who?

Who’d play iconic characters like Okonkwo, Yejide, and Ikenna in a Nollywood adaptation? We’ve listed our dream casting choices for five beloved African Literature.

In Defense of Reading and Gaming October 2, 2026

In Defense of Reading and Gaming

People often discuss reading and gaming as though one belongs to the world of intellectual activity and the other to mindless entertainment.

The Sports and Reading Paradox September 27, 2026

The Sports and Reading Paradox

Sports and reading are two sides of the same coin. Naturally, these activities attract different people, with opinions on which is better.

In Defense of Loose Book and Movie Character Alignments  September 22, 2026

In Defense of Loose Book and Movie Character Alignments 

The complaining always sounds the same. We need to champion a more flexible approach to book and movie character alignments.

Longer rooms

Essays

Essays that stay with their subject: feminism, pan-Africanism, art explorations, ideologies, literacy. These are the pieces that need more than a take.

Literary Awards and the Racism Card: A Wake-Up Call for Black Africa October 15, 2026

Literary Awards and the Racism Card: A Wake-Up Call for Black Africa

The Evolution of Gore Art September 4, 2026

The Evolution of Gore Art

The Case for Forbidden Love Romance Books August 25, 2026

The Case for Forbidden Love Romance Books

Counted shelves

Lists

Anthologies, characters, flash-fiction models, reading parties. Lists are the browseable map: a number, a name, and a reason to open the piece.

Interview with the Vampire Relationships, Ranked 

Interview with the Vampire Relationships, Ranked 

One of the show’s greatest achievements is refusing to divide its characters into heroes or villains. So we’re left with flawed characters in di...

October 13, 2026
10 Top Recent Films for Action and Comedy Fans

10 Top Recent Films for Action and Comedy Fans

The movie industry is in high demand, raking in profits and fan engagement. Here are ten top recent films from the action and comedy genres.

October 13, 2026
10 Most Hype-worthy 2026 Book Releases (African Literature Version)

10 Most Hype-worthy 2026 Book Releases (African Literature Version)

African literature is known for beautiful stories and evocative plots. Here are 10 hypeworthy 2026 releases to add to your TBR list

October 11, 2026
Ranking the Top 20 Nigerian Romance Novels since 2020

Ranking the Top 20 Nigerian Romance Novels since 2020

African literature can be more than trauma-porn sometimes. They can feature beautiful love stories too, and that’s why we have lists like this. ...

October 6, 2026

For the desk

Writer resources

Craft, not gossip. Point of view, literary devices made African, cartoon style, autofiction. The shelf a writer opens when the draft stalls.

15 Writing-Adjacent Careers for Writers Looking for a Career Change October 21, 2026

15 Writing-Adjacent Careers for Writers Looking for a Career Change

Thinking about changing careers but want to make the most of your writing skills? Discover 15 writing-adjacent careers to explore.

Authors Spotlight: Khaled Hosseini October 21, 2026

Authors Spotlight: Khaled Hosseini

One of the hardest lessons in Khaled Hosseini’s stories is that the consequences of our choices don’t end when we move on. And when we act selfi...

Comma Rules Every Writer Should Know October 12, 2026

Comma Rules Every Writer Should Know

The following comma rules cover common situations, explain frequent mistakes and show how commas can serve a writer’s purpose.

Both sides, then a side

Debates

Round against flat, prose against poetry, literary fiction against genre, the internet against the book. Debates keep the argument in the open.

The Eternal Debate: Round vs Flat Character

The Eternal Debate: Round vs Flat Character

The round vs flat character debate becomes more interesting when “flatness” stops being treated as a synonym for poor writing.

The Eternal Debate: The Internet and Reading

The Eternal Debate: The Internet and Reading

An author can publish independently. This has made it difficult to define the relationship between the internet and reading.

The Eternal Debate: Literary Fiction vs Genre Fiction 

The Eternal Debate: Literary Fiction vs Genre Fiction 

Is literary fiction actually “better” than genre fiction, or has everyone simply agreed to act like it is?

Game of Thrones vs. The Wheel of Time: The High Fantasy Battle

Game of Thrones vs. The Wheel of Time: The High Fantasy Battle

Both Game of Thrones  and The Wheel of Time completely reshaped the fantasy genre, but they did it in almost opposite ways.