The Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) Common Reading selection for the spring 2019 semester will be, “Binti” by Nnedi Okorafor. Dr. Okorafor earned a Hugo and Nebula Award for this novella first published in 2015, it is a Tor.com book published by Tom Doherty Associates.
The science-fiction based coming-of-age story centers on Binti, the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.The story evolves into an adventure and Binti must use all her knowledge and more to save the galaxy.
Binti has evolved into a three part series, with subsequent titles: “Binti: Home” and “Binti: The Night Masquerade.”
Okorafor is an international, award-winning novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy and magical realism for both children and adults. She is the co-author of the Black Panther from Marvel Comics, with a movie adaptation that became a world-wide sensation! She’s authored a spinoff graphic novel, Wakanda Forever, with a movie to follow. Her other comics include Antar: the Black Knight (IDW/Mirage Films), and LaGuardia. Author George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and HBO are turning Okorafor’s adult novel, Who Fears Death, into a TV series. The Book of Phoenix (prequel to Who Fears Death) was heralded by the New York Times as a “triumph.”
Born in the U.S. to Nigerian immigrant parents, Dr. Okorafor is known for weaving African culture and folklore into creative, evocative settings with memorable characters. She’s a multi-NY Times bestselling author with a passionate following for her Binti series, and the Akata Witch books. Her children’s book “Chicken in the Kitchen” won an Africana Book Award. “Akata Witch 2: Akata Warrior,” and “Binti 2: Home,” are now out in paperback. She holds a Ph.D in English.
The author will be at OCTC on March 21 at 12:30 p.m. in Blandford Lecture Hall for a presentation and book signing. Blandford Lecture Hall is located in the Humanities building at 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro. A meet and greet reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on March 21 in honor of Dr. Okorafor in the Industry Innovation Center. The events are free and open to the public.
Binti is available at the OCTC Bookstore. For more information about the OCTC Common Read program please contact [email protected] or for a listing of pertinent events visit facebook.com/octc.commonread.
