Read in
Liberia
Liberia is the oldest African republic and the only American-influenced African country. Monrovia, its capital city, is a vibrant city of many ethnic languages and lively street markets. With its small coastal communities, rich cultural history, and golden sand beaches, Monrovia is a great city for reading and historical exploration.
Monrovia
Atlantic Ocean
Dishes
Cassava leaf
Palmbutter and fufu
Jollof Rice
Visit Unification Park
Located on a coastal land strip approximately four miles long, this green outdoor public space combines the beach with sports and recreation. It is a community setting in the heart of Monrovia. With plenty of seating and direct views of the Atlantic Ocean, it is a great place to observe culture, interact with the community, and mostly, to retreat and read.
Recommended readings
Murder in the Cassava Patch, by Bai T. Moore
The Lazarus Effect, by Hawa J. Golokai
She Would Be King, by Wayetu Moore
The Law Mentee Guide, by Samantha Divine
At a glance
My reading experience in Liberia
In Liberia, I returned to the Atlantic. The return to my homeland was bittersweet. I survived six years of the Liberian Civil War and returned after three decades.
My childhood home was built in Congo Town, near the Atlantic Ocean, and some days I could open my bedroom window and smell the ocean. When I returned to Liberia, I went to the Congo Town Beach and I subconsciously sought places next to the ocean, which isn’t hard to do because Monrovia is a coastal city.
Monrovia’s coastal setting is one of its greatest attributes. The city is on a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mesurado River, so there is access to many beaches, small riverfronts, seafood, and serene ocean views that are not blocked by skyscrapers.
Unification Park, a new open-air community space in Monrovia, is a great place for a solo reading retreat or reading groups. An outdoor green space and recreational area, this place, with its location next to the ocean and its many benches, is ideal for reading groups.
There are also spaces on the outskirts of Monrovia that are known seaside towns. These places are also great for relaxation, retreat, and reading.
- Robertsport is known for surfing and beautiful beaches. It also houses historical information about African American freed slaves who made Liberia their home.
- Marshall is a quiet coastal community southeast of Monrovia.
- Buchanan is Liberia’s second-largest city and also a beach destination.
