* Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa, by Dipo Faloyin -- Don't expect a sober recounting of African history: this book is a cri de coeur in the mold of Shashi Tharoor's An Era of Darkness. This eye-opening book will make you sad, angry, & (hopefully) thoughtful about the way Westerners talk about Africa. It will also inflict upon you a great craving for jollof rice. (If you're in the Canton area, I can recommend the Senegalese version at KG's African-American Grill.)
* Now Is Not the Time to Panic, Kevin Wilson -- A coming of age tale about a teenaged couple who make an arty, ambiguous poster with an ominous tagline and then stand back and watch it wreak havoc on the world. Frankie and Zeke are memorable characters who really come to life.