1. Walter Rodney: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.

Try it With: Tanzanian Twilight. Walter Rodney’s seminal publication squarely explains why the current state of Africa is not what we might expect it to be. Even with vast natural and human resources, due to colonialism, the continent is not considered the powerhouse it deserves to be. Colonial interference resulted in genocide, slavery, and a concerted disruption of domestic  affairs. This book, paired with our Tanzanian Twilight, will help to connect you to the continent and instill a sense of hope in its future, which is the mission of Borderless Beans. In fact, Dr. Rodney’s first teaching position after being exiled from Jamaica began in 1969 at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. For a bit of a heavy read, this book will pair well with the light, fruity flavor of our Tanzanian single origin coffee.

2. Dipo Faloyin: Africa is Not A Country.

Try it With: Ugandan Delight. A humorous tale on a serious subject: how colonialism shaped Africa and the African struggle to find its self determination. This book helps readers reflect on their own hidden biases and unpack why these biases exist. Institutions exist that make Africa seem like a monolith, when in fact it is one of the most diverse places on earth. Ready to laugh, be entertained, and have your intellectual curiosity stimulated, open up the pages of this book while enjoying the exquisite and complex flavors of our Ugandan Delight. Fayolin weaves a vibrant tapestry of African culture through dynamic storytelling, similar to how our Ugandan Delight transports you to a distant land with each sip.

3. Maya Angelou: All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes.

Try it With: Ethiopian Elegance. A riveting, heartfelt tale of Maya Angelou’s time spent in Africa. Told with a light humor and deep reflection. Sweet and sultry, like Maya Angelou herself, you’ll want to brew up a hot cup of our Ethiopian Elegance to pair with this enchanting read. Our Ethiopian Harar undergoes a natural processing, so those fruity notes of blueberry will jump through the page as Maya Angelou weaves you through her life across the African continent. Triumph, resistance, heartbreak, and humor are all present in this book, similar to the history of Ethiopia’s Harar region.

4. Langston Hughes: The Big Sea.

Try it With: Kenyan Symphony  A tale of adventure unlike any we’ve seen during the epoch of the Harlem Renaissance. Exploring the world and living to tell about it as a black man. Langston Hughes does this with a captivating pen. Longing for an escape? Our Kenyan Symphony like Hughe’s autobiography, will transport you into another world. Explore the snow capped peaks of Mt. Kenya when you turn the pages of this book and take a sip from your favorite, steaming mug. Hughe’s words will lull you into an enchantment only to have the lemon and orange citrus notes of our Kenyan Symphony awaken you from your stupor. Remember, you have a plane to catch.