Vitabu Books

The Library of Congress, African and Middle Eastern Division and Poetry and Literature Center in partnership with The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa invite you to a reading and book signing with Award-winning Nigerian Novelist Helon Habila. The author will read excerpts from his novel “Oil On Water” and discuss his new anthology “The Granta Book of the African Short Story” Tuesday, May 1, 2012 12 Noon - 1:00 PM The African and Middle Eastern Division Reading Room LJ -220 Thomas Jefferson Building 101 First St. S.E. Washington DC. 20540 For additional information contact: Angel Batiste (202) 707 – 1980 or abat @loc.g

The judges of this year's Caine Prize for African Writing will meet in early May to decide on the winner of 122 shortlisted stories. This year's qualifying stories have been submitted from 14 African countries. The winning story will be announced at a dinner at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on Monday, July 2, 2012. The panel will be chaired by author and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature Bernardine Evaristo. Joining her are award-winning cultural journalist Maya Jaggi, Zimbabwean poet, songwriter and writer Chirikure Chirikure, Associate Professor at Georgetown University Samantha Pinto, and the award-winning CNN television correspondent Nima Elbagir. Last year the Caine Prize, described as Africa's leading literary award, was won by Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo. Chair of judges Hisham Matar said at the time "The language of 'Hitting Budapest' crackles. This is a story with moral power and weight; it has the artistry to refrain from moral