The Books That Built Me: How Diverse Stories Shaped My Identity and Inspired My Writing Journey
By David Olayiwola
Growing up in Nigeria, books were my escape. I was a curious child, eager to see the world beyond my little corner of it, but the books I read didn’t reflect my life. Most of them told tales of snow-covered streets, and families gathered around fireplaces, things that felt as distant and unfamiliar as the stars. I enjoyed those stories, but they left me feeling like an outsider looking in.
Then I discovered Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, and everything changed.
It was more than a story, it was a homecoming. Achebe’s words brought my culture, my history, and my people to life. For the first time, I saw a protagonist whose world resembled mine. The conflicts felt real, the traditions familiar, and the struggles personal. Achebe didn’t just tell a story; he validated one.
That moment planted a seed in me. It made me wonder if I, too, had a story worth telling.
The Power of Seeing Yourself in a Story
Reading Things Fall Apart wasn’t just comforting, it was transformative. It gave me a pride in my heritage that I hadn’t realized I needed. It also opened my eyes to the power of representation in literature. A single story could connect me to my roots and challenge the way I saw myself and the world.
That book ignited something in me: a hunger for stories that felt real, stories that reflected not only my culture but also the broader spectrum of human experience.
Discovering New Worlds Through Diverse Voices
Achebe was just the beginning. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus was another revelation. Her exploration of family dynamics, faith, and personal freedom mirrored struggles I had faced but didn’t know how to articulate. Adichie’s words felt like a conversation with an older sibling who understood my journey.
Beyond African literature, books like James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings taught me about resilience and identity in the face of systemic oppression. They showed me that while our struggles might differ, our humanity binds us together.
Each book became a window into someone else’s world, but it also became a mirror, reflecting parts of myself I hadn’t yet understood.
When Stories Became My Lifeline
There was a season in my life when everything felt like it was falling apart. I was distant from my faith, my family, and even myself. It was during this time that I stumbled upon Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life.
That book was more than a read, it was a lifeline. It reminded me that my story wasn’t over and that God still had a plan for me. It gave me hope when I had none.
Faith-based books by authors like John Lewis’s Walking with the Wind and Ousmane Sembène’s God’s Bits of Wood further strengthened my resolve. These stories didn’t just offer comfort; they challenged me to live a life of purpose, to rebuild my faith, and to reconnect with my calling.
Those books didn’t just save me; they inspired me to create.
From Reader to Writer
For years, the idea of writing my own story lingered in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t until I found healing that I felt ready to share. When I wrote Joy Comes in the Morning: A Journey of Faith, Perseverance, and Testimony, I poured my heart into it.
I wrote about the dark nights when hope seemed distant and the mornings when God’s light broke through. I wrote for the person I once was, the one who needs to know he or she isn’t alone.
Now, as I work on my next book, God is Not a Racist, I feel even more determined to use my words to challenge division and promote unity. The stories that shaped me showed me that writing isn’t just about telling; it’s about connecting, healing, and inspiring.
Books That Build Bridges
The books that built me weren’t just stories, they were bridges. They connected me to my roots, to other cultures, and ultimately, to my purpose. They taught me that every story matters and that our differences are what make the world so beautifully complex.
Books like Michelle Obama’s Becoming and Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing remind me that there is always more to learn, more to empathize with, and more to share. They challenge me to be bolder in my writing and more intentional in my life.
Your Stories Matter Too
We all have books that shaped us, stories that gave us clarity when we were confused, courage when we were scared, or hope when we were lost. What books built you? What stories helped you see yourself or the world differently?
I encourage you to seek out voices you haven’t heard before. Here are a few that shaped me:
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
Reflect on the stories that built you, and share them with others. Because when we share stories, we build connections. And in those connections, we find the strength to grow, to heal, and to hope.
In the end, the books that built me didn’t just change my life, they gave me the courage to help change the world. And as I turn the pages of new books and write the chapters of my own, I know this journey is far from over.
