If you’re looking for a lighthearted, fun read, don’t pick this book.

If you’re trying to find a cutesy, superficial love story to comfort your own lack luster love life, don’t buy this book.

If you want to be informed on what it means to be a member of a minority group, read this novel.

If you want to challenge your perception of the world and check your privilege, read this novel.

If you want to read about identity, global homelessness and race, for goodness sake’s go buy this book right now!

Adichie wrote her third novel, Americanah, in 2013 after receiving much acclaim for her last two novels as well as her collection of short stories.

It is no surprise then that this novel was chosen by the New York Times as one of the 10 Best Books of 2013.

Born in Nigeria, Adichie came to the United States at the age of 19 for college, but after receiving her bachelor’s degree, she went on to earn two master’s degrees in the States. Currently, Adichie resides in both Nigeria and the United States where she teaches writing workshops and gives Ted Talks that end up in Beyoncé’s music videos.

Overall, Adichie is an extremely intelligent, witty, wise and talented author and person.

This novel in particular follows the story of Ifemelu and Obinze, Nigerian high school sweet hearts who eventually grow apart as they each follow their hearts to the United States and England, respectively.

Both are forced to learn what it is like to be black in a foreign country as they search for jobs, go to college, and try to relate to their black-American “kinsmen” as well as maintain their own African culture.

Throughout the novel, Ifemelu continuously tries to rationalize why black women relax their hair in the States, while Obinze attempts to understand the lack of solidarity amongst Nigerian people in England.

Adichie does not write in an accusing or angry tone, but rather an explanatory and honest manner that resounds within the reader.

She expertly touches on the 21st century fear of being called “racist,” at the same time highlighting all the micro-aggressions that are supposedly acceptable in today’s culture.

The poignancy of Adichie’s storyline is often sprinkled with dark humor and sassy commentary on the ins and outs of white American as well as black American culture from the perspective of an African in America, making her novel a crucial read for anyone needing a wake-up call on the very real consequences of ethnocentrism.