Welcome to The Author As A Reader where your favourite authors reveal the books that shaped them. In this series, we dive into their reading lives, from the stories that bring them comfort to the books they can’t stop recommending. They’ll share the novels they’d love to see on screen, the covers they can’t resist, and even the book that made them believe in the power of words. It’s a cozy, behind-the-scenes look at the books that have left a mark and who knows, you might just find your next memorable read.
Big Sue fan here! Sue Nyathi is a Zimbabwean author whose novels capture the dreams, struggles, and resilience of Africans at home and in the diaspora. With works like The Polygamist (2012), The Gold Diggers (2018), A Family Affair (2020), and An Angel’s Demise (2022), she’s become known for telling these powerful, character-driven stories that explore love, migration, family, and identity.
I highly recommend any of her work for book clubs, there’s always so much to talk about. Sue has also contributed to anthologies such as When Secrets Become Stories: Women Speak Out and Black Tax: Burden or Ubuntu?. Beyond her writing, she’s a champion of African stories, always bringing both heart and sharp observation to her work.
The Author As A Reader | Sue Nyathi
My earliest reading memory: My earliest memory of reading was reading to my parents. Jump Dick Jump. I don’t know if you are familiar with the Penguin Young Reader series. That was what we were raised on in primary school and that is where I was initiated into reading.
Books I’d like to see adapted to the screen is: Broken by Fatima Bala. I think it would make an amazing romcom! The Comrade’s Wife would be a great Tyler Perry production. Sunshine and Shadows by Busisekile Khumalo would be an awesome Netflix series.
A book that reminded me why I wanted to be a writer in the first place: I feel this way whenever I read a great book. The writing was magical. The Theory of Flight by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu.
The most recent book I’ve seen with the most gorgeous cover: The Parlour Wife by Foluso Agbaje
The book I think is most underrated: The Youth of God by Hassan Ghedi Santur
If my book had a soundtrack, the first song would be… Angel Eyes by Wet Wet Wet (An Angel’s Demise)
The last books I purchased: Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams, F1 Racing Confidential by Giles Richards and Wahala by Nikki May
A book that made me recognize the power of words: We Need New Names by Noviolet Bulawayo
An author I discovered late who made me wish I’d found them sooner: Dorothy Koomson
A book with the best opening line: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
The book I’m most ashamed not to have read: The Girl with a Louding Voice by Abi Dare
A book I picked up specifically to challenge myself as a reader: Milkman by Anna Burns
If I could recommend one book to my younger self, it would be: How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
Something Bookish Curators are always on the lookout for the next great read to add to your #TBR. Whether it’s a backlist gem, a breakout debut, the book everyone will be talking about next, or a beloved classic, we’ve got recommendations you won’t want to miss. Join the conversation and read along with us on social!
