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.
The Indulgent Bibliophile book club read The Lion’s Den in April 2025 and the author was gracious enough to join us for the virtual meeting, since then we’ve become fans. Naturally, when you become a fan of an author, you want to know more about them and their inspiration or motivations.
A lawyer by training and a storyteller at heart, Iris Mwanza writes with the insight of someone who understands both the power and the cost of speaking truth to power. Through Grace’s tenacity and the unforgettable cast surrounding her, she invites readers to witness how ordinary people can rise to extraordinary acts of defiance.
Curious about the books that shaped such a powerful voice? We asked Iris Mwanza a few bookish questions, about her literary influences, her favourite characters, and the stories that shaped her world. Her answers are just as thoughtful, passionate, and inspiring as her debut.
The Author As A Reader | Iris Mwanza
My earliest reading memory: “Stulwwelpeter” by Heinrick Hoffman – a German book (my mother is German) full of cautionary tales for children that I found both fascinating and terrifying. This collection of stories is truly horrifying, with each misbehaving child meeting a bad end. I can’t imagine why such a children’s book exists, much less why I had it, but obviously it left an impression as I was a well-behaved child!
A book I’d like to see adapted to the screen is: Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah, it’s a complex story but I learned so much about Tanzanian history. This is an embarrassing admission given that I grew up next door in Zambia – but I feel our education systems teach us more about the west than other countries in our own continent.
A book I return to for comfort is: There are too many books in the tower next to my bed to read a book more than once! I make an exception for Beloved by Toni Morrison. It’s not comforting at all, but something I can return to every few years. As I mature and gain wisdom, I’m able to understand more than my previous reading.
The most recent book I’ve seen with the most gorgeous cover: Fi by Alexandra Fuller. The colour and imagery manage to be both subtle and striking – a perfect cover for this beautifully written book.
The book I think is most underrated: I feel that African writers don’t get due credit, and this manifests in big ways and small ways. Big ways in how difficult it is to get published, and small ways in inadequate exposure. Even at home, I was in the bookstore in Lusaka the other day and most of the novels available were western. It broke my heart that one can buy Harlan Coben, but not Bessie Head or Chinua Achebe.
If my book had a soundtrack, the first song would be… Respect by Aretha Franklin.
The last book I purchased: James by Percival Everett. I generally avoid books that are over-hyped but I enjoyed his earlier book Erasure and was delighted to discover that this novel lived up to its billing.
A book that made me recognize the power of words: Their Eyes Were Watching God. Zora Neal Hurston is a master of words employing poetry, dialect, and unique language to weave a powerful story.
A book whose author I’d like to go to lunch with: Toni Morrison – in her interviews she’s obviously a genius and doesn’t suffer fools but she’s deeply thoughtful, and when she laughs, it’s long and deep and you just know she was the most wonderful human.
A book with the best opening line: “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.” Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The book I’m most ashamed not to have read: I’ve read many of the classics but no Jane Austen books. I was in Austen boarding house at Arundel School in Zimbabwe, so I feel I should have by now. It’s not too late, of course, but I have to get through my tower of books first. So, maybe movie adaptations will have to do.
If I could recommend one book to my younger self, what it would be: My parents were academics who loved to read broadly so we always had books everywhere in the house. They never censored what we read so a big part of my education was reading any and all genres. I was lucky and wish everyone had this luxury of access and freedom.
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!
