Books about Rwanda: What I’m reading now that I live here
Whether you’re moving here, visiting, or tackling a “read around the world” challenge, I’ve pulled together a list of some must-read books about Rwanda. Although I moved to Rwanda in 2025, I’d been diving into Rwandan authors long before I packed my bags. From contemporary page-turners to essential historical accounts, here are my favorites compiled for you!
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Contemporary Rwanda Fiction
The books about Rwanda offer a modern vision of life in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Aware by Esther Kanyamanza
Local author!
Aware is a hilarious, unpredictable page-turner. Set right here in Rwanda, Aware is packed with local references, from the BK Arena to the heart of Kigali’s modern culture. It’s an honest look at what it means to be a “good person” in a messy world. Esther explores the idea that maybe there isn’t a simple “good vs. bad”… We’re all a little selfish, and that’s actually okay. You’ll find yourself deciding if you should love or hate the main character every chapter, haha.
If you’re in Rwanda, reach out to Esther on Instagram and she will organize with the publisher to get you a copy (delivered by moto).
I met Esther at writer’s event in Kigali!
A Thread of Silent Echoes by Patrick Nzabonimpa
Local Author!
A Thread of Silent Echoes is a collection of short stories concerning modern-day life in Rwanda. It explores the real-life stuff we all deal with: love, family drama, and the hustle of making it in the city. I really enjoyed the contemporary stories from falling in love with the wrong person and dealing with justice. Each story has something to share about Kigali and I like the references to local places I’ve been to like Biryogo or Kimironko market. For visitors, this book adds a little extra flavor for your stay. I highly recommend this addition to your personal library or as a gift to a book lover!
Easily get it online or DM Patrick on Instagram (like I did) to get a signed copy in Kigali.
Growing up Deaf: Ishimwe’s Experience by Ishimwe Fabrice
Local Author!
In this deeply personal story, Ishimwe shares his experience of losing his hearing as a child and growing up deaf in Rwanda, moving between families and eventually making it on his own. He is now the CEO and Founder of Ubumwe Education Inclusion for Disabilities in Rwanda (UEIDR), where he works to advocate for and empower people with disabilities. It’s a powerful insight into his resilience.
You can start to read Ishimwe’s book on his blog.
Ishimwe on the right (and I’m with new friends I met)
Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin
In Baking Cakes in Kigali, Angel runs a bustling business baking cakes for every imaginable occasion. This is one of those lovely books about Rwanda that focuses on the community; Angel supports and changes the lives of the customers who visit her for her fantastic creations. Set in the late 90s/early 2000s, it features fun local references and, while it touches on the Genocide against the Tutsi, the primary focus is on Angel’s life as an expat from Tanzania. It’s a quick, relatively simple read.
Wildlife in Rwanda
Gorillas in the Mist By Dian Fossey
Credited with protecting the gorillas, Gorillas in the Mist is a first-hand look into what it was like for Fossey during her time in the field. You will learn all about her struggles, triumphs, and her beloved gorillas! In the book, she describes how she came to study mountain gorillas. She focuses on eight families of gorillas and describes her work and her experiences with famous historic gorillas like Digit. It’s also a movie. If you travel to Musanze to see the gorillas, you’ll pass by the Dian Fossey center and learn more about her life and work.
Twenty-six Orphans : The long journey of Akagera National Park’s elephants by Innocent Ndagijimana
Local author!
A beautiful account of the elephants in Akagera National Park. Fun fact: if you go on an evening boat tour in the park, you may even meet the author himself. Innocent is still a ranger there!
You can buy the book at the park giftshop or at Ikirezi Bookstore in Kigali.
Photography Books
Falling for the Birds of Kigali by Will Willson
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a hotel in Rwanda that doesn’t have a copy of this on the table. Wilson has photographed over 130 species for this stunning coffee-table book about birds he’s spotted in Kigali. It’s a gorgeous visual addition to any collection of books about Rwanda. You can buy the book (and others) at Ikirezi Bookstore in Kigali.
Books about the Genocide against the Tutsi
Dominating much of the literature available are narratives surrounding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. These are essential for understanding the country’s history.
Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga
Local author!
Set at a Catholic boarding school in Nyambinombe, this coming-of-age story serves as a prelude to the genocide. Our Lady of the Nile follows a group of privileged schoolgirls as ethnic tensions begin to foreshadow the violence to come. This is the book I’d recommend first in this genre.
Igifu by Scholastique Mukasonga
Local author!
A powerful collection of autobiographical stories, Igifu explores themes of poverty, hunger, and survival during the genocide.
Small Country (Petit Pays) by Gaël Faye
Loosely based on the author’s own childhood, Small Country is a heartbreaking story about a young boy in Burundi whose happy, carefree life slowly unravels as the 1994 events take place across the border in Rwanda.
All Your Children, Scattered by Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse
All Your Children, Scattered is a multi-generational novel that hits home for anyone interested in the Rwandan diaspora experience. It follows Blanche, a woman who returns to Rwanda from France to reconnect with her mother, Immaculée. This is on my to-read list.
Shake Hands with the Devil by Roméo Dallaire
Shake Hands with the Devil is a direct look into the political failures and the tragic killing of ten Belgian peacekeepers by the leader of the UN peacekeeping mission. You can visit the memorial in Kigali. While I haven’t read this one yet, many consider it a vital look at the UN’s role during the crisis.
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch
A heavy but highly acclaimed collection of the lived experiences regarding the people’s response to the genocide and what it reveals about humanity. I haven’t read this either but it’s on a lot of lists for books about Rwanda.
Rwandan Cookbooks
Uruhimbi: Rwanda Gastronomy and Culinary Art
This cookbook is the culmination of Rwandan chefs Angelique Iraguha, Eric Kanyemera, Phiona Ninsiima, and Ramadhan Sindayigaya‘s reimagination of traditional cuisine through modern culinary lenses. Their recipes highlight local staples like sorghum, taro, cowpea, and nightshade. The cookbook is supported by the UN FAO and is available as a free download.
Wholesome and Plant-Based by Jeanne Semuhungu
When wandering Ikirezi Bookstore with a visiting friend, I came across a new vegan cookbook. Looks like a great find but the cover was wrapped so I’m sure what kind of recipes are inside.
Where to buy books in Rwanda?
Check out Ikirezi Bookstore for new books. They have a section for African authors and have books in English, French, and Kinyarwanda. There is also a great cafe at the back.
And, visit Patchwork Used Books for a great selection of secondhand books.
