The 144th Turning Pages session was a one-on-one virtual discussion between myself and UMUGWANEZA Alice, centered on Magical Musanze, a travel booklet documenting my journey through Musanze District.
Alice is a student at Akilah Institute for Women and an avid reader of the Afrika Nzuri travel chronicles. Having already read Magical Musanze before the session, she was eager to move straight into the discussion.
Alice's first observation centered on the way the story unfolded. She noted that the tour did not feel scripted or constrained by a rigid itinerary. Instead, it seemed to follow the natural rhythm of exploration, with one discovery leading to another. The unplanned nature of the journey made the narrative feel authentic and relatable.
She also found inspiration in the idea of someone actively exploring his own country and documenting those experiences. In a world increasingly dominated by social media feeds and short-form content, she shared her desire to spend less time scrolling through reels and more time reading. She also expressed her intention to become a regular participant in future Turning Pages sessions.
The conversation soon shifted to domestic tourism. Alice recalled climbing Mount Bisoke with friends a few years ago and described the experience as memorable. While she had already visited Musanze, she noted that Magical Musanze introduced her to attractions she had not previously considered.
One of the most thought-provoking moments of the discussion came when Alice suggested introducing Kinyarwanda publications alongside the existing English titles. She observed that many potential readers may be interested in such stories but are more comfortable reading in Kinyarwanda. The suggestion sparked a broader conversation about accessibility, readership, and the future direction of local travel writing.
As is often the case with Turning Pages sessions, the discussion extended beyond the pages of the book itself. Alice was curious about the broader journey behind the publication and posed several questions, including how long the project has been running, the most memorable tour I have undertaken so far, and the African destinations I have explored beyond Rwanda.
The session was conducted from a coffee outlet at Imbuga City Walk, a pedestrian-friendly public space in Kigali. While Alice joined remotely via Google Meet, I moderated the discussion from the bustling city walk. Couples strolled hand in hand along the walkways, children rode their bicycles back and forth, visitors stopped for refreshments and light meals, while photographers adjusted their lenses in search of the perfect shot. The absence of vehicles created a calm and inviting atmosphere that made the experience particularly enjoyable.
It was my first Turning Pages session from this location, and the experience left me convinced that the venue has potential for future in-person discussions.
By the end of the conversation, it was clear that the discussion had achieved something every author hopes for. It had not only generated feedback on a book but also inspired new travel plans, new reading habits, and new ideas for future publications. Sometimes the most valuable outcome of a book club session is not what is said about the book itself, but the new possibilities that emerge from the conversation.