Interview with Samra Habib

Girly Book Club: How did you get into writing and what inspired you to write your first book?

Samra Habib: I’m an introvert and writing has always been how I express myself. I recall my mom submitting stories I’d write as a child to children’s magazines in Pakistan. At least she’d tell me that she submitted them. I wrote We Have Always Been Here because I was ready to move on from everything I had been carrying with me my entire life, especially childhood trauma. Writing the book gave me an opportunity to take an honest look at myself and everything I needed to deal with and acknowledge.

GBC: What makes a book great, in your opinion? What elements does a great story possess?

SH: Being pulled into a world, a time or an era that is different from one’s own. Feeling like you’re invited into someone’s secret life. To me, a great book is like passing by a stranger on the street and getting to know them more and more after each encounter. Details start to become more meaningful the more time you spend with a stranger or a book.

GBC: What are you doing if you’re not writing?

SH: Reading and trying my best to be a present girlfriend. Being pulled into a world, a time or an era that is different from one’s own. Feeling like you’re invited into someone’s secret life. To me, a great book is like passing by a stranger on the street and getting to know them more and more after each encounter. Details start to become more meaningful the more time you spend with a stranger or a book.

GBC: Name your favourite bookshop in the world.

SH: I recently had a reading at Gay’s the Word in London, England and I loved the books they carried and the history that you can just feel at the bookstore. I recently came back from my London book tour and there are so many great bookstores there. Pages of Cheshire in Hackney is also pretty great. It’s such a cozy place and they only carry books by women, trans and gender diverse writers.

GBC: Physical book, e-book, or audiobook? – and why.

SH: Physical, I’m usually attached to my phone and my laptop. I like to ditch electronic devices when I can. There’s something about a physical book that forces me to pay attention. I also love to highlight and make notes as I read.

GBC: What was your favourite book as a child?

SH: I usually read adult stories in Pakistani women’s magazines my mom received at home. I was way more interested in what adults were up to. I do remember being obsessed with the Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel when I could access books in English.

GBC: We’re always on the hunt for our next great read. Recommend us a book to add to our TBR pile!

SH: My favourite Sarah Schulman book, Gentrification of the mind. I think it’s very underrated.

GBC: What is one movie, TV series, or podcast that you’re loving right now?

SH: My girlfriend and I just re-watched Wings of Desire and remembered how good it is. I’m also a big fan of Feel Good, which takes an honest look at addiction and queer love and why we fall in love. Mae Martin is brilliant.