Teaching a Course on Arabic Graphic Novels
One of my favorite readers wrote in to say that he’s planning a course focused around Arabic graphic novels. Please add your recommendations; my list is very Egypt-centric.
Lit Lists
The 40+ Modern Arabic Literary Works Published in English Translation in 2014
This is the beginnings of a list of the Arabic literary works published in English translation in 2014.
10 Translations, 10 Poems from ‘Genius Grant’-ee Khaled Mattawa
Wednesday morning, the MacArthur Foundation announced its list of “Genius Grants.” On the list to receive a no-strings-attached stipend of $625,000 is Libyan poet and translator Khaled Mattawa, who said he plans to use the money to further his translations and take on larger projects.
6 of the Most Beautiful Writings from and for Gaza
Mahmoud Darwish once wrote, of Gaza, “We are unfair to her when we search for her poems.” We are certainly unfair when we scrabble anywhere for poems, searching for aesthetic pleasure in others’ suffering. But here, poetry seems to have welled up from the need to speak, to create, to defy silence.
10 Things To Remember About Syrian Poetry
To celebrate the launch of the “Critical Muslim’s” Syria issue, editor Robin Yassin-Kassab has made a list of “10 things to remember about Syria” that trends toward the positive: Maté, sufis, poetry, fatteh. ArabLit focuses on, No. 4, the poetry.
The Year of Reading (Arab) Women
Despite my reservations about “The Year of Reading Women,” lists and recommendations of Arabic-writing women who you should read this year.
12 Short-short Stories for the Shortest Day of the Year
For the shortest day of the year, 12 short-short stories for your reading pleasure.
50 Great Lebanese Novels and a 5-Book Starter Kit
The excellent indie press Archipelago sent out a note yesterday saying that, to celebrate “the 70th anniversary of Lebanon’s liberation from colonial rule, Archipelago Books is happy to announce that all of Elias Khoury’s books will be on sale for 60% off the original cover price, including e-books.” You just need to check out with the code “khoury70.” Where should you start with Khoury? Where should you go from there? Well.
5 Arabic Books to Read ‘Before You Die’
The “Five Before You Die” was a feature we ran back in the summer 2010; by now, there are now many more great Arabic books available in translation, but this remains a strong list from translators, authors, critics, and publishers.