In Cairo, ‘A Renewed Appetite for Egyptian and Arab Literature’
Over at CairoScene, Hassan Tarek reports on book-buying trends in Cairo, with a focus on sales at the Diwan bookstore chain.
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It’s (Re)Publication Day for Batool Abu Akleen’s ’48kg’
It’s Publication Day for the Penguin edition of Batool Abu Akleen’s debut poetry collection 48kg, with translations by Graham Liddell, Wiam El-Tamami, Cristina Viti, and Yasmin Zaher.
Samar Yazbek, Karim Kattan on National Book Award Longlist
Yesterday, the National Book Foundation announced the longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Translated Literature.
University of Edinburgh Welcomes Raja Shehadeh Archive
Palestinian author and human rights lawyer Raja Shehadeh’s archive documenting more than six decades of life in Palestine has arrived for safekeeping at two universities in the United Kingdom
Ghayath Almadhoun Makes 2026 National Translation Awards Longlist
Only one title translated from Arabic was on the longlists for the 2026 National Translation Awards in Poetry and Prose, announced yesterday: I Have Brought You a Severed Hand by Ghayath Almadhoun, translated by Catherine Cobham and published by Action Books.
Yasmine Zohdi Makes Caine Prize Shortlist
Egyptian author-translator Yasmine Zohdi is one of five writers shortlisted for this year’s Caine Prize, which celebrates short stories by African authors.
Naguib Mahouz Medal Announces 2026 Lit Shortlist
Yesterday evening, American University in Cairo Press announced the shortlist for the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature.
Every Alley, a Different Damascus
The Book of Damascus vividly portrays the many facets of life in Damascus, Syria. From children attempting to steal so they could have a day out with their friends, to people falling in love, to those trying to reach places of worship, Syrians have continued living their lives despite the warfare.
PEN Translates’ Latest Winners
Earlier this week, English PEN announced the latest winners of their flagship grant program, the “PEN Translates” award.