‘This Is Not My Book’
Dr. Samia Mehrez last night signed copies of her (sorry, not her) Literary Atlas of Cairo, the first of a two-volume project that maps Cairo through its literature, providing “a […]
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Don’t Have a Father’s Day Gift? (Yes, Of Course, Literary Suggestions)
If your dad likes complex but ultimately heartwarming father-son relationships in (great) literature: Stealth, by Sonallah Ibrahim, has a touching father-son relationship at its core. It’s also an excellent, very […]
First Book of ‘Perhaps Best Writer of Arabic Fiction Alive’ Not Available in…Arabic?
Since Robin Yassin-Kassab declared in the Guardian that Hassan Blasim is “perhaps the best writer of Arabic fiction alive,” it’s been needling me. Surely, Blasim is an excellent writer. Yes, […]
Wednesday Night at Zamalek Diwan: The Literary Atlas of Cairo
I’ll be there, insha’allah.
My Former Jihadist Friend Signs Copies of His New Epic Novel
Last night, author Khaled al-Berry defied World Cup mania and celebrated the launch of his new novel, رقصة شرقية (Middle Eastern Dance) at Kotob Khan in New Ma’adi. The book, […]
Memories of the Baghdad Book Market
Today in The National, Iraqi-Canadian journalist Hadeel al Shalchi takes us down Al Mutanabi Street in Baghdad, an area known as the Book Market. It’s a more hopeful stroll than […]
Summer (Arabic) Literary Events in Cairo and the U.K.
CAIRO I think tonight, June 11, I’m going to the signing of Khaled al-Berry’s new novel (I have strongly recommended his memoir, Life is More Beautiful Than Paradise). I don’t […]
Egypt’s Most Expensive Book
I’m currently reading Orhan Pamuk’s gorgeous Museum of Innocence (in English). I’ve taken it out from the library, thank goodness, so I was a little stunned when I flipped the […]
It’s June: Children’s Book Events Around Cairo
Don’t forget that children who read (especially in Arabic!) are smarter, prettier, happier, and all-around nicer than those who don’t. Or, well, at least smarter. Other venues that have children’s […]