Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Please post your challenge list here :)

Here is the link to the challenge:
https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...

Here are the list for 2019 reading challenge :

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history .
2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure .
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author.
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_(...

6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula - ( Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian...

7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghreb

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horn_of...

12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...

Please check the discussion in here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I don't know yet which books I want to read yet.

Jalilah wrote: "I don't know yet which books I want to read yet."

I don't either.

I have several books in mind that will fit in one or more of these categories. But I think I'll plug each book in a category as I finish it rather than decide from now which book to read for each category.

I can recommend two books about cities, both of which are very good and very accessible:

Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek.

Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood by Justin Marozzi.

I've read and reviewed both of them.

I'll probably read a book about Beirut or Jerusalem for a city--or maybe both!

I'll pop in ideas for some of these as I encounter them, and indicate when I read/finish novels that meet each task.

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history
2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure .
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author. One Night, Markovitch by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)

6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula - ( Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq)

7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. )

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author To Keep the Sun Alive by Rabeah Ghaffari. Finished 7April.

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)

12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan

Tamara wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I don't know yet which books I want to read yet."

I don't either.

I have several books in mind that will fit in one or more of these categories. But I think I'll plug each book i..."

Both of these sound interesting, Tamara. Thanks for suggesting them. My TBS is full of books that take place in or are about Beirut, Cairo or Jerusalem, but I'd like to expand beyond them to Baghdad and Babylon.

Here is my list and I will edit it by time , I added several books to the same category when I am not sure which one I will read :

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history .
The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: A Jewish Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World
Jerusalem: the biography
Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon

2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure
Cleopatra: A Life
Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth
Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh
The Heretic Queen

3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
The Night Counter: A Novel
لغز عشتار: الألوهة المؤنثة وأصل الدين والأسطورة


4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author.
Sex and the Citadel: Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham
Cinnamon
The Cry of the Dove


6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula
An Apartment Called Freedom
طعم أسود... رائحة سوداء

7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb
So Vast the Prison

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
Warda
A Woman of Cairo
Embrace on Brooklyn Bridge



9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
The Architect's Apprentice
Turkey since 1989: Angry Nation
My Name Is Red
Aylin

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
Equal of the Sun .......done

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa
African Titanics
Lyrics Alley


12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia
A Bed of Red Flowers: In Search of My Afghanistan
Broken Verses

No fixed reading plan yet, but a few certainties:

- I'll try to read as many of the group reading plan books as I can find
- I still have to read vol. 2 and 3 of Mahfouz's Cairo trilogy, so this will probably be points 1 or 8 ( 1 and 8 if I am lazy...)
- I started The Kindness of Enemies last year, so it will be my n.11, author from the Horn of Africa.
- for Science Fiction, either Unholy Land or HWJN.
- for point 5 and 7, very likely books written originally in French, it will reduce the number of layers of translations...

I'll check in again in a couple of months, see what has come my way, and what I have pilfered from your own suggestions!

Niledaughter wrote: "Here is my list and I will edit it by time , I added several books to the same category when I am not sure which one I will read :

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with a..."

An interesting selection of books. I particularly liked your choice for #3 :) Thank you!

I've had some of these books on my TBR list for ages. I've read and enjoyed Lyrics Alley. I'm thinking of reading The Bastard of Istanbul for #9. I like Elif Shafak although I wasn't that impressed with her Three Daughters of Eve. I loved My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk. He is also Turkish, so I might choose another of his novels for #9.

In other words, no fixed plans yet. Decisions, decisions.

I'm not sure of my list, but I've started my first book for this 2019 challenge: Broken Verses by Kamila Shamsie. So far, I'm absolutely loving it! But, one question, does this group include Pakistan in MENA or South Asia..or both?

Gina wrote: "I'm not sure of my list, but I've started my first book for this 2019 challenge: Broken Verses by Kamila Shamsie. So far, I'm absolutely loving it! But, one question, does this group include Pakist..."

I've put Broken Verses on my TBR. Thanks, Gina.

Fl wrote: "No fixed reading plan yet, but a few certainties:

- I'll try to read as many of the group reading plan books as I can find
- I still have to read vol. 2 and 3 of Mahfouz's Cairo trilogy, so this w..."
frist time to hear about "HWJN." , please tell me about your opinion if you read it .

Tamara wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "Here is my list and I will edit it by time , I added several books to the same category when I am not sure which one I will read :

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set ..."

Decisions, decisions...! Lol

The only book I finished and liked for Pamuk so for was Snow .

Gina wrote: "I'm not sure of my list, but I've started my first book for this 2019 challenge: Broken Verses by Kamila Shamsie. So far, I'm absolutely loving it! But, one question, does this group include Pakist..."



No problem , it can be counted for number 12 , I will add it to my list as well . By the way we read Burnt Shadows as a group read in 2011 in here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Tamara wrote: "I've had some of these books on my TBR list for ages. I've read and enjoyed Lyrics Alley. I'm thinking of reading The Bastard of Istanbul for #9. I like Elif Shafak although I wasn't that impressed with her Three Daughters of Eve. I loved My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk. He is also Turkish, so I might choose another of his novels for #9 ..."

Personally I found The Bastard of Istanbul much more engaging than Three Daughters of Eve, but not as good as The Architect's Apprentice. Have you read The Forty Rules of Love?
I've read all Shafak's novels now, so I have to find another Turkish author.
Any suggestions? I'm reluctant to read Orhan Pamuk after The Museum of Innocence. It was both good and creepy, engaging in parts, tedious in others.

I'd like to find another Turkish author.

Most of the "Stan" writers suggested in the Goodreads lists are either from Afghanistan or Pakistan. I'd love to find an author from Uzbekistan or Tajikistan!

Aside from Always Coca-Cola I don't know what I'm going to read yet! I'd better get on the ball!

Jalilah wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I've had some of these books on my TBR list for ages. I've read and enjoyed Lyrics Alley. I'm thinking of reading The Bastard of Istanbul for #9. I like Elif Shafak although I wasn't..."

Jalilah - for Turkey, perhaps consider

Meša Selimović, author of Death and the Dervish, The Fortress

Sabahattin Ali, Madonna in a Fur Coat

Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar, The Time Regulation Institute

Yusuf Atılgan, Motherland Hotel

Oğuz Atay, The Disconnected

Erendiz Atasü, The Other Side of the Mountain

and a link to an article identifying more contemporary women authors:

https://glli-us.org/2017/08/08/contem...

Carol wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I've had some of these books on my TBR list for ages. I've read and enjoyed Lyrics Alley. I'm thinking of reading The Bastard of Istanbul for #9. I like Elif Shafak a..."

Thanks!

Here are some books I am considering for the 2019 reading challenge :

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history .
2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure .
Either Tree of Pearls, Queen of Egypt or Regards from the Dead Princess: Novel of a Life
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
The Bird King or The Djinn Falls in Love & Other Stories. Dreams of Maryam Tair: Blue Boots and Orange Blossoms
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author. Rain Over Baghdad or A Map of Home

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham Always Coca-Cola

6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula Girls of Riyadh

7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb
I Aya Dane

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
Zeina

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author Last Train to Istanbul

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author


11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa

12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

I will start with Last Train to Istanbul just because my library has it and there are no holds ahead of me.

I would like to read Gilgamesh of Uruk, but I see it's only available as an ebook. Any chance it's coming out as a physical book Tamara Agha-Jaffar?

Jalilah wrote: "I would like to read Gilgamesh of Uruk, but I see it's only available as an ebook. Any chance it's coming out as a physical book Tamara Agha-Jaffar?.."

Yes, but it may be a while. I've just been too busy to work on it.

There are so many 'stories' of the struggles of the children in Palestine ... the thousands who are hurt or wounded, why some become terrorists, why some move to other countries, why some stay to become educated there.... why is no one interested in books about them and their difficult lives?

This will be my first reading challenge with this group, and also first experience in a reading group, I joined several months ago but I haven´t had any activity until this year, so hello everyone! It isn't a closed list, probably other books will be added.

About a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book, this cathegory is a huge challenge because I can´t bear it neither in literature nor in cinema... I'm not sure what I'll do.
And on 1st cathegory I haven´t decided yet.

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history:

2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure:
Ibn Khaldun: An Intellectual Biography

3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author:

4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author:
Children of the New World

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham:
Death Is Hard Work
No Road to Paradise
Borrowed Time
States of Passion
Brothers of the Gun: A Memoir of the Syrian War

6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula:
The Watermelon Boys
Frankenstein in Baghdad
The Book of Collateral Damage
Letters to a Young Muslim

7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb:
Maps of the Soul
The Hospital
The Happy Marriage
For bread alone

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt:
A Cloudy Day on the Western Shore
The Law of Inheritance
A Border Passage: From Cairo to America – A Woman's Journey
After Coffee

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author:
A Mind at Peace

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author:
Us & Them
Soundtrack of the Revolution: The Politics of Music in Iran
Women Without Men: A Novel of Modern Iran
The Man Who Snapped His Fingers
Remembering Akbar: Inside the Iranian Revolution

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa:
The Kindness of Enemies

12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia:
The Golden Legend
A Curse on Dostoevsky
Home Fire By Kamila Shamsie
Red Birds

Charles wrote: "There are so many 'stories' of the struggles of the children in Palestine ... the thousands who are hurt or wounded, why some become terrorists, why some move to other countries, why some stay to b..."

Charles, I am pretty sure there are many people in this group, ( including myself) who would be interested in reading about the struggles of children in Palestine.
As far as this challenge goes, I put up a thread a few weeks ago asking for ideas of what people would like to see and compiled the list based on what everyone suggested. Had you replied back then I would have been happy to put it in the challenge, however you can still choose books from Palestinian authors for this challenge.
And if there are any books you can recommend please post!

Charles wrote: "There are so many 'stories' of the struggles of the children in Palestine ... the thousands who are hurt or wounded, why some become terrorists, why some move to other countries, why some stay to b..."

Charles, I am very interested in reading about the struggles of children in Palestine or Syria or Iraq. If you have any book recommendations, please post them.
Thanks in advance.

Thanks Jalilah and Tamara,

I was completely out of touch for the last month.

Two books I would recommend are:

"The Biggest Prison on Earth" by Ilan Pappe, the Israeli-British historian, and Professor of International Studies at the University of Exeter in the UK. It describes how and why the 'Occupied Territories' were created, why the Palestinians have become prisoners on their own lands, and why the government of Israel is systematically destroying both the Palestinian and Muslim cultures and constantly closing Palestinian schools in order to prevent the rise of a generation of educated Palestinians.

The other book is "Prisoners of History: The Story of Dalia, a Palestinian" which is a fact-based novel based on the above-mentioned book, to make it easier to absorb the personal drama and tragedies involved. It also includes information from interviews of many retired Israeli military officers and journalists ... whose words were put into the dialog of the characters. It traces the life of a Palestinian girl struggling to get an education (she is a composite of several live Palestinian girls). The other characters are also composites of real people who were interviewed. I am the author of that particular book.

Both books are obviously on Amazon.

It's interesting to note that currently in the US there is proposed legislation (by Senator Schumer) to make it a criminal offense for anyone to openly support any organization or company which boycotts Israel. This is a blatant violation of the First Amendment, which should be of concern to all writers. That's why I was wondering why no one is even interested in this subject....

Thanks again.

Charles wrote: "Thanks Jalilah and Tamara,

I was completely out of touch for the last month.

Two books I would recommend are:

"The Biggest Prison on Earth" by Ilan Pappe, the Israeli-British historian, and Pro..."

Charles, thank you for the recommendations. I'm picking up The Biggest Prison on Earth: A History of the Occupied Territories.

On a related note, The Arkansas Times is suing to avoid the Israel boycott bill.
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/ark...

I'm in Kansas and the lawmakers had to modify the law thanks to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU.
https://www.aclu.org/news/after-court...

Hi, Tamara

Thanks for obtaining Ilan Pappe's very revealing book.

Please let me know when you have read it, and what you think. It 's a very informative book.

Charles

Charles wrote: "Hi, Tamara

Thanks for obtaining Ilan Pappe's very revealing book.

Please let me know when you have read it, and what you think. It 's a very informative book.

Charles"

Will do.

I'm not sure if this is where I post this. But if I'm supposed to post this somewhere else, let me know and I'll move it.

I finished Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff for #2 of this challenge.

Schiff's research is impressive. Sometimes it gets to be a bit overwhelming with all the names and Ptolemies who intermarry. But she pieces together a portrait of a fascinating woman.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tamara wrote: "I'm not sure if this is where I post this. But if I'm supposed to post this somewhere else, let me know and I'll move it.

I finished Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff ..."

It has been on my to-read list for a while now and I want to read it for the challenge , your review is encouraging ! Thanks :)

Tamara wrote: "I'm not sure if this is where I post this. But if I'm supposed to post this somewhere else, let me know and I'll move it.

I finished Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff ..."

I believe it is in this thread where we can post about what we've read, what we want to read, ask questions etc.
It's confusing because there are two threads but the other one was just for ideas to create the challenge.

Jalilah wrote: "I believe it is in this thread where we can post about what we've read, what we want to read, ask questions etc.
It's confusing because there are two threads but the other one was just for ideas to create the challenge.."

I created this one for the challenge lists .
What do you suggest to do ?

Niledaughter wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I believe it is in this thread where we can post about what we've read, what we want to read, ask questions etc.
It's confusing because there are two threads but the other one was j..."

One approach that works well in a couple of other groups is to create separate threads for each task, so that members can suggest books that meet the specific task, or books they are contemplating to read to meet the task. Once set up under the challenge folder, they run themselves ,e.g., take zero monitoring. In my observation, they continue to have value, drive engagement, and be great resources for members, aside from the challenge.

Thanks for the thought, Carol! I'm still sorting through possible books to read in relation to the Challenge. This sounds helpful :)

Niledaughter wrote: "I created this one for the challenge lists .
What do you suggest to do ? "

Because I was the one who started the other thread, I was able to edit it. I changed the title to "Ideas Suggestions for 2019 MENA Challenge"
Do you think this makes it clear that This thread is the one for discussion and the other one was just to get ideas for what to do for the challenge?
The other option would be I can just delete the other thread.
Either way is okay for me!

Jalilah wrote: "Because I was the one who started the other thread, I was able to edit it. I changed the title to "Ideas Suggestions for 2019 MENA Challenge"
Do you think this makes it clear that This thread is the one for discussion and the other one was just to get ideas for what to do for the challenge?
The other option would be I can just delete the other thread.
Either way is okay for me!.."

Please do not delete the other thread , it is where you brought us this challenge :)
I checked last year , you made two threads , "2018 Reading Challenge Suggestions" and then "MENA 2018 Challenge Progress" , so I will rename this thread as well .

Carol wrote: "One approach that works well in a couple of other groups is to create separate threads for each task, so that members can suggest books that meet the specific task, or books they are contemplating to read to meet the task. Once set up under the challenge folder, they run themselves ,e.g., take zero monitoring. In my observation, they continue to have value, drive engagement, and be great resources for members, aside from the challenge..."

This could be a very well approach , I can make a separate discussion board for the challenge that contains :
1- Jalila's original thread for challenge ideas.

2- this thread - if you want to keep it or close it and make a new one - where members can post their full list and track what they finished .

3-We may need a volunteer / volunteers for this one: 12 threads for each topic for recommendations .

# what do you all think ?

Tamara wrote: "I can recommend two books about cities, both of which are very good and very accessible:

Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek.

Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood by Justin Marozzi.

I've read and reviewed both of them.."

Will you be interested in recommending them in "Reading about historical Babylon and Baghdad" thread ?

Niledaughter wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I can recommend two books about cities, both of which are very good and very accessible:

Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek.

Baghdad: City of Peac..."

Yes, I'd be happy to recommend them. I've read them both and they're excellent. My hesitation stems from the fact that I'm not sure I'll have the time to moderate. But if either gets selected, I will make the time to moderate. So, no worries.

I recommend

Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization

Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood.

I'll choose my books as I go through the year. Hopefully the challenge will lead me to some interesting reading during 2019.

Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables around my Uni allow. Any comments on these tentative readings will be sincerely appreciated!

1. A novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history:
Mecca: The Sacred City

2. A novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure:
Hypatia of Alexandria

3. A fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author:
The Queue
Women of Karantina

4. A book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author:
Women in the Qur’an: An Emancipatory Reading

5. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria):
Nietzsche's Camel Must Die: An Invitation to Say 'No'
We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria

6. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq):
فئران أمي حصة

7. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from the Maghreb ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania):
Les Valeureuses

8. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt:
The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk / Palace of Desire / Sugar Street

9. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author:
The Black Book

10. A book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author:
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
The Blind Owl

11. A book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea):
Season of Migration to the North

12. A book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan:
"Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an

Flor wrote: "Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables around my Uni allo..."

Flor, interesting choices. The only one I've read is "Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an. I highly recommend it.

Tamara wrote: "Flor wrote: "Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables aroun..."

Thank you for your comment, Tamara.
I hope you enjoy Ilan Pappé's book. I haven't read that one myself but several of his other books. Highly recommended. Also, his and Noam Chomsky's book On Palestine.

Thanks for all these ideas. Here's what I am thinking of reading in relation to the 2019 Challenge (some have more than one possible option still)...
1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history:
Mecca: The Sacred City (Same city that Flor chose, but a different book :)
2. a novel based on a famous real life MENA historical figure
The Architect's Apprentice
Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah (This might also be of interest to Kenza)
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author:
طائر الرعد Thunder Bird by Sonia Nimr (in Arabic, and probably some others. Also The Bird King, which is not by a MENA author, but might interest someone here.)
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
كيف تلتئم: عن الأمومة وأشباحها (How to Heal: On Motherhood and Its Specters) by Iman Mersal
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria
I Remember Beirut
Always Coca-Cola
6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula
The Turtle of Oman
I noticed ND has An Apartment Called Freedom on her list. It's been on my to-read list for awhile...I was also interested in reading Celestial Bodies and بساتين عربستان, but I don't have easy access to them.
7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa)
Marrakech Noir
Dreams of Maryam Tair: Blue Boots and Orange Blossoms
8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
Embrace on Brooklyn Bridge
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
Istanbul: Memories and the City
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
Saddlebag
11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the Horn of Africa (none)
12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from a "Stan" country or Central Asia
Threading My Prayer Rug: One Woman's Journey from Pakistani Muslim to American Muslim

Bonus: Folktales:
1) Pearls on a Branch: Arab Stories Told by Women in Lebanon Today : oral tales / Najla Jraissaty Khoury ; translated from the Arabic by Inea Bushnaq.
2) Feminist Traditions in Andalusi-Moroccan Oral Narratives

In response to FI, I also have some books in French to read (2 Algerian fantasy novels and Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow, French from Algerian immigrant family)

And finally, in case it is of interest to members, The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Z. Khan (mystery novel set in Canada)

Flor wrote: "Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables around my Uni allo..."

I was very disappointed in Reading Lolita in Tehran. Found the writing very pompous and condescending. I propose instead one of these: Persepolis; Together Tea, or our recent read, Refuge.

Eileen wrote: "Flor wrote: "Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables aroun..."

Dearest Eileen,
kind thanks for your feedback!
I have a copy of the book that I picked up on a trip a while ago and haven't come around to reading yet, that's why it's on the list. But I will definitely pin down your recommendations right away!

Melanie wrote: "Thanks for all these ideas. Here's what I am thinking of reading in relation to the 2019 Challenge (some have more than one possible option still)...
1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in ..."

Melanie, your list looks amazing! I've added a bunch of your to-reads to my own list ^_^ Happy readings.

Melanie wrote: "Thanks for all these ideas. Here's what I am thinking of reading in relation to the 2019 Challenge (some have more than one possible option still)...
1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in ..."

Melanie, your list has given me so great ideas.

I have a copy of The Adventures of Ibn Battuta: A Muslim Traveler of the Fourteenth Century, Revised Edition, with a New Preface by Ross E. Dunn. I read it years ago but was planning to read it again this year.

Melanie wrote: "Thanks for all these ideas. Here's what I am thinking of reading in relation to the 2019 Challenge (some have more than one possible option still)...
1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in ..."

Thank you for the suggestion "Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah" Melanie, it seems interesting although this year and by the circumstances it seems that it will be my year Ibn Khaldûn, but I'll take it a look.

Tamara, the Ross Dunn rendition is very accessible. I have used it with undergraduate students in the past. Enjoy:)

Flor wrote: "Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables around my Uni allo..."

I am a big, big fan of the Cairo Trilogy and Season of Migration. If you read either or both, I look forward to hearing/reading your thoughts.

Melanie wrote: "Tamara, the Ross Dunn rendition is very accessible. I have used it with undergraduate students in the past. Enjoy:)"

Great! I'm so looking forward to reading it. Thanks.

Carol wrote: "Flor wrote: "Hæ guys ^_^
I'll work on and change my list as I go along. Some books will be carefully picked while others will probably come as randomly as my library or the free books' tables aroun..."

Carol!!! Thank you so much for your input!
Now I really can't wait to get to read them.

So I am reading Last Train to Istanbul for #9 and really liking it! It's historical fiction set in the time of WW2. Although the author says all the characters are fictitious, the events that happen are real. It seems at the time the Turkish consulate in Paris gave Turkish passports to all Jews who had originally migrated from Turkey to France, even if their only documentation was an old out dated Ottoman passport and helped many flee.