Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Dear friends, please share with us which books you would like to read for this theme:)

I think I will be reading Wondrous Journeys in Strange Lands for this topic.

Niledaughter wrote: "I think I will be reading Wondrous Journeys in Strange Lands for this topic."

I read about this one recently, probably from the forums here- thanks for reminding me of it though. I love the sound of this. Will try to find a copy.

I plan to read Sitti's Secrets, a children's book by Naomi Shihab Nye. It's available free online at OpenLibrary.
I don't usually read children's or YA but this story appeals to me and it's, of course, easy to fit in. I do find myself more and more drawn to YA recently. Will be curious what others read here :)

The Djinn's Apple! :)

Thanks Jen, I will search for it.
Mona, I would love to hear about it from you.

I will try for either Darius the Great Is Not Okay or The Turtle of Oman.

Omg thanks for sharing- that Darius story sounds lovely!!

I read Sitti’s Secrets with my (7-yr old) son this week. It was lovely. We’re listening to the audiobook of The Turtle 🐢 of Oman.

If anybody would like to buddy read The Djinn's Apple, let me know :)

We're planning to read The Djinn's Apple as a group read later in the year (to allow for as many as possible to access it). If you read it earlier, please feel free to participate in the later discussion.

Ah alright, thanks!

I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh from Syria. I'm excited- reviews are pretty stellar and also it's a new-to-me region as far as reading :)
I still also plan to read Sitti's Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye for this challenge.

Jen wrote: "I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh from Syria. I'm e..."

Both seem interesting. I may give "Sitti's secrets" a try after I finish. I am not in the mood for " As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow ".

I started reading Wondrous Journeys in Strange Lands, and I like it. Until now it did not connect me to Palestine, it is more universal so far, struggle between old ideas and new ones, using isolation and ignorance for control.

Jen wrote: "I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh from Syria. I'm e..."

I enjoyed As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow very much

Jen wrote: "I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh from Syria. I'm e..."

I see my local library has As long as the Lemon Trees Grow, I'll definitely go and find it. Thanks for the recommendation!

@Carolien- cool! Would love to hear your thoughts on it. I’m on my long road trip now and started it today as an audiobook. Liking it, though it’s quite sad being a war story. I got through about 30% already- through chapter 10.

More children's books we (my 7-year-old son and I) have enjoyed lately: Banana Dream and Egyptian Lullaby.

Melanie wrote: "More children's books we (my 7-year-old son and I) have enjoyed lately: Banana Dream and Egyptian Lullaby."

These sound lovely. Can't help thinking of Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto after reading the description for Banana Dream :)

I read Sitti's Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye tonight. Loved it. I got choked up when they were saying goodbye. These kind of distances and rare chances to be together are a part of my cross-cultural family too. And I looked through the book a second time to focus just on all the beautiful paintings again. The artwork is remarkable.

Aww nice! We’re reading We Are Palestinian by Reem Kassis.

I finished " Wondrous journeys in strange lands", it was a nice read. So many adventures though!

Reading The Djinn's Apple. The pace is a bit slow and so far is a bit vague so I don't have much to comment

Thanks for the update. I hope it gets more fun for you!

Carolien wrote: "Jen wrote: "I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh from ..."

Carolien, wondering if you also read Where the Lemon Trees Grow or the one you mentioned, Darius the Great is Not Okay. That was very appealing to me so would love to hear thoughts on it if you read it. I won't get to it soon though...

Jen wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Jen wrote: "I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katou..."</i>

I really liked [book:As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow. I haven’t read the other one

Jalilah wrote: "Jen wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Jen wrote: "I have a big car trip to make soon and I'm thinking I'll listen to the audiobook of the YA novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by [author:..."

Yes! We discussed earlier somewhere, maybe a different thread. I really liked your thoughts on it. I had made a small complaint about the wholesome, perfect romance part of the story but after you shared your thoughts, I agreed- it's great as is, especially considering the darkness and violence of the world they're in. It's a good balance to the setting.