Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Dear All,

Hello! I'm opening a space here for envisioning 2026. This is a place for you to mention any books you're hoping to read in the new year.

I'll start with a children's book that I'm planning to reread with my child: The Jasmine Sneeze (set in Damascus, the author is from Syria and Lives in London).

We're thinking about offering Open Reads this year (for example, for a particular 3-month period you can read any book in a given category and post about it). Here are some possible category ideas for Open Reads: Fiction, Poetry, Children's/Young Adult Literature, Something for Your Challenge (something on your personal challenge, assuming we do it again in 2026). Are you interested in doing the challenge again this year? Our 2025 personal challenge discussion thread is here.

Any other books you'd like to share? You're welcome to suggest Group Reads (one book that several people read and discuss). You can also do Buddy Reads (reading with 1 or 2 people).

Wishing everyone some good reads in the new year.

Hello everyone, we didn't hear from you?

Do you like to have a different challenge for this year?

Niledaughter wrote: "Do you like to have a different challenge for this year?"

Personally I love them because they encourage me to read books I might not have otherwise read. Of course I can do this without a challenge, but the challenge kind of “pressures” me more to read certain books, and afterwards I’m always happy I read them!

There's also a super-cute kids' book translated from Arabic coming out in Jan 2026: Shushuya: My Special Dragon Friend.

Would anyone like to read Murjana: A Novel of Medieval Baghdad? I was watching an interview with the author Ghada Karmi. She’s so fascinating and intelligent.

Yes Jalilah, I’m happy to read Murjana with you. Does anyone want to join us in this read?

Jalilah wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "Do you like to have a different challenge for this year?"

Personally I love them because they encourage me to read books I might not have otherwise read. Of course I can do th..."

Happy new year!
I guess We will continue with the same challenge as it is.

Challenge in here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Anyone have a preference for the order for 4 Open Reads in 2026?

1. Jan-Mar | Children's/Young Adult Literature
2. Apr-Jun | Fiction
3. Jul-Sep | Poetry
4. Oct-Dec | Something for Your Challenge (something on your personal challenge, assuming we do it again in 2026)

Let us know here if you want changes to this plan.

Anyone want to join Jalila and me for reading Murjana: A Novel of Medieval Baghdad? I think I'll get my copy within the next few weeks and will start reading then :)

Does anyone plan to read Wild Thorns (Sahar Khalifeh)?

Another member expressed interest in joining me and Jalilah for Murjana: A Novel of Medieval Baghdad. I've opened a discussion thread for us here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Dania, thanks for the suggestion. Anyone want to join Dania in reading Wild Thorns?

Hello, I would like to join you for reading Miriam’s, I would order it this week but it will take a couple of weeks to arrive.
Let me know if this works.

On another note for the poetry I have finally find a translated version ( I don’t read Arabic) of my a poet from my hometown Abou el Kacem Chebbi.
Would anyone like to join me ?

Thank you

Majdouline, I'm happy to hear if you find any favorite lines of poetry :)

As our small group read of Murjana: A Novel of Medieval Baghdad has grown to 4 people, I'm thinking this will be the order of the open reads:

1. Jan-Mar | Something for Your Challenge (something on your personal challenge)
2. Apr-Jun | Children's/Young Adult Literature
3. Jul-Sep | Fiction
4. Oct-Dec | Poetry

That way those reading Murjana can count it for their challenge, reading it during this quarter of the year. And there will still be an open read discussion for people to contribute to, whether or not they join that small group read.