Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Hey all,

I'm not sure if I can post this topic here and please forgive me if I can't. I was just wondering if any of the members here are living in Amman, Jordan? I'd love to exchange some books. If people wanna read, please check out my "to read" shelve. I have all these books in Epub or pdf format and I'd be more than happy to share my books with people interested in reading them.

Have a good night,
Jessie

Hi! I'm not there now (my family lives north of Amman) but a couple people on my friends list are in Amman if you want to check them out.

Could you recommend any books by Jordanian authors or books set in Jordan? I'm American, but there's a Jordanian guy-the only man I've ever loved-and his family, who have my heart, so I like to read anything about Jordan.

Thank you!

Hey Kat.

Books I can think about right now are:

Diana Abu-Jaber, "The Language of Baklava"
Fadia Faqir, "The Cry of the Dove"
Queen Noor, "Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life"
Norma Khouri, "Honor Lost"

Have you checked out Tareq's thread here?

Thank you for the link okyrhoe.

Thank you for the link! I've just joined this group so I haven't yet had time to look through all the threads. Thank you very much for the book recommendations. I have Queen Noor's book (she's amazing) and I'm currently reading Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril. I miss my time in Jordan a lot, so reading is one way to visit again.

Hey Kat. How long have you been in Jordan? Queen Noor's book is very good. I have King Abdallah's book but haven't read it yet. Did you read "The Language of Baklava" bij Diana Abu Jaber? I'm sure you'd enjoy it!

I was only in Jordan one summer but I'm hoping to save enough to go back next year. "The Language of Baklava" is on my to-read list but unfortunately I don't have it.

Have you seen the movie Captain Abu Raed? You can watch the whole movie on Youtube. I liked it because it reminded me vividly of my own violent childhood-it's the first movie I've seen that addresses what goes on behind closed doors-and because, of course, it was set in Amman.

I know I'm not supposed to promote an' stuff, but my own book, Olives, is in fact set in Jordan.

Hey presto!

Kat wrote: "I was only in Jordan one summer but I'm hoping to save enough to go back next year. "The Language of Baklava" is on my to-read list but unfortunately I don't have it.

Have you seen the movie ..."

Hey Kat, I have seen it. One of my friends was the producer. I thought it was a beautiful movie, the way it was brought. I totally enjoyed it and in the end I've cried a few tears.

Hi, I'm living in Abu Dhabi but thinking of visiting Jordan in May for my birthday. Any wonderful literary destinations I should visit? I will only have 4 days or so.

Jerash
Umm Qeis
Amman Ampitheatre
Amman Citadel
Bethany
Dead Sea
Mount Nebo
Madaba
Petra
Dana Reserve
Wadi Rumm

Pick a handful of any of the above. Personally, first visit, I'd do Petra, the Dead Sea and Amman. It's a rush in four days but you should squeeze it in. Stay at the Movenpick in Petra/Dead Sea.

I think Petra is a must. It can be combined with Wadi Rum. I guess you really should do a sleep over at Wadi Rum, under the stars. After this either Mt Nebo & Madaba & Amman or Jerash & Amman.

I think I'll be going to Wadi Rum and of course Petra, am not sure how much I can do this time. I hope to make it back to explore more.

Alexander, I was curious and so, checked the little bookstore in Spinneys (Abu Dhabi) for 'Olives', found it there. I plan to read it. But first, I must finish The Tent and My Name is Red. Too many books...

Oh, well done Kate! You'll find a multitude of places in the book to visit when you get to Jordan - and you might find the Lonely Planet a help, too. I know the chap wot writes it and he knows his stuff totally. :)

Hey all,
I think I'm a little bit late in my reply, but I've just seen that. I live in Jordan and I'm willing to exchange books if you like, let me know :)

Aya