So, you’re searching for a book that vibes with your life and feels a little closer to home? We’ve got a list of must-read books set right here in the Middle East.
Whether you’re craving a summer escape with a good story or just want a little taste of home, these reads are perfect for you. From laugh-out-loud moments to all-the-feels drama, these books will have you laughing, crying, and feeling everything in between.
So grab your fave cosy spot, and get ready to read these stories that hit close to the heart.
Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa al-Sanea
This is Rajaa Alsanea’s eye-opening portrayal of Saudi women’s hidden lives. She’s caused a stir across the Arab world with her bold storytelling, revealing the personal journeys of four young Saudi women navigating love, fulfillment, and cultural identity in both Riyadh and the wider world. It’s all about breaking free from the norm, and navigating between Islamic values and Western influence.
Price: Dhs45, amazon.ae.
The Blood of Flowers by Amina Amirrezvani
In seventeenth-century Isfahan, a young woman deals with a tough break: her dad passes away, leaving her with zero dowry. She’s stuck working for her rich uncle, a big-shot rug designer at the Shah’s court. She discovers a talent for designing carpets that shines bright amidst her bland love life. The Blood of Flowers spins a mesmerizing yarn about love and guts, set in a historical city buzzing with life and culture.
Price: Dhs60, uae.kinokuniya.com.
Princess by Jean Sasson
Sultana Al-Sa’ud has mansions on three continents, her own jet, and a wardrobe filled with designer glam. But behind her veil lies a hidden truth. She’s not calling the shots in her own life—she’s trapped, a prisoner of tradition and power. Sultana’s breaking the silence for her daughters, risking it all to shed light on a society where young girls are forced into marriages with men decades older, where women face unimaginable fates like drowning or isolation in dark, silent cells. Speaking out might bring the kingdom down on her, but through her story told to Jean Sasson, she gives us a glimpse into a world where power, money, and secrets rule.
Price: Dhs60, amazon.ae.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Author Marjane’s childhood mirrors her country’s wild history. Through Marjane’s eyes, we see toppled rulers, sanctioned drama, and revolutionary heroes, learning about Iran’s rich past and her family. It’s personal, political, and totally unique—a tale of growing up amid the chaos of conflict and change. Laugh, cry, and think deeply with Marjane as your guide.
Price: Dhs70, amazon.ae.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
This tearjerker follows the lives of two fierce Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, who cross paths in the most unexpected ways. It’s about a war-torn Afghanistan, where friendship blooms and resilience shines through the darkest times. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, showing us how love can conquer all, even in the toughest of circumstances. Grab your tissues because you’re going to need it.
Price: Dhs35, amazon.ae.
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
If you’re on the hunt for an emotional rollercoaster of a read, then this book will deliver. This tale follows a Palestinian family who get kicked out of their village in 1948 by Israeli settlers. They end up in the Jenin refugee camp, where all kinds of problems unfold. It’s a story of love, loss, and resilience that’ll keep you hooked.
Price: Dhs60, uae.kinokuniya.
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
This book follows Deya, an 18-year-old living in Brooklyn, who’s being set up with suitors by her super-conservative Arab family. But she has no say in the matter, just like her mom, Isra, who had to leave Palestine as a teen to marry Adam. Deya always thought her parents died in a car crash, but then she gets this mysterious note from a woman who looks oddly familiar. Deya starts digging into her past, and the story flips between her life and Isra’s, revealing all the dark and twisted secrets hidden in their community.
Price: Dhs41, amazon.ae.
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Nahri’s a street-smart hustler in 18th century Cairo, where she cons Ottoman nobles with fake magic—palm readings, zars, you name it. But then she accidentally summons a hotshot djinn warrior who spills a secret: magic’s real, and there’s a whole city called Daevabad waiting for her. Behind its magical gates, ancient Djinn tribes are feuding big time. Nahri has to navigate this wild world of magic, monsters, and political drama. It’s like “Aladdin” meets “Game of Thrones,” but with way more mystical vibes and twists you won’t see coming.
Price: Dhs56, amazon.ae.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
In a kingdom where the boy-king Khalid is infamous for marrying a new bride every night only to have her killed by morning, 16-year-old Shahrzad steps up for some revenge after her BFF becomes one of his victims. But plot twist: as Shahrzad uses her clever storytelling to survive, she starts to realize there’s more to Khalid than his villanious rep. With vibes straight out of an Arabian Nights fever dream, this story is all about secrets, survival, and unexpected romance.
Price: Dhs48, noon.com.
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi
In U.S.-occupied Baghdad, Hadi, a scavenger, starts piecing together body parts to form a corpse, hoping the government will finally give these lost souls a proper burial. But when the corpse disappears, a string of eerie murders waves through the city, with rumours of an unkillable monster on the loose. Hadi realizes his creation is a flesh-hungry beast, attacking the guilty and innocent alike.
Price: Dhs60, uae.kinokuniya.com.
Era of Nitocris by Dr. Mervat Mohsen
In a gripping tale that blends mythology and inspiration from the old worlds, Era of Nitocris follows the dramatic journey of an Egyptian Queen who uses dark magic to battle for the throne. Dr Mohsen is a distinguished journalist and media expert 💓.
Price: Dhs74, amazon.ae
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