2019 MENA Lit Challenge Progress

[Tamara]

Melanie wrote: "Thanks Tamara, I’ve wondered about that book. Nice to hear your opinion."

You're welcome!

[Niledaughter]

I finished reading Lyrics Alley for no (11)- a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the Horn of Africa
I recommend it .

[Tamara]

I finished The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani for #10--an author from Iran. It focuses on the fate of a young girl passionate about making rugs. The setting is 17th century Persia. The details bring the sights and sounds and smells of the city to life. The description of rug-making was fascinating. And in true Middle Eastern fashion, there are folk tales within the tale.

It reminded me of some of the writing of Elif Shafak. I think if you enjoy her writing, you will probably enjoy this.

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

[Niledaughter]

Thanks Tamara , I remember enjoying reading that novel to , I liked it more than the author's second novel

[Tamara]

Niledaughter wrote: "Thanks Tamara , I remember enjoying reading that novel to , I liked it more than the author's second novel"

Good to know. I won't rush to read her second novel. Thanks.

[Tamara]

I read Laila Lalami's The Other Americans for #7--a book by an author from Morocco. I thought it was quite good but not up to the level of The Moor's Account.

My 3-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tamara]

I think I may have completed the challenge:

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history: The Book of Collateral Damage by Sinan Antoon (Iraq).

2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure: The Adventures of Ibn Battuta: A Muslim Traveler of the Fourteenth Century, Revised Edition, with a New Preface by Ross E. Dunn (Morocco)

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

4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author: Cleopatra: A Life (Egypt)

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria): The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye (Palestine)

6. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula: Celestial Bodies (Oman)

7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb (North Africa): The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (Morocco)

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt: Cairo Modern (Egypt)

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author: The Bastard of Istanbul(Turkey)

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author The Blood of Flowers(Iran)

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the Horn of Africa: The Orchard of Lost Souls (Somalia)

12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from a "Stan" country or Central Asia: Broken Verses by Kamila Shamsie (Pakistan).

The only one I have left is #3: a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author. I've edited Gilgamesh of Uruk to turn it into a paperback, and I'm in the process of making it available as an audio book. So I've had to read it several times since I'm doing the narration for it. If I can count it for #3, it means I've completed the challenge.

I've really enjoyed this challenge because it has encouraged me to read books I may never have otherwise read. Thanks for setting it up. It's been great!

[Jalilah]

I am reading Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie for #12, a book from a Stan country. I love it!
I think I first heard about this author from Tamara. Thank you so much!

[Tamara]

Jalilah wrote: "I am reading Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie for #12, a book from a Stan country. I love it!
I think I first heard about this author from Tamara. Thank you so much!"

You're welcome! I hope you enjoy it.

[Niledaughter]

Jalilah wrote: "I am reading Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie for #12, a book from a Stan country. I love it!
I think I first heard about this author from Tamara. Thank you so much!"

We read it in the group 8 years ago , I remember liking it
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jalilah]

Tamara wrote: "I finished The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani for #10--an author from Iran. It focuses on the fate of a young girl passionate about making rugs. The setting is ..."

I read Anita Amirrezvani's Equal of the Sun a few years ago and loved it. I always wanted to read something else of hers. Thanks for reminding me!

Soon I will be starting Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow for #11 a book by an author from the Horn of Africa!

[Tamara]

Jalilah wrote: " Soon I will be starting Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow for #11 a book by an author from the Horn of Africa!.."

That looks really good. I've put it on my TBR list. Thanks.

[Jalilah]

I completed the Challenge in fact I added two more books


1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history .
Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Serajin
2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure
Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth by Naguib Mahfouz

3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
Dreams of Maryam Tair: Blue Boots and Orange Blossoms by Mhani Alaoui
and
Gilgamesh of Uruk by Tamara Agha-Jaffar

4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author.
Regards from the Dead Princess: Novel of a Life by Kenizé Mourad

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

6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula
Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea
and
Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi


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

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

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


10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali


11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa
Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow

12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia
Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie

[Tamara]

Jalilah wrote: "I completed the Challenge in fact I added two more books
Jalilah | 622 comments Here are some books I am considering for the 2019 reading challenge :

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

Well done, Jalilah!

[Melanie, Marhaba Language Expertise]

I completed my challenge for 2019, although I'm carrying #1 over for 2020:

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 based on a famous real life MENA historical figure:
The Architect's Apprentice
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author:
طائر الرعد Thunder Bird by Sonia Nimr (in Arabic, 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: Always Coca-Cola
6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula: The Turtle of Oman
7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa): Marrakech Noir. Also 2 novels by Mhani Alaoui (Dreams of Maryam Tair: Blue Boots and Orange Blossoms, Aya Dane)
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

[Niledaughter]

Great lists ! :)
I think I finished seven books I am planning to post my list later , may be I will read more :)

[Fl]

Hello all,

I also think I have finished, although I am not very happy with myself, there are plenty of books I hoped I could read this year and didn't...

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history Le Palais Du Desir
2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure: Akhénaton le renégat . I wanted to read The Corsair, I have rthe book, I did not have the time... Next year.
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author: Dreams of Maryam Tair: Blue Boots and Orange Blossoms
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author: Our Women on the Ground
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham: Le piano oriental. Quite happy to add a graphic novel to my list. I also really liked Ougarit, a novel about -also - the soul of Middle Eastern cities.
6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula: Sairat Antara: The Manuscript from the University Library in Wroclaw, Poland: One of the Longest Literary Compositions of Medieval Arabic Literature
7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb: Cousine K
8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt: The Automobile Club of Egypt
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author: The Architect's Apprentice
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author: The Septembers of Shiraz
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: Dans les eaux du lac interdit. I am kind of cheating there, I have started it, I can't guarantee I will have finished it by tonight...

I am afraid that some of the best books I haved read about the Middle East this year were from foreigners: Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon or Travels in Arabia Deserta, Volume 1. Their authors at least took the time to make themselves a place in their countries of choices. On the other end, I feel like accounts from writers who emigrated very young, such as Dalia Sofer or Lucette Lagnado, taught me to look at their places of origin through American eyes...

Still an interesting year, and looking forward to the next., and many thanks for setting up this challenge!

[Niledaughter]

Fl wrote: "Hello all,

I also think I have finished, although I am not very happy with myself, there are plenty of books I hoped I could read this year and didn't...

1. a novel or non-fiction book about or s..."
Thank you so much for sharing :) and I am glad you liked it !

The new one is ready . :)...Happy new year !

Thank you dear Jalilah for helping us with the group challenge year after year :)