Middle East/North African Lit discussion
2020- 2025 challenge
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Ideas for a 2020 Challenge
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I'd like to do a MENA challenge in 2020. I did it in 2019 and enjoyed reading books from different MENA areas. So I'd vote for doing a repeat of the 2019 challenge. But I'm open to doing something different if others have good suggestions.
Mod
I am to one as I hope I can be more in focus in the next couple of months .
We can repeat it if you like - it was Great !- or do some modifications, if you are up to do so , then I love the idea of having a historical fiction as a genre in general "not only a figure" and also one of the best 100 Arabic novels as a new addition .
Mod
Melanie wrote: "The challenge is great. I don’t have any modifications to suggest. Thanks for putting it together!"Niledaughter wrote: "Thanks Jalila :)
I am to one as I hope I can be more in focus in the next couple of months .
We can repeat it if you like - it was Great !- or do some modifications, if you are up to do so , then I..."
Tamara wrote: "I'd like to do a MENA challenge in 2020. I did it in 2019 and enjoyed reading books from different MENA areas. So I'd vote for doing a repeat of the 2019 challenge. But I'm open to doing something ..."
I too very much like the idea of continuing the different countries or regions but also modifying some of the other features
This was 2019
1. a novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history .
2. a novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure .
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author.
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)
6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula - ( Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq)
7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania
8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan
#1,#2,3 and #4 could be something different.
As Nile Daughter suggested #2 could be a historical novel rather than historical figure
For me #4 could be something different as well, because we can always choose to read female authors without it being a category. As it turned out most of the books I read for this years challenge were written by women.
Mod
I agree :)
Could we add Iraq as a separate category? Its actually not even on the 2019 challenge
Jalilah wrote: "Could we add Iraq as a separate category? Its actually not even on the 2019 challenge"See #6.
Tamara wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Could we add Iraq as a separate category? Its actually not even on the 2019 challenge"See #6."
Oh that's right! I was surprised we had not put in Iraq, but the year before we'd put it in with the Al Sham countries and that's where I looked now.
So how do you feel? Do you think there are enough books by Iraqi authors that we could have a separate Iraq category?
Jalilah wrote: ".So how do you feel? Do you think there are enough books by Iraqi authors that we could have a separate Iraq category?."I think it would be nice to have a separate category for Iraq since we have one for Egypt, Turkey, and Iran. But I'm happy to keep it as is if people prefer that.
Mod
I see no problem , we can have it as a separate category . :)
Jalilah wrote: "So how do you feel? Do you think there are enough books by Iraqi authors that we could have a separate Iraq category?.."
I am not sure about the quantity but I have a feeling that there will be no problem :)
The current list helped me find books and authors I wouldn’t have found on my own. I like the idea of keeping a specific category specifically for woman authors. I would not have found Our Woman On The Ground without this category. Thanks for all your work putting together this list.
Ok so let's replace a historical novel for historical figure, add Iraq as it's own category. For the woman author it's reallyup to the moderators. As I said, most of the books I read for this years challenge were written by women, so I personally don't need it as a separate category but if everyone else wants to keep it, I am fine with that too. Do we want to keep #1 and #3?
Another idea would be one that Charles brought up earlier this year when he posted:"There are so many 'stories' of the struggles of the children in Palestine ... the thousands who are hurt or wounded, why some become terrorists, why some move to other countries, why some stay to become educated there.... why is no one interested?"
Also, Sudan could have it's own category, as I think its not technically part of the Horn of Africa.
I vote For the following changes1. more focus on Palestine, especially contemporary writers or poets.
2. Add Iraq
3. I wonder about a change from historical novel to historical figure. I can’t remember but it seems like historical novels among the books most talk about? Either way is ok for me.
4. Another plug for keeping a separate woman category is that this is the place to recognize books where woman specifically talk about their lives and what it’s like to their work.
Whatever is decided, I want to thank the moderators for all their work putting this list together. THANK YOU
Mod
I guess they can be replaced with any of the new suggestions. I did not count so I am not sure if all fits in :
- We need a spot for Iraq
- A spot for Palestine , or war/ troubling zone ?- not sure I get which
And what else ?
For Sudan , I am not sure we have enough translated books from the horn of Africa by native authors, I think we only read from Sudan so far.
I hope no one objects, but I took the liberty of compiling all the suggestions into a list to simplify things. I hope I included all the suggestions. We can always add/delete/modify. But I thought a list would make it easier to know where we are and what changes--if any--we want to make. I'm a great believer in making lists to clarify things in my mind. The suggestions are in italics. A summary of the discussion so far:
1. A novel or non-fiction book about or set in a MENA city with an ancient history.
Do we want to keep this category?
2. A novel book based on a famous real life MENA historical figure.
Should this be a historical novel rather than a historical figure?
(One suggestion I have is to combine #1 &2: A non-fiction or historical novel based on an ancient MENA city or historical figure.)
3. A fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
Do we want to keep this category?
4. A book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female MENA author.
Do we want to keep women as a separate category?
5. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria).
Do we want to add Iraq to this category?
6. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula - (Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq)
Do we want to put Iraq in #5? Or do we want to put Iraq as a separate category? If so, are there enough books available to have it as a separate category?
7. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb (North Africa) - Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania.
8. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt.
9. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author.
10. A book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author.
11. A book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea).
Should Sudan have a separate category? If we put Sudan as a separate category, will there be enough of a selection of translated books from the other countries since most of the books we have read so far are from Sudan?
12. A book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Other suggestions (I didn’t know where to put them):
More focus on Palestine, especially contemporary writers and poets.
Focus on Palestine or war/troubled zone.
Again, I hope no one minds I took the liberty to do this. I just thought it might be helpful.
TameraI posted twice about why I thought we should keep a separate category for woman writers.
Tamara wrote: "I hope no one objects, but I took the liberty of compiling all the suggestions into a list to simplify things. I hope I included all the suggestions. We can always add/delete/modify. But I thought ..."- it was agreed that Iraq will have its own category
And
-we would have one category for the struggles of children growing up in Palestine as Charles suggested or giving more options by saying war zones as Nile Daughter suggested
Personally I'd rather see new options for the city and women, but if others really want to keep them, or one of them I am okay too
As like in last year's challenge for each option people can choose between fiction or non- fiction ( except of course the fantasy science fiction category)
Nan wrote: "TameraI posted twice about why I thought we should keep a separate category for woman writers."
Sorry. I missed it.
Jalilah wrote: "As like in last year's challenge for each option people can choose between fiction or non- fiction ( except of course the fantasy science fiction category)"I think we should keep women and replace the city.
Tamara wrote: "Nan wrote: "TameraI posted twice about why I thought we should keep a separate category for woman writers."
Sorry. I missed it."
Actually, Nan, I just noticed that I did include it. See #4. I put it as a question because I didn't think we had agreed to it yet.
Tamara wrote: "I hope no one objects, but I took the liberty of compiling all the suggestions into a list to simplify things. I hope I included all the suggestions. We can always add/delete/modify. But I thought ..."If the #1 bullet on this list were replaced with a task related to Palestine, it would be ideal from my perspective. I'd prefer to see it left broad and not see circumscribed by a theme requiring it to pertain to children or war or any other modifier that limits it, but whatever the group decides .....
Carol wrote: "btw, I love the list as you've compiled it Tamara...."Thank you, Carol.
If we do it like this: 1. a novel or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
2. a novel book based on MENA history
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
4. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author.
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)
6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula - ( Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates )
7.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania
8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan
there will be no room for a separate category for Iraq.
Either the challenge will be more than 12 or one of the categories has to go.
If everyone wants to keep a separate category for women then maybe the #3 the dystopian,fantasy science fiction category should go.
For those of you who absolutely want a separate category for women writers which other category would you rather leave out?
Jalilah wrote: "If we do it like this: 1. a novel or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
2. a novel book based on MENA history
3. a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author.
4. a boo..."
Yes, I would replace #3, a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author, with Iraq. In the alternative, combine Iraq with Iran for task #10, and members can meet that task as they choose.
Carol wrote: " Yes, I would replace #3, a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author, with Iraq. In the alternative, combine Iraq with Iran for task #10, and members can meet that task as they choose"Personally I would prefer not merge Iraq with Iran.
I like the idea of there being more different countries/regions, so why don't we eliminate #3 then? If anyone wants to read dystopia-fantasy-science fiction they can count it to the country the author comes from.
Jalilah wrote: "Carol wrote: " Yes, I would replace #3, a fantasy, dystopian or science fiction book by a MENA author, with Iraq. In the alternative, combine Iraq with Iran for task #10, and members can meet that ..."Indeed : ) I like pushing myself to each country/region.
Mod
I vote to replace #3 with a book from Iraq
Jalilah wrote: "As like in last year's challenge for each option people can choose between fiction or non- fiction "
I like this flexible feature a lot :)
How is this?1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history
3. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq
5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)
6.A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Arabian Peninsula - ( Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates )
7. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania
8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
12. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from the "Stan" countries or Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan or Pakistan
Mod
Would you like to set a thread where everyone can put his own list or would you like to continue here?
Niledaughter wrote: "I guess if there is no other comments I can set the challenge.Would you like to set a thread where everyone can put his own list or would you like to continue here?"
Absolutely!
That would be great! Thank you!
Continue here is ok for me. Thank you for all your work putting this together.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...
It will be opened automatically by the beginning of 2020
Happy new year !
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I will try to post individual threads for recommendations for each category including the related books we already read in the group over the years.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If so, we can either do a repeat of 12 different MENA areas or we could create a new one based on members suggestions.
Either way is fine with me, so please share your thoughts everyone, or make some suggestions!