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Please post you list for 2020 challenge in here :
1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
/topic/show/...

2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history
/topic/show/...

3. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
/topic/show/...

4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq
/topic/show/...

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Jordan, Syria)
/topic/show/...

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 )
/topic/show/...

7. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania
/topic/show/...

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
/topic/show/...

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
/topic/show/...

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
/topic/show/...

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
/topic/show/...

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
/topic/show/...

Here is my list , I have multiple choices , so I am not completely settled

��1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
Dancing Arabs .........Done
The Invention of the Jewish People

Maybe
Jerusalem: The Biography
The Woman from Tantoura


��2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history
So far not by native authors ....
The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt ....Done


Maybe
The Hand of Fatima
Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh
Cleopatra: A Life

��3. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
Sex and the Citadel: Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World .........Done



4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq

An Iraqi In Paris: An Autobiographical Novel

Maybe
A Sky So Close: A Novel


��5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)
Cinnamon
Maybe
The Night Counter: A Novel


��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 )
An Apartment Called Freedom

Maybe
Celestial Bodies
Mama Hissa's Mice


7. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania

Maybe
Fantasia: An Algerian Cavalcade
Desert

��8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
The Seven Days of Man ....Done

Maybe
Warda


9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
The Architect's Apprentice

Maybe
My Name Is Red


10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
Rooftops of Tehran

Maybe
Touba and the Meaning of Night

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
The Kindness of Enemies

Maybe
African Titanics
Maps


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

A Bed of Red Flowers: In Search of My Afghanistan

Maybe
Games Without Rules: The Often Interrupted History of Afghanistan


Extra
In an Antique Land

Hello! A bright new year :)
Here is my personal list for 2020 so far...

1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
None at this point

2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history
Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah
(related interest: The Red Tent)

3. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
Feminist Traditions in Andalusi-Moroccan Oral Narratives

4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq
None at this point

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria)
Sabriya: Damascus Bitter Sweet

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 )
An Apartment Called Freedom
Warriors & Warlocks: Chapter One Outcast

7. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania
La Proie des Mondes

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
Little Songs in the Shade of Tamaara
The Quarter
The Seven Days of Man
(In Arabic only: أولاد الناس: ثلاثية المماليك)

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
Last Train to Istanbul (related interest: Halide's Gift: A Novel)

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
None at this point

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
Bird Summons

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
None at this point

13. My own additions:
Words Under the Words: Selected Poems

1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.

Passage to the Plaza, by Sahar Khalifeh, translated by Sawad Hussain (February 2020, Seagull)

2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history
Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah

3. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
Our Riches, by Kaouther Adimi, translated by Chris Andrews (April 2020, New Directions)

4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq
Impostures, by al-Hariri, translated by Michael Cooperson, with a foreword by Abdelfattah Kilito (May 2020, Library of Arabic Literature)

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham The Frightened Ones, by Dima Wannous

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 )
الغول و نبتة العليق by Naseeba al-Azibi

7. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb ( North Africa) - ( Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya,Mauritania
كافكا في طنجة by Mohammed Said Hjiouij

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
The Magnificent Conman of Cairo, by Adel Kamel, translated by Waleed Almusharaf, with a foreword by Naguib Mahfouz (March 2020, Hoopoe Fiction)

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author
Istanbul Noir

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison by Behrouz Boochani tr. Omid Tofighian.

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)
Abdullah Baraka Sakin has out a new novel!

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
Hamid Ismailov of strangers and bees translated by... I forget!

13. My own additions:
Lots of fun novels for fun, at least 1 per month.

For #2: a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history.

If you're interested in the development of Christianity, I highly recommend How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart D. Ehrman.
Prof. Ehrman is a biblical scholar who has written nearly two dozen books on early Christianity. This book may not be for everyone, but I thought it was a fascinating study.

My review: /review/show...

Tamara wrote: "For #2: a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history.

If you're interested in the development of Christianity, I highly recommend [book:How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a J..."

I've no intention of undercutting your recommendation, but, just FYI for other readers seeking context on his beliefs - Ehrman identifies as an atheist, not Christian. His purpose at this point in his career is to point out what he sees as errors in the Bible, under the label, "textual criticism." If that's what a reader is seeking, no one does it better.

Carol wrote: "I've no intention of undercutting your recommendation, but, just FYI for other readers seeking context on his beliefs - Ehrman identifies as an atheist, not Christian. .."

Thanks for that, Carol. Perhaps I should have been clearer and given more context.
In his introduction, Ehrman says he had been an Evangelical Christian as a young man.

From his intro:

But I had changed over the years, and now in middle age I am no longer a believer. Instead, I am a historian of early Christianity, who for nearly three decades has studied the New Testament and the rise of the Christian religion from a historical perspective. . . As a historian I am no longer obsessed with the theological question of how God became a man, but with the historical question of how a man became a God.

Tamara wrote: "Carol wrote: "I've no intention of undercutting your recommendation, but, just FYI for other readers seeking context on his beliefs - Ehrman identifies as an atheist, not Christian. .."

Thanks for..."

Not at all, Tamara. He lives and publishes locally, and I've followed his publications and public statements for some time, but had a sense that our members don't live in the same fishbowl. : )

This month I am going to do complete the challenge 7 and 10.
I am going to read a tunisian author who wrote about the tunisian revolution in a very methaphoric way.
7. Yamen Manai" L amas ardent"

I am also going to read an iranian author (heard a lot of praise of her books and it has been translated in english) , she wrote it in French as her family has run away to France in the 80's.
10. Negar Djavadi " Desorientale"

Thank you all for updating and sharing :) and we are very existed to see all the lists blossom.

I am making separate threads for each entry of the challenge - links are provided in my first message .

I will try to include our previous discussions in it and I will very much appreciate if you can make these threads richer with your recommendations :)

Majdouline wrote: "This month I am going to do complete the challenge 7 and 10.
I am going to read a tunisian author who wrote about the tunisian revolution in a very methaphoric way.
7. Yamen Manai" L amas ardent"
..."
Disorientale catches you from the beginning. I read it 2 years ago in Spanish. I love Iranian literature, unfortunately not much Iranian work is translated. I hope you enjoy it.

I have not had much time for reading lately and have not even began to think about what I'll be reading yet, but I plan to do this challenge and participate in as many group reads as I can this year!

For #9, a book by a Turkish author, I read The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak. I thought it was disappointing and definitely not her best work.
My review: /review/show...

I want to read 6 books at the hole Mena-Area. I'm not sure if it's exactly as the challange, but its a beginning of reading structural Mena-Litereatur. Thanks for the many Titels. I take a look.

Updated on 13 November:
1. ��Time of White Horses - Palestine conflict
2. ��The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan - History (Pakistan)
3. �� Zubaida's Window: A Novel of Iraqi Exile - female author (Iraq/Germany)
4. ��Sky So Close, A: A Novel -Iraq
5. ��: Beirut Hellfire Society - Al Sham (Lebanon)
6. ��Celestial Bodies - Oman
7. �� The Meursault Investigation - Maghreb (Algeria)
8. ��The Seven Days of Man -Egypt
9. ��Frontline Turkey: The Conflict at the Heart of the Middle East - Turkish author
10. ��The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran - Iranian author
11. �� Born in the Big Rains: A Memoir of Somalia and Survival -Horn of Africa (Somalia)
12. �� I Should Have Honor: A Memoir of Hope and Pride in Pakistan -Pakistan

Samy wrote: "I have just finished Time of White Horses by Ibrahim Nasrallah for 1. a book about the Palestine conflict.

For .8 a book about Egypt, I plan to read [book:The Seven ..."
I will be waiting to hear your thoughts about The Seven Days of Man"" :)

This list is my attempt to stay focused on reading books I already have.

1. Of Nobel Origins, Sahar Khalifeh or
The Secret Life of Saeed The Pessoptimist, Emile Habiby. Or
2. Zayni Barakat, Gamal al-Ghitani.
3. Velvet, Huzama Habayeb or
The Story of Zahra, Hanan al- Shaykh.
4. The Book of Collateral Damage, Sinan Antoon or
The Long Way Back, Fuad al-Takarli.
5. Whatever Happened To Antara and Other Stories, Walid Iklassi,
Land of No Rain, Amjad Nasser
6. The Dove’s Necklace, Raja Alem.
7. The Theocrat, Bensalem Himmich or
Maps Of The Soul, Ahmed Fagih.
8. Using Life, Ahmed Naji or
Ice, Sonallah Ibrahim.
9. Motherland Hotel, Yusuf Atilgan or
A Mind At Peace.
10. The Owl,
11. The Longing Of The Dervish, Hammour Ziada.
12. Broken Verses, Kamila Shamsie

I read Salt Houses and A Map of Home for #1 and #3

Joining slightly late as a motivation to get to some old friends on my shelves and read more from the MENA again:

1. Palestine conflict:
Gate of the Sun by Elias Khoury
2. MENA history: The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf
3. by a female author: from options for other categories
4. by an author from Iraq: Naphtalene: A Novel of Baghdad by Alia Mamdouh
5. by an author from Al Sham: Women of Sand and Myrrh by Hanan Al-Shaykh
6. by an author from The Arabian Peninsula:
Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
7. by an author from The Maghreb: Les Petits de Décembre by Kaouther Adimi + Les Ailes de Daouya by Rabia Djelti
8. by an author from Egypt: Blue Lorries by Radwa Ashour
or Memoirs from the Women's Prison by Nawal El Saadawi
or Distant View of a Minaret and Other Stories by Alifa Rifaat
9. by a Turkish author: Women Who Blow on Knots by Ece Temelkuran
10. by an Iranian author: Disoriental by Négar Djavadi
11. by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa:
Passage of Tears by Abdourahman A. Waberi
or Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih
12. by an author from Central Asia, Afghanistan or Pakistan: The Patience Stone by Atiq Rahimi
or The Women’s Courtyard by Khadija Mastoor

Cam wrote: "Joining slightly late as a motivation to get to some old friends on my shelves and read more from the MENA again:

1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
[book:Gate of..."

A great list, cam. I’ll keep an eye on this and maybe read several in parallel.

I finished Elsewhere, Home by Leila Aboulela for #11 in the challenge (Sudan).

It is a collection of short stories with variations on the theme of the challenges and rewards faced by immigrants in their adopted country. It's a good collection but the focus was a bit repetitive.

My review: /review/show...

Edit: I'm changing this book to count as #3: a book fiction or non-fiction by a female author.

Finished Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow for #11 in the challenge (Somalia). A haunting tale of a young woman's life in the turmoil of Somalia leading up to the civil war.

My review: /review/show...

Thanks for sharing Tamara :)

Finished Mama Hissa's Mice by Saud Alsanousi and translated from the Arabic by Sawad Hussain for #6 of the challenge (a book from Kuwait). It takes place over a thirty year period in Kuwait and is a compelling narrative of the devastating impact of war and sectarian violence.

Edited to show the correct link to my review: /review/show...

Tamara wrote: "Finished Mama Hissa's Mice by Saud Alsanousi and translated from the Arabic by Sawad Hussain for #6 of the challenge (a book from Kuwait). It takes place over a thi..."

Thanks for sharing Tamara, I hope I will be able to read it soon. I read the author's previous novel The Bamboo Stalk and enjoyed it .

I haven't read that one of his. I'll check it out when the library opens up. Thanks for the tip, Niledaughter.

Here is my list:


1. A Mountainous Journey by Fadwa Tuqan
2. Rediscovering Palestine: Merchants and Peasants in Jabal Nablus, 1700��1900 by Beshara Doumani
3. The Book of Disappearance by Ibtisam Azem
4. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi
5. Flight Against Time by Emily Nasrallah
6. Outclassed In Kuwait by Taleb Alrefai
7. Women in the Qur'an: An Emancipatory Reading by Asma Lamrabet
8. In The Spider’s Room by Muhammad Abdelnadi
9. I Will Never See This World Again by Ahmet Altan
10. When a They Broke Down The Door by Fatemeh Shams
11. Thirteen Months of Sunrise by Rania Mamoun
12. The Dead Lake by Hamid Ismailov

Niledaughter wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Finished Mama Hissa's Mice by Saud Alsanousi and translated from the Arabic by Sawad Hussain for #6 of the challenge (a book from Kuwait). It takes p..."

What was your opinion of the book The Bamboo Stalk? I'm afraid that it isn't the reality, but censorship, because it is edited in an emirate.

Tamara wrote: "I haven't read that one of his. I'll check it out when the library opens up. Thanks for the tip, Niledaughter."

You are welcome :)

Richard wrote: "Here is my list:


1. A Mountainous Journey by Fadwa Tuqan
2. Rediscovering Palestine: Merchants and Peasants in Jabal Nablus, 1700��1900 by Beshara Doumani
3. The Book of Disappearance by Ibtisam ..."

Thanks for sharing :) , I hope you will enjoy the journey :)

Johanna wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Finished Mama Hissa's Mice by Saud Alsanousi and translated from the Arabic by Sawad Hussain for #6 of the challenge (a book fro..."

What do you mean it is not the reality ?
I liked the book, it introduced me from the problem of "The Bidoon"

Ok, thanks.

Johanna
It was a question, what do you mean it is not the real ? I am not sure I get it...:)

The second part of my response was my impression of the book that you asked about.

Yes, I've seen it. But my question was of the book is free, (the reality) or so written that it is ok for the cencorautority, because it is published in an Emirate, ( qatar or so) and the isn't a totaly free system. I'very interested in these countries, but it is dificult to get true (or real) informetion. That was the backgroud of my question. I understand that the country where I'm living (switzerland) makes me a little sensetive for cencored information. Thanks. I like zhis group.

Hi Johanna,
I understand now, I cannot answer that with definite certainty, but I can tell that it was a bold novel dealing with what is preferably unspoken about, may be that is what qualified the novel to win the Booker prize.
here is a preview :



Glad you like the group.

Hi Niledaughter, Thanks, you know so much from literatur. I'll take a look about this book. . I've find the book (but not bought) in my favourite bookshop hier in Zürich, that shop only sells books from countries around the Mediterraniean sea, And some other Menabooks.

I finished The Law of Inheritance by Yasser Abdellatif, translated from the Arabic by Robin Moger for #8 in the challenge (an author from Egypt).

It is a series of vignettes that flash back and forth in time, capturing the zeitgeist of Cairo in the 1990s. I thought it was quite good.

My review: /review/show...

I read Disoriental by Négar Djavadi, translated from the French by Tina Kover for #10 of the challenge--a book by an Iranian author. The novel won a lot of writing awards in France. It captures the immigrant experience of an upper class Iranian family forced to flee to France. I thought it was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the narrator's voice. I highly recommend it.

My review: /review/show...

Hi Niledaughter,

The link for No 1 - book about the Palestinian Conflict doesn’t list any books. Says got bad directions.

Nan wrote: "Hi Niledaughter,

The link for No 1 - book about the Palestinian Conflict doesn’t list any books. Says got bad directions."

Thanks! I fixed it :)

Tamara,
Thank you so much for sharing :)

I read The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun for #7 of the challenge.
It is a thought-provoking novel which interrogates class and racial tensions, age-disparity, and a traditional versus a modern view of a Moroccan marriage. I thought it was an interesting approach, skillfully handled.

My review: /review/show...

This is what I have read up to now:

1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict.
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan

3.a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author
A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar

4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq
The Gardener of Baghdad by Ahmad Ardalan

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
The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt
Sex and the Citadel: Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World by Shereen El Feki

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author
Disoriental by Négar Djavadi

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
Jamilia by Chingiz Aitmatov

I read Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie for #12 of the challenge. I've loved nearly everything I've read by her. I thought this was a great read.

My review: /review/show...

I read Apeirogon by Colum McCann for #1 of this challenge.
Based on the true story of the tragic deaths of two young girls and the unlikely friendship and collaboration forged by their respective fathers--an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian Muslim. A challenging read that leaves a profound impact.

My review: /review/show...

I read Freedom Hospital: A Syrian Story by Hamid Sulaiman; translated by Francesca Barrie for #5 of this challenge.

A graphic novel blending fact and fiction about the carnage and devastation during the Syrian civil war. A heartfelt attempt, but I didn't think it was entirely successful may be due to the nature of the medium.

My review: /review/show...

Since I last checked in her I have read 3 more books for this challenge:

2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history
Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah by Tim Mackintosh-Smith

5. book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia , Djibouti and Eritrea)

Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela


I am currently reading The Bamboo Stalk for the Khalijee category

Tamara wrote: "I read Freedom Hospital: A Syrian Story by Hamid Sulaiman; translated by Francesca Barrie for #5 of this challenge.

A graphic novel blending fact and fiction abou..."

I'm not sure if it's the nature of the medium. As I remember, I felt the book seemed quite hastily produced & the characters felt stock / stereotypical . . . ? I think.

Marcia wrote: "I'm not sure if it's the nature of the medium. As I remember, I felt the book seemed quite hastily produced & the characters felt stock / stereotypical . . . ? I think..."

Marcia, I felt the same way--stereotypical characters and stiff dialogue. It may be the nature of the medium.
[edit] What I mean by that is may be the medium doesn't lend itself to fluid narrative and fleshed out characters.

I read a novella: I'jaam by the Iraqi author Sinan Antoon for #4 of the challenge. The subject matter is difficult. It is about the experiences of a young Iraqi university student held in detention during the time of Saddam Hussein. It captures the fear and brutality of living under a totalitarian government.

My review: /review/show...

I just realized I have completed the challenge:

1. a book, fiction or non-fiction book about the Palestine conflict:
Apeirogon by Colum McCann.

2. a book, fiction or non-fiction based on or about MENA history:
How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart Ehrman.

3. a book, fiction or non-fiction written by a female author:
Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow (Somalia).

4. a book, fiction or non fiction. written by an author from Iraq:
I'jaam by Sinan Antoon; translated by Rebecca C. Johnson and Sinan Antoon.

5. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Al Sham (Lebanon, Jordan, Syria):
Freedom Hospital by Hamid Sulaiman; translated by Francesca Barrie (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 ):
Mama Hissa's Mice by Saud Alsanousi; translated by Sawad Hussain (Kuwait).

7. A book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from The Maghreb (North Africa) - (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania:
The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun; translated from the French by Andre Naffis-Sahely (Morocco).

8. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by an author from Egypt:
The Law of Inheritance by Yasser Abdellatif; translated from the Arabic by Robin Moger.

9. a book, fiction or non-fiction, by a Turkish author:
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak.

10. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an Iranian author:
Disoriental by Negar Djavadi; translated from the French by Tina Kover.

11. a book, fiction or non-fiction by an author from Sudan and the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea):
Elsewhere, Home by Leila Aboulela (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:
Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie (Pakistan).

Challenge complete!

I have posted reviews of all these books on goodreads and on my website at

Great list Tamara! thanks for sharing:)