[Saturday Reads] #AlAinReads – First Ever Book Fair Attended in the UAE

SaturdayReads

Myra here.

Every Saturday we hope to share with you our thoughts on reading and books. We thought that it would be good practice to reflect on our reading lives and our thoughts about reading in general. While on occasion, we would feature a few books in keeping with this, there would be a few posts where we will just write about our thoughts on read-alouds, libraries, reading journals, upcoming literary conferences, books that we are excited about, and just book love miscellany in general.

One of the things that I wanted to find out after having moved here in the United Arab Emirates is how vibrant the reading community is. Lo and behold, this book fair welcomed me here. I posted this nearly two months ago in our Facebook Page:

Naturally, I was very excited to head over to the Convention Centre to check out my first ever Book Fair here in Al Ain. At the time, we were still busily scrambling to submit all documents in order for us to get our Emirati IDs. I was truly relieved that at least I got mine in time, in order for me to register for the fair, with my family in tow.

Most of the titles are, as to be expected, in Arabic – which is perfect. I immediately went to the picturebook section, because I am determined to know all the outstanding local artists that our new adopted country has to offer.

According to my doctorate students in my new university, Kalimat is one of the most respected book publishers in the country. True enough, the books that they have are gorgeous.

I was especially intrigued by this Blind Date With A Book corner. The descriptions are in Arabic, and it does look like there is an assortment of genre here for book lovers to enjoy.

I naturally had to pay a visit to the Kinokuniya booth where I quizzed the booksellers if there is any possibility, in the near future, for them to open up a branch here in Al Ain. The answer was a hesitant but pretty firm No. I figured.

Here are a few more interesting stalls that I went to and the books that caught my eye. Needless to say, I look forward to the next one!