The Reading Challenge Group discussion

This month's World Lit genre is the Middle East. We therefore are focusing on books either written or set in the Middle East, or that is written by a middle Eastern author.

Countries typically considered to be in the Middle East: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq (and Kurdistan), Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

If you're a bit lost, check out book lists that are set in the Middle East, or the 'Best Middle East Books' list.

Deanna Raybourn has two historical novels set in 1920s Syria / Lebanon (Damascus area, mainly): City of Jasmine and Night of a Thousand Stars. Both include adventure, mystery, and romance, so they would be a bit more of a lighthearted choice.

I'm planning to read for the challenge. Can't wait - I love Deanna Raybourn and have been saving this one up.

I'm doing a lot of research right now on the Middle East (particularly Jerusalem), so this is perfectly timed for me!

Love when that happens. :)

I have both The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns both by Khaled Hosseini I'm going to read one of these, possibly both. Undecided which of these I'm going to read first

If I have a vote - the kite runner - my favorite of the two!

I was thinking of reading the kite runner first, but I got Thousand Splendid Suns for something like 50p on Amazon so pretty much had to buy it

Haven't read Kite Runner, but Splendid Suns was beautifully written. I was completely absorbed from page one.

Gareth wrote: "I have both The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns both by Khaled Hosseini I'm going to read one of these, possibly both. Undecided which of these I'm ..."

Not to be picky, but ... I believe the author of these two books is Afghani and the books are set in Afghanistan. Is Afghanistan considered Middle East?

I thought I was but I've just looked on Google, and it depends where you look. Some places say yes, some say it used to be and others say it's part of the 'greater' Middle East. I'm not sure where I stand now

They're both on the 'Best Middle East Fiction' list though

Becca wrote: "I believe the author of these two books is Afghani and the books are set in Afghanistan..."

That was my understanding, too. I think they fit in August, under South Asia/India Subcontinent.

Holly has a link to the list of countries for this challenge. You're right, Becca, Afghanistan is not on the list. I know that's why I had such a hard time finding books for this part of the world. There's a ton of notable titles for Afghanistan. But I had to put them aside for later in the year.

I think the GR lists are created by GR members, which accounts for the discrepancies. The nomination thread for the Group WL Read had several intestine options.

I'm sure I'll find something else. I love Egypt so I'm sure I'll find something suitable. I'll check out that thread. Thanks!

Great to hear, Gareth. I look forward to seeing your choice.

Uh, that was supposed to be "interesting options." "Intestine options would just be messy.

I've got it, I got this when I was in Egypt in July. Radical: My Journey out of Islamist Extremism it sounds so interesting, and is on a topic I'm really really interested in. It's autobiographical with a British author, but a large amount takes place during his year abroad in Egypt.

Cool choice, Gareth! That looks really Interesting!

Yes, and it doesn't resemble intestines at all! ;)

I just put My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk on hold at the library. The author is from Turkey and the novel is set in Turkey.

I'll be reading Persepolis for this challenge.

Actually, I changed my mind. I'm going to read Reading Lolita in Tehran instead.

I'm reading Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo, which is indeed incredible.

Faye wrote: "I'm reading Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo, which is indeed incredible."

Faye, I'll look into this one, thanks!

I'm over a third of the way through Radical: My Journey from Islamist Extremism to a Democratic Awakening. It's so incredibly interesting, it provides such an eye opening insight into what causes young people to adopt these extremist ideas. From what I've read so far I encourage anyone with an interest in Islam or in Extremism to read this. It's fantastic!

Wow! That's quite a recommendation. Thanks, Gareth.

Just started The Complete Persepolis. It's a graphic novel by a young woman about her experiences growing up in Iran. So far it's fantastic and it's an unusual experience reading g about a serious subject in cartoon form. It feels as if my senses are heightened.

Read I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced, very powerful.