UAE Good Readers discussion

Hello everyone =)

I only recently joined goodreads, and was quite happy to find that there was a group for readers in the UAE.

I'm a member of other groups as well, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I have to point out that this group is pretty quiet, considering there's around 160 people.

So I'd like to break the ice, by introducing myself.

I'm Lina (as you can see lol) and I'm 25 years old. I am currently unemployed, and spending most of my time in Kinokuniya (I'm sure everyone agrees that this bookshop is a breakthrough in the UAE lol).
I've been reading since I was 9 yrs old, and the first book I've ever read was The Faraway Tree Stories by Enid Blyton.

Since then, I've been ejoying the works of R L Stine and Christopher Pike.
I'm sure everyone remembers Fear Street and that vampire series lol. Ok so I'll stop going back in time now, too many series and authors to count!

For the past five years, I've been heavily addicted to the fantasy genre, and one of my favourite authors of all time is Robin Hobb. That doesn't mean that I don't read other genres, I do. Every now and then I like to change it up. The most recent non-fantasy book I've read is Little Bee by Chris Cleave.

I hope people comment on this thread, it would be nice to get to know fellow readers in my home country =)

Hey there.. I just joined this group. Great to meet arab people who worship reading just like me! unfortunately I have never bumped into Bahraini readers. However. Good to be part of the UAE group. x

Hi! I started this group a while back, and haven't done anything with it. If anyone has ideas, I'll jump on board.

We've had a few local authors post stuff, which is fantastic.

This could also be a great forum for sharing resources. I think there is a real need for book swaps and used book sales.

I'm British but living and working in Dubai. I've been involved in bookselling since 1998 and am a huge fan of literary and popular fiction - well, of the writers I like, at least. What surprised me when I arrived was how similar the stock in the shops here is compared to those in the UK - same range, same authors, more or less. Anyway, hello everyone.

Iain, I've noticed that, too. The assumption seems to be that the expatriates are the ones buying books, and the focus is usually on Bestsellers.

I used to go bookshopping with a good friend from Yemen who was always depressed about the number of Arabic books in the bookstores here. He would see the abundance of titles in English, and a few paltry little shelves in Arabic. It's a bit of a vicious cycle-- people aren't going to buy books in Arabic if the selection is bad, and they aren't going to stock them if people aren't buying.

And the publishing seems pretty weak, there are a few translators but not enough, so it's only the Dan Brown/Stieg Larsson books that receive their tender efforts!

Hi Folks :) I'm Melissa and I work as a librarian for the library @ The Club - Abu Dhabi... We recently established the 1st Official Book Crossing Zone for the UAE. Check out our online bookshelf @ http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshe...
I'd love to see some travelling books go to fellow UAE GOODREADERS ...
... Oh and I love reading and 'bookcrossing' and I've just discovered GoodReads!

nice to meet you melissa!

:)

Hi, I'm Joan. I love reading obviously... but I am also involved in book selling which I love as well. I have no particular favourite authors or genres so I basically devour all books with equal fervour... However, there are a few who know me who might say I have a love of King bordering on obsession... :)

hi hi hi hi every one ,,nice to meet you all..im new member too =( i hope this joyning to you gys will help me & encorege me to finsh a book ...i like Books& reading but never ever i finsh a book befor =\....follow me in twitter if you want (http://twitter.com/#!/worldsos )im worldsos huh

Hello! I moved to Abu Dhabi a month ago from the U.S. I've been in a wonderful Goodreads bookgroup called Oly Reads (for Olympia, Washington, my home). I really want to delve into Middle Eastern literature of any country, any genre.

yaay! A UAE group! I was starting to dispare about finding members in the U.A.E. on Goodreads.
Well, to get the group a bit more active maybe we should start a book club and choose a book every month, or 2 months just to get people discussing and sharing their love of books?
Just a thought :)

Thank God! From the time i joined goodreads i hv been looking for sumone frm uae. Thanks a lot for making a group. Im Ann (of coz u can see tht!), i am studying currently. But i do read a lot. Reading is my passion. I am in RAK. One thing i wnt to say, ther r almost 230 members right nw. But the group is nt doing anythin. Start sum discussions. Start some contests nd sumthin fun. Be mre active, please!