Books from Jordan
18 popular jordanian books
Travel the world without leaving your chair.
The target of the Read Around The World Challenge is to read at least one book written by an author from each and every country in the world.
All books that are listed here as part of the "Read Around Asia Challenge" were written by authors from Jordan.
Find a great book for the next part of your reading journey around the world from this book list. The following popular books have been recommended so far.
1.
Description:
Turki al-Hamad's explosive novel Adama became an unlikely bestseller in the Middle East, selling more than 20,000 copies despite being officially banned in several countries, including the author's native Saudi Arabia. A compelling coming-of-age story, it also offers a rare and stunning inside look at the hidden roots of dissent in the modern Arab world. In his tranquil middle-class neighbourhood, eighteen-year-old Hisham doesn't quite fit in. He's a budding philosopher who spends his days reading banned books and developing his political ideals. His Saudi Arabia is a nation embroiled in inter... continue
2.
Am Ende bleiben die Zedern : Roman by Pierre Jarawan DE
Description:
Samir ist auf einer Reise, die Gegenwart und Vergangenheit verbinden soll: Er will endlich die Wahrheit über seinen Vater erfahren, der die Familie vor zwanzig Jahren ohne eine Nachricht verlassen hat. Mit einem rätselhaften Dia und den Erinnerungen an die Geschichten seines Vaters im Gepäck macht der junge Mann sich in den Libanon auf, das Geheimnis zu lüften. Seine Suche führt ihn durch ein noch immer gespaltenes Land, und schon bald scheint Samir nicht mehr nur den Spuren des Vaters zu folgen. Vielmehr ist es, als seien die Figuren aus dessen Geschichten real geworden. Sie bringen Samir ein... continue
3.
American Refuge by Diya Abdo EN
Description:
A provocative, conversation-sparking exploration of refugee experiences told in their own words, for readers of Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s The Undocumented Americans and Viet Thanh Nguyen “A moving and timely book that strips away misleading politics to reveal the complexities of real human lives." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Forced to leave their homes, they came to America... In this intimate and eye-opening book, Diya Abdo--daughter of refugees, U.S. immigrant, English professor, and activist—shares the stories of seven refugees. Coming from around the world, they’re welcomed by Ev... continue
4.
An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine EN
Description:
An obsessive introvert in Beirut, eschewed by her family and neighbors for her divorced status and lack of religious reverence, quietly translates favorite books into Arabic while struggling with her aging body until an unthinkable disaster threatens what little life remains to her. By the best-selling author of The Hakawati. 20,000 first printing.
5.
Bride of Amman by Fadi Zaghmout EN
Description:
The Bride of Amman, a huge and controversial bestseller when first published in Arabic, takes a sharp-eyed look at the intersecting lives of four women and one gay man in Jordan’s historic capital, Amman—a city deeply imbued with its nation’s traditions and taboos. When Rana finds herself not only falling for a man of the wrong faith, but also getting into trouble with him, where can they go to escape? Can Hayat’s secret liaisons really suppress the memories of her abusive father? When Ali is pressured by society’s homophobia into a fake heterosexual marriage, how long can he maintain the illu... continue
6.
Cities of Salt by Abdelrahman Munif, Abd al-Raḥmān Munīf EN
Description:
Banned in Saudia Arabia, this is a blistering look at Arab and American hypocrisy following the discovery of oil in a poor oasis community. "From the Trade Paperback edition.
7.
Description:
In her coming-of-age memoir, refugee advocate Luma Mufleh writes of her tumultuous journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim woman and a proud Arab-turned-American refugee. With no word for “gay” in Arabic, Luma may not have known what to call the feelings she had growing up in Jordan during the 1980s, but she knew well enough to keep them secret. It was clear that not only would her family have trouble accepting her, but trapped in a conservative religious society, she could’ve also been killed if anyone discovered her sexuality. Luma spent her teenage years increasingly desperate to ... continue
8.
Honor Lost : Love and Death in Modern-day Jordan by Norma Khouri EN
Description:
Dalia was a young, beautiful, Arabian Muslim living with her family in Amman, Jordan. This text gives a harrowing account by a Jordanian woman of the honour-killing of her lifelong friend at the hands of her own father, after she fell in love with a young Catholic man.
9.
Östlich des Mittelmeers by Abdalrachman Munif DE
Description:
Schildert einfühlsam am Beispiel eines politischen Gefangenen in einem arabischen Land die Zerstörung des Individuums und seiner Lebenswelt.
10.
Pillars of Salt by Fadia Faqir EN
Description:
Pillars of Salt is the story of two women confined in a mental hospital in Jordan during and after the British Mandate. After initial tensions they become friends and share their life stories.