DUBAI: For many, summer offers a chance to finally pick up that book that has been gathering dust on the nightstand all year. For others, it is an opportunity to branch out and expand their literary horizons.
During these quieter months, certain genres frequently gain popularity as readers seek out titles that match the season’s relaxed atmosphere or support their personal development goals.
Whether they are reading for relaxation or for self improvement, a common dilemma among summer readers is choosing between fiction and nonfiction.
According to author Philippe Mathijs, founder of executive and business coaching service Reach Outstanding, this choice ultimately boils down to individual taste. However, he believes “there’s a trend toward balance.
“Nonfiction satisfies curiosity and learning goals, covering topics from history to personal development, while fiction provides escapism and relaxation through imaginative storytelling,” he told Arab News.
Fiction remains a perennial year-round favorite. However, summer often sees an uptick in sales of self-help and personal development books, particularly among university students and first-time job seekers, says Mathijs.
“Self-help books offer readers practical guidance, motivation, and strategies for personal and professional growth,” he said. Such books cover a wide range of topics, from career advancement and productivity to mindfulness and relationships.
One example is Mathijs’ own latest book, “How not to be lonely at the top,” which guides readers through the unique challenges of upper-level leadership.
“Whether you’re a CEO, a manager, or a rising star in your organization, the book provides the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape,” he said.
Nasser Saleh, author of “Under the cover,” acknowledges that the choice between fiction and nonfiction is a common predicament for avid readers, but notes that even fictional works can open avenues to self-discovery.
“At present, fiction is the more popular option, appealing to those who enjoy escapism and compelling storytelling,” he told Arab News.
“These readers are drawn to narratives that whisk them away to different worlds, providing a break from everyday life.
“Under the cover” is a collection of short stories that explore the human experience. Saleh describes these narratives as anecdotes that “take readers on a journey into the depth of the human mind where the essence of their real lives remains concealed beneath the surface.”
Despite the appeal of fiction, Saleh recognizes a significant readership favors nonfiction — particularly genres like self-improvement, history and biographies. He attributes the growing popularity of memoirs and autobiographies to several factors.
“Authenticity and inspiration” is one reason, says Saleh, as readers are often captivated by real-life stories and personal journeys that provide valuable insights and motivation.
Backing this perspective, Shatha Al-Mutawa, founder and director of the Kutubna Cultural Center in Dubai, credits the demand for this genre to people’s innate curiosity to learn more about the lives of noteworthy individuals, regardless of time or place.
“We want to find answers for questions in our own lives in the strength and wisdom of others, and we want to see how people navigate challenges like the ones we face,” she told Arab News.
“This is an exciting time because we are seeing more women talk frankly and openly about different aspects of their lives.”
Indeed, at a time of growing openness in the region, an increasing number of Khaleeji women are now sharing intimate details of their lived experiences through writing, she said.
For example, Palestinian Kuwaiti author Shahd Al-Shammari shares passages from her own journals in her memoir “Head above water” — a book that looks at the intersection of gender, disability and nationality.
This is an example of “cultural insight” — another factor behind the growing demand for memories and autobiographies in the Arab world, says Saleh.
“Memoirs offer a glimpse into different cultures and experiences, deepening readers’ understanding of the Arab world,” he said.
Similarly, global influences have ignited an interest in memoirs and autobiographies as the success of international bestsellers encourage readers to seek out similar narratives within their own cultural context, said Saleh.
“Despite there being fewer authors from the Arab region, notable works like ‘I was born there, I was born here’ by Mourid Barghouti and ‘Baghdad burning: Girl blog from Iraq’ by Riverbend have garnered attention,” he said.
Additionally, Saleh said that realist and historical novels are another genre seeing a rise in popularity in the landscape of Arabic-language books.
He predicts that titles like “Gambling on the honor of Lady Mitzy” by Ahmed Al-Morsi, which was shortlisted last month for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction — also known as the “Arabic Booker” — will be a popular read this summer.
“The book sheds light on the difficult realities of the beginning of the 20th century that were very similar to the difficult realities that we experience today,” he said.
Another favorite is “A mask the color of the sky” by Basim Khandaqji, which won the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
“The mask in the book’s title refers to the blue identity card belonging to an Israeli person found by an archaeologist living in a refugee camp in Ramallah in the pocket of an old coat,” said Saleh.
Amid the war in Gaza, Al-Mutawa of the Kutubna Cultural Center believes this summer will see many readers gravitate toward books written by Palestinian authors.
“Even though it is difficult to export books from Palestine, authors and publishers are succeeding in bringing us new Palestinian literature,” she told Arab News.
She referred to books such as “Alkabsula” by Kamil Abu Hneish, which looks at the ways Palestinian political prisoners share their writings with the world.
Another title she believes will garner strong interest among readers worldwide, particularly when it is translated into English, is “Kitaba khalf alkhutut” — written by several authors from Gaza about their experiences of the ongoing war.
Similarly, Adania Shibli’s novel “Minor detail,” which recounts the harrowing events of the Nakba — or catastrophe — in 1948 Palestine, and Rashid Khalidi’s classic “Hundred year’s war on Palestine” are likely to fly off the shelves this summer as more people seek to learn about Palestine’s history, says Al-Mutawa.
“I disagree strongly with the idea that there is a scarcity of authors from the Arab region,” she said, emphasizing that the real scarcity lies in the limited media attention and public acknowledgment of the contributions made by the region’s writers.
On the flip side, for readers seeking an escape into the realm of fiction this summer, Al-Mutawa suggests exploring books like “An unsettled home” by Kuwaiti author Mai Al-Nakib.
Al-Mutawa highlights the book’s distinctive portrayal of Khaleeji women, particularly in its depiction of the relationship between people from the Gulf and India.
Another book to look out for is Saudi writer Raja Al-Sanae’s sequel to her novel “Banat Al-Riyad” (Girls of Riyadh), says Al-Mutawa.
Al-Sanae recently discussed her life and writing journey on the “Imshi maa” podcast, hinting at a sequel to the novel, which had previously garnered attention in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
“Let’s not forget poetry, which combines fiction and nonfiction,” Al-Mutawa told Arab News.
As a passionate reader, she strongly recommends revisiting Dunya Mikhail’s “The war works hard,” while eagerly anticipating the release of the author’s newest collection, “Tablets: Secrets of the clay,” set to debut in September.
While some readers may opt to browse the shelves of bookstores for their summer reads, others may prefer the convenience of online shopping and ebooks.
Ultimately, various formats in which books are available cater to different preferences and needs, said Al-Mutawa.
For example, audiobooks are ideal for individuals with long commutes, while lightweight ebooks are convenient on the go.
For Al-Mutawa and other book enthusiasts, however, holding a physical edition in hand and turning the pages provides a sensory satisfaction that ebooks just cannot match.
