A review of the 50 books I read in 2022
Every year I diligently track and review the books I’ve read. Here are my previous reviews:
My Top 5
- Everything Sad is Untrue — a unique, funny and wonderfully told story
- Accidental Death of an Anarchist — a humorous satire of police under fascism by a nobel prize winning author
- The Magic Fish — a son and his immigrant mom connecting by telling each other fairytales in graphic novel form
- Mutual Aid — short read with actionable advice for implementing mutual aid
- Six of Crows — Ocean’s Eleven but make it fantasy
New Fiction (2000s — today)
1. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Spectacular. I finally understand why this book is recommended so often. It is a wonderful concept of exploring the history of the slave trade in the USA and Ghana through the descendants of two sisters that were separated. But what really drew me into the story were the compelling characters in every chapter. If I could choose one I book that I wish I wrote, this book would be that.
“He had always said that the joining of a man and a woman was also the joining of two families. Ancestors, whole histories, came with the act, but so did sins and curses.”
2. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Although the main plot of this book deals with the very dark subject of suicide, that is not what this book about. In fact, this book was one of the most heartwarming things I have ever read. Ultimately, this is a narrative about finding community as we grow. Even if you are a grumpy old man who lives alone and dislikes most people, it’s never too late to connect.
“She just smiled, said that she loved books more than anything, and started telling him excitedly what each of the ones in her lap was about. And Ove realised that he wanted to hear her talking about the things she loved for the rest of his life.”
3. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
My favorite book of the year. It is funny. It is sad. It keeps you interested the whole freaking time. A (mostly true) fictional story of Iranian middle schooler who is dealing with a lot — being a refugee, loosing his father, getting bullied in school, and an awful step-dad. But this middle schooler is also obsessed with 1,001 Tales of Arabian Nights and what he really wants is for you to listen and laugh at the stories he tells about his life. And like Scherzanade, he knows how to tell tale after tale to keep you captivated. This book has my second favorite opening line of any book ever with first place being 100 Years of Solitude.
“All Persians are liars and lying is a sin.
That’s what the kids in Mrs. Miller’s class think, but I’m the only Persian they’ve ever met, so I don’t know where they got that idea.
My mom says it’s true, but only because everyone has sinned and needs God to save them. My dad says it isn’t. Persians aren’t liars. They’re poets, which is worse.
Poets don’t even know when they’re lying. They’re just trying to remember their dreams. They’re trying to remember six thousand years of history and all the versions of all the stories ever told.
In one version, maybe I’m not the refugee kid in the back of Mrs. Miller’s class. I’m a prince in disguise.
If you catch me, I will say what they say in the 1,001 Nights. “Let me go, and I will tell you a tale passing strange.”
That’s how they all begin.
With a promise. If you listen, I’ll tell you a story. We can know and be known to each other, and then we’re not enemies anymore.”
4. The Red Palace by June Hur
An interesting historical fiction! This murder mystery follows the true story of an old Crown Prince in South Korea who turned out to be a serial killer. Although I don’t remember much of it now, I do remember the book being a page turner.
“There is a saying among us who work there: Palace secrets must never get out, or else inevitably there will be blood.”
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
If you want a heartwarming beach read that might make you cry, look no further. The book follows a home of outcasted, pre-teen orphan ‘monsters’ whose inspector comes to visit. It’s ultimately a story of what it means to be a ‘bad kid’ and what it means to find acceptance in a community. Absolutely recommend and tears almost guaranteed.
“Regardless of what else he is, he is still a child, as they all are. And don’t all children deserve to be protected? To be loved and nurtured so that they may grow and shape the world to make it a better place? In that way, they are no different than any other child in the village, or beyond. But they’re told they are, by people such as yourselves, and people who govern them and our world. People who put rules and restrictions in place to keep them separated and isolated. I don’t know what it will take to change that, if anything. But it won’t start at the top. It’ll start with us.”
6. A Place to Bury Strangers by Justin Kerr
I picked this book up as a joke while traveling to Joshua Tree this summer. My friend and I had a debate of whether we should be worried about being murdered in the desert. Then the next day, I found this book that was a murder mystery set in Joshua Tree. It turned out to be a fun read that kept me guessing. Bonus is that at just over 100 pages, it is very short so if you haven’t read in a while, this may be a good one to try.
7. Henna Wars by Abida Jaigirdar
A middle school romance between two queer South-West Asian girls. While it was fun to read a romance that didn’t center two white characters, the writing was a bit obvious in what it was trying to convey about race. Thus I didn’t find the characters super believable, but I did find the book enjoyable. If you are into queer romances or romances in general, I’d recommend it.
““Doctor, teacher, engineer, our Nishat could be anything she wants to be,” Abbu says, clapping me on the back proudly. It’s the most he’s said to me in weeks, but there’s a plasticity to his smile, a solemness to his voice. Nishat can be anything she wants to be, except herself.”
8. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
This queer romance was unique for the fact that it was set in the 50s and features a main protagonist who is Chinese American. In a way it is less romance, more historical fiction of the queer community and the chinese community in San Fransisco during that time. If you are into the genre, I would recommend!
“But she doesn’t trust me anyway,” Lily said.
“No, she trusts you. She’s having a hard time right now because you’re not what she expected. But we’re never what our parents expected. They have to learn that lesson.”
Fantasy Series
This year I explored a new genre by reading more fantasy. I read books from seven different series this year, and while a couple were excellent, I don’t see myself returning much to the genre in the future. I would like to point out that I only read books in the genre by women or people of color as a way to avoid some of the things I hate about the genre (euro-centrism, few female characters, and ingrained misogyny).
9. Six of Crows (Book 1) & 10. Crooked Kingdom (Book 2) by Leigh Bardugo
This was the first fantasy book I read in 2022, and it was the book to make me think, “Maybe I like fantasy.” Turns out the answer is no. I don’t like fantasy, I just really love this book series. I’d describe it as Ocean’s Eleven, but with six people in a fantasy land. Every character has a full personality that is captivating and the plot kept me guessing the whole time.
“Kaz leaned back. “What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?”
“Knife to the throat?” asked Inej.
“Gun to the back?” said Jesper.
“Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina.
“You’re all horrible,” said Matthias.”
11. Shadow and Bone (Book 1) + 12. Siege and Storm (Book 2) + 13. Ruin and Rising (Book 3) by Leigh Bardugo
Written by the same author as Six of Crows, this book is set in the same universe but follows a completely different set of characters with a plot of choosen one with special powers. While this series was still enjoyable, it could not hold up to Six of Crows. I understand the hype around the Netflix show for this book though.
“When evening fell, the boy would bring the girl a glass of tea, a slice of lemon cake, an apple blossom floating in a blue cup. He would kiss her neck and whisper new names in her ear: beauty, beloved, cherished, my heart. They had an ordinary life, full of ordinary things — if love can ever be called that.”
14. Black Sun (Book 1) + 15. Fevered Sun (Book 2) by Rebecca Roanhorse
This series is loosely based on Meso-American lore, and it was wonderful to see world building that wasn’t euro-centric. I thought Black Sun was better than it’s sequel as it had better character motivations. My biggest complaint about the series was the hard to follow world building — I could not keep track of the different tribes and why they hated each other. This book does have stand-out characters including my favorite character from the year, a bi-pirate who is secretly a siren (Teek).
“And Grandfather Crow said to First Woman, tell me your stories so that I might know who you are and what you value. If your stories are of the glory of war, I will know you value power. If your stories are of kinship, I know you value relationship. If your stories are of many children, I know you value legacy. But if your stories are of adaptation and survival, of long memory and revenge, then I will know you are a Crow like me.”
16. Children of the Blood and Bone (Book 1) + 17. Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Book 2) by Tomi Adeyemi
I really disliked this series and honestly do not understand why people like it. It was nice to see some world building based on Nigerian mythology, but every main character in this book made such dumb decisions that I could not take the plot seriously. In addition, it fails into the fantasy trap of “This one super powerful person can take out an army.” The first book was better than the second, but both ended with unsatisfying cliffhangers.
“As it fades, I see the truth — in plain sight, yet hidden all along. We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother’s arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me in its grasp.”
18. Noughts & Crosses (Book 1) by Malorie Blackman
This young adult book deals with the concept of race where instead of black and white, we have noughts and crosses. Since the plot is straight foward, I thought I would hate this book. It actually builds on this simple concept wonderfully. But it had an ending with some surprising plot turns that left me wanting more. I would love to read the sequel, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
“You’re a Nought and I’m a Cross and there’s nowhere for us to be, nowhere for us to go where we’d be left in peace…That’s why I started crying. That’s why I couldn’t stop. For all the things we might’ve had and all the things we’re never going to have.”
19. The City of Brass (Book 1) by S.A. Chakraborty
I wanted to love this book since it was a fantasy novel based on SWANA (South West Asian, North African) mythology. While it was lovely to read Arabic in a fantasy novel and have mythical creatures such as djinn, I did not like the book. The plot took such a hard pivot halfway through the book that I could not take the rest of it seriously. And similarly to the Black Sun series, I found the world building of which tribes hated who and why hard to follow.
“Oh, calm down, Sheikh.” Zaynab shivered. “It’s cold up here.”
“Cold? We’re djinn! You are literally created from fire.”
20. A Wizard of Earthsea (Book 1) by Ursula Le Guin
Seven different people recommended Ursula Le Guin to me last year and I now understand why. I really liked Le Guin’s narration style of an omnipresent narrator. I would summarize this book as a cautionary tale about power. I found myself wanting to read more, not a feeling I frequently have with fantasy series. This felt like fantasy at it’s best — a captivating story in a far off land. I will likely read the sequel, and maybe even reread this novel in the future.
“From that time forth he believed that the wise man is one who never sets himself apart from other living things, whether they have speech or not, and in later years he strove long to learn what can be learned, in silence, from the eyes of animals, the flight of birds, the great slow gestures of trees.”
Old Fiction (Pre-1970's)
It was about time I read some more Jane Austen other than just Pride and Prejudice. This year, I read two books of hers plus some other classics that have been on my to read shelf for years.
21. Emma by Jane Austen
Some people argue that this is a better romance and better book than Pride and Prejudice. And while I finally understand the movie Clueless and found Emma to be an enjoyable and problematic heroine, Pride and Prejudice still holds the top prize in my heart. Special shout-out to the youtube adaptation of this book.
“If a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to `Yes,’ she ought to say `No’ directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart.”
22. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
I did not think I would enjoy Sense and Sensibility. While the romances were not as compelling to me, the difference between the two sisters and their approaches to love spoke to me in a surprising way. And boy does Jane Austen know how to write about drama in a community and intrigue. The twist ankle, the locket of hair, the secret loves!
“What do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering. For weeks, Marianne, I’ve had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced on me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hope. I have endured her exultations again and again whilst knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence I could have provided proof enough of a broken heart, even for you.”
23. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
A friend this year really liked Oscar Wilde so I finally decided to give him a try. I thought the puns and relationships would be outdated, but instead I found the play really readable and quite funny. I would love to see this play live on a stage. Will definitely read more Oscar Wilde in the future.
“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.”
24. The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat
An older non-western classic! This Iranian classic is part Kafka, part Edgar Allen Poe. The book had lots of macabre plot points, a fair amount of hallucinations and a sometimes hard to follow plot. Seeing the book as an allegory for Iran makes the bizarre plot make a lot more sense (this video summarizes that aspect wonderfully). I cannot say the book was much my style, but I have never been one for horror. If you are a person who likes to read literary classics though, then I would recommend it.
“For some reason all activity, all happiness on the part of other people made me feel like vomiting. I was aware that my own life was finished and was slowly and painfully guttering out. What earthly reason had I to concern myself with the lives of the fools, the rabble-people who were fit and healthy, ate well, slept well, and copulated well and who had never experienced a particle of my sufferings or felt the wings of death every minute brushing against their faces?”
25. Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo
This satirical play by an Italian Nobel Prize winner was a joyful surprise. If you like absurd dialogue that points out the corruption of police and fascism, then you will enjoy this book. I give the book bonus points for being about a real life event. It really helped me understand Italy under fascism.
SUPERINTENDENT: I’m delighted to reveal that we have, yes, lots of undercover agents, pretty much everywhere.
JOURNALIST: Now I know you’re bluffing, Superintendent.
SUPERINTENDENT: Not at all. In tonight’s audience, for example. We have a few of our people in. Do you want to see?
He claps his hands. Voices are heard from various points in the auditorium.
VOICES: Superintendent!/ Over here, sir!/ Yessir?
The Maniac laughs and turns to the audience.
MANIAC: Don’t be alarmed, they’re drama students. The real undercover ones are trained to sit quietly.
Poetry
26. Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni
A wonderful collection of poetry that I would love to read again. (Link to my favorite poems)
I wrote a good omelet…and ate
a hot poem… after loving you
Buttoned my car…and drove my
coat home…in the rain…
after loving you
I goed on red…and stopped on
green…floating somewhere in between…
being here and being there…
after loving you
I rolled my bed…turned down
my hair…slightly
confused but…I don’t care…
Laid out my teeth…and gargled my
gown…then I stood
…and laid me down…
To sleep…
after loving you
27. The Prison Diary of Ho Chi Minh
I’d classify this as the most unique thing I read last year. Ho Chi Minh, yes the famous communist revolutionary of Vietnam, wrote a series of poems while he was in prison. The title describes it well. It is a diary of life in prison. But the format is unique — a series of haikus. I liked it both for it’s glimpse into life of a communist prisoner, but also for being a book of poetry.
“The morning sun
shines over the prison wall,And drives away the shadows
and miasma of hopelessness.A life-giving breeze
blows across the earth.A hundred imprisoned faces
smile once more.”“I’ve never cared for humming verse
But what to do inside a jail?
I’ll hum some verse to pass long days
I’ll hum and wait till freedom comes.”
28. Odes to Lithium by Shira Erlichman
I am increasingly become more interested in poetry that is not centered around love, but other experiences. These poems are writen to Lithium, the drug that author Shira takes for her Bipolar Disorder. It was a very unique take on mental health in poetry that I found refreshing! Would highly recommend. (Link to my favorite poems)
29. Death before Dying: The Sufi Poems of Sultan Bahu
I am realizing I like Sufism. These set of poems by Sultan Bahu feature Sufi themes of faith through love, practice and renouncing worldly desires, particularly wealth. It was new to me to learn of Islam through a lens of love towards others and that scholarship alone will not get you into heaven. I also thought this translation was great with urdu next to English, and annotations at the bottom. (Link to my favorite poems)
Non-fiction
30. We Do This ’til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba
What does modern day abolition look like? That is the central premise of this book, and I think it answered that question wonderfully. I admire Kaba’s thinking, and really appreciated how the book talked through what a world without prisons would look like. Ex- What would we do with murders or rapist? Kaba says these are people too who need a system that recognizes their humanity even when they’ve done wrong. I found myself highlighting nearly every page and cannot recommend the book enough.
“It is really critical for people to think about the difference between punishment and consequences. Punishment often is actually not the same as transformation. Even though it feels good to wear the “kill the rapists” T-shirt, that isn’t the thing that is actually going to get us the world we want to live in.”
31. Mutual Aid by Dean Spade
This short book is a practical guide for implementing mutual aid. I actually didn’t know much about mutual aid before this book, but I have to give it 5 stars for it’s practicality and actionable advice. (Link to my notes)
3 key principles of mutual aid
1. Mutual aid projects work to meet survival needs and build shared understanding about why people do not have what they need
2. Mutual aid projects mobilize people, expand solidarity and build movements
3. Mutual aid projects are participatory, solving problems through collective action rather than waiting for saviors
32. Revolutionary Power by Shalanda Baker
This book deals with a concept I have been thinking through a lot- what does the utility of the future look like? What does a utility that cares about transparency, economic justice and the planet look like? And most importantly, how do we get there. I have already implemented a lot of advice in the book and I really recommend that anyone who cares about reforming energy use in the United States read this book. (Link to book notes)
33. The Book of Ichigo Ichie by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
One goal in my post-campaign life was to learn to be more present. That’s when I learned about the Japanese concept of Ichigo Ichie and picked up this book. This book has absolutely changed my life. The 10 principles of Ichigo Ichie are all practices I have incorporated into my daily life, and have brought me joy as a result. I even made a poster of these concepts to hang in room as a permanent reminder.
34. Sisu by Joanna Nylund
This book is about the Finnish art of resilience and courage known as sisu. I ultimately found the book forgettable although the concept of sisu was definitely intriguing.
35. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
It was about time I read something by James Baldwin. This book is as relevant as the day it was written, which is both a sad reflection of our current society and a testament to Baldwin’s writing.
“There is no reason for you to try to become like white people and there is no basis whatever for their impertinent assumption that they must accept you. The terrible thing, old buddy, is that you must accept them. And I mean that very seriously. You must accept them and accept them with love. For these innocent people have no other hope. They are, in effect, still trapped in a history which they do not understand; and until they understand it, they cannot be released from it. They have had to believe for many years, and for innumerable reasons, that black men are inferior to white men. Many of them, indeed, know better, but, as you will discover, people find it very difficult to act on what they know.”
36. The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward
Read immediately after James Baldwin, this is a collection of essays by a new generation speaking about race. While few of the stories stand-up in quality to Baldwin’s original, it does serve as a sad time capsule of how little has changed since Baldwin’s time. While interesting, I don’t think this book will stand the test of time the way Baldwin’s original work did.
“I asked another friend what it’s like being the mother of a black son. “The condition of black life is one of mourning,” she said bluntly. For her, mourning lived in real time inside her and her son’s reality: At any moment she might lose her reason for living. Though the white liberal imagination likes to feel temporarily bad about black suffering, there really is no mode of empathy that can replicate the daily strain of knowing that as a black person you can be killed for simply being black: no hands in your pockets, no playing music, no sudden movements, no driving your car, no walking at night, no walking in the day, no turning onto this street, no entering this building, no standing your ground, no standing here, no standing there, no talking back, no playing with toy guns, no living while black. Eleven”
37. Electrify: An Optimist’s Playbook for our Clean Energy Future by Saul Griffith
I found myself restating the title of book everytime I’m in a meeting about climate change. When it comes to what the United States needs to do to fight climate change, the simple way to think about is to electricy everything. Literally everything. This book lays out clearly why this is the case, and more importantly, how we can do that. I’d recommend it to anyone who works on climate issues in the United States and is focused on figuring out solutions. If want an abbreviated version, read the resources from Rewiring America, the non-profit putting this book into action.
38. Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I will read anything that Chimamanda writes. A couple close friends of mine this year struggled with dying parents, which was my main motivator for picking up this book. Chimamanda did a great job depicting the void of grief and I found myself thinking of this book throughout the year.
“Grief is a cruel kind of education. You learn how ungentle mourning can be, how full of anger. You learn how glib condolences can feel. You learn how much grief is about language, the failure of language and the grasping for language”
The Iraqi Specific
What I am reading is a reflection of my current preoccupations about life. This was never more clear than in February 2022, when I finally got to go to Iraq and read four books focused on Iraq. It would be an understatement to that it was a monumental goal for me to visit Iraq. To paraphrase Edward Said, going to Iraq meant trying to fill the void left from a diaspora identity- that is a fractured identity between neither here or there.
39. Iraq + 100 curated by Hassan Blasim
This is a sci-fi short story collection written by Iraqis of what Iraq could look like 100 years after the US invasion. For a country that has been devasted by its past, I find any long term futuristic thinking to be a huge mental shift that is liberating. The quality and focus of the stories vary wildly. If you are at all interested in the self-determination of Iraqis and what they think their future will look like, then read this book. This book also holds sentimental value to me as I finished it while I was in Iraq for the first time in my adult life.
40. Fifteen Iraqi Poets by Dunya Mikhail
Iraq is a land famous for its poets — many streets in Baghdad are even named after them including the famous Muttanabi. This book is a great, short bi-lingual collection of Iraqi poems. Each of the 15 poems are from a different poet, so it serves as a great broad introduction. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a place to start with SWANA poetry.
41. Hagar Before the Occupation by Amal Al-Jubouri
A wonderful bilingual poetry addition of what life was like under American occupation. I really liked how the simplicity of the form added to the message. The simplicity also makes a greaty poetry book to start off in for either English or Arabic.
42. Delights of the Garden of Eden: A Cookbook and History of Iraqi Cuisine
I debated whether I could count a cookbook as ‘read,’ but the first half of this book served more as a history book than a cookbook and frankly, I loved this book. It had many fascinating stories such as the origins of kababs, the first recipe ever written, and how croissants got their crescent shape. I found myself mentioning passages of this book to my family and friends for weeks after reading it.
Graphic Novels
43. The Calligrapher’s Garden by Hassan Massoudy
I loved this book. It features the work of Iraqi calligrapher Hassan Massoudy. Not only is his calligraphy beautiful, but the beauty is deepened when you can compare it to the English translated text, and the Arabic normal script which are both included for every image. I want to get this book, tear out the pages, and hang them as posters in my house. It would make a great present.
44. Heartstopper: Volumes 1–5 by Alice Oseman
Cute. Cute. Cute! I could not stop happy smiling at this absolutely adorable graphic novel about two boys falling in love. It also deals with mental health, friendship and trans issues. The Netflix show is also a great and faithful adaptation.
45. Paper Girls: Volumes 1–6 by Brian K. Vaughan
A weird time traveling comic set in Cleveland that is ultimately about female friendship. I’d describe it as stranger things, but with time travel. It’s a wild story, but fairly enjoyable and I got a kick out of seeing what Cleveland would look like in the future. Also currently an Amazon show.
46. The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
This is a book I want to read to my children. A warm graphic novel where a Vietnamese mother and her American born son tell each fairytales from each country’s perspective. I loved reading what the Vietnamese version of Cinderella. I would recommend this book just for it’s pure ending alone. Added to my list of favorite graphic novels.
47. Art Matters by Neil Gaiman
A simple graphic novel by Neil Gaiman on what it means to make art. It was nice, but I think would be more impactful of a novel if I was an artist.
48. Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle
A funny memoir by a comic book writer who is married to someone in Doctors Without Borders, and thus gets to live in countries like Burma. I was hoping this novel was by a Burmese author, so it disappointed in that sense, but it was a surprisingly funny read. I think anyone who has ever lived abroad could relate.
49. Be Kind, My Neighbor by Yugo Limbo
A super weird murder mystery with human doll-like characters. Great art, strange plot.
50. Safari Honeymoon by Jesse Jacobs
A graphic novel about a couple who goes on honeymoon in a land that could be straight out of Adventure Time. What could go wrong? A distinct art style, but ultimately not my pick for graphic novel.
Bonus: The art books
I checked out a lot of art books from South West Asian North African (SWANA) region. Even those were not ‘read,’ I wanted to document what I thought of them.
1. A to Z Great Modern Artists
Would I recommend: Yes
Would I buy: Maybe
This is a great, short coffee table book that can introduce you to a lot of modern artists. I really appreciated how the portrait of each artist is done in the style of the artist. That was a great touch. My only complaints about this book are:
- does not feature a lot of actual work of each artists (I think it is ok in this instance becuase the book is so short)
- features a lot of male and western artists
If you know nothing about modern art, this is a great book to start with. You may be surprised with how many names you recognize.
2. Art in Iraq Today
Would I recommend: Yes
Would I buy: Yes
This book is huge, but offers lots of background on many modern Iraqi artists. Bonus points for having content in Arabic and in English. My only negative is this book is so heavy.
3. Arabcity: Contemporary Arab Art
Would I recommend: Yes
Would I buy: Maybe
This book has a nice forward that breaks down the contemporary art movement in each SWANA country. Then the rest of the book goes on to showcase art from many artists. The title delivers on it’s promise as it is a great introduction contemporary arabic art.
4. Islam: Art and Architecture
Would I recommend: Yes!
Would I buy: Already own it
I got this book from the library to realize that I already own it, just as a different edition. That is great because of all the art books I got from the region, this was my favorite. It is like a history book and art book in one. Despite being nearly 600 pages in length, it is quite easy to skim and I find myself learning something new everything I read this book. I especially appreciate how the book is broken down by region and time period.
5. The Orientalist Poster: A Century of Advertising through the Slaoui Foundation Collection
Would I recommend: Yes
Would I buy: Maybe
This book is short, well laid out and definitely interesting to skim. If you are into vintage travel posters, you will love this book. My only complaint about this book is the imagery features strong orientalism(i.e. — viewing the east through a western lens), but the book is upfront about this. I still feel conflicted about appreciating art of this nature though. It is a good book though.
6. The Art and Architecture of Islam 1250–1800
Would I recommend: No
This is not a bad book. It is just not as good as the Islam: Art and Architecture book because it has less content and is not as well laid out.
7. The Arab City: Architecture and Representation
Would I recommend: Unsure, need to revisit
Would I buy: No
I was expecting this to be an art book, but instead it was a collection of essays about architecture throughout the SWANA region. I only skimmed the stories, so I cannot speak to the quality. I think I will have to revisit this book and dedicate more time to actually reading the essays.
8. Beauty and Identity: Islamic art from the Los Angeles County Mueseum of Art
Would I recommend: No
I had high hopes for this book because the first time I interacted with modern arab art was at the LACMA. Unfortunately, this book does not feature any modern art. It features lots of ancient pots and jewelry with not many paintings. In addition, it is laid out as if you were in a museum. While not a bad book, it was not the type of art book I was looking for.
9. Cairo Since 1990: an Architectural Guide
Would I recommend: Yes
Would I buy: Maybe, likely no
This is a book that is not large, but is superbly organized. Each 2–3 pages features a building in Cairo, and gives a history of the building and it’s architectural style. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves Cairo and/or is loves deep architecture analysis of a city. I would love to own a book like this for Iraq. I really learned enjoying about SWANA architecture periods such as Neo-Fatimid, Neo-Mamluk, Neo-Pharaonic, Neo-Moorish, and architecture styles such as brise soleil, machicolations, majlis and malqaf. Both brise soleil and malqaf as designs that are use the natural elements to keep a building cool.
10. El Anatsui: A Sculpted History of Africa
Would I recommend: No
Although this is a short book, half of it is text. In addition, some of this text is repeated in other languages such as Japanese and German. Although I liked the work of El Anatsui, I did not find the text helpful in understanding their art.
11. Etal Adnan
Would I recommend: Maybe
Would I buy it: No
This book is a well layed out art book around Lebanese-American artist Etel Adnan. I didn’t love the style of this the most, but I appreciated the book for how easy it was to skim while still delivering good content.
12. Fahrelnissa Zeid: Painter of Inner Worlds
Would I recommend: No
This book is more a textbook than an artbook. It features both texts and images around the art of Fahrelnissa Zeid, a SWANA noblewoman who became a famous painter. I think if I connected with her art more, I might have liked the book more. In addition, I think the book suffers from Westernization as from skimming appeared to celebrate her art achievements in the West despite her ‘Eastern’ background.
13. Mona Hatoum
Would I recommend: No
There are many books about the famous SWANA artists Mona Hatoum, but this book put together by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is not a good one. It is not well laid out and featured way more text than I felt was necessary. I would like to try another book about this artist in the future because I have heard many great things.
14. Modern Arab Art: Formation of Arab Aesthetics
Would I recommend: No
Again, I thought this was an art book. Instead, it is a chapter book about art. I do not actually know how good this book is because I did not read it. But personally, I prefer learning about art through images, not text.
15. New York Masjid: the Mosques of New York City
Would I recommend: No
This book might be interesting if you have never seen a mosque in the USA, but otherwise it is lackluster. I didn’t find the pictures to be well organized, which left for an underwhelming browsing experience. Would have love to see a map of where these mosques are and the breakdowns from there.
16. Shirin Neshat: Women Without Men
Would I recommend: Maybe
Would I buy: No
I would only recommend this book to film buffs. This book features stills from famous Iranian film director Shirin Neshat. It is named after her most famous movie Women Without Men. In addition, the book features a lot of farsi, so it can only be fully appreciated by those who can read that language. I would prefer to watch her film than to read this book.
