Myra here.
A few weeks back, my lovely colleague and her brother took us on an unforgettable book hunting expedition around the ‘Old Dubai.’ This was perfect timing since GatheringBooks contributor, Kenneth Quek, was visiting us from Singapore. We had another colleague (formerly from Singapore but who has now moved to join us at UAE University), Dr. Mark Baildon, join us for this bookish trip. We managed to go to three bookstores in one afternoon, which was exhilarating for bibliophiles. This post also includes my belated birthday book haul (including gifts from a fellow book-loving doctoral student) and ARC from Amazon Crossing.
Magrudy’s Dubai
27 B St – Jumeirah – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai | 04 344 4193
Apparently, Magrudy’s was the first established bookstore in Dubai in 1975, and it is still standing in its exact same spot. Here is my book haul from Magrudy’s. I have a feeling I will visit this place again.
(01) The Mirror And The Light by Hilary Mantel (Amazon | Book Depository)
(02) Summer by Ali Smith (Amazon | Book Depository)
(03) Daddy by Emma Cline (Amazon | Book Depository)
(04) Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa Tarnowska and Vali Mintzi (Amazon | Book Depository)
Book World
57WG+VJM – Downtown Dubai – Dubai | 04 349 1914
Book World sells secondhand titles across a variety of genre, including Tagalog “pocketbooks” which reminded me of my country of birth. Apparently, this area here is also considered the little Manila of Dubai with all the Filipino shops and restaurants.
Here is my modest book haul from this place.
(05) Flowers by Gulmehek Khan (Amazon)
(06) The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (Amazon | Book Depository)
The Bookworm Bookshop
Near Pizza Express – Al Ferdous Complex – Building 4 Al Wasl Rd – Dubai | 04 394 5770
This was the final stop of our bookish tour since it was the closest to my colleague’s home in Dubai. They really planned out the day strategically, and we are truly grateful for their boundless generosity of spirit. I only bought one picturebook upon the recommendation of my colleague and dear friend, Dr. Mona Aljanahi.
(07) The Little Ghaf Tree by Hanadi Al Fahim
Book Gifts
A fellow bibliophile and doctoral student of mine gave me these books when she learned March is my birthday month and that I only have one Leila Aboulela book in my shelves. 
(08) The Girl With A Mind For Math: The Story Of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley (Amazon | Book Depository)
(09) A Shelter for Sadness by Anne Booth and David Litchfield (Amazon | Book Depository)
(10) Lyrics Alley by Leila Aboulela (Amazon | Book Depository)
(11) Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela (Amazon | Book Depository)
(12) Minaret by Leila Aboulela (Amazon | Book Depository)
(13) The Translator by Leila Aboulela (Amazon | Book Depository)
Belated Birthday Book Haul from Husband Enabler
(14) Mirrors: Stories Of Almost Everyone by Eduardo Galeano translated by Mark Fried (Amazon | Book Depository)
(15) The Secret Life Of Saeed The Pessoptimist (Amazon | Book Depository)
(16) Chernobyl – The Zone by Natacha Bustos and Francisco Sanchez (Amazon | Book Depository)
(17) Maps by Nuruddin Farah (Amazon | Book Depository)
(18) Hopscotch | Blow-Up | We Love Glenda So Much by Julio Cortazar (Amazon | Book Depository)
(19) The Unwomanly Face Of War by Svetlana Alexievich (Amazon | Book Depository)
(20) A Heart So White by Javier Marias (Amazon | Book Depository)
ARC from Amazon Crossing
I am really impressed by the range of international titles being published by Amazon Crossing – from picturebooks to adult novels. Looking forward to devouring these titles.
(21) North To Paradise by Ousman Umar translated by Kevin Gerry Dunn (Amazon | Book Depository)
(22) The Blunder by Mutt-Lon translated by Amy B. Reid (Amazon | Book Depository)
(23) Karitas Untitled by Kristin Marja Baldursdottir translated by Philip Roughton (Amazon | Book Depository)
(24) All The Lies They Did Not Tell by Pablo Trincia and Translated by Elettra Pauletto (Amazon | Book Depository)
How about you? Any recent book hunting trips?
April 10, 2022 at 06:30AM Myra Garces-Bacsal
