Our fortnightly round-up of the latest Arabic books covering a wide range of topics, reflecting some of the trends and thinking in the Arab world

In 1511, there were places in Mecca specifically designated for selling and drinking coffee, known as coffee houses. Decades later, the first café opened in Istanbul.

Al Majalla interviews the British writer who won the Booker for her novel Orbital—a story set in space that reveals much about life on Earth and how isolation can sometimes be a privilege

The critics were unimpressed by this sequel, some labelling it a flop. Ignore them. There is a depth to this version, which is true to the original story. Brilliant performances help it on its way

Kamel Daoud's 'Houris' weaves together the suffering of the body with the suffering of a society sworn to silence over a trauma that has yet to heal

One of Saudi Arabia's leading voices in literary criticism and theory thinks the discipline is 'rich and dynamic' in the Arab World—and that influence from the West has its benefits

In the modern world, love is no longer looked at with rose-coloured glasses. Mirroring this real-world shift, 'Lover' and 'It Ends With Us' opt for darker, more nuanced storylines.

The award-winning French novelist tells Al Majalla about the inspiration behind his book, 'At Night All Blood Is Black,' and the challenges of merging fact with fiction

Our fortnightly round-up of the latest Arabic books covering a wide range of topics, reflecting some of the trends and thinking in the Arab world

Zinaida Serebriakova's critically acclaimed work captured light, colour and life in a vivid celebration of place and helped redefine her famous career