Author Hisham Bustani and translator Thoraya El-Rayyes discuss how they have worked together to translate Bustani’s stories.
Jordan 
Many Jordanian Websites Black Today
In Jordan today, many websites have gone offline to protest proposed government censorship plans that include new restrictions on the Internet:
Dear Jordan, You Can Read Hassan Blasim’s (Banned) Stories Here
Then on Tuesday, news came that the Arabic edition of Blasim’s first, excellent collection — Madman of Freedom Square — had been banned in Jordan, a country that was supposed to have scrapped censorship back in 2007.
Six Arab Novelists on Why They Write
During recent visits to Jordan and Syria, Boston librarian Diane D’Almeida (pictured) videotaped short interviews with a dozen different Arab authors. She also has since interviewed a dozen Boston-based authors, asking similar basic questions: Why do they write? For whom (if… Read More ›
Poet Amjad Nasser’s First Novel Coming in English in 2013
Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing just announced that they’ve signed up حيث لا تسقط الأمطار (Where the Rain Doesn’t Fall – Dar Al Adab 2010), the first novel by the Jordanian poet Amjad Nasser. BQFP is planning to release the book… Read More ›
Join 7iber’s New Book Club and Read Sonallah Ibrahim’s اللجنة / The Committee
The Jordanian news-and-culture website 7iber.Com is launching its new book club, “Inkitab – انكتاب,” with a reading of The Committee (1981, 2001 English) by celebrated Egyptian author Sonallah Ibrahim.
Jordanian Bookshop: We Specialize in Censored Books
The LA Times has a piece today about Sami Abu Hossein’s small bookstore in Amman, dedicated to censored titles. And yet Abu Hossein is not at odds with the Jordanian government, the Times notes, which has announced that it would stop censoring books.
In Jordan, Poem Leads to Arrest
Hatim al-Shuli, a university student and sometimes-poet, has been arrested for a poem criticizing King Abdullah with al-Shuli’s name on it, according to Human Rights Watch. Al-Shuli denies having written the poem. According to HRW: Al-Shuli was arrested on July… Read More ›
Hussein Jelaad on Corrupt Journalists, Great Novels, and Poetry’s Attempt to Overthrow the World
Jordanian poet and journalist Hussein Jelaad is the latest of the Beirut39 (39 talented Arab writers under 40) to be interviewed by Sousan Hammad. She asked about his influences: You may find it strange if I told you that novelists… Read More ›
Who are the ‘Arabic Booker’ Nominees? Jamal Naji
Jamal Naji is a Jordanian writer of Palestinian descent, born in the ‘Aqbat Jaber refugee camp in 1954. Lonely Planet, in their guide to Jordan, called him a “writer to watch out for.” In a good way, I hope. He… Read More ›
