Ahlam Bolooki on the stories shaping her summer
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, has a deep passion for books, rooted not just in storytelling but in the belief that books can ground us, challenge our thinking, and change the way we see the world.
In her recent conversation with Art in the Middle, Bolooki shared insights into her summer reading favourites, highlighting titles that deserve a spot on your reading list this summer….
"There are books that entertain, and then there are books that anchor you. Lately, many of the novels I’ve found myself picking up have been written by women. Writers whose voices are precise, personal, generous and even brave. Their stories don’t just reflect the world. They interrogate it, reshape it, and sometimes offer a gentler version of it.
I find myself drawn to the kind of fiction that sits with you long after you’ve finished reading. The kind that makes you feel understood — even when it’s unfamiliar. And I’m thrilled that so much of today’s most exciting literature is coming from women who aren’t afraid to ask difficult questions or write from places of vulnerability, rage, or joy.
There’s never been a better time to be a reader. And if, like me, you’ve ever paused mid-sentence to marvel at the power of a well-crafted paragraph or felt your breath catch at a moment of truth in a novel, then you’ll understand the quiet magic of this literary moment". Ahlam Bolooki.
Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq
Mushtaq’s voice is one you expect from someone singled out for an International Booker Prize. But what sets this book apart is its ability to take the lives of Muslim women from southern India and weave them into globally relatable stories of patriarchy, resilience, and hope. The result is a constellation of human tales that linger like a half-remembered dream long after one turns the last page.
Good Girl by Aria Aber
When a poet ventures into novel writing, retrospection is the inevitable main dish, and Aber does it so well, the novel was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. It’s a coming-of-age story about a forlorn young woman in Germany who denies her Afghan roots and grapples with what it means to be a “good girl.” What should one do when one’s identity crisis and self-loathing collide with racism and social inequality? Read on to find out.
Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin
If you don’t want to be tied down by rules but need a reminder that we as we grow older, we must remember to choose to deepen our relationships, step into the future, and choose the bigger life, this book is for you. Clocking in at around 70 pages, it won’t take you long to read but you will be surprised by how often you return to a well-thumbed page for an injection of happiness.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
Based on a true story, this Japanese thriller became a global phenomenon soon after translation by revealing how even today, misogyny trumps murder. A journalist interviews a suspect to learn more about the crime but instead opens the door to an exploration of food, friendship, and romance. The book will whet your appetite for butter-laden food and the important question of why is the world so obsessed with women’s bodies?
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
If the previous thriller left you with food for thought, this one takes you on a whirlwind journey where secrets unravel as fast as reputations. Brown writes with sharp rhythm and cultural fluency, dropping us into a world where power is polished and truth is a currency. Think: campus prestige, female ambition, and a ticking sense of dread. It’s buzzy, deliciously self-aware, and bound to keep you up reading!
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
In the age of AI, this sci-fi story within a novella ticks all the right boxes: a battle between humans and robots set against the backdrop of family, society and culture. The highlight of the story is Zelu, a disabled woman of colour, who grows from being afraid to speak up for herself to someone who navigates all the challenges life throws at her with self-assurance and without apology.
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