April is Arab-American Heritage Month in the United States, and this April, we wanted to expand our celebration here at Books Forward to Arab and Arab-American authors and influencers! Part of our mission at Books Forward is to elevate voices and break barriers in the book industry, and we’re proud to encourage diverse reading and celebrate Arab influencers and authors this month and beyond. Check out some of our influencer friends who recommended some fantastic books to add to your TBR!
Basma, she/her, @bookishbasma
Hi, I’m Basma! I’ve been an avid reader my whole life, and getting back into reading during the pandemic brought me the greatest gift: books I could see myself in. As an Arab American, it is so rare to see myself represented properly in the media. I seek out representation endlessly, and specifically books that highlight our joy and the beauty of our cultures. There’s truly no greater feeling than picking up a book that SEES you!
There are so many that I constantly platform (shoutout to We Hunt The Flame, As Long As The Lemons Trees Grow, Yes I’m Hot In This), but specifically for this piece, I want to highlight The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem. I am specifically Egyptian American, and while I enjoy all Arab rep, picking up a book written by a fellow Egyptian is such a treat. The inside jokes, reading our dialect of Arabic, it is all so special and wrapped up in a fast-paced fantasy that left me gasping for the next one!
Nada, she/her, @africaanah
Hola, my name is Nada, a book blogger, originally from Sudan, but was born and raised in Abu Dhabi.
I’ve always loved books, and I find so much joy in discussing them. I started my Bookstagram journey on Instagram and gradually evolved into sharing more of my lifestyle, exploring Abu Dhabi, mostly for places to chill in, and sharing awesome moments with my two handful cats.
I’m excited to be part of the Arab American Heritage Month celebration. As an Arab African, I relate to the journey of balancing multiple identities. Growing up between Sudanese traditions and diverse cultures, I’ve often felt like I wasn’t “Sudanese enough” or “Arab enough.” But over time, I’ve learned to take pride in who I am, knowing that identity isn’t about fitting into one box—it’s about embracing all the experiences that shape me.
I highly recommend Lyrics Alley by Leila Aboulela. Set in Sudan, it beautifully explores family, love, and cultural identity—themes that really resonate with me. Growing up with Sudanese traditions while being surrounded by a diverse cultural environment, I’ve felt the struggle of balancing tradition and identity. The novel captures that tension so well, making it a story that truly hits home.
Dana, She/her, @danasbooks
Twitter: https://x.com/mrsdanaalbasha
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanaAlBasha19/videos
Blog: https://kutobdana.wordpress.com/
I’m a Palestinian Jordanian woman. I read in English in general, and I love to support Arab and Muslim voices in literature, I love Taherah Mafi and Shannon Chakraborty’s books, but the book I’ll recommend by an Arabian American author would have to be These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanameh, it’s a children’s book by a Palestinian young illustrator, I found it very beautiful and informative, in a way it tells the story of many of us.
I’ve been reading since I learned the alphabet, and I haven’t stopped since. If I recommend a book by an Arabian author that has been translated into English, I would recommend Ibrahim Nasrallah’s Palestinian Comedy series: Time of White Horses, and Osamah Almuslim’s The Orchards of Arabistan series.
I believe widening our horizons, reading each other’s words, and learning from different cultures and experiences is very important for humans in general. We aren’t born with knowledge, but in Islam, we are ordered to seek it. So, to decide not to learn while books exist in many languages and translations is missing out on a lot of key experiences in how to be human.
Lu, she/her, @luu_reads
Hi! My name is Lu, a Libyan-Canadian book influencer who enjoys diving into romance novels and sharing bookish thoughts. Always on the hunt for the next great read and a swoon-worthy story. Being Arab is a source of pride and joy for me. I love all things Arab, I am most proud of being an Arabic speaker! I enjoy seeing stories that feature Arab characters and their love stories. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Islamic Art and Architecture.
With so much going on, Arab joy is so important, and because I love the romance genre, my rec would have to be The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy! Diana Quincy is a bestselling author of historical romance novels, often featuring diverse characters and multicultural themes. She is of Palestinian-American heritage and incorporates her background into some of her stories!
A literary omnivore and influential Bookstagrammer, Layne applies her vivid creativity for every title we promote by deftly coordinating news coverage and events for authors, writing and editing diverse content for social media, and assisting with Books Forward’s social media engagement initiatives.
As a former special education teacher, Layne firmly believes in the importance of literature and accessibility. This unique point of view is an asset in her publicity efforts as she works to reach readers across various platforms and demographics.
Layne received her Bachelors of Arts in Creative Writing and Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and her Masters of Art in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. She lives in New Orleans with her loyal, but sadly illiterate cat, Macaroni.
