World Book Day Reads by Emirati Voices

With World Book Day on 23 April, the Emirates Literature Foundation is spotlighting the stories shaping the UAE’s literary identity right now, and the timing could not be more relevant.

Fresh from being named a winner at the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, the Foundation is leaning into what it does best. Championing Emirati voices, amplifying cultural dialogue, and placing the UAE firmly on the global literary map. It is a milestone that feels less like a moment and more like momentum.

At the centre of it all is a curated reading list from ELF Publishing. Think of it as your culturally tuned edit for World Book Day. Not just books to read, but stories that capture identity, memory, and the evolving rhythm of life in the UAE.

As CEO Ahlam Bolooki puts it, World Book Day goes far beyond costumes and classroom nostalgia. It is about the power of storytelling to connect generations and cultures, and, increasingly, about owning and telling regional stories on a global stage.

Here are five titles worth adding to your list.

House to House — Shamma Al Bastaki
Genre: Poetry
A lyrical walk through old Dubai, this collection captures the pulse of neighbourhood life around Dubai Creek from the 1940s to the 1980s. Blending poetry with oral histories, it reads like a time capsule. Quiet, intimate, and deeply rooted in place.

Circle of Spice — Salha Obaid
Genre: Fiction
Centred on a protagonist who experiences the world through scent, this novel is as atmospheric as it is emotional. Set against a rapidly changing Dubai, it explores memory, identity, and the sensory threads that tie us to both.

Of Palm Trees and Skies — Dr Afra Atiq
Genre: Poetry
Multilingual and deeply personal, this collection moves between heritage and modern identity with ease. Expect warmth, reflection, and the kind of lines that linger long after the final page.

Fly, Red, Fly! — Ebtisam Al Beiti
Genre: Children’s Book
A feel-good story with a simple message. Courage takes time. Following a young dragon learning to fly, it is a charming pick for younger readers and a reminder that growth rarely happens overnight.

Rose’s Diaries — Reem Al Kamali
Genre: Historical Fiction
Set in 1960s Dubai, this novel follows a young woman documenting her inner world as the city transforms around her. It is layered, reflective, and offers a rare, intimate look at a pivotal moment in the UAE’s history.