Events

Our virtual series of book talks features Arab authors to showcase some of the breadth and diversity in Arab fiction writing. We invite you to connect with the authors as they delve into a riveting discussion of the sociocultural, literary, and personal factors that shape their storytelling.

Seventeen-year-old Halah Ibrahim has always known a privileged life and never had cause to question it until Cairo goes up in flames. Not only does she start to doubt her father and his role in the new military-backed government―but she ultimately decides to flee to America with a young soldier she hardly knows, an impulsive act that has far-reaching consequences on both sides of the ocean. A powerful and universal debut novel about family, identity, and independence, Country of Origin is as much about a nation's coming-of-age as it is about secrets and lies, love, and truth.

Speakers

Dalia Azim was born in Canada and raised in the United States. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, American Short Fiction, Aperture, Glimmer Train, and Other Voices, among other places. Dalia is the new deputy director at the Texas Book Festival. Country of Origin is her first book.

Ladane Nasseri is a journalist, writer, and nonfiction instructor. She led Iran coverage at Bloomberg News’ regional headquarters after spending six years as the company’s Tehran-based correspondent. Ladane was raised between Paris and Tehran. She holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a Master of Fine Arts in literary nonfiction from The New School in New York. Her reporting has appeared in international outlets including The New York Times, LA Times, Businessweek, Newsweek, The Nation, and many others.