The Emirates Festival Of Literature Has Edited The Ultimate Reading List for 2026
Ahead of the Emirates Festival of Literature, we take a look at the books that will make us feel, think, and dream a little differently in 2026
As the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature returns for 2026, it feels like the perfect moment to begin the year with stories that ground us, move us, and spark something new.
Plestia AlAquad – The Eyes of Gaza
A diary of resilience from a young Palestinian storyteller
Alaqad documents life in Gaza through vivid, intimate entries that capture fear, hope, and creativity in the midst of conflict. A moving testament to youth, courage, and the power of bearing witness.
Naga Munchetty – It’s Probably Nothing
A powerful call to rethink women’s health
Munchetty blends personal experience with investigative insight to expose the gaps in women’s healthcare. Sharp, urgent, and deeply empathetic — an essential read for anyone interested in medical equity and social change.
Scott Turow – Presumed Guilty
A masterful blend of courtroom tension and moral complexity
Turow’s gripping novel follows a celebrated lawyer whose life unravels when he’s accused of murder. Sharp, layered, and full of psychological nuance — a standout from one of the genre’s finest storytellers.
Louise Candlish – The Neighbour’s Guide to Murder
A darkly witty thriller about the people living right next door nmj
Candlish’s latest delivers her signature mix of suburban secrets, sharp humour, and escalating tension. Clever, addictive, and full of delicious twists — perfect for readers who love their thrillers with bite.
Aube Rey Lescure – River East, River West
A stylish, atmospheric tale of identity and class
Set between Shanghai and the United States, this elegant debut examines the complexities of migration, ambition, and self-reinvention. Lescure’s prose is sharp, modern, and quietly devastating.
Mira Sethi – Are You Enjoying?
Witty, intimate stories of love and longing
Sethi’s short-story collection moves through Karachi’s drawing rooms and secret corners with humour and heart. Each story is a small revelation — bold, tender, and beautifully observed.
Eowyn Ivey – The Snow Child
A haunting modern classic
Inspired by an Alaskan folktale, Ivey’s novel blends magic and realism in a story about love, loss, and the fragile hope that binds people together.
Paul Dolan – Happy Ever After
A fresh look at success, happiness, and societal expectations
Behavioural scientist Paul Dolan challenges the myths we inherit about what a “good life” should look like. Insightful, liberating, and ideal for readers embracing reinvention.
Peter Frankopan – The Silk Roads
A sweeping history that reframes the world
Frankopan places the Middle East at the centre of global history in this ambitious, beautifully written work. A must-read for anyone who loves big ideas and bold narratives.
Ruth Ware – The Woman in Cabin 10
A glamorous thriller set on a luxury cruise
Ware’s bestselling mystery delivers suspense with a chic, atmospheric edge. Perfect for a weekend escape — or a long-haul flight.
Freya North – Little Wing
A moving story of identity and motherhood
North’s novel explores the ties that bind us — to place, to memory, to each other. Warm, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted.
Images Supplied