As temperatures rise across the Gulf, there’s no better time to retreat indoors with a good book. From evocative memoirs and political exposés to contemporary fiction and historical epics, The Gulf Talk curates 19 of the most compelling titles being read by our team this summer.
Spanning cultures, continents and eras, this list reflects both the diversity of global literature and the unique intellectual curiosity of readers in our region. Whether you’re escaping to a shaded corner with a paperback or diving into an audiobook on the commute, here’s what we recommend this season.
🔎 2025 Picks: Fresh Takes, Urgent Voices
1. The Last Bell: Life, Death and Boxing – Donald McRae
Veteran journalist Donald McRae offers a searing follow-up to Dark Trade, reflecting on the painful beauty and contradictions of boxing. Featuring today’s titans like Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez, this is sports writing with conscience and depth.
– Andy Lewis, Assistant Sports Editor
2. The Emperor of Gladness – Ocean Vuong
A poetic, emotionally raw tale of trauma, redemption, and human connection, Vuong’s latest explores the unlikely bond between a suicidal teen and an elderly woman. Deeply moving and stylistically rich.
– David Tusing, Assistant Features Editor
🌍 2024 Titles: Big Ideas and Global Questions
3. The Singularity – Balsam Karam
Set in a dystopian coastal city, this short but haunting novel navigates motherhood, displacement, and inequality through lyrical prose.
– William Mullally, Arts & Culture Editor
4. The Shortest History of Migration – Ian Goldin
Goldin condenses thousands of years of human movement into a timely, compelling read—reminding us that migration is not a crisis, but our shared story.
– Sarah Maisey, Deputy Luxury Editor
5. Stakeholder Whispering – Bill Shander
Essential for Gulf professionals in client-facing roles, this smart business guide teaches how to listen deeper and ask better questions.
– Laura Koot, Managing Editor
6. Original Sin – Jake Tapper & Alex Thompson
A forensic and controversial unpacking of President Biden’s 2024 re-election bid. For politically curious Gulf readers, it’s a masterclass in American political reporting.
– Nick March, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
✨ 2023–2021 Releases: Memoirs, Mysteries & Modern Drama
7. Good Material – Dolly Alderton (2023)
A funny, heartfelt breakup novel told from a male perspective. Witty and wonderfully relatable.
– Aarti Jhurani, Features Sub-Editor
8. How to End a Story: Diaries 1978–1998 – Helen Garner (2021)
Australian author Helen Garner’s journals brim with insight on creativity, relationships, and self-doubt. Like a long, smart conversation with a dear friend.
– Nivriti Butalia, Assistant Comment Editor
9. The Appeal – Janice Hallett (2021)
Told entirely through texts and emails, this murder mystery invites readers to solve the case themselves. Whip-smart and immersive.
– Chris Maxwell, Deputy National Editor
10. Crying in H Mart – Michelle Zauner (2021)
A touching memoir on grief, identity, and food. Zauner’s love for her Korean heritage and late mother resonates globally.
– Evelyn Lau, Assistant Features Editor
📖 Pre-2020: Timeless and Topical
11. The Ungrateful Refugee – Dina Nayeri (2019)
With migration shaping the Gulf’s demographic landscape, Nayeri’s memoir-reportage hybrid is especially relevant—asking what refugees owe and to whom.
– Phil Johnson, Chief Features Sub-Editor
12. The New Silk Roads – Peter Frankopan (2018)
A compelling reminder that the East—not the West—has historically shaped the world. Frankopan’s perspective aligns closely with the Gulf’s global repositioning.
– Tom Evans, Assistant News Editor
13. The Dictator – Robert Harris (2015)
A fictionalised account of Cicero’s political downfall, resonating with timeless lessons on leadership and the fragility of democracy.
– Saeed Saeed, Features Writer
14. The Apothecary Diaries – Natsu Hyuuga (2014)
Fans of historical Asian drama will enjoy this richly detailed mystery set in a palace inspired by imperial China—blending suspense, romance, and intrigue.
– Olive Obina, Assistant Photo Editor
15. The Gray House – Mariam Petrosyan (2009)
Dense, surreal, and hypnotic, this novel about a boarding school for disabled children invites readers to surrender to a world that bends logic.
– Razmig Bedirian, Features Writer
16. A Land Without Jasmine – Wajdi Al-Ahdal (2008)
This award-winning Yemeni novella critiques patriarchy and corruption through the lens of a young woman’s disappearance. A regional gem.
– Nasri Atallah, Luxury Editor
17. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis de Bernières (1994)
A WWII love story set on a Greek island, blending humour, history, and heartbreak. A reminder of war’s toll on the everyday.
– Declan McVeigh, Staff Opinion Writer
18. King, Warrior, Magician, Lover – Moore & Gillette (1990)
This Jungian classic breaks down the male psyche into four core archetypes—a mirror for self-discovery, especially resonant amid the Gulf’s rising interest in personal development.
– Xavier Kashelle, Head of Product
19. Blood Meridian – Cormac McCarthy (1985)
A violent meditation on evil set in the American frontier. Not an easy read, but one that haunts long after the final page.
– Staff Pick
🧭 Curated Picks by Mood
| Mood | Recommended Reads |
|---|---|
| ✨ Escape & Wonder | The Night Circus, The Appeal, The Apothecary Diaries |
| 🧠 Thought-Provoking | The Last Bell, Original Sin, The New Silk Roads |
| 😢 Emotional Journeys | Crying in H Mart, The Emperor of Gladness, How to End a Story |
| 🌍 Identity & Displacement | The Ungrateful Refugee, The Singularity, A Land Without Jasmine |
| 📜 Historical Scope | Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, The Dictator, The Gray House |
✏️ Editor’s Tip: Read Local, Think Global
Gulf readers are increasingly drawn to books that balance rich narratives with global relevance. Explore stories rooted in different cultures, and don’t shy away from challenging themes—this is the kind of reading that lingers.
So whether you’re curled up indoors in Abu Dhabi, reading poolside in Doha, or escaping the summer heat in Muscat, this list offers something that speaks to every reader and every moment.
What’s on your reading list this season? Tag us with #GulfTalkReads to share your summer picks.
