Read Palestine

Welcome to Read Palestine!

This is a dedicated space for Palestinian literature. We are hoping to explore and immerse ourselves in more Palestinian-authored history, fiction, poetry, non-fiction, memoirs, fantasy, etc. and follow up readings with discussions, questions and reviews. Our intention with this book club is to not limit ourselves to just the suffering of Palestinians, but to also explore the strength, resilience, history, and extraordinary culture of Palestine. This club does not meet virtually, but it’s something we can absolutely discuss, if folks are open to it. We will be reading a different book each month, chosen via a vote, and then folks are welcome to respond to the posted discussion questions, if they would like. There is no pressure to participate, but participation is welcome. 

A note about the books chosen

The intention behind this book club is not only to read books exclusively ON Palestine, but literature BY Palestinian (and other SWANA and people of the global majority) authors. While many texts on/about Palestine written by non-SWANA authors are valid and insightful (with the exception of any texts written by zionists), that is not something we want to continue, as European and American voices have been far too centralized for far too long. Additionally, reading Palestinian literature is not done with the goal of separating zionism from Judaism (despite these two being completely different) as that still centers the identity of Palestine's occupiers. While book clubs dedicated to un-learning zionism are incredibly important, this book club centers the voices and lived experiences of Palestinians.

SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa)

This region includes countries in North Africa and Southwest Asia, emphasizing geographic and cultural diversity beyond the colonial term "Middle East." The SWANA region generally includes the following countries:

• North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia
• Southwest Asia / West Asia: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, (some of) Turkey.

Key Points About “SWANA”

• Decolonial framing: SWANA is used to avoid Eurocentric and colonial connotations associated with terms like "Middle East" or "Arab World". 
• Cultural diversity: The region encompasses a wide range of ethnolinguistic groups, including Arabs, Kurds, Amazigh (Berbers), Armenians, Assyrians, Copts, Druze, Turks, Yazidis, Azeris, and others. 
• Flexible boundaries: Unlike MENA, SWANA does not have a standardized definition; the included countries can vary depending on academic, activist, or institutional context. 
• Purpose: The term emphasizes geographic accuracy and cultural inclusivity, highlighting shared histories and environmental challenges across the region.

Feel free to join— and invite others! :) FREE PALESTINE!

Book club profile photo: "Free Free Palestine" by Syrian artist, Noor Kawa.