Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) has released some great new books for readers across all categories and age groups, including highly anticipated sequels of critically acclaimed debut novels.
“As soaring temperatures tend to keep us indoors during the day, books can offer us great entertainment, education, and enrichment,” said Rima Ismail, outreach and special projects manager at HBKU Press. “Reading is a wonderful activity for all ages to keep us engaged and mentally productive, and is a wholly positive lifestyle practice that HBKU Press is proud to support through its diverse and exciting catalog.”
With students now on holiday managing additional free time, books are critical tools for maintaining and progressing reading levels. Young readers can find a wealth of new titles with HBKU Press this summer through a dynamic catalog that caters to all ages, interests, and reading levels.
‘Zaroofa Feels Anxious’ is a fun and colorfully illustrated story for children that examines the worries of Zaroofa, a little giraffe with a big fear of heights. Zaroofa loves photography, but sometimes her fear of heights gets in the way of taking the best pictures. The Flying Shoes is a delightful and stimulating tale in which Naeem must solve puzzle after puzzle to keep the shoes, figuring out their secrets all while learning in the process.
Fans of the Lost Map series are invited to rejoin al-Jouri on her latest expedition to unlock the secrets of the past through Qatar’s unique history and landscape. The Mystery of the Locust and the Lost Map by Qatari author Lina al-Aali presents a new mystery to readers as al-Jouri embarks on a quest to explore a major archaeological site with the precious golden compass given to her by her grandfather.
Wielding Magic by Qatari author, Kummam al-Maadeed is the highly anticipated sequel to the wildly popular Calling Magic, first published in 2021. Wielding Magic follows Tia, the most powerful witch of her time as she continues to find home and self in her fascinating new city, Paiza. Beloved characters are revisited and new ones are introduced as fans can now pick up with Tia where she last left off.
HBKU Press also publishes fiction to keep readers company on vacations, commutes, and quiet nights at home. Fereej bin Dirham by Qatari poet, author, and academic Kaltham al-Kuwari is a stunning novel in lyrical writing for avid readers of the Arabic language. It tells the story of the polarising Fereej bin Dirham, simultaneously characterised as both chaotic and monotonous.
Finally, Found in Thyme by Lilas Taha is the thrilling conclusion to her debut novel, Lost in Thyme, which introduces readers to Sami Amara and Petra Haddad. The sequel resumes the couple’s story in the not-so-distant future, in which they must navigate the small and large challenges of new countries, family, and politics in the midst of them settling into their new lives together in the United States.
