In recognition of Arab American Heritage Month, formally established by the Biden administration in April 2021, this reading list celebrates the varied cultures, achievements, and contributions of Arab American people. Through poetry, literary fiction, memoirs, and more, the following books reveal many facets of Arab American communities, histories, and experiences. These titles, and those selected from previous years, are available as a downloadable spreadsheet.

Fiction

Darraji, Susan Muaddi. Behind You is the Sea. HarperVia. Jan. 2024. 256p. ISBN 9780063324237. $26. COMING OF AGE

Dimyan, Rebecca. Waiting for Beirut. Running Wild Press. Oct. 2023. 262p. ISBN 9781955062756. pbk. $19.99. HISTORICAL

Lalami, Laila. The Dream Hotel. Pantheon. Mar. 2025. 336p. ISBN 9780593317600. $29. DYSTOPIAN

Rum, Etaf. Evil Eye. Harper. Sep. 2023. 352p. ISBN 9780062987907. $30. LITERARY

Shamieh, Betty. Too Soon. Avid Reader Press. Jan. 2025. 336p. ISBN 9781668046548. $28.99. LITERARY

Nonfiction

Alsultany, Evelyn. Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion. NYU Press. Nov. 2022. 320p. ISBN 9781479823963. $45. SOCIAL SCIENCE

Curtis IV, Edward E. Muslims of the Heartland: How Syrian Immigrants Made a Home in the American Midwest. NYU Press. Nov. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9781479827220. pbk. $19.95. HISTORY

Elhillo, Safia. Girls That Never Die: Poems. One World. Jul. 2022. 144p. ISBN 9780593229484. pbk. $18. POETRY

Halaby, Laila. The Weight of Ghosts. Red Hen Press. Sep. 2023. 208p. ISBN 9781636281346. pbk. $17.95. MEMOIR

Nance, Sarafina El-Badry. Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark. Dutton. Jun. 2023. 336p. ISBN 9780593186794. $29. MEMOIR

Correction: Due to an editorial error, this booklist has been updated.