?While Cairo may not have its Barnes & Noble’s nor its Waterstones, it remains a city of literature. After all, some of the Arab world’s brightest literary stars have called its streets home. If you know where to look, the city indeed proves a trove of bookish treasures. Looking for your next read and not sure where to search? Craving a soul-enriching book discussion with like-minded strangers? Or even looking for a quiet place to read? This week’s edition of the Enterprise Guide covers all that and then some.

BOOKSTORES WORTH CHECKING OUT THIS WEEKEND-

#1- Volume 1: To the unaccustomed eye, Volume 1 may pass as your average stationary shop. Yet beyond the pencils and post-its lies a vintage collection of classics, murder mysteries, ‘00s fast fiction flicks, and more. Volume 1 stands out for its unique selection, which favors golden oldies rather than new releases. In short, it’s a literary time machine, and one worth your time.

? FUN FACT: Volume 1 is the bookstore prominently featured in the 2022 limited series “ HalaKhassa ” starring Taha Desouky.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find Volume 1 in Street 206 in Maadi, right next to Victoria Square.

#2- Adam Bookshop: With an impressive collection of both fiction and non-fiction in Arabic, English, German, and French, Maadi’s Adam Bookshop is one of the book community’s best kept secrets. Across our many visits, we came across several titles we had yet to see elsewhere. If you’re on the hunt for the newest releases, this is where to look.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find Adam Bookshop in the B1 level of Maadi’s Grand Mall. You can also order from their website.

#3- Bibliothek: Also a purveyor of all books recently released, Bibliothek boasts an impressive catalogue of fiction and non-fiction titles in both English and Arabic. You’ll find everything from the entire Penguin Clothbound Classics collection to the most recent sci-fi drops. Bibliothek also triples as an art gallery and a café, which plays host to myriad community gatherings — more on that later.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You can find Bibliothek on the second floor of the F3 building at ArkanPlaza and at New Cairo’s U Venues. You can also order from their website.

#4- AUC Tahrir Bookstore: Something old, something new, and lots of stories blue. Expansive in both size and scope of titles, the AUC Bookstore, home to the AUC Press’ own releases, carries atop its shelves hundreds of titles covering myriad genres. From Egyptology to poetry and fiction — and everything in between — you’ll find a lot of interesting titles at the university’s resident bookshop. You don’t need to be a student or faculty to peruse its aisles, as the bookstore is open to the public and has its own dedicated gate. If literature in translation is your go-to, this is where to go.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You can find the bookstore at the AUC Tahrir Campus. You can also order from their website.

#5- Cherry Blossom Books: Egypt’s leading online independent bookstore, Cherry Blossom Books exists to cater to discerning readers on the hunt for the newest — sometimes obscure — releases. The bookstore stands out for its competitive pricing, at times significantly lower than its competitors on account of its digital business model. Cherry Blossom Books restocks periodically, bringing to Egypt titles difficult to find elsewhere.

? HOW TO ORDER: You can order through the website, and either opt for delivery or pick-up from the bookstore’s office in Rehab. Though do not show up unannounced, as visits are exclusive to customers who have already placed their order online.

#6- Sector 10: Another independent bookstore among our favorites is Sector 10. The online library also offers a selection of hard-to-find titles, including exclusive special editions. Looking for customized embossers and other bookish paraphernalia ? Sector 10 ticks all the boxes.

? HOW TO ORDER: You can place an order through their website.

WHERE TO GET PRE-LOVED PAPERBACKS-

#1- Maadi Used Books: There are neat, clean bookstores with jazz music, organized shelves, and pretty paraphernalia. Maadi Used Books is as far from that as can be — and that’s exactly what makes it special. Located in an inconspicuous corner in Maadi’s Street 9, Maadi Used Books offers exactly what it says on the tin.

Comprising a series of dimly lit, narrow pathways, this book haven is every literateur’s dream. With thousands upon thousands of preloved books on its shelves — which, mind you, are overflowing — this second-hand bookshop has everything from ‘60s flash fiction and rare 19th century leatherbounds all the way to recent releases in need of a new home.

? PRO TIP: If you spend a little time digging through the shelves, you’re likely to find a rare book worth a pretty penny — so keep looking.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find Maadi Used Books in Street 9, a two-minute walk from the Thakanat El Maadi station.

#2- The Bookspot: Did your excursion at Maadi Used Books end a little too early? Well, exit stage right and keep on walking down Street 9 until you find The Bookspot to your left. An independent bookstore boasting shelves upon shelves of curated recent releases, The Bookspot is any true bookworm’s haven. While its shiny new paperbacks are hard to resist, its true star is its collection of used books. Prices are a catch, and there’s even a bargain section that goes as low as EGP 1 on special sales.

? PRO TIP: If you couldn’t find what you were looking for in either new or used sections, The Bookspot will gladly place a special order for your book of choice.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find The Bookspot on the first floor of building 70 in Street 9, Maadi. You can also order both new and used books online through their website.

#3- The Books Planet: Want to put your competitive skills to the test? The Books Planet is an online used books business that primarily operates through Facebook. Every few days, its curators publish one extensive post noting all their available preloved books — but move fast if you see something you like, as it might be gone by the time you make up your mind.

#4- Used Books Egypt: Another score for those amongst us who still find pleasure in perusing Facebook groups, Used Books Egypt — with over 77k members — is another one of Cairene readers’ best-kept secrets. With dozens of posts daily, users buy, sell, and swap books. If you’ve been looking for a book you just can’t seem to find anywhere, this group might be the right place for you.

#5- Azbakeya: For years and years, Azbakeya market by the Attaba metro station has been the go-to for all things literature and academia. Just recently, the iconic Cairene market got quite the impressive facelift, with over 133 stores redesigned with brand new wooden kiosks, making perusing its once narrow alleyways a much easier — and much more enjoyable — experience. You’ll find no shortage of bargains at the Azbakeya market, but we’d suggest brushing up on your haggling skills as oftentimes vendors may try to sneak their way to a better bargain.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: Take the metro to the Attaba station, and you won’t need to look far.

CAIRO’S BEST READING SPOTS-

#1- The Cake Café: What beats a lazy morning spent with a paperback in hand? Easy: one with cake on the table. Surrounded by lush greenery with a shaded outdoor seating area, New Cairo’s Cake Café is an ideal place to lay back, relax, read, and — as a certain French queen once said — eat cake. Alternatively, the top floor of Zamalek’s Cake Café also offers a cozy, secluded escape from the streets.

?PRO TIP: Vanilla pairs nicely with litfic.

?WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find the Cake Café in New Cairo’s Swan Lake, and in Zamalek in front of El Gezirah Sporting Club.

#2- Osana Family Wellness: A wellness center, café, spa, and garden, Osana is a destination created for escapism — sounds familiar? You can enjoy a cup of coffee and a quick healthy snack as you get some reading done either outdoors on the grass, or inside the glass patio. Forgot to pick up a book on your way there? Osana has its own little book nook to choose from.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: Osana is located at 4 El Nadi Street, Maadi.

#3- Soul Lounge: Situated right in the heart of Korba, Soul is a social coworking space that has long been home to many wandering Cairenes in search of a secluded spot to hangout. You’ll feel right at home with your paperback, surrounded by different paraphernalia — and if you look up, you’ll find fixtures made out of vintage books. Entry will only set you back EGP 50, and there’s a kitchen where you can help yourself to beverages.

?WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find Soul Lounge in Al Sayegh Street in Korba. Soul also has a branch in Maadi in Street 210.

#4- KMT House: A few steps away from Osana Family Wellness, KMT offers a similar experience, complete with an expansive outdoor area and shaded benches to grab a bite and read your book. The house serves up a slew of breakfast and all-day dishes, so you can comfortably enjoy an extended stay.

? PRO TIP: KMT House is where to go when you’re lost within the pages of a historical fiction novel, as the house itself evokes the spirit of a bygone era.

? WHERE TO FIND IT: You’ll find KMT House in Maadi’s Street 15.

LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY?

#1- Diwan: From storytelling workshops to community gatherings and book signings, Diwan is where to go. Find out about Diwan’s upcoming activities through the events section on their website and through their Instagram.

#2: Bibliothek: The bookstore, art gallery, and café is a frequent host of book clubs, discussions, and author meet-and-greets. Keep an eye out for future gatherings on their website, or through Instagram.

#3: AUC Bookstores: AUC Bookstores consistently hosts book discussions, interviews with authors, and book fairs. Keep an eye out on their Instagram, or sign up for the newsletter through the website.

READING SLUMP? NOT WITH THESE APPS-

#1- Storygraph: Similarly to how Goodreads operates, Storygraph allows users to share reviews, update reading progress, and get personalized data-driven recommendations. What sets Storygraph apart from Goodreads, however, is its detailed categorization. Users can add specific tags to books as well as certain warnings to ensure you’ve got the right read at hand. The app is minimalistic, eschews unnecessary social integration, and is essentially a love letter to readers.

? FUN FACT: You can volunteer to work for Storygraph, no matter where you are. The position is low commitment, with the ability to dedicate your own hours, whenever available. You can find the Storygraph app on the App Store and on the Google Play store.

#2- Storytel: Sometimes you just can’t find the time to pick up a book, and that’s alright. Storytel is a paid subscription service with thousands of audiobooks (and ebooks) available on demand. Unlike Audible, Storytel does not operate on a credit-based system, and a monthly payment gives you access to the entire library. You can download the app from the App Store and the Google Play store.

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT SUMMER READ?

?️ You don’t have to look far. From beachside murder mysteries to summer flings and novellas to dip in while you’re in the pool, check out our guide to books best read by the beach.