Books Celebrating Palestinian Authors and Their Stories

“You Exist Too Much” by Zaina Arafat, “The Hundred Years’ War On Palestine” by Rashid Khalidi and “Rifqa” by Mohammed El-Kurd.

I’m Haley Zovickian, an avid reader, and the guest curator of this week’s reading list, dedicated to Palestinian authors and stories. Being a descendant of Armenian genocide survivors, Palestinians, as fellow targets of genocide, are close to my heart, now more than ever.

One of the goals of genocide is the erasure of victims’ stories. That’s why it’s so important to consciously prioritize Palestinian voices. And books, as we readers know best, are a powerful means of honoring others’ experiences and walking in their shoes.

While far from exhaustive, this list has something for everyone: history buffs, poetry lovers, fiction enthusiasts and even photography fans. Together, this sampling offers accounts of persecution, loss and grief — but also stories of love, hope, resistance, resilience, and joy, which are integral parts of the Palestinian experience.