Ehkili | afikra Book Club

About Ehkili | afikra Book Club

Formerly afikra's Book Club, this podcast series calls on anyone who is interested in literature from the Arab world to spend time reading along with the entire afikra community and discover some of the best books and writers that came out of the region. We interview Arab authors about books they’ve written in Arabic or English (and sometimes French), and non-Arab authors who have written extensively about the region, delving into their literary journey until present day. We also invite bookworms to dissect some of the most noteworthy literary works from the region.

Publisher

afikra

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Aug 2022

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Nazik Al-Malaika: The Iraqi Woman Who Helped Revolutionize Arabic Poetry | Prof. Emily Drumsta

   Can the rhythm of a poem mimic the frantic hooves of horses carrying away the dead? Assistant Professor Emily Drumsta to explores the rich history of Arabic literature, the evolution of the Arabic novel, and her deep-dive into literary translation. The conversation centers on the life, political shifting, and meticulous criticism of pioneering Iraqi poet Nazik al-Malaika. Drumsta discusses her book Revolt Against the Sun, sharing her unique approach to translating qualitative meter and capturing the haunting soundscapes of modern Arabic poetry.

2. 

   14 Oct 2025

   What Will People Think? | Sara Hamdan on the Jimmy Fallon Book Club Shortlist

   Author Sara Hamdan discusses her journey to becoming a published writer and the nuanced storytelling behind her book, "What Will People Think?" from its unexpected appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Book Club shortlist to navigating the complexities of Palestinian heritage in her work. Hamdan delves into the importance of collaboration in creative fields, the value of allowing one's work time "to breathe", and her perspective on choosing to write a basic Palestinian love story that's loaded with humor.

3. 

   3 Sept 2025

   The Hollow Half: a Memoir of Bodies and Borders | Sarah Aziza

   The author discussed her multigenerational Palestinian family memoir "The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders," which spans from mandate Palestine to the present day. Sarah Aziza reflects on her relationship with her Palestinian identity, the complexities of being "half" something, and her lifelong journey with the Arabic language. The conversation also touches upon the impact of the ongoing events in Gaza on her work and the ethical choices she made as a writer navigating a prejudiced industry.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

77

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Ehkili | afikra Book Club

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.