There is a legend of a mythical city, a hidden oasis located in the Sahara called Zerzura.
Rumoured to have existed deep in the barren desert to the west of the Nile River in Egypt or Libya, Zerzura was a white city filled with hidden treasures. Despite many expeditions over the years, it was never found.
But there is another Zerzura today, tucked away in Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, Dubai. The namesake of the ancient city, on the first level of the co-working space A4, has something arguably more precious than gold: rare books.
Zerzura Rare Books is the first shop dedicated to vintage books in Dubai. Its doors opened to the public in September, with almost 150 rare and vintage books for sale, among them about 20 first editions.
Almost all the titles, which cover a range of genres, are recognisable and give a sense of nostalgia to readers of all ages.
A 2000 first edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, signed by JK Rowling; a 1988 first edition of Matilda by Roald Dahl; a 1959 first edition of Arabian Sands by writer and explorer Wilfred Thesiger; and a 1957 first edition of From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming, from his James Bond series — Zerzura Rare Books is a trove of delights for the dedicated bookworm, the collector or the merely curious.
“I have this belief in the value of books,” Alex Warren, founder and owner of Zerzura Rare Books, tells The National.
“It sounds like a cheesy thing but in a digital age, I think books still have that value. They look nice on your shelves and can be pieces of art. Books fundamentally have not changed over the centuries. The binding has changed a bit but still, they are words on paper that you turn.”
Sitting in display cabinets, shelves and tables, it’s astonishing to see such a varied collection of books, — some more than a hundred years old — in such good condition. Posters showing classic book covers and original photos and maps of the region adorn the walls.
Aside from the always-popular novels and children’s literature, Zerzura also has books about regional travel, art and history.
“We have a general mix and some stuff that everyone will know and recognise, and pieces that cater to different budget ranges as well,” Warren says. “I've got books at Dh150 going up to [more than] Dh20,000 for a Sherlock Holmes that we've got.”
One of the oldest books in the store is a 1902 first edition of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, from the Sherlock Holmes series.
Containing stunning black-and-white illustrations, the book follows the famous British detective as he attempts to solve the mystery of a legendary supernatural hound. The story has been adapted for the stage and screen including in BBC’s popular series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.
The adaptations of many popular books over the years not only introduces new generations of readers to authors and stories but also raises the value and garners interest in original, vintage and rare book editions, Warren adds.
Discovering these books in a physical shop, exploring what’s available on shelves and learning about the history of the authors and stories they created is what makes book collecting and the world of rare and vintage books so exciting, Warren says.
“I always love digging around old second-hand book shops,” he says.
“There's that bit of excitement you get when you're hunting around and you can find a little bit of treasure in a dusty corner of an old bookshop. It can be something that actually is either valuable or rare or is important to you personally. It doesn't have to be a financial value.”
Purchasing a first edition or a rare copy of a book can have more than one benefit, Warren believes. Everyone has a personal connection to a story and by extension a book. A first edition of a favourite childhood book has nostalgic value, and many feel it is something worth investing in.
Owning a rare book can also feel unique and personal.
“People like having something that is hard to get or unique,” he says. “It’s something you can pull off your shelf and it's got that wow factor.”
Rare books also have investment value, Warren adds. Similar to art, comic books and memorabilia, first-edition books from popular series such as Harry Potter or James Bond or from writers such as Dahl or JRR Tolkien will not only hold their value but increase it over time.
“I would buy books that firstly, I like and enjoy, I think that's the first most important thing,” Warren advises those interested in starting a book collection.
“It's a nice thing to have and own, you've got your connection with it. And it's something that will hold its value. And you can enjoy it as well.”
For those with something particular in mind, Zerzura can also source out-of-print books or hard-to-find titles. But as the in-store collection is so extensive, that is not often necessary.
“This is the only place in Dubai where you can come and see some of these old books,” Warren says.
“They're not hidden behind a locked safe, you can come and have a look at the books, pick them up and see some of these classic books that look and feel nice.”
Scroll through images of 12 must-read contemporary novels by Arab writers below
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UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Honeymoonish
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score):
Manchester City (0) v Tottenham Hotspur (1), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18
Romarinho, Brazil
Lassana Diarra, France
Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan
Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
