Sharjah International Book Fair is always a riot of colour and activity – and this year, its 38th, is unlikely to be any different. Almost 2,000 exhibitors will be at Expo Centre Sharjah, offering more than 1.6 million titles to publishers as well as eager readers of all ages.
The best way to experience the fair, which runs from Wednesday, October 30 to Saturday, November 9 is simply to mosey about the endless corridors and stalls, browsing anything that takes your fancy. Don't set a time limit on this – buying books is an activity that should never be rushed. But it is worth planning in advance, so you'll have an idea of the talks and panel discussions you want to attend.
Some events will become extremely busy – and with 173 authors appearing and about 1,000 activities on offer, it can be hard to know where to start.
Fortunately, we have scoured the programme to dig out the events you won't want to miss. From talks by Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk and US comedian Steve Harvey, to discussions about travel and Emirati politics, not to mention a comprehensive children's programme and the always lively Cookery Corner, there is sure to be something for everyone over the coming days.
Put your phone away and immerse yourself in a literary landscape like no other.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
When: Wednesday, October 30 (5.30pm) *THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*
Where: Ball Room
What a way to kick things off – the Indian superstar is here to launch a new book about his half century career in film. Sounding Off: Amitabh Bachchan, written by Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, celebrates the life of a true Bollywood legend, featuring anecdotes, photographs and cartoons by some of India's best-known illustrators. This two-hour session is expected to be interactive, with plenty of opportunity for questions – a rare chance to speak to the actor, who first appeared on screen in 1969 and has since starred in more than 230 films, including Zanjeer (1973), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) and Piku (2015).
2. Orhan Pamuk
When: Wednesday, October 30 (7.00pm)
Where: Ball Room
The big names keep coming on the opening day. Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize-winning author of My Name is Red and The Museum of Innocence will discuss an extraordinary literary career, as well as his troubled life in Turkey. Pamuk is a fabulous speaker, who is sure to engage on everything from world politics to the state of literature and everything else in between. Earlier this year, Pamuk also published Balkon, a handsome collection of photographs of Istanbul, in order to explore how writing and seeing are connected. Unmissable.
3. Steve Harvey talks to students
When: Thursday, October 31 (9.30am)
Where: Ball Room
The US comedian and host of Family Feud gives some life advice to the young people of Sharjah. But don't worry: it won't all be deep, inspirational stuff ("You have to jump and take a leap of faith, in order to soar"). This is Steve Harvey, after all, so expect plenty of jokes and goofing about. Harvey will be doing a second session in the Ball Room later today (8.00pm), in which he will discuss his career in the entertainment business. Again, don't be surprised if this includes jokes.
4. Together We Write
When: Thursday, October 31 (8.30pm)
Where: Discussion Forum 3
Egyptian writers Mansoura Ezzeddine and Ahmed Mourad are joined by Algerian author Dr Waseeni Al Araj for a discussion about the art of writing. Are writers’ workshops a route to success for aspiring authors? How should writers support each other? If you have aspirations to be published or are just looking for some insight into the mind of a writer, this should be a challenging conversation full of practical advice.
5. Lisa Ray: Close to the Bone
When: Friday, November 1 (6.00pm)
Where: Discussion Forum 1
Lisa Ray's life was changed forever when, in 2009, she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. The Canadian-Indian actor and model, who starred in Toronto Stories (2008) and Dobaara (2017), set out on a spiritual quest to find inner peace. Here she talks about her extraordinary memoir, Close to the Bone, which covers her early nomadic life, the ups and downs of her acting career and subsequent battles with eating disorders, as well as the diagnosis that forced her to re-evaluate everything.
6. Narcopolis: Meet the author Jeet Thayil
When: Thursday, October 31 (9.30am) and Friday, November 1 (8.30pm)
Where: Intellectual Hall
Jeet Thayil's wonderful 2012 novel about a man who gets seduced – and then spat out – by the opium-filled underbelly of 1970s Old Bombay is a modern masterpiece, brimming over with atmosphere and allusion. Come and hear the Indian author and poet, who published The Book of Chocolate Saints in 2017, explain why he decided to write Narcopolis, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. If you haven't yet read it, now is your chance to pick up a signed copy – it might just be the best thing you buy all year.
7. Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Redefining Success
When: Saturday, November 2 (9.00am and 7.15pm)
Where: Ball Room
Mark Manson is a blogger but don't let that put you off. He also happens to have written one of the most influential "self-help" books of recent years. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F—k became a bestseller in 2016, Manson's no-nonsense advice on how to find happiness – chapter titles include "You are Not Special" – proving to be a welcome shot in the arm for many dissatisfied people. In this talk, Manson, whose most recent book is the optimistically titled Everything is F—ked: A Book about Hope, will ask us to reconsider how we define success. After all, we're doomed from the start if we end up striving for the wrong things. Manson will speak again in the Ball Room at 7.15pm.
8. Emirati Women in Parliament: Khawla Abdul Rahman Al Mulla
When: Saturday, November 2 (7.15pm)
Where: Discussion Forum 3
Khawla Abdul Rahman Al Mulla, Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council, highlights the leading role Emirati women play in parliament. Last year, it was announced that women’s representation in the Federal National Council (FNC) would be increased to 50 per cent. In this seminar, Al Mulla will explore the impact of this move and ask what more can be done.
9. Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs: Story Behind the Scenes
When: Saturday, November 2 (7.15pm)
Where: Discussion Forum 2
Kathy Reichs is not only the bestselling author of the Temperance Brennan series of thrillers, she is also a forensic anthropologist, certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, which makes her writing all the more believable and chilling. She is joined here by her son, Brendan, also a thriller writer, as well as members of Sharjah Police, for a discussion about crime writing and how much of the real world – grisly details and all – writers should allow to seep into their fiction.
10. Let’s Find Some Beautiful Places
When: Saturday, November 2
Where: Discussion Forum 3
Travel journalists Georgina Godwin and Ahmed Al Faitouri are on a four-person panel talking about about Paulo Coelho's seminal 1988 novel The Alchemist. For many people, travel is the key to happiness and this session will show us what Coelho can teach us about the joys of life on the move.
The Sharjah International Book Fair runs until Saturday, November 9. More information is available at sibf.com
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Brief scores:
Barcelona 3
Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'
Rayo Vallecano 1
De Tomas Gomez 24'
Scoreline
Chelsea 1
Azpilicueta (36')
West Ham United 1
Hernandez (73')
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
List of alleged parties
May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members
May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party
Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson
Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party
Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters
Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
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
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Racecard
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Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Company%20Profile
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Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
SHAITTAN
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