Encounters with Authors

I have met many authors throughout the years, and will definitely meet many more. Every encounter has been enriching in a particular way, not to forget that altogether, these encounters have been one of the best parts of my reading experience. This section aims at capturing all those literary memories in one place and keeping track of my extra-book reading activities over time.

P.S. Only the authors whose books I have read or the authors whose book discussions/interviews I have attended are listed.

Abdellah Taia - Watched his movie based on his book "L'armée du salut" and a short movie by him on Jean Genet

Ahlam Mostaghanemi - Most Selling Arab Author and one of the nicest authors I have met. Book read and signed: الأسودُ يليقُ بكِ

Amin Maalouf - One of the best interviews, questions and answers session I have attended. Mom has all his books, but unfortunately I haven’t fully read any yet (started les échelles du levant but got caught with something else.

(I am right behind the water bottle; the girl whose face you can't see. My hair is my proof!)

Axel Kahn - Those in the science field will know him, very deep intellectual. Books read: Le secret de la salamander (signed), L'homme ce roseau pensant. 

Charif Majdalani - I met him on several occasions and have read "Le dernier seigneur de Marsad" by him. He signed me his latest book, "Villa des femmes" (Prix Jean-Giono, 2015) and he remembered that I love Amélie Nothomb which totally made my day!!!

 

 

Eric Emmanuel Schmitt - Writer of many books that I adore: L'évangile selon Pilate (signed + review on blog), Lorsque j'étais une oeuvre d'art, Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (watched the movie)

Erich Reinhardt - An author that I fell in love with. A serious kind of crush because of his way of talking, his voice, his smile and his killer eyes. I don't know him or know anything about him and will most probably never do but he had one of these auras that mark me and I really do think that he is such a nice guy in real life too. I was touched. Book read and signed: L'amour et les forêts.

Fawzi Yammine - Litterally, my favorite contemporary poet. We met on several occasions and I have read half of his books. My favorite one remains تمارين على تبديد الوقت

 

J. M. G. Le Clezio - Nobel Prize Winner 2008 (didn't read any of his books unfortunately)

Jabbour Douaihy - One of the best literary meetings and discussion ever. Private discussion, #lunch #Zgharta_speciality #outdoor visit #Zgharta #Ehden. I have also met his brother Antoine Douaihy who  is also an author and a very tender and touching person (I would just kill to read his poetry). Book read and signed: شريد المنازل

Jérôme Ferrari Goncourt Prize Winner 2013 book signed: Le sermon sur la chute de Rome (winning book)

Joumana Haddad - I love this woman! Attended two of her conferences, one about Arabic literature and sex and the other about women's rights. Books read: I killed Shehreazade (signed), Le retour de Lilith (hated it), سيجيء الموت وستكون له عيناك (excellent, 5-6-100 stars book, but I read it partially), Le sette vite du Luca (brilliant, I wished she was my mom and read it to me!)

Kamel Daoud - Read and signed his first published book, "Meursault contre-enquête" winner of

Prix François-Mauriac 2014

Prix des cinq continents de la Francophonie 2014

Prix Goncourt du premier roman 2015

Liste Goncourt : le choix de l'Orient 2014, le choix roumain 2014, le choix serbe 2015

Katia Tawil, my friend and soon to be very famous author. I had the honor to read her book prior to its publication. And I also had the fortune to have probably one of the best if not the best dedication in the history of dedications.

 

 

 

 

Khodor Salameh - This encounter with this author was one of the weirdest ever. I had read and loved every single word of his book أنتظر قوس قزح
Couple of months later, I saw the author passing right next to me on the streets, it was during the famous protest of August 29th 2015. I stopped him and told him how much I loved his book and how every sentence in it is a piece of art. I also asked him about where I can find copies of his book because it was almost out of print. We then met, he came to our book club and dedicated the book to me. His dedication is almost a story on its own. What a literary talent! So far, the best dedication goes to Katia Tawil and Khodor Salameh equally. By all means, please read the book to judge by yourselves

Philippe Claudel. Watched his movies: Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, Les âmes grises (based on his book). Book signed: Le rapport de Brodeck

Rabih Alameddine - book read and signed: An unnecessary woman

Rawi Hage: One of my most favorite authors. Check other posts on the blog (including book summary and meeting). Book adored and read and signed: Carnival

Sorj Chalandon - Grand Prix du Roman de l'Académie Française. Book read: Le quatrième mur (review on blog). Book signed: Retour à Kyllibegs (winning book).