Books!

So I was just reading about something awesome in Al Ain.

Al Ain bookfair's thousands hear Emirati authors' tales

Thousands of book-lovers attended a week-long fair that ended in Al Ain yesterday, with students bussed in to hear Emirati authors discuss their work and recount stories from their childhood. 

Al Ain Reads 2010 drew more visitors than expected since it opened October 17, organisers said. With performances by Emirati pianists, readings by local authors and tens of thousands of books on display from 29 publishing houses and distributors, this year's show was the second to be held in Al Ain by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Kitab, an organisation that aims to promote reading in the UAE.

The story goes on from there, of course. But it sounds pretty cool! I love book festivals, and have been to the celebrated Guardian Hay Festival (not this year, to my everlasting dismay) and to Book Expo America when it was in LA. I think it will be lovely to attend another book fest in another country....because books are awesome! And I'm easing back into my natural role of teacher (especially English teacher), so I just see opportunity opportunity opportunity to subject my students to some literature in Real Life, outside of school (and the internet). And local/cultural/relevant literature is even better! Guys in the UAE now, did you attend? Those who are planning/hoping to go, what do you think?
Personally, I'm looking forward to getting stuck into a new literary culture. Books are my very best friends, after all.

*eta: I also follow Sharjah International Book Fair on twitter @ShjIntlBookFair