Here are seven novels to look out for this spring
Here are seven novels to look out for this spring
Here are seven novels to look out for this spring
Here are seven novels to look out for this spring

Seven new books to add to your reading list, including novels by Mona Awad, Stephen King and Ocean Vuong


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Spring, a season marked by transformation and renewal, is also a good time to refresh your reading list. Several highly anticipated titles have finally hit the shelves and there are a handful of others on the horizon.

From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s first novel in more than a decade to Laila Lalami's take on sci-fi, here are seven novels to look out for.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

In Dream Count, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores the nature of love with the covid pandemic as a backdrop. The award-winning Nigerian author of Americanah is known for her fierce examinations of identity, post-colonialism and the complexities of human relationships. Her latest release is no different. Dream Count follows several Nigerian women as they strive to understand themselves and the choices they have made.

Adichie’s first long-from work in a decade, the book was designated as one of the most anticipated releases of the year. The overwhelming flood of positive reviews also mean it could very well be one of the most successful and talked-about novels of 2025.

Released on March 4

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

Moroccan-American author Laila Lalami is known for her compelling storytelling and insightful examinations of culture and identity.

Her debut work Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, published in 2005, followed a group of Moroccan immigrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Spain, in search of a better life. Her second work, The Moor’s Account, is a reimagining of the story of Estebanico, the Moroccan slave who became the first African to explore America. Her mystery novel, The Other Americans, published in 2019, pivots around the death of a Moroccan immigrant in California after a hit-and-run.

While the novels share overlapping themes, they are also markedly different in genres, and underscore Lalami’s literary fearlessness. In The Dream Hotel, she takes another leap, this time in a near-distant future where, as the novel teases, “even dreams are under surveillance”.

Released on March 4

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Audition by Katie Kitamura
Audition by Katie Kitamura

American novelist Katie Kitamura also takes on the concept of love, but from a different angle. Audition has been described as “a mobius strip of a novel” that poses the question of how much we really know the people we love. Kitamura is celebrated for her sharp and introspective works, unravelling psychological states with surgical grace and clarity.

Audition neatly extends her bibliography. The novel begins as a veteran actress meets a young troubled man over lunch in a restaurant in New York. The mystery of their relationship is gripping from the start as Kitamura begins to reveal their narratives in a measured, suspenseful pace.

Releasing on April 8

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

Vietnamese-American writer Ocean Vuong immediately became a significant literary figure in 2016 with the release of his debut poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds, for which he won the coveted T.S. Eliot Prize. His poetry dealt with themes of identity, loss, love and the immigrant experience. A few years alter, Vuong released his debut novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. The semi-autobiographical work is written in the form of a letter from a son to his mother. The novel was potent with his idiosyncratic poetic voice and became a finalist for the Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Vuong’s upcoming release, The Emperor of Gladness, also draws from his personal life. It is specifically inspired from his experiences in the service industry and elder care. The novel tells the story of a 19-year-old who is on the verge of suicide when an elderly widow, suffering from dementia, urges him to reconsider. A unique and life-changing friendship soon takes root.

Releasing on May 13

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari
Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari

In her debut novel, The Mismatched, Sara Jafari displayed her ability to evocatively explore personal and cultural conflicts within a romantic, coming-of-age story.

The British-Iranian author’s forthcoming work, Things Left Unsaid, seems to take those sensibilities further. The novel has been described as “a delicate yet impactful look at depression, disillusioned dreams, second chances at love and the power of bravery”,

The story follows 26-year-old Shirin Bayat as she reunites with her former close friend Kian at a London house party, sparking unresolved feelings from their past and a desire to rebuild their trust amid life's challenges, but they must navigate whether their rekindled connection can withstand the pressures that once drove them apart.

Releasing on April 15

Never Flinch by Stephen King

Never Flinch by Stephen King
Never Flinch by Stephen King

The master of horror will be releasing a new crime novel in May. Never Flinch stars Holly Gibney, a recurring character that King fans will recognise from previous novels, such as Mr Mercedes and The Outsider.

The story follows Gibney as she helps a detective track down a vigilante. She simultaneously signs up as a bodyguard for a celebrity who is being hounded by a stalker.

It remains to be seen whether the novel will stand out in King’s expansive oeuvre, but knowing the It author’s penchant for suspense, it will be a riveting springtime read.

Releasing on May 27

We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad

We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad
We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad

Canadian writer Mona Awad has often used a distinctive brand of darkly humorous fiction to tackle the absurdities of modern life. Her second novel, Bunny, is a good example of this.

It follows Samantha McCoy, a graduate student at an elite creative writing programme. Struggling with isolation and feeling out of place among her peers, Samantha becomes intrigued by a group of wealthy and eccentric classmates who call themselves “the Bunnies.” She soon finds that they take part in occult practices, transforming bunnies into boys. The book was critically appraised and even received a commendation from Margaret Atwood, who dubbed it “genius”.

We Love You, Bunny is a follow-up to the novel. It is described as “both a prequel and a sequel”, but can still be read as a stand-alone novel.

Releasing on September 23

MATCH INFO

World Cup qualifier

Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')

UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

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.

The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

RESULTS

Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

While you're here
The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Planes grounded by coronavirus

British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China 

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30

Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong

Ai Seoul:  Suspended all flights to China

Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March

Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February

South Korea's Asiana Airlines,  Jeju Air  and Jin Air: Suspend all flights

BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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The%20specs
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match info

Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO

BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.

The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

Updated: March 31, 2025, 3:05 AM`