Egypt is certainly in the news these days, perhaps inspiring some, like me, to read about this volatile and strategic nation with such a rich heritage and history.

Fiction books about modern-day Egypt for adults:
Woman At Point Zero is a classic novella by Egyptian doctor and feminist writer, Nawal El Saadawi. Recommended at BrownGIrl Speaks.
The Yacoubian Building by Alaa as Aswany. Reviewed by Kimbofo at Reading Matters.
The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz. First book, Palace Walk, is reviewed at Amy Reads and also at Farm Lane Books.
In the Eye of the Sun by Ahdaf Soueif. Reviewed at Amy Reads.
Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively. Reviewed at Of Books and Bicycles.

Nonfiction books for adults:
Beneath the Sands of Egypt: Adventures of an Unconventional Archaeologist by Donald P. Ryan. Reviewed by S. Krishna.
Now They Call Me Infidel: Why I Renounced Jihad for America, Israel, and the War on Terror by Nonie Darwish. Reviewed at Amy Reads.
A Border Passage: From Cairo to America by Leila Ahmed.
More Egyptian Nonfiction from The New Yorker.

Books about Egypt for children:
The Day of Ahmed’s Secret by Florence Parry.
Zarafa: A Giraffe’s True Story, from Deep in Africa to the Heart of Paris by Nancy Milton. Reviewed by Magistramater.
Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile by Tomie de Paola
What’s the Matter Habibi? by Betsy Lewin.
Look What Came from Egypt by Harvey Miles. Franklin Watts, 1998.
We’re Sailing Down the Nile by Laurie Krebs.
More books for children about Egypt, a list compiled by Bernadette Simpson.

Stories on the web:
Mama Maggie: the “Mother Teresa of Cairo.”
So far, Alexandria’s library is safe and pursuing its mission.