The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Across Cairo, book clubs are bringing readers together to exchange opinions, discover new authors, and make friends over shared stories. Whether you prefer women-focused literature, Arabic novels, or unusual reads, there’s a club for almost every taste. Here are five Cairo book clubs worth checking out.

Difficult Women Book Club

Difficult Women is a women-focused international reading community with a Cairo chapter. The club primarily explores books written by female authors, with discussions often touching on identity, society, relationships, and women’s experiences. Its monthly meetings offer readers the chance to have deeper conversations about the stories they read.

Once Upon a Book Club Cairo

Once Upon a Book Club Cairo describes itself as a bookish community with a relaxed approach to reading. Members choose a book each month before meeting to discuss and rate it. The group also hosts “Books & Banter” gatherings, where readers can play book-related games, exchange used books, and simply chat about their favourite reads.

Nina’s Book Club

With its unique approach, Nina’s Book Club brings literature outside the traditional café setting by choosing meeting locations connected to the books being discussed. The club is open to women of different ages and aims to make reading feel like an experience rather than just a hobby. Previous discussions have included works such as Naguib Mahfouz’s Children of Gebelawi and Persepolis.

Toqa’s Book Club

BookTok creator Toqa Hossam turned her online passion for literature into a monthly, in-person club. Held at La Maison Treize, the gatherings focus exclusively on Arabic literature, giving members an opportunity to discuss Egyptian and Arab writers in a social setting. Previous selections have included works by Ghassan Kanafani and Ihsan Abdel Quddous.

The Other Bookclub

For readers who enjoy unusual literature, The Other Bookclub could be the perfect match. Instead of following conventional monthly selections, it organises themed reading cycles featuring novels, essays, and short stories that other clubs might overlook. Its past themes have included “Evil Manuscripts” and “House of Psychotic Women”.

Cairo’s book clubs prove that reading can be just as social as it is personal. With so many different communities available, all you need is a book and a willingness to start a conversation.