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

There are many activities to do at home during Eid if you neither want to travel nor go out in the city. Some of us just want to relax, sleep in, have tea and Eid kahk and cookies, then spend the rest of the day catching up on more mundane, relaxing activities. 

You can watch a nice film that fits the vibes of Eid or, you can relax back with another cup of tea and enjoy a story set within pages! If you’re into reading and haven’t had the time to enjoy a good read in a while, then this article is for you! All books on this list fall under 200 pages, so not only are they short and sweet, they’re powerful, and immensely fun!

African Psycho by Alain Mabanckou

The protagonist of African Psycho starts the novella by stating a simple, but intriguing fact: He will kill his girlfriend, Germaine. Then, he delves into preparations: the logistical and psychological. This small book is as funny as it is disturbing. Gregoire, the protagonist, has one of the most distinctive first person voices in modern literature. His train of thought is a continuous, never-ending chatter. Witty, entertaining, thought-provoking, this book will definitely leave an impression on you.

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

You know how the Eid afternoon feels feverish? When it feels like we’ve rolled into an alternate reality where everything is the exact same, but still slightly wrong somehow? Well, this is exactly how this novella reads. Amanda is a young woman dying in a clinic in rural Argentina, David is a young boy staying by her side and forcing her to tell the events of the previous days. Blurring all the lines between horror, fantasy, magical realism, and environmental writing, Fever Dream is a short book that you won’t be able to put down until you reach the very last sentence.

Afrāh al-Qubba by Naguib Mahfouz

We all like to return to a classic every once in a while, don’t we? Since this book is about 180 pages and a Naguib Mahfouz, there wouldn’t be any better choice. The story tells of the same wedding in four versions, or rather, from four different perspectives. Most of the story is told through flashbacks, and like any of the author’s other works, it strikes with a piercing sense of people, unhappiness, unfulfilled desires and regrets. Long after you finish it, you’ll find it lingering in your mind.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

If you’re a science-fiction fan, then it’s most likely you’ve already read this book (and you can consider this a sign for a reread!). If you’re not usually a science-fiction reader, then you’re up for a delightful experience! The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, an Englishman who’s rescued following the destruction of the Earth. It’s witty, creative, smart and outright funny. If you haven’t read it yet, now is your time!