For yet another year, our Reading Club is back, providing an opportunity to get a closer look at authors of Arab literature and delve into some of the most outstanding titles in world literature in general. Those who take part will have the opportunity to carefully explore a selection of significant literary works, encouraging dialogue and the sharing of ideas in an enriching environment.

The five in-person sessions, to be held at Casa Árabe’s Madrid headquarters, will be starting on January 28 and will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

· Tuesday, January 28, Fahrenheit 451 (1953), Ray Bradbury

· Tuesday, February 11, The Perfume of the Night Flowers (2021), Leila Slimani

· Tuesday, February 25, A Very Respectable Gentleman (1981), Naguib Mahfuz

· Tuesday, March 11, Things I’ve Kept Quiet (2010) Azar Nafisi

· Tuesday, March 25, Superman Is an Arab (2012), Joumana Haddad

In order to participate in the Reading Club, you must attend the first session after having read the first book. In addition, Casa Árabe will be explaining how the club works once participants have signed up. You can download the books or order them at the Casa Árabe Bookstore The sessions will be facilitated by Javier Fonseca, from the Escuela de Escritores.


Javier Fonseca
A writer of children’s and youths’ literature who has authored more than twenty publication in his own name or with a pen name (Isaura Lee), including Pastel de moras (Blackberry Pie, published by Algar eds. 2013), El visitante del otro lado (The Visitor from the Other Side, Diquesí eds. 2016) and Zampalabras (Word Eater, Nórdica eds. 2018), 17+85 españoles geniales que lograron su sueño (17+85 Amazing Spaniards Who Lived Their Dream, 1785 eds. 2019), Amigos imaginarios (Imaginary Friends, published by San Pablo eds., 2020) and La familia Muchasleguas (The ‘Many-Leagues’ Family, published by La Esfera de los Libros, 2020).

At the Escuela de Escritores, he teaches children’s and youth writing and creative writing and storytelling for young people and adults, projects and children’s and youth writing in the Specialization Course in Teaching Creative Writing and Children’s Poetry in the Master’s Degree in Poetry. Since 2014, he has also been responsible for the children’s and youth book recommendations given by the cultural magazine Adiós. He occasionally contributes to other cultural publications (Cuatrogatos, LIJ digital magazine) and radio shows (La estación azul de los niños, RNE). Along with this, he coordinates youth and adult reading clubs at public libraries, in bookstores and on digital platforms. He is also an oral storyteller, telling stories in squares, cafés, universities... or any other space where people might be willing to listen.

He combines his literary work with a dedication to creative thinking and social awareness. He has been a university professor (USP-CEU) and has worked at Cáritas Española for more than ten years as national head of development education, training and volunteering.