Your Sharjah invites visitors to exchange reading recommendations, join creative workshops and explore customisable merchandise at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah, November 10, 2026
A recommendation for A Confederacy of Dunces. Another for The Man Who Planted Trees. Nearby, someone has added The Shore. At the Your Sharjah stand at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), visitors are leaving behind more than the names of books they enjoyed; they are passing those recommendations on to readers they may never meet.
Located within the stand, ‘Pass the Read’ invites visitors to write down a book recommendation for someone else to discover. Prompts encourage them to think about books that made them happy or emotional, or titles they believe others should read.
As new visitors arrive, they can browse suggestions left by others and use them as inspiration for what to look for among the fair’s many bookstalls. The result is a simple exchange between strangers, with books as the connection.
Among those taking part was 15-year-old Emirati student Jouri Sultan, who said she would recommend Sherlock Holmes.
“This ‘Pass the Read’ is a wonderful idea connecting readers who may never meet in person. I hope someone follows up my recommendation,” she said. “I really enjoyed visiting ‘Your Sharjah’ stand. I think the Sharjah Book Fair is a wonderful place to discover new books and learn new things. It has so many interesting books, fun activities and a great atmosphere.”
The recommendations reflect a broad mix of tastes, from John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comic novel A Confederacy of Dunces to Jean Giono’s classic eco-fable The Man Who Planted Trees, alongside other titles suggested by visitors throughout the fair.
Creativity takes centre stage
The stand also offers free, walk-in workshops throughout SIBF, giving visitors opportunities to try activities including tote-bag making, engraving and calligraphy. The sessions add a hands-on element to the stand and encourage visitors to create something of their own during their visit.
Visitors can also browse Your Sharjah merchandise and souvenirs, including mugs, diaries, pens, brooches, fridge magnets, charms, hoodies and sweatshirts, with selected items available for customisation.
Together, these activities turn the Your Sharjah stand into an interactive space where visitors can exchange reading recommendations, discover new titles and explore their creativity.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
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