Aaliya Saleh, a seventy-two-year-old Beirut resident, dedicates her life to books. Every year, she translates a beloved novel into Arabic, meticulously archiving the thirty-seven completed works that no one else has ever read. Living a reclusive life, Aaliya navigates her present through a rich inner world filled with literature, philosophy, and art, while memories of the Lebanese Civil War and her personal history resurface. Her solitary existence is challenged when an unforeseen event threatens her carefully constructed life.

Why You Should Read?

• Explore the intricate inner life of a woman defined by her passion for literature.
• Gain insight into the cultural and historical landscape of Beirut through a unique personal lens.
• Witness a profound meditation on aging, memory, and the solace found in books.
• Experience a distinctive narrative style that blends contemplation with the realities of life in the Middle East.