Zain Khalid Books in Order

This reading order guide helps you find a complete list of Zain Khalid books in order, from the first to the latest, and is always kept up to date so you won’t miss anything!

Zain Khalid is an emerging American author known for his captivating fiction works. He was born and raised in New York, where he developed a passion for storytelling that would eventually lead to his career as a published writer. Zain made a significant impact in the literary world with the release of his debut novel, Brother Alive, in 2022. This novel quickly earned critical acclaim, with many praising Khalid’s fresh voice and unique storytelling style. The book not only won the prestigious NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award but also earned a spot as a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize for best first book.

Beyond Brother Alive, Khalid’s writing has been featured in respected publications such as The New Yorker, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, and The Believer, establishing him as a prominent new voice in contemporary fiction. In 2023, he received the CLMP Firecracker Award and the Bard Fiction Prize, further solidifying his place in the literary world. Zain Khalid is also a contributing editor for The Drift, a well-known literary magazine that publishes innovative and thought-provoking writing.

Khalid’s debut novel, Brother Alive, tells the story of three adopted brothers—Dayo, Iseul, and Youssef—who live together with their adoptive father, Imam Salim, in a diverse neighborhood in Staten Island, New York. The boys’ journey explores themes of family, identity, sexuality, and the complexities of growing up in a world shaped by capitalism and social pressures. As the brothers grow closer, they face personal secrets, including Youssef’s mysterious hallucination of a creature he calls “Brother,” which adds a layer of magical realism to the narrative.

As the story unfolds, the brothers’ lives are disrupted when their father takes them to Saudi Arabia, a land vastly different from their upbringing in the United States. The novel offers a rich exploration of cultural differences, identity, and the challenges of adapting to a new world. Khalid’s storytelling weaves together the boys’ emotional struggles, their search for answers about their past, and the shifting dynamics of their family.

Brother Alive is a powerful debut that captures the complexity of family bonds and the search for belonging, making it a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary fiction. Zain Khalid’s skillful writing and keen insight into human nature ensure that his works will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.