Zaina Arafat Books in Order

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

About Zaina Arafat

Zaina Arafat is a talented Palestinian-American writer, journalist, and educator based in New York City. Born in a politically charged environment, she initially envisioned herself as an international reporter rather than a fiction writer. Arafat’s career began with long-form journalistic work, publishing in major outlets like NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many others. Her unique perspective, shaped by her experiences in both the Middle East and the United States, earned her the Middle East Fellowship for Migrants/Arab Women at Jack Jones Literary Arts.

Though her early career was focused on nonfiction, Arafat’s writing journey took a transformative turn during her time at the University of Iowa, where she discovered her passion for fiction. There, she learned to blend her real-life experiences with creative storytelling. Her debut novel, You Exist Too Much, explores complex themes such as bisexuality, love, addiction, and identity within the context of Palestinian-American culture. The novel blends memoir with fiction, drawing on her personal struggles while creating a fictional narrative that resonates with readers.

In addition to her writing, Arafat is a respected educator, teaching creative writing at institutions like Sackett Street Writers, Catapult, and The School of the New York Times. She has also worked with diverse communities, conducting workshops for Muslim writers and DACA recipients. With degrees from Columbia University and an MFA from Iowa, Arafat continues to shape the literary world while balancing her life between New York and her travels across the globe. Through her work, she has managed to carve out a space for voices that are often marginalized, blending personal experiences with a broader cultural context in a way that speaks to many.