The UAE News Report: From the hilarious misadventures of a schoolboy to the secrets of building better habits, family dramas and chilling thrillers, readers at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) are spoilt for choice.
Booksellers across the fair report strong demand for a mix of international bestsellers and contemporary fiction, with titles by Jeff Kinney, James Clear, Elif Shafak, Khaled Hosseini, Lisa Jewell and Toshikazu Kawaguchi among those catching visitors’ attention.
A Wimpy Kid favourite
Young readers are making a beeline for Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, with its latest instalment, Fight or Flight, released on October 20, 2026, prominently displayed at almost every children’s book stand.
The illustrated series follows Greg Heffley through the everyday troubles of school life, awkward encounters and comic mishaps that have made the character a favourite with children around the world.
Small habits, big changes
For readers looking to make changes in their lives, James Clear’s Atomic Habits remains a sought-after title.
The No. 1 New York Times bestseller, which has sold more than 25 million copies and been translated into over 60 languages, explains how small changes in daily routines can lead to lasting improvements.
Other self-help titles focusing on positive thinking, productivity, time management and financial success are also attracting interest, according to booksellers.
Thrills, mysteries and second chances
Readers with a taste for mystery and a superhero twist are picking up Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark, which brings Marvel’s Jessica Jones into the world of psychological suspense. The story follows the superhero-turned-private investigator as she takes on a mysterious case involving teenage twins who return from a trip to Britain.
Also catching readers’ attention is Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold, the Japanese novel that became an international bestseller and gained a following on BookTok, TikTok’s book-loving community. Set in a small Tokyo café where customers can travel back in time under a series of unusual rules, the story explores love, regret and second chances, inviting readers to imagine what they would do if they could revisit a moment from their past.
Old favourites still winning readers
Some books never lose their appeal, and Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees and The Flea Palace are proving just that, continuing to attract readers and buyers at SIBF 2026.
The Turkish-British novelist’s stories explore family relationships, identity and memory, bringing together characters whose lives are shaped by different cultures and histories.
Khaled Hosseini’s novels are also holding their own among newer bestsellers. The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and And the Mountains Echoed remain favourites with readers drawn to their moving stories of family, friendship, sacrifice and lives affected by conflict. 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.
