Middle East, Africa & Indian Ocean
Curated for you
Folk Tales of the Maldives by Xavier Romero-Frías, curated by Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
Folk Tales of the Maldives gathers traditional island stories passed down through generations, shaped by the sea, faith and daily life. Full of myth, humour and moral lessons, they offer a window into Maldivian identity beyond the postcard. Perfect for a Baa Atoll stay, these short tales suit dipping in between swims, sunsets and slow evenings.
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The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest, curated by Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
Folk Tales of the Maldives gathers traditional island stories passed down through generations, shaped by the sea, faith and daily life. Full of myth, humour and moral lessons, they offer a window into Maldivian identity beyond the postcard. Perfect for a Baa Atoll stay, these short tales suit dipping in between swims, sunsets and slow evenings.
Explore DestinationDubai Tales by Mohammed Al Murr, curated by Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
Offering a local Emirati perspective, these short stories reveal the social contrasts and human moments behind Dubai’s skyline. They provide cultural insight that enriches the experience of staying in one of the world’s fastest-evolving cities.
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The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash, curated by Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
Set during Dubai’s transitional years, this novel explores tradition, gender and change before the oil boom. It adds historical dimension and nuance to the city’s contemporary dynamism.
Explore DestinationAn Ocean Apart by Robin Pilcher, curated by Avani+ Barbarons Seychelles Resort
Set in Seychelles, this warm and accessible novel follows intertwined lives shaped by love, loss and new beginnings. Against a vivid island backdrop of ocean horizons and sunlit beaches, the story blends family tension and romance, making it an easy, escapist read suited to relaxed days and unhurried evenings.
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Wintering by Katherine May, curated by Avani+ Barbarons Seychelles Resort
The book explores periods of hardship and transition, treating them as natural “winters” in life rather than failures. Blending memoir with cultural history and nature writing, it offers practical comfort on rest, retreat and recovery.
Explore DestinationThe Old Drift by Namwali Serpell, curated by Avani Victoria Falls Resort
Beginning near Victoria Falls, this sweeping novel traces Zambia’s layered history through multiple generations. It deepens connection to place, offering narrative context to one of Africa’s most powerful natural landmarks.
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The Lions’ Den by Iris Mwanza,curated by Avani Victoria Falls Resort
The Lion’s Den is a contemporary legal thriller set in Zambia, following a fast-moving case where loyalty, power and personal risk collide. It is an easy, modern page-turner to bring along between game drives and sundowners, offering sharp local context and a gripping counterpoint to the scale and stillness of Victoria Falls.
Explore DestinationSleepwalking Land by Mia Couto, curated by Avani Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa
Sleepwalking Land is a lyrical, dreamlike novel set in post-war Mozambique, where myth and reality blur as a father and son travel through a scarred landscape. Reading it in Pemba adds emotional depth and cultural perspective, connecting the coast’s calm beauty with the country’s layered history, resilience, and the power of storytelling.
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Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi, curated by Avani Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa
Manifest is a simple, modern wellbeing read built around mindset, clarity and everyday habits that support positive change. With short, actionable chapters, it suits poolside reading and slow evenings. In Pemba, it complements the coastal pace, helping you switch off, refocus, and leave feeling lighter and more intentional.
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