Best Middle Eastern Poetry Books of 2025

The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition is a revised and expanded edition of the bestselling book about the spiritual and ecstatic poetry of thirteenth-century Sufi Mystic Rumi. The book includes a new introduction by Coleman Barks and 80 never-before-published poems of Rumi. Coleman Barks' lyrical translations have been instrumental in making Rumi's poetry more popular than ever, and this edition is the definitive selection of his mystical poetry. The book is a rare and precious treasure that will stir the hearts of Rumi devotees and win many new converts.

One of the most beloved classics of our time—a collection of poetic essays that are philosophical, spiritual, and, above all, inspirational. Published in 1923, Gibran's masterpiece has been translated into more than twenty languages.Gibran’s musings are divided into twenty-eight chapters covering such sprawling topics as love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, housing, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.. Each essay reveals deep insights into the impulses of the human heart and mind. The Chicago Post said of The Prophet: “Cadenced and vibrant with feeling, the words of Kahlil Gibran bring to one’s ears the majestic rhythm of Ecclesiastes . . . If there is a man or woman who can read this book without a quiet acceptance of a great man’s philosophy and a singing in the heart as of music born within, that man or woman is indeed dead to life and truth.”. With twelve full-page drawings by Gibran, this beautiful work makes an incredible gift for anyone seeking enlightenment and inspiration.

"My all-time favorite collection of poems . . . [Gibran's] poetry always roots me in my humanity." --Rupi Kaur, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Milk and Honey, The Sun and Her Flowers, and Home BodyA stunning new hardcover edition--with a full linen case, copper stamping, turquoise gilded edges, and colored endpapers--of one of the world's most beloved and popular spiritual classics, featuring a new foreword by Rupi KaurA Penguin Classics HardcoverThe most famous work of spiritual fiction of the twentieth century, The Prophet is rooted in Kahlil Gibran's own experience as an immigrant and provides inspiration to anyone feeling adrift in a world in flux. As a prophet named Almustafa is about to board a ship to travel back to his homeland after twelve years in exile, he is stopped by a group of people who ask him to share his wisdom before he leaves. In twenty-eight poetic essays, he does so, offering profound and timeless insights on many aspects of life, including love, pain, friendship, family, beauty, religion, joy, sorrow, and death.An immediate success when first published in 1923, The Prophet is a modern classic, having been translated into more than forty languages and sold more than ten million copies in the United States alone. The message it imparts, of finding divinity through love, made it the bible of 1960s culture and continues to touch hearts and minds across generations and national borders. This edition is illustrated with twelve of Gibran's famous visionary paintings and features a foreword by Rupi Kaur.In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.For more than seventy-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 2,000 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

The timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.. Through the voice of the prophet AlMustafa, Kahlil Gibran touches on the many intricacies of life and the human condition. Love, marriage, children, friendship, joy and sorrow — just a sample of the wide ranging thoughts that effortlessly touch on the mind and soul.. An inspiration to millions of people, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is widely considered to be a masterpiece of spiritual poetry. This book contains all twelve original drawings Gibran created specifically for The Prophet upon its first publication.

Enheduana: The Complete Poems of the World's First Author is a groundbreaking book that introduces the world's first known author, Enheduana, and her hymns to the modern reader. Translated from the original Sumerian, these poems are a rare glimpse into the female voice in the male-dominated ancient world. The themes of exile, war, and nature's power are as relevant today as they were four thousand years ago. The book includes translations by Sophus Helle, who provides historical context, literary structure and themes, and their reception in both ancient and modern times. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in literary history, women's studies, religion, and gender.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by N. K. Sandars, is a timeless tale that dates back to the third millennium BC. The story follows Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, and his companion Enkidu on their journey to defeat mythical creatures and find eternal life. Sandars provides a lucid and accessible translation, complemented by a detailed introduction and a glossary of names. This Penguin Classic is a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature and ancient history.