Job Discussion Forums

WaegukinYeoJa · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

I have read through (most of) the searchable archives and I still have two main questions. Any help would be appreciated!

1. What kind of English bookstores can one find in KSA? I'll be in Riyadh, so any experiences in the city would great. Also, how about libraries? Do the major universities have good selections?

2. I have read a lot about bringing stuff in and that of course things are much easier these days. What do you think about Darwin/Dawkins books? I'll of course not bring in "God is NOT Great" or "The God Delusion", but would those name be recognizable as athiest?

Thanks!

007 · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Books

johnslat · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

Dear WaegukinYeoJa,

Jarir has a pretty good selection, and here's a link to a list of most of the major ones:

http://www.arriyadh.com/eng/cgi-bin/Services/list.aspx?Type=0305

As for Darwin and Dawkins, while I can't give you a 100% guarantee, I'd say bringing them into the Kingdom would be ma fi mushkila (i.e. no problem.)

Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

Basically, there is really only one bookshop in Riyadh: Jarir, which has a few branches around town. It's not bad if you're into self-help books or 'romantic' pulp, but its selection of more 'sophisticated' reading matter is pretty limited. Like a lot of people, I don't rely on it, preferring to buy books outside the country or order from amazon.

WaegukinYeoJa · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

Thanks for the great info Cleopatra and Johnslat -

I'll be home for a while before I come to Riyadh and I've already started having books from Amazon sent to my parents' house.

What's the shipping time/price like to KSA through Amazon? I don't suppose there are used book stores or expat book exchanges already happening?

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject:

Delivery rates can be found on the amazon website(s). As for time, I regularly order from amazon.co.uk and shipments usually arrive within two weeks from the day of placing the order - sometimes less, rarely more. I have never lost anything through censorship or transit problems. Also, with current exchange rates, amazon.uk is something of a bargain right now.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:02 am Post subject:

Dear WaegukinYeoJa.

One thing you might want to consider is an "M bag", which you should be able to get free at your local post office (in the USA.) It's about the size of a duffel bag.
I used to visit used books stores on my holidays, fill up the bag and have it shipped to Saudi. When I did that in June, I'd usually get the books in September.
After you arrive, you may be able to meet other readers and book-swap, too. I did, and that and the M-bag would get me through the year.

"By comparison in the Kingdom one has two choices in the Kingdom which have the largest variety of books: Jarir Bookstores (http://www.jarirbookstore.com/) or Obeikan Bookstores (http://www.obeikanbookshops.com/). Jarir has the larger selection of English language books. One important aspect I need to mention is that any books coming to the Kingdom are reviewed and inspected for �Islamic content.� What that means if any book is perceived to have material which can be interpreted as unislamic it would likely be rejected and banned from the Kingdom. Now that being said, Jarir does have a wide and varied selection. Obeikan has a fair selection of English but its larger inventory is on Arabic books.

Similar to the US bookstore chains identified, both Jarir and Obeikan will sell much more than just books. Jarir has an extensive selection and variety of computers, components and other electronic items. Both stores are also well stocked with office supplies and school supplies.

Used bookstores are present in the Kingdom but in Arabic with an emphasis on textbooks and research materials. I have not found a used book store which has English language books. Personally I find myself missing the used bookstores. I am an avid and fast reader so back in the States I�d spend a lot of time at used book stores or garage sales which allowed me to acquire the largest variety of books. I would go to the larger bookstores with new books when some of my favorite authors had a new book released which I wanted to add to my collection..

Neither Jarir nor Obeikan offer special programs �yet- like the larger booksellers in the States but I am confident that over time this will happen. Reading had not been as popular as a pastime in the Kingdom with most Saudis preferring tv or videos but I am optimistic that is beginning to change. I am aware of an increase in book clubs being formed in the Kingdom and not only by expats but more Saudis are getting involved in establishing book clubs and promoting reading (both English and Arabic). So as the demand increases the choices and options offered by booksellers will likely increase as well.

http://americanbedu.com/2008/05/25/bookstore-choices-options-in-ksa/?referer=sphere_related_content/

Regards,
John

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I order books from amazon.com Normally ship from Frankfurt and arrive in about ten days. Shipping is around $5 per book plus the one-off charge. In general it works out about the same price as buying from Jarir, when you factor in the discounts.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I use www.amazon.de
for books in English and dvd's

battleshipb_b · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 189

When I first arrived in the Kingdom, they confiscated half of my books (took a look at some of the covers and decided they were obscene. - I am a fan of thrillers and crime novels.) I had to be real careful my first 12 years here. However, they have eased off in the past few years and I am constantly amazed at what you can get in the second hand book scene. Sometimes some of the bigger compounds have book sales and some of the schools. Keep a lookout for the garage sales, clearout sales, etc.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject:

redeyes · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 254

I realize that religious books with demonstrative symbols/pictures on them are banned, and of course, anything which looks even vaguely inclined to serve for proseltyzing -- but what about Buddhist books? I have a number of Buddhist texts and wonder if they are best left at home -- these are not your new age type of cystals and incence "feel good" Buddhist books, but weighty tomes, and very obviously sacred scripture. Will locals care, will Saudi norms be breached, be offended, or -- since the books are in no way whatsoever dealing with any interpretations of God, Gods, Creation etc, and since they don't set out to challenge any truths expounded upon by the three Abrahamic faiths -- would they be simply seen as academia/philosophy books?

I have no wish whatsoever to offend the hosts/upset norms -- best left at home? Advise appreciated.

Thanks.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject:

Dear redeyes,
I never brought any Buddhist books in myself, but I had a colleague who had quite a few in his private library, all of which he brought into the Kingdom without any problem.
Regards,
John