I have been living in Sharjah for almost two decades and I have also been attending Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) for almost 17 years. It is a wonderful platform for us to feel inspired. It is great to be around with so many books. We get to meet lots of publishers from all across the world. We get almost all types of books we want to read. I, being a book lover, always wait for SIBF to begin. The best part of this event is that we get to meet and listen to global stars.

This year, I managed to meet Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kajol Devgn at the book fair. I also heard Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and got a picture with him. He is a living legend. Last year, I happened to see King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan. In the past I met Kamal Hasan and Deepti Naval. I also happened to meet Indian politician-writer Shashi Tharoor and Ruskin Bond a few years ago. I appreciate SIBF for allowing us to meet with so many global leaders. I enjoy visiting SIBF all days till it is over, sometime alone, sometimes with my family and children. I think everybody should visit the book fair.  

Shazia Tabassum,
By email