Author Purva Grover is on a mission to keep stories alive

There’s a quiet and steady transformation unfolding in the UAE’s literary scene. Book clubs are thriving. Books are showing up on Reels, in tote bags, and in aesthetic flat lays — often accompanied by cappuccinos and candles. But as the visual culture of reading grows, a question arises: are books mere props or are they inviting portals?

Dubai-based author, journalist, and literary advocate Purva Grover, has been exploring this question. Since relocating to Dubai in 2012, she has worked tirelessly to preserve the spirit of reading — through her books (she has authored four so far), open mic poetry events, curated reading sessions, literary workshops, and her beloved neighbourhood book club.

“There’s a hunger for genuine stories, for real literary experiences,” Purva says. “That’s the space I try to nurture.” This year, she revived her book club in Business Bay, Dubai, which had gone quiet and moved online during the pandemic. The club now meets twice a month at a coffee shop, diner, or lounge. Rules are simple: arrive as you are, read with an open heart, and speak your truth. The club’s most recent session, its fifth of the year, left it deeply moved. The chosen read was Heart Lamp: Selected Stories by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi — the title that recently won the International Booker Prize 2025.

The timing was perfect. The group had serendipitously picked up the book - and was happy it had made the Longlist. When the prize was announced, it felt like a collective victory. “As women and as readers, we were so proud,” says Purva. “When the author replied to our book club post and replied to my message a few days before she left for the award ceremony, it felt deeply personal and was a big honour. It also spoke amply of the author’s humility.”

Their discussion around the book was anything but surface-level. From metaphors in The High-Heeled Shoe to the haunting cry in Heart Lamp, every story was dissected and absorbed. The conversations ranged further. One member spoke of starting a Kannada (Banu Mushtaq’s native language) book club, and another reflected on how love sometimes felt like pressure. “It wasn’t just about the text — it was about life,” notes Purva.

Over the years, her journey has been defined by her belief in the transformative power of words. Her latest book is #icouldhavebeenaninstapost (2024), an invitation to scroll through short shorts where one expresses ‘unpretty’ moments in an OTT Insta-friendly manner. Previously published were The Trees Told Me So (2017), a book of short stories, which draws a poignant picture of love, life, and loss; It was the year 2020 (2021), a fragmentary novel set in real-time, daring to speak of the pandemic waiting to take over lives, or whatever little was left of it; and She (2021), which made waves for its honest, relatable, and fun approach to the topic of womanhood.

Purva is also known for her #abookaweek challenge (52 books a year) which motivates a reader, including herself, to read one book every week across genres. It is a quiet rebellion against distraction and literary alienation. Nisha Punjabi, homemaker, part-time poet, and a self-described dreamer of stories, says that “during my first month in Dubai, I felt lonely. Then I joined the book club — and everything changed. It became a space where I found my voice, grew more confident, and felt heard. Over the past two years, I’ve read more books than ever — and gained friendships I cherish.”

In 2021, Purva was honoured by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority with the UAE’s first-ever Golden Visa under the ‘Class of Creators from the People of Culture and Art’ — as an author. It was also an acknowledgement of her contributions to the region’s storytelling landscape. But she says she is far from done. She continues to visit venues across the UAE to host storytelling sessions, book readings, and workshops for children and adults. “I want to continue creating spaces where people can gather around stories — on stage, in classrooms, in cafés, in libraries, or under the stars,” she says. She has organised various sessions with Dubai Public Libraries, UAE schools and corporates, among others. With a background in journalism, public speaking and theatre, she brings structure and soul to her initiatives. She believes that storytelling is not just an art — it is a form of community care. Her sessions are more than just readings; they are invitations to reflect. She puts it this way: “Literature isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. One page, one conversation, one spark at a time — that’s how stories survive.”

Dr. Bijal Mehta, a specialist dermatologist, recalls that “as someone who drifted from being an avid reader to barely picking up a book, rediscovering reading felt like coming home. Purva’s book club is a space full of thoughtful conversations, diverse reads, and is a warm, non-judgmental place. It is more than just a book club — it has become a go-to place to meet like-minded individuals. It has reignited my passion for reading and reminded me of the joy of slowing down, reflecting, and connecting.” If you want to commemorate the new wave of literary culture in Dubai, Purva’s work is the place to start. Her book club may be modest in size, but its impact is undeniable. Amidst the screeching of tires and the flash of neon, she is quietly building a literary home.