Beautiful minds

Come November, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) will return once again to its familiar venue, and I eagerly await this moment. With each passing year, the fair seems to grow bigger, brighter and more vibrant. I have been attending the book fair for the past 19 years, and over these years, I have had the privilege of listening to so many world-class authors. I still remember the day I met my childhood favourite, the British-Indian writer Ruskin Bond, in Sharjah. I could hardly believe my eyes. I took a photograph with him and got a book signed by him.

Even after all these years, I cherish that moment as one of my fondest literary memories. Over the years, I have gone on to meet several other celebrated writers, including Chetan Bhagat, Wole Soyinka, Jeffrey Mason, Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai and Banu Mushtaq. As another edition approaches, I look forward to discovering new books, listening to fascinating conversations and meeting more extraordinary writers. I hope this year, too, will bring me the opportunity to listen to more beautiful minds and create memories that I will cherish for years to come.

Zain Ahmed,
By email