SHARJAH, UAE- What if your next favourite book turned out to be one you would never have picked off the shelf? At the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), visitors are being invited to leave their next read entirely to chance. The catch? They won’t know which book they’ve bought until they unwrap it.
Behind the unusual experience is Little Puffin Publishing House, making its SIBF debut with its ‘Blind Date with a Book’ initiative. Against the stall’s bright red backdrop, rows of mystery books wrapped in brown paper fill the shelves, concealing hundreds of Arabic and English titles spanning fiction, non-fiction and more. Readers discover what they’ve chosen only after making their purchase.
According to Emilyn Bolante, Purchase Officer at Little Puffin Publishing House, said: “The element of surprise has proved popular with customers, some of whom have returned for another mystery book after enjoying their first experience”.
For readers accustomed to checking reviews, browsing summaries and seeking recommendations before buying a book, the initiative offers a different way to discover their next read. And who knows? A chance encounter with an unfamiliar book might just be the beginning of a great literary relationship.
The 45th edition brings together 106 leading writers, thinkers, creatives and artists from 25 countries, with a programme of 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events. These include 400 sessions covering literature, thought, the arts and other fields of knowledge, alongside workshops, theatrical and artistic performances, international cooking events, and activities for children and families.
The fair also hosts 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles across literature, science and other fields of knowledge.
