In Morocco, on the northern coast of Africa, temperatures are in the high 80s, so I’m going to start my virtual trip by changing into some light, gauzy clothes. Sigh. Inhabited since Paleolithic times, the current capital city is Rabat (since 1956), but Fez, Meknes, and Marrakech have all been capitals at different times in history. Fez is home to the world’s oldest university, the University of Al Quaraouiyine, which still operates and features mosaics and floral designs from the 12th century. Fez itself is one of the world’s oldest cities and has a huge, maze-like medina or market, as well as palaces, mosques and fountains. We’re just in time for the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music - this annual event takes place in early June.
A constitutional monarchy, Morocco has an elected parliament and a prime minister, as well as its current king, Mohammed VI. Morocco’s two official languages are Arabic and Berber, and it is largely Muslim. Famous for spices and spicy cuisine, the foods represent Morocco’s melting-pot history, and the most ubiquitous drink is mint tea. Read on for books by famous Moroccan authors and books about Morocco.
Fiction
HOPE AND OTHER DANGEROUS PURSUITS
Nonfiction
–Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
New at the Library
This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
Fiction
Nonfiction
Children
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