Diana Abu-Jaber

Diana Abu-Jaber is an award-winning author known for her explorations of cultural identity, family dynamics, and Middle Eastern heritage. Her works include acclaimed novels such as "Arabian Jazz," which won the Oregon Book Award, and "Crescent," recipient of the PEN Center Award for Literary Fiction and the Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award. Her psychological thriller "Origin" earned starred reviews and the Northwest Booksellers Award, while her memoir "The Language of Baklava" was a Border's Original Voices selection and a Best Food Writing 2005 pick. Her latest novel, "Fencing With the King," was highlighted by Apple Books as one of the year’s most-anticipated releases.

Abu-Jaber’s writing spans multiple genres, from literary fiction to middle-grade fantasy, as seen in her novel "Silverworld." Her work "Birds of Paradise" received the National Arab American Book Award and was lauded by NPR, the Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune. Raised between Syracuse, New York, and Amman, Jordan, she often infuses her narratives with rich cultural and culinary themes. A professor at Portland State University, Abu-Jaber divides her time between Portland, Oregon, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, continuing to contribute to publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, and The Nation.