'High Crimes' author Joseph Finder is the first guest of new UAE virtual book club

The sessions are held on Zoom and organised by the Sharjah Book Authority

US novelist Joseph Finder is the guest of a virtual book club organised by the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo by Ryan Jehangir

You can now spend an evening with US bestselling novelist Joseph Finder, thanks to a newly launched online book club by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).

To be held fortnightly, these free Zoom sessions will connect UAE book lovers with regional and international guest authors behind featured works.

Kicking off the series on Thursday, July 2, at 7pm, the discussion will be moderated by Emirati author Eman Al Yousuf and focus on Finder's latest novel House on Fire.

Released in January, it is the fourth and latest instalment of the successful series featuring the brooding US spy Nick Heller.

Sharjah Book Authority's fairs and festivals director Khoula Al Mujaini says the book club will continue the organisation's mission in promoting literature in the UAE and the region.

“SBA is launching its online book club to bring renowned authors and book lovers together on one vibrant platform, which will enable engaging literary discussions, a free exchange of ideas and opinions, and open windows to new cultural and human perspectives,” she said.

“We look forward to the active participation of readers and fiction lovers from the UAE and the world, and hope these sessions enable the intended interaction, excitement, inspiration and intellectual stimulus.”

Who is Joseph Finder?

In a three-decade career, Finder has topped the New York Times bestseller list and built a following due to his intricately plotted and fast paced thrillers set in the murky international spy world and US legal system.

His 1998 novel, High Crimes, was turned into a 2002 film featuring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. While 2004's Paranoia was also adapted into 2013 film starring Liam Hemsworth and Harrison Ford.

Sharjah Book Authority’s Virtual Book Club begins on Thursday, July 2, at 7pm. Click here to register your attendance. More information is available on the Sharjah Book Authority website