Books and Cookies! | The Initiative to Buy More Books and Eat More Cookies

Where? Homegrown Market (and other pop ups), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

What? Books & Cookies for a Cause

Highlights: Great thrift finds

I guess this is the happiest thing the Instagram algorithm has presented on my feed and perhaps this is one of the best surprises I’ve stumbled upon.

You already had me with books (but cookies too!?), I knew I had to know more about it so I was so happy to get in contact with Donna, the sweet girl leading the initiative as a good dead and a form of activism.

Bonded by our love of reading and books as well as helping the community, I knew I had to write something about this because more people deserved to know about it! Books & Cookies for a Cause donates it’s proceeds from sales to students in need of education. They’ve partnered up with Aytam AlTaif, a registered Saudi orphanage and charity who have been giving back to the community for more than 13 years.

I’ve personally participated in Aytam AlTaif’s Ramadan food drives for the poor, and volunteered as a part time bookseller in their second hand shop Mawakib AlAjr during my time in university. Great people and an amazing organization to be collaborating with.

Let’s get to the books!

They host a range of books from non fiction to YA and even self help and religious readings, for my Arabic readers they include a stellar collection of poetry and Arabic novels (got my mom one!).

I’ve managed to snag these lovelies

▪️Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

▪️The Program by Suzanne Young

▪️The History of Us by Jonathan Harvey.

▪️The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware.

I bought these all for 20 SR each (which is roughly £4 / $5), so it’s definitely a catch!

On top of that I bought myself a stack of cookies because what is a reading session without a sweet treat? Also, all cookies are from local small businesses so it’s a perfect way to support these businesses!

Donna didn’t anticipate this great enthusiasm and was bombarded with donations to the point where she had to buy huge cargo boxes to take them all. It really warms my heart seeing people do good.

She now has a permanent shelf in Homegrown market, a concept store dedicated to local talent and businesses, in addition to more pop ups as restrictions begin to ease up even more in May.

If you’re not local spread the word! You can still help out by sharing this to friends and other readers or even just leaving a nice comment or like on their posts.

Available Online? Unfortunately no, they’ve just started approx. 2-3 months ago but hopefully they’ll pick things up. If you’re in Jeddah, you can contact them for a pick up and delivery service.

COVID-19 Update | No COVID restrictions is placed on commercial stores so you can visit Homegrown Market or contact Books & Cookies to see when is their nearest pop up location.

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