If you loved ancient Egypt as a kid and never really stopped, this list is for you. As a cultural anthropologist who spent five years living in Cairo, I've put together my most personal Egypt reading recommendations — ancient history, contemporary culture, and fiction that actually captures what the country feels and sounds like. Each pick comes with a "Before / During / After" tag so you can read strategically around your trip. From Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt saving Abu Simbel to an alternate Cairo where wishes are sold by the government, there's something here for every kind of reader.

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