As 2024 came to a close, we turned to our social media audiences for an exciting initiative, a poll to discover their favorite AUC Press books across five categories.
This interactive campaign offered us a unique glimpse into what resonated most with our readers while celebrating the breadth of our catalog.
During the final week of the year, we invited followers to cast their votes in five carefully selected categories:
- Biography
- Architecture and the Arts
- Archaeology and Ancient Egypt
- Egyptian Cookery
- Literature Published by Hoopoe
Our audience responded enthusiastically, voting for their favorites from an assortment of recently published and backlist titles.
The process was dynamic and at times nail-biting, as tallies drew even, and a vote could sometimes tip the scales. At one point, we paused for two days, to observe if any additional votes might come in and shift the outcomes.
After a week of vibrant participation, we unveiled the winners from each category and these titles made the cut.
Here is the ultimate 2024 must-read list, curated by our social media reader community:

Biography
A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub by Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman.

Arts and Architecture
A History of Arab Graphic Design by Bahia Shehab and Haytham Nawar.

Egyptology and Ancient Egypt
Recycling for Death: Coffin Reuse in Ancient Egypt and the Theban Royal Caches by Kara Cooney.

Egyptian Cookery
Bilhana: Wholefood Recipes from Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco by Yasmine Elgharably and Shewekar Elgharably, with photographs by Yehia El-Alaily.

Literature Published by Hoopoe
Granada: The Complete Trilogy by Radwa Ashour, translated by Kay Heikkinen.
Most of the winning books were 2024 releases, reflecting their fresh presence in our audience’s minds. However, a few backlist favorites also made their way to the top, showcasing the timeless appeal of AUC Press titles.
This initiative not only highlighted the diverse interests of our readers but also reinforced the value of engaging directly with our audience to celebrate the power of books.
We’re thrilled with the enthusiastic participation in this year-end poll and plan to build on its success in 2025.
Stay connected with AUC Press for more opportunities to share your voice and celebrate special titles together.