Tucson Festival of Books

Omar El Akkad

Kateshia Pendergrass

Omar El Akkad is an author and journalist. His latest book, "One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This," is a powerful exploration of what it means to be an immigrant in a country that betrays its fundamental values. Born in Egypt and raised in Qatar, Omar moved to Canada as a teenager, and now lives in the US. He is a two-time winner of both the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award and the Oregon Book Award for fiction. His debut novel, "American War," was named by the BBC as one of 100 novels that shaped our world.

Scheduled events:

Friends and Sponsors Only: Hot Off the Press

Sponsors and Friends of the Festival are invited to a books launch party with authors in attendance.

Campus Store - HOTP (Seats 250, Wheelchair accessible)
Sat, Mar 15, 8:30 am - 9:30 am

Panelists: Sandra Brown, TJ Alexander, Omar El Akkad, Tess Gerritsen, J. A. Jance, Vanda Krefft, Vanessa Le, Megan Miranda, Clay Risen, Lucinda Scala Quinn

Striving for Acceptance

Across the nation many Americans feel undervalued or just plain left out in our land of supposed opportunity. Why do such big disparities exist? Is capitalism to blame? Does our democracy only work for the lucky ones? These authors discuss the battle for acceptance and who's making progress.

Integrated Learning Center Room 150 (Seats 155, Wheelchair accessible)

Sat, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)

Panelists: Omar El Akkad, Zeke Hernandez, Sarah Jones
Moderator: Bridget Wade Radcliff

How's the American Dream Working Out?

As Americans, aren't we obligated to ensure everyone has the opportunity to achieve success? How is that working out? These three authors come from very different perspectives to share their experiences and observations regarding the illusive American Dream.

Integrated Learning Center Room 130 (Seats 143, Wheelchair accessible)

Sun, Mar 16, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)

Panelists: Omar El Akkad, Alejandra Oliva, Juan Williams
Moderator: Michael Chihak

Books:

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Random House
February 2025
ISBN 9780593804148
208 pages

American War

A Novel
Fiction / Literature
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
January 2018
ISBN 9781101973134
432 pages