26/09/2026
Everything Bookends, in one post 📚
TL;DR: a store, a website, shelves in 26+ cafes, a book vending machine, a book club, blind dates with books, book swaps, a reading membership, a charity shelf and a million-book challenge. Swipe for the details 👉
📖 1 Million Reading Challenge
A million books read by 2030. We’re past 6,000. It’s a long road, but it’s better in good company. DM us to join.
💛 Charities we support
There’s a whole shelf in our store for books that do a little extra. Some sell for more than the price on the cover, and that extra goes to charities like Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, supporting humanitarian needs, sustainability and people who need a voice. DM us for more info.
☕ Unmanned bookshelves
Our curated shelves sit in more than 26 cafes across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Order a coffee, pick up a book. DM us for partnerships and available locations!
👥 Book club
250+ members, three meetups a month, and the members decide what gets read. Fiction, non-fiction and self-help too. DM us to be a part.
🍫 Vending machine
A good book should be as easy to grab as a bag of chips. Our first machine is at American University of Sharjah, with blind books too. More are on the way.
🎁 Blind Date with a Book
One of our bestsellers. No title, no cover, just a few hints on the wrapping. Some turn out better than expected, which is more than most blind dates can say. Shop online or visit our website.
🔄 Book-swap subscription
Bring in a book you’ve finished, leave with one of ours. An annual plan gives you 12 swaps a year, and the book doesn’t have to be from us. It just needs to be in good shape. DM us for more info!
🛋️ Reading membership
A monthly membership lets you walk in, read as many books as you want and put them back when you’re done. The coffee is free. The good corner goes to whoever gets there first. DM us for more info.
