If you want to learn more about Iran and the Iranian people, this list of books set in Iran is for you.
Over the last few weeks, I have found myself wanting to know more about the Middle East, but especially about Iran.
No matter how you feel about current events, learning more about the people of Iran can help us better understand current events.
As I was thinking about what books I have read on Iran, I realized that I have read very little about Iran and its history.
What I know about it comes from the news and textbooks from when I was in school.
The value of reading and a love of learning is that you can learn just about anything through reading a book.
After scanning my bookshelves and doing some research, I came up with a stack of books on Iran that I hope to read soon,
Some of the books are historical fiction books set in Iran. Others are memoirs of Iranians sharing what they have lived through.
Only two of the books on this list are ones that I have read. So this list is different than most book lists that I share.
Most of the book lists that I put together are books I or someone in my family has read, but this list is of books I hope to read soon.
I can’t give full reviews of all these books because I haven’t read them all, but I wanted to share this list because it aligns with current events. As I read these books, I will share reviews.
This list only includes eight books set in Iran. I know there have been many other books written about Iran. If you have read any that are not on my list, I would love to hear about them so I can add them to my list.
Books Set In Iran
Fiction Books about Iran
Together Tea by Marjan Kamali was published in 2013. It is a historical fiction book about a mother and daughter set in 1996 and 1978.
Darya wants to get her daughter, Mina, the perfect gift of a husband for her twenty-fifth birthday. When her attempt doesn’t go as she planned, Mina and Darya go to Iran, where they learn more about each other.
I read Together Tea back in 2021. It took me a while to get into this book and get invested in the characters, but once I did, I loved it.
Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali got a lot of attention in 2019 when it was published. I read it in April of 2020 and loved it. I instantly saw why it received so much attention.
Roya is a teenager in Tehran during the political unrest in 1953. She finds Mr. Fakhri’s book and stationery shop, which gives her hope amid the unrest. Mr. Fakhi introduces her to one of his favorite customers, Bahman.
Roya and Bahmna fall in love, but violence separates them and changes their lives forever. Sixty years later, they are brought back together.
Stationery Shop is a book about young love, true love, love of family, love of country, and the horrors of war.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali has been in my to be read stack since it was published in 2024. I really enjoyed two of Marjan Kamali’s other historical fiction books, so I knew that I wanted to read this one.
When recent events started this month, I knew that it was time to pick up The Lion Women of Tehran. I am currently reading it, so I can’t give a full review, but so far it is really good.
It starts in 1981 New York, then goes back to 1950s Tehran, where Ellie and her mother were living a comfortable life until Ellie’s father died.
On her first day of school in her new neighborhood, she meets Homa, who becomes her best friend. The book follows Ellis and Homa’s friendship during their childhood and the political upheaval in Iran.
Song of a Captive Bird by Jasmin Darzink is a historical fiction book published in 2018. Set in 1950s Tehran, it follows Forugh Farrokhzad, who is expected to be a quiet, well-behaved girl. It follows her as she flees a forced marriage, finds love, and refuses to live how she is expected to.
This is in my stack to read. Since I haven’t read it yet, I can’t give a full review, but I plan to read it soon.
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri is a YA historical fiction book in my stack of books to read in 2026.
This book is set in Oklahoma, but it is about an Oklahoma middle schooler who shares the story of his family leaving Iran, becoming refugees, and coming to America.
I have read so many great reviews about this book. I hope to read it for my YA book this month.
The Teacher of Nomad Land by Danies Nayeri is a WWII book set in Iran. This is actually a children’s historical fiction book, but since it is different than the other books on the list set in Iran, I wanted to include it.
The Teacher of Nomad Land is about an orphaned brother and sister who lived in Iran, which was neutral but occupied by the British and Soviets during WWII.
When you think of WWII, you don’t usually think of the Middle East, so this book sounds very different than most WWII books.
Nonfiction Books About Iran
Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody is a book that has been in my to be read stack for years. It was published in 1991 and is the book on which the movie starring Sally Field was based.
This is the true story of Betty Mahmoody, who lived in Michigan with her Iranian husband. She visited Iran on vacation with her husband and four-year-old daughter, Mahtob, and basically became a prisoner when her husband returned to his Shiite beliefs.
Women in Iran were treated basically as slaves, and since she was American, she was hated.
This book gives you a look into what life is like for women in Iran.
This book is moving to the top of my to be read pile.
My Name is Mahtob by Mahtob Manmoody is the follow-up to Not Without My Daughter. It is written by Betty Mahmoody’s daughter and was published in 2015. It is Mahtob’s story of imprisonment, escape, and what her life was like after fleeing Tehran.
I think this will be a great follow-up after I read Not Without My Daughter. I also need to watch the movie soon.
Have you read any of these books set in Iran?