Someone asked me not long ago for books to read that I’ve used for research. Which sounds unwarrantedly pretentious, as an unpublished writer. But here’s the thing: I’ve done a fair amount of research, simply because I’m keen on the topic, and someone asked and I really need little encouragement to share. So to that end, here is a (likely to be expanded) list of books I’ve found helpful and interesting. I also have a Goodreads shelf of books, which includes fiction (some good, some so-so, some really good.) Some of these are about later periods, but even those are often very useful. My last job gave me unfettered access to its academic library (losing that access is one of the few regrets I had in leaving), so I also have used and consumed an…unusually high…number of academic articles, as well. There is so much that can be found with more-public access as well, like academia.edu and JSTOR, so do check them. But the following is a list of books I would recommend, from the introductory to the really specific.

The Tibyan: Memoirs of Abd Allah B. Buluggin, Last Zirid Amir of Granada: 11th century, but not only is it fascinating, it’s a pretty unique glimpse into the life and mind of a dethroned ruler near the end of his life. In writing royal characters, that insight is really helpful. This book, if you can find a copy, is very expensive. The academic library I had access to at my last job owned a copy, and I kept it out for as many renewals as I was allowed (2 or 3; I didn’t hog it.)

The History of ibn al-Qutiya (David James, ed.): 10th century. This one, fortunately, comes in an affordable edition. Two of the stories he relates inspired me to start this book (I’m not blaming him, mind; it’s really my own damn fault I wrote this.) I highly recommend it.

Kingdoms of Faith, Brian Catlos: A newer book, and a very good, readable history. Actually, this is my favorite general history.

Moorish Spain, David Fletcher: A classic work.

Revisiting Al-Andalus: Perspectives on the Material Culture of Islamic Iberia and Beyond, Glaire D. Anderson and Mariam Rosser-Owen: If you want to know (based on archaeological evidence) what al-Andalus looked like and how its people lived, this is essential reading. This book is one of my favorites, and one I used the most in trying to put together the world of the book. Warning, though: it is academic in nature, and not necessarily thrilling reading for people who just want the highlights.

A Vanished World: Medieval Spain’s Golden Age of Enlightenment, Christopher Lowney: Written more for a popular audience than an academic one, and quite good.

Granada: A Pomegranate in the Hand of God, Steven Nightingale: another less-academic work, also quite good as background reading, rather than more specific work.

The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain, Maria Rosa Menocal: Another popular work, and one that for some reason makes some people rather cranky (the scholarly quibbles are one thing, but much of the crankiness is actually unpleasantly ideological, so fie on that), but it’s a lovely book and a very good introductory read.

Defining Boundaries in al-Andalus: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Islamic Iberia, Janina M. Safran: Exactly what it says on the tin. More academic. I think it’s a pretty essential read, though.

Conquerors, Brides, and Concubines: Interfaith Relations and Social Power in Medieval Iberia, Simon Barton: I read this when I was already beginning to edit my first draft; it’s an enjoyable if sometimes dense read.

Al-Andalus, Sepharad and Medieval Iberia: Cultural Contact and Diffusion, Ivy A. Corfis: Definitely more academic than accessible, and is occasionally quite esoteric. The topics range pretty widely, which makes for a more comprehensive volume. Worth reading.

Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World, James E. Lindsay: Not Andalusi-specific, and I found it personally less useful than some of the other books I’ve listed, but a really good book to have on hand as reference if you’re going to write about the period.

A Descriptive and Comparative Grammar of Andalusi Arabic, Institute of Islamic Studies of the University of Zaragoza: I really lucked out in getting a copy of this, because like the Tibyan, it’s usually pretty dear. And maybe most people wouldn’t need this, but I’m ridiculously over the top about linguistic stuff, and I do love a good bit of wordplay however esoteric (I make a linguistic joke in the book that is possibly unforgivable and an editor would probably cut it.) I believe that understanding how people use language gives me insight into them as people. Hence I am including it on the list.

So that’s a list of books I’ve used and recommend, most of which I have copies of on my desk (or in my Kindle, in a few cases.) I’ve left off a good half-a-dozen that I will come back to and add, and there are books about later periods that are also really good reads for a broader scope of knowledge that I may also add to the list. And books about djinn, because I know people are keen on that bit.