I read this book when I was a teenager and it still has left a mark in memory and my understanding of Egyptian Society.

While the book highlights various topics relevant to Egyotian society, it presents it in a quick, brief but insighful format that helps you to understand the general jist of each aspect.

This is a great option for those looking for a general introduction to contemporary Egypt. This is also a good choice if you are looking for a chill anecdotal light read (same goes for the sequel)