In 2002, Nadya Vassef, her sister Nihal, and their friend Hind founded the first independent bookstore Diwan in Cairo. They were young and fearless, had no business plan, but also no fear. Nadya, Nihal, and Hind did not yet know the challenges they would face. In the following years, this trio experienced all the hardships of running a business in a patriarchal country: forging a path through harassment and discrimination, dealing with despotic bureaucrats, and navigating the rules of Egyptian censorship on the fly. And when Diwan finally succeeded (ten branches, over a hundred employees, and many fans), a revolution swept through Egypt. This book is candid memoirs, a daring business novel, a fascinating story about modern Egypt, and an unusual guide to Cairo; but above all, it is an inspiring story about overcoming any obstacles out of love for a lifelong passion.