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Egyptians continue book swap despite theft

The street library initiative launched by an Egyptian-German businessman offers novels, poetry and nonfiction books in the busy streets of Cairo.
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CAIRO — A few hundred books, a large social media network and a wooden sign that reads "Take a book and leave another" have created one of the most successful initiatives of 2017 in Egypt.

On Nov. 4 Nader Riad, an Egyptian-German businessman, and his team placed three wooden stands with a few dozen novels, poetry and nonfiction books in the busy streets of Cairo. The rules are simple: You can take a free book if you bring another one.

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