I Was Not Created to Stay (Jordanian)
The Levantine Arabic Readers series provides learners with much-needed exposure to authentic language in context. The fifteen stories in the series are all written at a similar level (B1–B2) and can be read in any order. They’re a fun and flexible tool for building vocabulary, improving comprehension, and developing overall fluency.
The main Arabic text appears on even-numbered pages, fully vocalized with tashkeel (diacritics) to support reading. Parallel English translations are provided on the facing odd-numbered pages to help you understand new words, expressions, and cultural references.
For those who are up to the challenge, a second version of the text is provided at the back of the book, without the distraction of tashkeel and translations.
Each story includes 20 comprehension questions with sample answers (and English translations) to reinforce your understanding. You’ll also find a sequencing exercise to help review the story by putting ten key events back in the correct order.
What’s New in the Revised Editions?
The Levantine Arabic Readers series has been updated to make it even more useful for learners. The new editions (published May 2025) feature:
- Revised English translations for improved clarity and accuracy
- Audio Track Timestamps above the translations to help you find your place
- 20 comprehension questions for each story, with sample answers and English translations
- A sequencing exercise to help you review the key events of the story in order
If you previously purchased the PDF eBooks from our website, you can download the updated editions from your Account Page.
If you purchased a paperback copy (on Amazon or elsewhere) before May 2025, you can download a free supplement that includes the new comprehension and sequencing activities:
Save 20% by buying a 15-book bundle of Levantine Arabic Readers.
Visit Amazon to get this book in paperback!
This book is available in paperback on your local Amazon website.
(On Lingualism.com, we only sell the PDF eBook version.)
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MP3 Files
Download the full accompanying audio for this product as MP3 files—completely free! The files are provided in a compressed ZIP folder for easy access. Simply download, extract the files, and start listening. No purchase of the PDF eBook is required!
Laura (verified owner) –
This is the second book I read from the collection and I loved it. It was a little bit more challenging than the previous one and this challenge was most welcome. I am a firm believer of the comprehensible input theory and as I understood ca 95% of the text without tashkeel and translation, I truly felt immersed in the story.
I will continue to purchase these little stories, I am finding them truly beneficial.
TMED –
I have six of the Levantine Arabic books now, 3 Jordanian and 3 Palestinian Arabic. I have to stay that these are superb resources for anyone wishing to learn colloquial, authentic Arabic as most people speak it in either Jordan and Palestine and of course across the Levant.
I have loads of other resources Lingualism has put out in Levantine and all have furthered my speaking ability, confirmed by many native Arabic speakers I have engaged with. These latest story offerings are sorely needed in the marketplace and considering they come with audio as well, I cannot recommend them highly enough. All stories are engaging and insightful into Arabic usage but also into cultural nuance, so important when trying to gain a foothold into another language speaker’s world. This is not a paid review but a customer review who has invested time and money into many of Lingualism’s resources. Go on, buy these and take a massisve step toward your language achievement goals!
Jens –
This is my first book in the series, but now I want to get all of them. It’s great to find material on this level (B1/B2) and I’m amazed at how much I can learn from each page – this is exactly what I needed. The story is interesting too.
Highly recommended.
Sindri (verified owner) –
I have read the majority of the Levantine books (all of the sub catgories) and the majority of Egyptian books as well, and this story was the most moving of the ones I have yet read.
Rashidah –
This is a great reader, and I’m learning a lot from it. And I’m excited to read the other stories in the Jordanian dialect! Thank you so much! However, I have found the English translation to not always be very precise and the English to not always be correct. It seems like the author wrote the English translation and there wasn’t detailed proofreading by a native English speaker afterwards. I know this from my own observation but also because, after reading through it on my own, I’m now working through it with my Jordanian teacher. There are ideas missing from the English version, and some expressions in Arabic are mistranslated into English. This is a bit unfortunate because a reader should be an accurate self-study tool. However, overall, this is a great resource, and I’m very grateful for how it makes reading in Arabic accessible for me.
dotan (verified owner) –
Great book. It’s the 4th book i’m reading on this website and actually all of them are great. It’s a wonderful resource for intermediate level students.