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Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran Web site: Azadeh’s blog. She doesn’t appear to write here much. Random House; release date February ’09 352 pages Memoir Book #3/09 Challenges: New Author/ARC/’09 Pub

********** From Amazon: In her new memoir, American-born journalist Moaveni (Lipstick Jihad) returns to Tehran in 2005 to cover Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s election for Time magazine, hoping to make the city her permanent home. Her plans are complicated by the standoff with the U.S. over Iran’s nuclear program, as well as several unexpected turns in her life. She falls in love, moves in with her boyfriend, becomes pregnant, gets married—in that order—in a country that has no word for boyfriend and no qualms about brutally beating unmarried pregnant women. Through her own experience, Moaveni reports on the growing apathy of the people of Iran, a society burdened by staggering inflation and tensions between religion, political oppression and secular life, the latter ever more enticing through ubiquitous, illegal satellite television. Gradually, the idealism and religious faith that characterized Moaveni’s younger years wane. With the birth of her son, her misgivings come to a head, compounded by the spying, threats and intimidation she experienced at the hands of the Ministry of Intelligence. Moaveni, who now lives in London with her family, has penned a story of coming-of-age in two cultures with a keen eye and a measured tone.

Amazon rating: not yet rated **********

Me: I must be impressed with this book. I’m not usually one to sticky note a book but by the time I finished I had over 15 places marked highlighting something of interest. And it was difficult to limit it to just those few items as there is so much to absorb in these 300+ pages.

I have not had the pleasure of reading her first memoir, Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran but if I ever clear a spot in my reading schedule I will be sure to pick up a copy.

This book is heavy on politics, government and religion. Through this intricate balance of all three she weaves her personal story first as a reporter, returning to Tehran, for Time, then as a wife and finally a mother. I figured it would be loaded with these particular topics because all dominate every aspect of a person’s life. What I like is the way the writer handled explaining the effects on daily life in a fairly easy to understand way. She brought it down to a personal level. I have a much clearer comprehension of this country and it’s people. I have a better grasp of what they go through just to get through the day.

Where the U.S. practices a separation of Church and State, with some blurring of the lines, this country is tied up in knots. A very tangled web they weave. Church and State are inseparable which comes with a high price for it’s citizens forcing confusing, often irrational, even bizarre dictates. Life becomes a roller coaster ride often changing direction at whim. What may have been permissible yesterday, may not be today or tomorrow. If you choose to live in Tehran your behavior is dictated, scrutinized and subject to punishment if you choose to bend, flaunt or outright violate the rules.

Some interesting tidbits from Honeymoon in Tehran:

• Government preference that women skip what is in known in the West as single adulthood. Children can legally marry at thirteen for girls and fifteen for boys.
• Mothers play little, if any, legal role in the lives of their children. A mother’s name does not appear on identification papers or passports. Mothers are not permitted to grant permission for foreign travel for their children nor give consent for a child to marry including an adult child of 29!
• Women might tailor the wearing of their hejab, head covering, to catch the man of their choice. They might choose to be more conservative or less depending on if man was more of a religious traditionalist or not.
• There’s always to specter of being stoned to death as punishment for being pregnant outside of marriage.
• Nose jobs and c-sections are the two most popular surgeries. It’s almost unheard to give birth naturally. The author mentions family and friends inquiring about her birth options as a major topic of conversation.
• How about having to get the Government’s blessing, read permission here, to name your child. Yes there are names that are actually outlawed. They might be too westernized or be to closely associated with another religion that is frowned upon.
• Most devout Muslims consider dogs impure so there goes the family pet.

This is just a taste of what’s in store if you choose to read this utterly gripping, haunting memoir.

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Thank you Katie at Random House for sending me this book.

Jill at Breaking the Spine hosts Waiting on Wednesday. I’m actually posting 2 books this week. One I read as an ARC and can’t say enough good things about including I think it’ll be a big hit with book groups and it made my recommended list for 2008. The other I’m waiting for and should be in the mail to me any day (I think Jill actually posted this one a while back). This week’s pre-publication ‘can’t-wait-to-read’ selections are.

This is the one that made my recommended list for 2008: Title: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Author: Jamie Ford Random House web site for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Publication date: January ’09 Historical/contemporary fiction

From Fantastic Fiction: In the opening pages of Jamie Ford’s stunning debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol.

This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry’s world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While ‘scholarshipping’� at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship-and innocent love-that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept.

Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that the parasol belonged to Keiko. In the hotel’s dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of the Okabe family’s belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now a widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice-words that might explain the actions of his nationalistic father; words that might bridge the gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront the choices he made many years ago.

Set during one of the most conflicted and volatile times in American history, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. In Henry and Keiko, Jamie Ford has created an unforgettable duo whose story teaches us of the power of forgiveness and the human heart.

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This is one that should be showing up in the mailbox any day now. Title: True Colors Author: Kristin Hannah Publication date: February ’09 Women’s fiction

From Ms. Hannah’s web site: The Grey sisters have always been close. After their mother’s death, the girls banded together, becoming best friends. Their stern, disapproving father cares less about his children than about his reputation. To Henry Grey, appearances are everything, and years later, he still demands that his daughters reflect his standing in the community. Winona, the oldest, needs her father’s approval most of all. An overweight bookworm who never felt at home on the sprawling horse ranch that has been in her family for three generations, she knows that she doesn’t have the qualities her father values. But as the best lawyer in town, she’s determined to someday find a way to prove her worth to him. Aurora, the middle sister, is the family peacemaker. She brokers every dispute and tries to keep them all happy, even as she hides her own secret pain. Vivi Ann is the undisputed star of the family. A stunningly beautiful dreamer with a heart as big as the ocean in front of her house, she is adored by all who know her. Everything comes easily for Vivi Ann, until a stranger comes to town…

In a matter of moments, everything will change. The Grey sisters will be pitted against one another in ways that none could have imagined. Loyalties will be tested and secrets revealed, and a terrible, shocking crime will shatter both their family and their beloved town. True Colors is an unforgettable novel about sisters, rivalry, forgiveness, redemption—and ultimately, what it means to be a family.

There’s a humble apology in the offering to everyone who plays Mailbox Monday with a post on their blog. Unbeknownest to me I’ve been missing some of your posts. I only discovered this when I was reading a couple of posts tonight and came across a mention of MM that I hadn’t seen before. I didn’t want anyone to think they were being neglected so I’ve set up a Google Alert to catch MM posts so I can drop by and say ‘hi’ and, of course, check out all those wonderful books you’ve gotten in the last week.

Thank you to everyone who stops by Mailbox Monday. Whether you comment or visit I appreciate your taking the time to drop in.

This is the last week of the holiday edition of Mailbox Monday. Because I’m the curious type when it comes to books (yours) and all things related feel free to show off those books, gift cards, bookmarks, book lights and covers, Amazon Kindles, Sony eBook Readers or anything else book related you may have gotten.

I knew the delivery people were feeling plumb tuckered out from all their holiday deliveries so I gave them the week off. But I’d like to remind them there is no rest for weary and to gear up because there are books headed my way.

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Side notes:

Lorraine Kleinwaks, VP, Book Wish Foundation sent me a note asking if I’d spread the word about a holiday book campaign for the refugees in Darfur. As reading is an important part of my life I wanted to pass this along to my all my visitors. For every two MM comments left on this blog over the next 3 weeks I will donate $1 to the holiday book campaign. In the last two weeks MM has raised approximately $25 for this charity. We’re in our final week of fund raising for this charity. 

I have a new site giveaway going on at Up For Grabs. It’s a 2-for-1 giveaway of the new Barry Eisler suspense thriller, Fault Line. There’s a copy for you to keep, and a copy for you to share. Check out the details here.

Come February Noontime Book Chat (NBC) previously hosted by J. Kaye is moving here to The Printed Page. You can read the moving announcement here. If you’d like to co-host a Noontime Book Chat with me please check out the NBC page.

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What books came into your house last week? Don’t forget to leave a link to your Mailbox post or a list of books if you don’t have a blog.

The Lost Five Days Web site for The Lost Five Days Pearhouse Press, Inc.; November ’08 336 pages Fiction Book #1/09 Challenges: ARC/New Authors ********** From Aamzon:

Struggling documentary producer Michael Burns has traveled to the remote Maya Mountains of Belize to capture exclusive footage of the last surviving curandero. The traditional Mayan healer may hold the key to discovering new medicines among the vast, uncharted flora of the rain forest. But with a violent civil war spilling across the border from neighboring Guatemala – and Burns inexplicably drawn to the aging curandero’s American apprentice – the filmmakers stumble into a more explosive story than they ever could have imagined. At once an adventure and an exploration into the nature of perception, THE FIVE LOST DAYS exposes the clash between modern culture and ancient beliefs

No Amazon ratings when this post was published. **********

Me: My initial attraction to this book was the Mayan culture and the possibility of a great adventure. For the past several years my spouse and I have vacationed in the Riviera Maya part of Mexico. We’ve had the opportunity to visit and explore some ruins such as Chichen Itza and Coba. Tulum is still on our to do list. This has sparked a desire to learn far more about this mysterious and fascinating culture but I digress from my review.

** This review contains a spoiler and I’ve issued an alert before you get there. **

This book has been promoted as adventure that runs into an explosive story. Yes it was adventure and at times these characters had a less than easy time of it but I didn’t find it explosive. Actually I found it all a bit underwhelming. Some parts that should have had me on the edge of my seat were the meetings between the film crew and Guatemalan Rebels. There are two scenes in particular that come to mind: one is where a character is clinging to life and another is left struggling is to save him; the second scene is where the rebels take the crew hostage and demand something of them that they can’t deliver. I found all this rather tame. I was waiting for the heart racing, pulse pounding, cold sweats terror that the characters should have felt with guns in their faces and their lives on the line but it never came. They simply ran into trouble, unemotionally dealt with it and moved on.

The parts I did enjoy were the sections written about the Mayan culture and their ancient belief system regarding healing practices, herbal medicine and the spirit world versus modern views and treatments. Though I myself am a recipient of western medicine I find the belief system of this culture and others like it to be totally engrossing. I was very interested in the Curandero, his connection to the Blanc Ethnobotanist, and his relationship with the villagers and the resentment direct toward him when he’s unable to save a child. I wish the book had spent more time exploring this story line.

** Spoiler Alert – This has to do with the ending of the book. Do not read any further if you intend to read this book **

Finally this book was a letdown and I mean that in the most literal sense. I got to page 349, the very last page, and it ends with a major character left standing in the middle of the road. That’s it book over. I read all those pages and invested my time to be left hanging, without an end, without closure. It’s like watching a movie where you come to the end ask ‘that’s it, that’s all there is’? I even went to so far to inquire whether I had a complete copy or not. The response: I did and that was the author’s intended end of story. Mind you I wasn’t the only reader to ask this question so take from it what you want.

********** Thank you Dorothy.

This dedicated bookie has the doldrums. This year is starting off kind of rough around the book edges. I know we’re only 10 days into 2009 but I have yet to find a book that really captures my attention. I’m currently reading what is book 3 for the year and admittedly it’s the best of the 3.

What could have been book 1 I didn’t even finish. Now that’s not usual for me. I’ll give a book about 50-70 pages before chucking it but to the start the year that way ugh! So books 1 and 2 I found to be disappointments. I always go in anticipating great things. Why not?

One of the books in my disappointment category is an award winning book. Me, it must be me. Maybe I’ll take a break but the thought of being bookless sends me into withdrawals. Maybe I’ll alternate what I read. For every book that has a commitment I’ll read purely for me.

OK I’m moving on now. Thanks for letting me ramble…

The Scent of Oranges Jane Zawatzky Garev Publishing International, October ’08 375 pages Fiction Book 2/09 Challenges: ARC/New author

********** From Amazon: Linda returns to the family orange farm in South Africa to attend her father’s funeral. She is drawn back to her past, to the striking beauty of her homeland and the people who still live and work there, but her country is vastly different. A democratic government has emerged from the shame of apartheid, yet it’s a violent land where extreme poverty, AIDS and TB exist alongside western affluence and where beliefs in ancestral spirits and voodoo still linger below the surface.

Her father’s last wish was for Linda to investigate the murder of her youngest brother and the guilt of those accused. Ghosts of the past guide her search as she seeks the dangerous truths behind each new lead. As the lies unravel, her family will be dishonored, a shameful past will be revealed and yet there is great hope for reconciliation and the future.

 Amazon rating: 4 reviews/4.5 stars **********

Me: This book moves along between a snail and turtle’s pace while our lead character investigates the murder of her brother that happened during her childhood. There is lots of family turmoil at the heart of this story. They have plenty of secrets and dark episodes that color their actions. This is not an easy family to like and at times you will despise their behavior. The issues are many and deep not only within the family but within a troubled and conflicted country.

The investigation of her brother’s murder meanders along and she easily solves it in the time she spends at home after attending her father’s funeral. We’re lead to the believe that due to racial tensions and strife the police basically made the investigation disappear and convicted those who had little or no hope of defending themselves. While I have no trouble with premise of making a case ‘disappear’ I did have issues with the relative ease that clues fall into place twenty years later and the simplistic resolution.

I also had some trouble reconciling the fact that her murdered brother looked so vastly different from the rest of the family. For his appearance he suffered throughout his childhood at the hands of his family and others. He becomes a rebellious trouble maker and blackmailer leaving a trail of hatred. For all this there is mere mention of a single relative far removed who could have played a part in the looks of this young man. I realize that genes skip generations and can reappear, in some form, down the line somewhere but his physical appearance as laid out by the author was a little bit of a stretch for me.

The most interesting parts came through as the author subtly wove in the underlying cultural differences and racial tensions between the blacks and whites. The terror of leaving your home fearing for your safety. The relations between boss and farm workers, childhood friends and future generations. The returning of lands taken. While not an ‘in your face’ look at the politics they never the less color this story and make an interesting background.

The third Noontime Book Chat here at The Printed Page will be Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter. My co-host will be Amy at My Friend Amy. Thank you Amy.

I’ve reserved the week of March 9th for our NBC.

Marcia

Dar from Peeking Between the Pages has chosen me to be a recipient of the Butterfly Award. Elizabeth at As usual, I need more bookshelves has passed along a second Butterfly Award. I’m flattered ladies, thank you. 

So, to pass it on I must do these things:

1. Put the logo on my blog 2. Add a link to the person who awarded you 3. Award up to ten other blogs 4. Add links to those blogs on your 5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs (here’s the part I’m really bad at it)

The bloggers receiving this award from me are special beyond mere words. Whether they’re aware of it or not the support they’ve shown is the backbone of why I continue to blog and take on the projects I do. Books are my passion and I fully embrace sharing this passion with those around me. I love these bloggers and their respective blogs. Each has their own unique personality and style and offers me a small glimpse into their world. The recipients are listed in no particular order:

Tina at Bookshipper Carey at The Tome Traveller Kathy at Bermuda Onion Dar at Peeking Between the Pages Elizabeth at As usual, I need more bookshelves Dawn at She Is Too Fond of Books Jennifer at The Literate Housewife Review Shanna at Literarily Amy at Passages to the Past

and because I’ve come across some really nice blogs when responding to the comments left on my Mailbox Monday book event posts I’m awarding these bloggers for their continuing support.

The second Noontime Book Chat here at The Printed Page will be People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. My co-host will be Elizabeth at As usual, I need more bookshelves. Thank you Elizabeth.

I’ve reserved the week of February 23rd for our NBC.

Marcia

Jill at Breaking the Spine hosts Waiting on Wednesday. This week’s pre-publication ‘can’t-wait-to-read’ selection is:

Title: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine Author: Lauren Willig Publication date: January ’09 Historical fiction

From Fantastic Fiction: The much anticipated fifth installment in the inventive and original Pink Carnation series

‘Pride and Prejudice lives on’� in Lauren Willig’s acclaimed Pink Carnation series, which continues with another deliciously lighthearted, romantic, and suspenseful novel. Willig introduces to her series the most elusive spy of all time, whose calling card is the faint whiff of jasmine in the cold night air.

After twelve years in India, Robert, duke of Dovedale, returns to his estate in England to avenge the murder of his mentor during the 1803 Battle of Assaye. Robert plans to infiltrate the infamous, secretive Hellfire Club to uncover the murderer’s identity – but he has no idea that an even more difficult challenge awaits him – one Lady Charlotte Lansdowne.

Having cherished a romanticized view of Robert since childhood, Charlotte is thrilled by his return. To Charlotte, Robert is all the knights of the Round Table rolled into one. That’s not exactly the case, but she can’t help but search for the man she loves inside this less-than-pristine package. And while Robert works to dissuade Charlotte from her delusions, he can’t help but be drawn to her innocence and inner beauty.

When Charlotte is approached by Lady Henrietta Selwick to join her in a bit of espionage – investigating a plot to kidnap the king – Robert soon realizes that Charlotte is not only the perfect partner in crime; she’s the perfect partner, period. Caught in a dangerous game with deadly flower-named spies and secret members of the Hellfire Club, Robert and Charlotte must work together to reveal the villain.and confront their true passion for each other.