I haven't read a book that made me laugh so much in a long time. Jennifer Steil left behind her New York life to spend a year in Yemen, editing a Yemeni newspaper. I've never been to Yemen (and what we hear about it in the American press is generally not good), so I was interested to hear a firsthand account. Steil had her share of trials and tribulations in Yemen, as well as a lot of fascinating and wonderful experiences, and writes about it all hilariously.

For example:

Faris has promised me an Arabic tutor, who has yet to materialize. I've taught myself enough to get around on my own, but here are a few phrases I'm desperate to know:
"None of the power outlets in my office is working. Can someone fix them?"
"Can you tell me when the toilet will be functional?"
"There is no water in the entire building."
"There will be no newspaper if something isn't done about the Internet."
"Am I ever going to get the key to open my desk drawers?"

I also really enjoyed her portrayals of the women of Yemen, especially the ones who worked with her as journalists.

I would have given this book five stars, but for the final chapter, which has very little to do with Yemen and very much to do with Steil's infatuation with the (married) British ambassador. She apparently considers her conquest something to brag about, since she does, even in her one paragraph author bio at the back of the book. So, it's not a a very classy ending, but the book itself (possibly sans last chapter) is not to be missed.