That sounds very interesting. Thanks for the recommendation; I have added that to my reading list.

Lipstick Jihad by Azadeh Moaveni is definitely worth my recommendation.

It's a non-fiction story about an Iranian-American journalist who returns to live in her homeland while writing for Time. It gives a completely different perspective than most books about the Middle East as she deals with life under the regime.

Here is an interesting article on Massoud from Time magazine.

http://www.time.com/time/asia/2006/heroe...

He was assassinated by al-Qaeda assassins on September 9, 2001, two days before 9/11. I would like to find out more about this man and his role in history.

I will have to add that to my TBR. What has Massound written, author sounds real familiar

I just found this discussion group even though the last thread is quite a few weeks ago. I wanted to know if anyone has read any books about Ahmed Shah Massound - the former militant leader of Afghanistan. If so, would love to get some recommendations.

Another book that I found interesting to give background to the middle east and the turmoil that is present in that area of the world was a biography on Margaret Bell - Margaret Bell, Queen of the Desert. We all know of Lawrence of Arabia but it was Margaret Bell that provided Lawrence with the knowledge of all the different tribes and who were allies and who were enemies. It was a tedious read at times due to all of the information presented in the book. But at the end you come to truly understand how we have such a hotbed of voilence in that area.

Just out of curiosity.... did you all hear that women were elected to the Kuwaiti parliament??? It was on CNN this morning.

To comment on "Kabul Beauty School" - I enjoyed it while reading it, but I was disappointed when I read various newsletter articles on the book. It seems that she grossly misrepresented her involvement with the school, and sort of turned it into a publicity stunt. And the school is no longer in existence.

As far as other books, I've read:

Kite Runner
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Princess Trilogy
Stolen Lives

Many more on my to-read list!

Yes I remember reading that Meg. I was surprised by that but I think they had that in a movie recently also (about being hairless).
I liked both Kite and Suns but the women in Suns plus the positiveness of the book made me love it more.

I agree with you Renee. While I loved them both, Suns spoke more to me. I think the role of women and their relationship was just so powerful.

I am now reading Kabul Beauty School and learning a lot more. A fast read and I am really enjoying this one too.

I like A thousand Suns much better then Kite. I liked them both but something about Suns just caught me

I will definitely let you know. Are you going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author?

I just finished The Kite Runner, now I want to see the movie version to see if it is as good.
Meg, let me know what you think when you're done with Kabul Beauty School :)

Great. I just started the Kabul Beauty School and so far I am really enjoying it, learning a lot more about the Afghani culture. Never knew that the bride gets totally hairless before the wedding (with the exception of the hair on her head)

Meg, I just received my copy of My Friend the Fanatic in the mail today, and am planning on starting it tonight. I'll let you know if it is any good.

I will have to add them to my list. I haven't heard of either one.

I would add the books of Nadeem Aslam to this list. I have read Wasted Vigil, set in current-day Afghanistan, and Maps for Lost Lovers, about a community of middle-easterners, mainly Pakistani, in England. Both are beautifully written, and the characters stayed in my mind for days after I finished each book.

Oh I wanted that book so much! Let me know if it is as good as it sounds.

I've just been notified that I am receiving this book, My Friend the Fanatic, through First Reads. Here is what Goodreads says about this book:
My Friend the Fanatic is a portrait of the world’s most populous Muslim country, Indonesia, a land once synonymous with tolerance that finds itself in the midst of a profound shift toward radical Islam. This portrait is painted through the travels of a pair of unlikely protagonists. Sadanand Dhume, the author, is a foreign correspondent, an Indian atheist with a fondness for literary fiction and an interest in economic development. His companion, Herry Nurdi, is a young Islamist who hero worships Osama bin Laden.

Sounds very interesting.

I agree with what you all are saying. I don't think I would know as much though had I not read all these books. Or, even understand what is going on. This is so sad. I think about the characters in the books and how this would/does relate to the lives that these authors are sharing and the risk that they take in just writing these novels.

It's all very sad and scary and depressing and I think the efforts we are making there will be inadequate. I think much more is required and truthly don't know that we will do it or care enough to do it, especially without the support of other countries.
I worry about what will happen to those women and children and the country as a whole if we fail or allow them to slip back into Taliban rule.

I heard about this last week - ugh can't imagine living this way . Also last night on the news there was story about a young couple that was trying to elope in the Southern Afghan provinces to escape an arranged marriage. They were caught and shot to death by Taliban. Heart-breaking and barbaric.
Something else too on Frontline World last night - story about Madrassas in Pakistan recruiting young suicide bombers. They interviewed a Taliban man who spoke of sacrificial lambs that they used who were under 10 years old.
So sad.
I'm sorry to be writing this actually.
Maria

What I found interesting is that there are women in Afghanistan publicly protesting against the law. One story I read said it was mostly younger women who were protesting, but also some families and older people. It takes courage for women in that type of society to stand up in public and prostest. Hopefully their actions will lead to change. Hopefully their voices will be heard.

Has anyone seen/read the news today? New law in Afghanistan: Husbands have the right to sex with their wives at least every three days. The only time she can say no is if she is sick.

KABUL (April 15) -- A group of some 1,000 Afghans swarmed a demonstration of 300 women protesting against a new conservative marriage law on Wednesday. The women were pelted with small stones as police struggled to keep the two groups apart.
The law, passed last month, says a husband can demand sex with his wife every four days unless she is ill or would be harmed by intercourse — a clause that critics say legalizes marital rape. It also regulates when and for what reasons a wife may leave her home alone.


For those of us who have read books from Afghanistan, does this law give new meaning to you?

Here are some new books on Iran that look really interesting:

Lipstick Jungle: Moaveni
Honeymoon in Teran
Lives Wine Order Bride

a website for Moaveni
http://www.azadeh.info/

Happy reading!

I just started reading Ghost Wars The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001

I had finished 1000 splendid suns and was interested more details of the afghan story. So far the book is a really good read. I don't read any non-fiction normally (this is a goal of mine to read more.) This book fortunately is not dry at all, is humorous at times (in as much as there can be humor about this situation), and easy to follow and keeps interest. This is not surprising since it won the Pulitzer for non-fiction in 2005.

The main plot of the story is familiar to most regarding CIA, KGB fueled destruction and subsequent abandonment of Afghanistan. But in the book the details are filled in and are enlightening without being too dark and depressing about a challenging (to say the least) part of american and afghan history.

That is awesome! Thanx for sharing this.

After one sender on PBS offered me a 2 for 1 deal when I ordered a book, I started looking around. If you click on "Community" at the top of your PBS page, then on "Discussion Forums", then look for "Book Bazaar" under the discussions. Lots of people list great deals under this book bazaar section. Some offer 2 for 1 credit, some 3 for 1 credit, some 5 for 2 credit, some just say make an offer. Some offer "unpostable" books free with any order. You can then browse the bookshelves of the person making the offer (like you can browse a buddy shelf) then you just order one book and send them a private message telling what other books you want. Seems many people there are trying to clear off their shelves, and are willing to send multiple books for one credit, since sending media mail the cost of postage for extra books going to one person really isn't that much more. Many people have shelves with nothing that interests me personally (lots of kids books, or lots of romance novels, etc) but sometimes you can find great things. I got The Kite Runner, The Deep End of the Ocean, and Angry Housewives Eating BonBons all for 1 credit, then in another deal got Memory Keeper's Daughter and My Sister's Keeper for 1 credit, and just today ordered When God Winks, Bridget Jones Diary, and a book on Shelter Dog Stories that I wanted all 3 for 1 credit. Plus it feels good to get a deal!

How do you find those deals! Good for you. I know you won't be disappointed with Kite Runner.

It is very sad to see that people have to live like that. I'm going to have to look into the book for Slumdog. I also want to read Kite Runner, in fact I just ordered it a few days ago on Paperback Swap on a 3 books for 1 credit deal. I'm becoming a paperback swap junkie!

Thanks for the information Sheila. That is interesting, but it is hard to see people having to live like that, it sure is a tough way of life isn't it? I do plan to read the book version of this, and I also want to read Kite Runner.

I just watched "Slumdog Millionaire" last night. Good movie. I have not read the book though. I have read news stories though that say that how life was portrayed in India is pretty accurate, and in fact the children that play the youngest ones in the movie are actually from the slums of India, and still live with their families in the slums of India. Just googled and did find this story about it. I'm sure there are others..
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0...

I know this is a little off topic since I'm asking about a movie version, but has anyone seen the movie "Slumdog Millionaire"? I have had this book on my to read stack and I still plan on reading it. The movie was good. I'm just curious if anyone knows if things are that rough over in India as the movie portrayed? Any thoughts? Any opinions on the book version? Thanks

i finished Princess and it was really good. It was a story about a young girl who was born into Saudi royalty and was somewhat rebellious, and dreamed of being an agent of change in her country. Her story told to the author and annonymity was perserved to protect her children and family honor due to the revealing nature of the story. It was very enlightening. I plan to read the other 2 books in the trilogy.

Yes that is right. I knew I had only a vague memory of what happened. Thanks

Yes. Two friends were married to the same man. One had a three month contract and the other had a conventional marriage contract. The friend with the three month contract explores ways of sexually inticing her husband - leaving her friend in a lackluster marriage because she was too timid to become more agressive in the relationship.

Pam I read Blood of Flowers too. I thought parts of it were really interesting and others parts only so so. The 3 month contract was killer. I don't know how they got by doing that. Those girls could be tossed out and their reputation ruined. And wasn't this the story of two friends/or not, vying for the same man? Someone was going to be ruined.

Sounds like a terrific book, another one for my never ending TBR pile!

The Blood of Flowers: A Novel by Anita Amirrezvani is about a seventeenth century, 14-year-old Persian girl who loses her marriage prospects and dowry and consequently her value. She enters into a sigheh – a three-month marriage contract – that her husband has the option to renew if he so chooses. It is a haunting story about a woman who is financially dependent on extended family, is eventually cast into poverty, and is viewed as insignificant by society. She bravely rises above her circumstances to make a life for herself and her mother. This is a very good read.

I would read the language for the recipes alone, I love baklava!

I read Cry of the Dove,too, but I didn't really "get" Salma. I wasn't convinced, I guess, of how miserable she was while living in England.

I would suggest "The Language of Baklava: A Memoir" by Diana Abu-Jaber. It is about a Jordanian-American girl who grows up straddling the two countries. It also has amazing recipes for Middle eastern cuisine. Warning - it will make you hungry!

I would also suggest "The Cry of the Dove" by Fadia Faquir. Salma has committed a crime punishable by death in her Bedouin tribe. She had sex out of wedlock and became pregnant. Despite the insult it would commit against her people, Salma has the child and suddenly finds herself a fugitive on the run from those seeking to restore their honor. Salma is rushed into protective custody where her newborn is ripped from her arms, and where she sits alone for years before being ushered to safety in England. Away from her Bedouin village, Salma is an asylum-seeker trying to melt into the crowd, under pressure to reassess her way of life. Just as things settle, the need to return for her lost daughter overwhelms her, and one fateful day, Salma risks everything to go back and find her.

I just started a book called "Princess", by an annonymus daughter of a prominent Saudi family, the book was written by Jean Sasson, but told to her by the native born daughter of royalty.
So far it is very good. It was published in 2001.
She states she is taking a big risk by voicing the real goings on behind the veil.

Two other books - not as recent, but very good neverthless: "Nine Parts Of Desire - the Hidden World of Islamnic Women" by Geraldine Brooks - and
"Do They Hear You When You Cry?" by Fauziya Kassindja, which takes place in a West African country, but is also traditional Muslim.

Vinny, I just read Caravans last month to and you are so right. It seems to almost be almost lost in a time capsule.

I'm also about to start "Not a Good Day to Die" regarding Operation Anaconda.

Good evening everyone - I am so sorry to have stumbled across this site so late - I see I am very behind in the posts but hopefully can catch up. I have a whole shelf of these books on hand and am working my way through one by one. I finished Michener's "Caravans" which showed me just how little the Afghanistan country has (as a net progression) come since the time of which he wrote. I am currently halfway through Chayes' "The Punishment of Virtue" - I have to admit, although it's a good book with many great points, I'm having a tough time reading through her bravado.

I read the Kite Runner last year and enjoyed it. 1000 Splendid Suns is on my TBR list, which I may get to after my vacation (so I can deal with the heavy topics after I spend the week full of fun fluff reading). I too read Infidel, which is set mostly in Africa. Hirsi (the author) *does* blame most of the horrible treatment of women on the teachings of Islam. I think that was the 2nd hardest part of the book (after the descriptions of what actually happens to women) for me to read, because part of me believes there has to be a place for the world's major religions, but if she's correct in her assessment of Islam, maybe it shouldn't be around...?? I can't endorse something that endorses abuse of women. It raised a lot of tough questions for me.

I borrowed (but will have to return before reading) The Bathhouse about women imprisoned in Iran. I thought I'd get to it because it's short, but I've been too busy lately.

Reading 1000 Splendid Suns now...... LOVE IT!

Has anyone read The Septembers of Shiraz???

ok - i decided to not worry about spoilers and just to skim below posts for books! Great ideas - TY!
And will definitely pick up 1000 splendid suns

Maria I agree with Tera on 1000 splendid suns. It is terrible and deep but hopeful too. I think you will really like the women.