Book Recommendations

Last week's Newsday Tuesday Post mentioned a book that I recently read and recommended. A self proclaimed history and politics nut, I often find myself drawn toward those stories that shed light on the acuteness of the turmoil of the Middle East.  Although I am no longer haunting my college library knee deep in volumes of required reading, I still find myself somehow drawn back to the subject matter.  Long gone are the days of reading ‘Chick Lit’, and now my favorite books are those that are based on true events, in places and cultures that my western mind could never fathom.  I find that many Americans have a skewed and predominately incorrect viewpoint or understanding of the conflict between East and West; it is my hope that I can share with you some of the most insightful & enlightening books I’ve read in the past, and currently.  I’ll occasionally update you with recommendations as I come across them – Until then, lets start with the following:

1. Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices
I first heard of this book on NPR - an immediately purchased the book. A must read if you would like to learn more about the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.

2. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

3. Iran Awakening: One Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Life and Country
I came across this book one summer at the beach, and read it in just a few short days. This is the story of Shirin Ebadi, one of the few remaining female lawyers in Iran. After winner her Nobel Peace Prize, she remains largely 'untouchable' by the Iranian government, and is an internationally known Human Rights Lawyer for the persecuted in Iran.

4. My Home, My Prison
This story is about an Iranian-American working for a DC Think Tank that is detained by the Iranian government after visiting her mother in Tehran. Her lawyer, Shirin Ebadi helps to negotiate her release.

5.  Three Mothers, Three Daughters: Palestinian Women's Stories 
This book is an insightful look at the cultural divides between mothers and daughters of Palestinian descent living in Palestine, Israel, and a refugee camp in Jordan. Fascinating.

6. Aman: The Story of a Somali Girl [ALERT - this has a graphic part...]
This story provides insight into the Somali culture - trapped between the Arab and African worlds. It also delves into the topic of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) - it made me cry, be prepared.

7. A Thousand Splendid Suns
Though fiction, this story is based on the experiences of many women in transitional Afghanistan after the Taliban take over. Be prepared, this is another tear jerker, but a must read. (If you like it, I would also suggest The Kite Runner, also by Khaled Hosseini)