The most well-known name in the 10 women executed in June 1983, that I will cover in my #OurStoryisOne series, is that of Mona Mahmoudnejad. I mean, there is something particularly poignant and disturbing about a 17-year-old being hung because of the strength of her Faith. How was she such a threat, you know? Just… Read More #OurStoryIsOne: Mona Mahmoudnejad, 17 years old (Part 1)
Although I was really young, I still remember the phone calls, usually late at night, during which the adults’ voices would increase in pitch: “Allo? Allo? Allo! Iran? Iran?!?” I should have been in bed, but I knew something was up. My memories of course are extremely hazy because I was a toddler, and the… Read More #OurStoryIsOne: Ten Bahá’í Women Martyred in Shiraz 40 Years Ago
I was thrilled last month to receive a pan free, courtesy of T-Fal and Influenster, in exchange for a review. It’s been a rough winter, to put it mildly, in between dealing with a landlord who, shall we say, wouldn’t accept anything except what he wanted, which was against the law (but he insisted was… Read More Product Review: T-Fal Platinum Non-Stick Unlimited Collection, 26 cm Sauté Pan
Review of ‘Maame’, by Jessica George—Must Read Summary here. What an incredible read. It was moving on so many levels, but ultimately uplifting. At the age of 25, Maddie is the primary caregiver for her father, who has advanced Parkinson’s. Her mother spends long periods of time in her native Ghana—and by long, I mean… Read More Book Review Round-Up: December 2022
It was a bit of a slow reading month, disappointingly enough. We got sick so many times that I found myself running after all the essentials that I had to do. If you are reading this in December 2022, I hope that the tripledemic hasn’t affected you and that if it has affected you or… Read More Book Review Round-Up: November 2022
Review of ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’, by Jeanette McCurdy When I first heard of the title of this book, knowing nothing of Jeanette McCurdy, I wondered if it was a little clickbait-y, quite honestly. It absolutely is not. I myself was quite happy when McCurdy’s mother passed. And this, I think, sounds pretty bad,… Read More Book Review Round-Up: October 2022
Review of ‘The Woman Under the Water’, by Penny Goetjen The premise of this book is quite interesting: A man disappears under mysterious circumstances and a woman is left, seven years later, still dealing with the aftermath. But I think what bothered me is that the book was marketing to me as a thriller. I… Read More Book Review Round-Up: September 2022
Review of ‘Stories from the Tenants Downstairs’, by Sidik Fofana—Must Read I believe that fiction is essential in shaping our future for the better (one reason why I review books). One reason is that it helps us see beyond our privilege, so that we can understand the challenges that face us, collectively, and use said… Read More Book Review Round-Up: August 2022
Review of ‘Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun’, by Tola Okogwu—Must Read This book is **everything**. There is so much packed into a seemingly simple coming-of-age superhero story that I can’t even begin to explain what a powerful read it can be. And I am beyond thrilled that it is only the first book… Read More Book Review Round-Up: July 2022
Review of ‘Wild Is The Witch’, by Rachel Griffin Iris and her mother are witches and run a wildlife refuge in the state of Washington. They keep their magic a secret but they do use it in their work. Pike Alder is an intern that grates on Iris’s nerves and who doesn’t like witches—at all. … Read More Book Review Round-Up: June 2022