Farewell Amman!

Well, I'm back in London, in my comfortably messy home surrounded by all my favourite books which I'd begun to miss after being away a mere ten days. My Amman trip was great. Meeting up with family and friends is not only about fun but it is most and foremost about soul-healing. Thanks to apps like 'What's app' and Skype and facetime and all the other gazillion gadgets out there, staying in touch has never been easier. But nothing beats the actual hug of a mother, the intimate late night chats with sisters and brothers, the mandatory sloppy kisses from aunts, the nudges of teasing cousins, the cuddles of nieces and nephews and the blessings of in-laws. I come from a large family although these days you'd never guess it as we're all scattered in very much every continent and getting us all together in one place is quite near impossible. But we do have a wedding coming up and I personally am going to make sure that I attend in August.

Soap House Entrance

'Too much to do and too little time to do it in' is probably what best describes my trip this time round. Zooming around town from one family engagement to another stuffing my face with fabulous food, I did however manage to fit in a few visits to local haunts around town and one of my favourite visits was to 'Soap House' in Rainbow Street which smelled divine upon entering and stocked all sorts of lovely locally produced Jordanian soaps of course but also hand creams and lotions and massage oils as well. It is situated in what is considered the old part of the town which has witnessed a rejuvenation in the last ten years. It is a gorgeous area that once housed the late King Hussein's family and is only a stone's throw away from his school. Its buildings overlook Amman's famous Citadel and Jordan's Raghadan flagpole (which once held the status of the tallest free-standing flagpole in the World). Amazing history and an amazing tourist area well worth a more thorough investigation on my next visit.

Beautiful display of soaps

A view to old Amman

And then there were the books. I managed to secure a few of the books that have been shortlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (there's only that much one can carry aboard a plane these days) including a handful of books by Jordanian authors. The IPAF winner's ceremony will be taking place in Abu Dhabi on April 23rd. I might actually be in Abu Dhabi in time for that (but more on that in a later post). Anyway, my sister has promised to send me the rest of the books once she acquires them (she is the co-founder of an online book rental website, the first and only one of its kind in Jordan called Mintaad) and so by April I will have completed the list. Of course, these books are in the Arabic language but previous years have proven that prizes such as this one have not only elevated the profile of Arab authors but translations into different languages have been secured allowing for wider recognition and readership.

One of my favourite evenings (and there were many) were spent at my sister's house with many of my family members gathered over food (naturally) but also to listen to wonderful music. My niece, nephew and my 10-year-old played beautifully on the piano but the surprise of the evening was when my brother-in-law announced that he had recently been learning to play the Qanun (a type of string instrument essentially a  zither with a narrow trapezoidal keyboard). I have included a photo and a small video of his debut performance. For more on the Qanun, click HERE.

So, now as I sit typing this and going over the events of the last week, it all seems like a dream for how fast  it seems to have gone by. No matter how much time I spend away from Amman it is always a warm place to return to. It is a country rich with the generosity of its people, their warmth and their intellect. It is such a fantastic place to mingle with all sorts of people. I was lucky to be seated for dinner at the same table with this charming woman whose family were best friends with Egyptian Mohammed Abdel Wahab and who personally checked on her when she was hospitalised in Egypt during her stay there. In another incident I met and chatted to the immediate relatives of Selma Dabbagh (author of 'Out of It') and from asking around at the local bookstore about author Hisham Bustani, it turns out that he is the son of one of my dad's really good friend (Thanks to both of them I gave my first talk at Amman's Rotary Club at the tender age of 23!). Unfortunately I did not get a chance to meet Hisham but maybe on another visit.

And so as I bundle up with a hot water bottle against this arctic blast beating down on London at the moment, my heart feels warm and sentimental and on this note I leave you with my new found hero who thanks to his amazing voice I was able to at last make peace with my fear of flying. My hero is Alfie Boe and the song I choose today is 'In My Daughter's Eyes' and regardless the gender of your child/children I am sure this will strike just the right note. Enjoy!

What I'm Reading On My Kindle!

'Jinn Theory' by Aaron Vlek

Rafiq is quite satisfied with himself. As the proprietor of a small but eclectic antique shop in Istanbul he entertains a colourful mix of neighbours on a small dead-end street. Rafiq smugly believes he has these people all figured out: the old baker whose family has now abandoned him, the sophisticated snob who parades in and starts to insult him and everything in his shop, the Sufi who's trying to save his soul, and then there are those fundamentalists at the end of the street who run the small mosque. 

When all these lives start unraveling, it is Rafiq who finds himself at the heart of a growing maelstrom which threatens to destroy his peaceful solitude and morning reveries in the garden in the back of his shop. Then there's that old coin that shows up in his shoe, a trumpet that just won't stay put, and the unexpected arrival of an old friend in the middle of the night. But what's most troubling for Rafiq is the appearance of the Jinn who is at the heart of it all.

Amman Tales part 1

Cirque de Glace - Evolution

The Mansaf Dish

Well folks, landed safely in Amman, Jordan after a lovely easy flight. Touched down at 3am local time and by the day's end had sat down to a local dish of Mansaf (an absolute must and totally heavenly food) after which I headed off to watch 'Cirque de Glace- Evolution' at Amman's Al Hussein Youth City (Cultural Palace). 

A dazzling performance by a strong cast of 40 skaters from Russia, all Olympic winners going at such high speed that at times was a bit too frightening especially when one takes into account the size of the stage they were performing on. But the cast done good (despite a few trip-ups here and there) and it was an enjoyable performance that earned the skaters a standing ovation throughout the full-house!

That was yesterday and today I did what I do best which is browse through the aisles of bookshops.  I visited the Reader's Bookshop located on the Ground Floor of Amman's Cozmo shopping center. The staff were very friendly and the layout modern and easy to navigate through. If left to my own devices I could have bought much more than I did, but I still have a week here and more book haunts to visit and so will hold out a bit longer. Here is what I bought:

Anti-clockwise from left to right:

1. A Bride's Gift by Ulla N.G. Khraisat: this is a love story between Anna, Swedish and unmarried, and Ahmad, Jordanian and married. It takes place in Jordan, Amman, Irbid, Umm Qais, and Sweden, Stockholm, between 1989 and 1991, in the shadow of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the following war. For Anna, marriage is not necessary while Ahmad insists on marriage. A divorce is for him immoral. He wants Anna as his second wife. Will Swedish Anna accept to be wife number two? Anna meets Karin, a Swedish woman living in Irbid with her Jordanian husbands Ali. A deep friendship develops between the two women. (synopsis from the cover).

2. Twice Shy by Samar Salfiti: Sara lacks confidence, but finds it very plentiful in her friends, brothers, and parents. She  struggles, however, to find comfort in her older sister, who is always turning her away. When a new friend, Amelia, enters Sara's life, things become complicated. Amelia is a strong character who goes after what she wants, at any expense. The two girls hit it off and Sara cherishes her friend until Amelia's behaviour changes and makes her question how much of a friend she really is. Struggling through the seventh grade, Sara learns about boys, coping with her sister's deviant behaviour, and how to deal with different friends.

3. On Love & Death by Hisham Bustani ( عن الحب و الموت): Short stories in Arabic.

4. Black Suits You Well by Ahlam Mosteghanemi (الاسود يليق بكِ)

Jordan, Book Swaps & St. Valentine!

Petra in Jordan

Well, I'm off to Amman, Jordan tomorrow night and that is where my posts will be dispatching from all of next week. I am really looking forward not only to getting together with family and friends but also to nosing around the capital's bookstores and getting my hands on some of the Arabic written books I have been coveting for a while. Up there on my list is Jordanian writer and author Hisham al-Bustani. I became aware of Hisham's story 'Nightmares of the City'  last year translated into English by translator Thorayya El-Rayiss and have since been really looking forward to reading his prose in Arabic. Will let you know how that gets along but until then you can watch a video of him reading -in English- an excerpt of on of the stories from his latest book "The Perception of Meaning" by clicking HERE.

Of course, due to my trip, I won't be in London this weekend so I will be missing London's Children's Bookswap annual event taking place this Saturday Feb.9 at various locations around London. I was due to go to the one being held at London's Southbank Centre. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, this is a giant book swap where children aged 5-11 bring along their books to swap for other ones. Great for mums and dads looking to have a clear-out as well. The event is free and for more information about this particular venue, click HERE and click HERE for all other participating venues.

Remember folks, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow (this lady is flying all the way to the Rose City for it) and if you're wondering what to give that someone on this special day, I suggest books, books, books.  Think 'The Dark Side of Love' by Rafik Shami, 'Anna Karenina' by Tolstoy, 'Wild Swans' by Jung Chang, and my favourite 'Birdsong' by Julian Faulks. And if you'r wondering what to write in that blasted blank but too cute not to get card then this website should help you!

Have a fab day everyone!

Hurray for Pancake Day!

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day in the UK, or Mardi Gras in the US and France, is the best day of the year in our house as far as we're concerned. It's the only day we can justify having obscene amounts of chocolate spread slathered in wanton abandon on pancakes for not one, not two but for three meals of the same day. And before you pass judgement, I draw your attention my dear readers to the fact that the name given to this day in Iceland is 'Sprengidagur' which literally means "The Day of Bursting". I rest my case!

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent which is considered the beginning of the build-up to Easter. Long time ago, people would go to church on this day and confess their sins for which they would be 'shriven' or forgiven. They would celebrate with a feast afterward. The following day is Ash Wednesday and it is when the period of Lent actually commences and serves to remind Christians of Jesus's 40 days without food spent alone in the desert. To commemorate the occasion, many Christians give up a favourite food for 40 days and give money to charity. Lent ends on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.

I actually, for the first time ever, tried a gluten-free recipe for my pancakes this year (all I'll say is that I'm on one of my diets yet again). They were brilliant and very easy to make. Click HERE for recipe.

In Memory of Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath

Mad Girl's Love Song

"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell's fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan's men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you'd return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)"

What I'm Reading This Weekend!

The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif

In 1900 Lady Anna Winterbourne travels to Egypt where she falls in love with Sharif, and Egyptian Nationalist utterly committed to his country's cause. 

A hundred years later, Isabel Parkman, an American divorcee and a descendant of Anna and Sharif, goes to Egypt, taking with her an old family trunk, inside which are found notebooks and journals which reveal Anna and Sharif's secret. 

Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick

The collapse of her brief marriage has stalled Bea Nightingale's life, leaving her middle-aged and alone, teaching in an impoverished borough of 1950s New York. A plea from her estranged brother gives Bea the excuse to escape lassitude by leaving for Paris to retrieve a nephew she barely knows; but the siren call of Europe threatens to deafen Bea to the dangers of entangling herself in the lives of her brother's family. Traveling from America to France, Bea leaves the stigma of divorce on the far side of the Atlantic; newly liberated, she chooses to defend her nephew and his girlfriend Lili by waging a war of letters on the brother she has promised to help. But Bea's generosity is a mixed blessing: those she tries to help seem to be harmed, and as Bea's family unravel from around her, she finds herself once again drawn to the husband she thought she had left in the past.

In the news:
This article in the Guardian "Library Readers Still in Love with Danielle Steel after 30 Years" put a smile on my face all day. 

Johnny Depp!

I really really love Johnny Depp, and now he's given me one more reason to love him even more: 

click HERE to find out why!

Review: Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed

Black Mamba Boy is the compelling and stunning fictionalised account of author Nadifa Mohamed's father, Jama; a Somali born to a superstitious, resilient and loving mother, Ambaro and hardened dreamer father, Guure. The book starts in Aden, where Jama and his mother live a dismal life on the roof of some relatives' home who have agreed to take them in when Ambaro had moved to the city (from Somalia) to make a better life for herself and her son. With his father gone to find work in Sudan, Jama's constant yearning is to be re-united with him once more.

When Jama's mother dies he embarks on what can only be described as an epic journey searching for a father whose face he doesn't even know. The time is the 1930's and the setting is Africa where this illiterate, uneducated ten-year-old boy, barefoot most of the time, has to travel by train, lorry, camel and bus, on his own across lands that are barren blistering desert where the beginnings of a mass famine are taking root.

But Jama is one lucky boy, his luck in stark contrast to those around him. He survives captivity on an Italian compound held in a chicken pen like an animal only for his friend Shidane to die the most gruesome of deaths. He survives malaria when others perish and emerges dusty, disoriented and yet scratch-free when a bomb detonates at one of the Italian guard posts, with him the only survivor. In one instant Jama is land owner and rich and yet suddenly he is a sailor aboard the ill-fated 1947 Exodus ship mingling with Holocaust survivors. At one point imprisoned by the Egyptians, he even manages to save the life of a Lebanese driver. But for all Jama's luck it is on the night he is finally to be re-united with his father, the man of his dreams, that his luck faces its biggest challenge.

Black Mamba Boy is a beautifully written book full to the brim with mysticism interlaced with brutal reality. The book definitely depicts the harsh political, economic and social hardships East Africa's people and those of the neighbouring countries in the region were having to face at the time Jama went in search of his father. But Nadifa Mohamed's main interest lies not in dissecting these circumstances or laying blame, in fact the harshness of the book is in its reality and unapologising attitude. The message is clear: this is what Jama had to deal with and this is what he had to do to survive. My tip would be to read a little about the history of Somalia and Eritrea particularly to get a better grasp of the effects of British and Italian presence in the region and how it translated in the daily life of the people in East Africa.

There are many stations that exude beauty, lyricism and astounding writing from the author and I found the first pages of the book to be the most magical and powerful. Throughout the book themes of exodus and a search of a promised land are very dominant and particularly evident in the manner that Mohamed chooses to end her book. The ending did seem a bit rushed and I am quite mildly surprised that since its publication in 2009 there hasn't been a sequel. But who knows?

In the end, this may be a story about a boy in search of his father but it is most certainly to do with a girl who believes her father is "the real hero, not the fighting or romantic kind but the real deal, the starved child that survives every sling and arrow that shameless fortune throws at them, and who can sit back and tell the stories of all the ones that didn't make it." This girl promised to be her father's griot and has well and truly succeeded!

Black History Month: What to Read the Young Ones!

February is African American History Month in the US and Canada. The month, more famously known as Black History Month, is dedicated to remembering all the men, women and events involved in the African Diaspora. In the UK, it is celebrated in October.

It first started in the US as a week labeled 'Negro History Week' in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. They were hoping it would be a temporary week that would be terminated once black history became fundamental to American history. The first celebration of Black History Month took place in Kent State University in the US in February 1970 and then in 1976, the American Federal Government officially acknowledged to move it from a week to a month and thus its current status. Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987.

As one would expect, there is a lot of controversy surrounding this event one of which that it seems quite 'unfair' to have a month dedicated to a certain 'race'. Charles C.W. Cooke from "National Review Online' posted an article today with the title 'Against Black History Month'. It is a very interesting view and a very enjoyable and informative read. (click HERE to go to article).

I've always loved a good story and so I have chosen the two books below mainly for the beautiful writing and for their seriously good illustrations and of course for the poignancy of their characters in particular relation to Black History Month. So, in my opinion if to mark any occasion leads to reading a book or two, then it is an occasion to consider.

A final quick note: As someone who lives in the UK, I will post more on Black History Month and the events taking place in the UK to mark it just before October. 

This is the true story of Rosa Parks who as a child had to walk for miles to get to school while white children got to ride there in a bus. It then tells how as an adult, Rosa rode the bus but could never sit in the same row with white people. This is the story of when one day Rosa Parks decided not to give up her seat for the white person and how that one single act of courage made history. It is by author Faith Ringgold.

A beautiful picture book about the true story of Henry 'Box' Brown, a slave who mails himself to the North. Henry doesn't know how old he is because they don't keep records of slaves' birthdays. All he has known in life is loss. Taken away from his family, he is enslaved to work in a warehouse where he grows up, gets married and has a family of his own who are one day sold at the slave market. Devastated and resolved, he knows the time has come for one thing only: to mail himself to the North. A decision that is to change everything. The book is written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

Below is a beautiful free reading of the book from You Tube!

For more information on Black History Month, click HERE

Friday Ramblings!

My new business cards arrived in the post today. Very excited about the design but do let me know what you think. The left photo is the front of the card and the photo on the right is what appears on the back. I had them designed online with a website called Zazzle who I am very impressed with.

It's official, books are now a medicine and will be prescribed on doctor's orders for some patients suffering from anxiety and depression. Want to know more? Click HERE.

Here's what I'll be reading this weekend:

'Black Mamba Boy' by Nadifa Mohamed: This story starts far away, on the streets of Aden, and long ago, in the sweltering summer of 1935.

Jama is ten years old and has grown up in the slums of this ancient city, learning to survive amongst the ragamuffins and vagabonds of the port. When he loses everything, his only chance of survival lies in finding his father who disappeared years before.

So he begins his epic journey by foot, camel, lorry and train, through war-torn Eritrea and Sudan, to Egypt, Palestine and finally, to the icy realms of Britain that Jama heard about in Yemen.

This story of one boy's journey is also the story of how the Second World War affected Africa and its people; a story of exile and survival and a vivid tale of love, friendship and boundless hope (synopsis as it appeared on back of book).

'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to become completely rewritten. (synopsis as it appeared on back cover).

Today In History:

• On this day in 1884, the first part of the Oxford English Dictionary (A - Ant) is published. The OED is considered the most accurate dictionary in the world. It would take another 40 years to complete the whole thing.

• On this day in 1851, Mary Shelley the author of 'Frankenstein' dies.

Have a great weekend, and see you on Monday! xoxo