Random Reads

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

   Deborah is from Holland, MI and journeys to post Taliban Afghanistan and ends up establishing a beauty school for Afghan women.  This novel is very interesting and readers will become engrossed in the Afghan girls' stories but without all the depression usually associated with this type of literature.  Debbie raises money, gets donations, and puts all her effort into running the beauty school.  She grows to love Afghanistan and its people.  She later marries an Afghan man who already has another wife and children.  I finished this book in about two days.  I was utterly fascinated with this woman's tale. 

Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing up in the Shadow of Sadaam by Zainab Salbi

     Zainab Salbi offers a unique perspective of life in Iraq under Sadaam Hussein.  When Salbi's father became the personal pilot of Sadaam, her entire world changed.  Her family moved to palace grounds and she was instructed to call Sadaam "Amo" meaning Uncle.  She was deathly afraid of him because he felt no emotion in ordering the killing of friends and relatives.  Their family lived in a constant state of fear while living under Sadaam's regime.  Her mother arranges a marriage for her and she travels to the United States to begin her life with an abusive husband.  She eventually divorces him and her life takes her in a new direction.  She later remarries and starts the organization Women for Women International which helps rape victims from war torn countries rebuild their lives.  This inspirational memoir gives a harrowing glimpse of life under Sadaam by somebody who was on the inside.  I literally could not put this book down.  She has written another book about her work with the women her organization helps and assists.  After reading this book, I immediately visited her website to find out more about this exciting woman and her work.  I highly recommend this book to everyone! 

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

   Ayaan Hirsi Ali tells her lifestory in her memoir that is utterly fascinating.  She grew up in Somali and her family practiced Islam.  She survived civil war, constant beatings, and female mutilation.  Her family relocated to various countries and her father arranged her marriage when she was twenty to a man living in Canada.  In route to get married, Ayaan sought asylum in Holland.  She lived in Holland many years and was even elected to Parliament.  She was very opinionated and expressed her views about the opression of women in the Muslim world.  She questions her faith and becomes an atheist.  The book is a great outlet for Ayaan to express her views and readers will be astounded at her bravery and willingness to stand up for what she believes in.  She made a movie with director Theo Van Gogh who was later murdered for his viewpoints.  She is protected by bodyguards because she receives numerous death threats for her actions and views.  She later relocates to the United States after her Holland citizenship is revoked.  Time magazine named her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, truly a remarkable feat for a 34 year old woman who was relatively unknown four years ago.  A must read for everyone!

No Mountain High Enough: Raising Lance, Raising Me by Linda Armstrong Kelly

    How does a seventeen year old cashier at Kroger raise a seven time Tour de France winner?  Lance Armstrong addresses this question in the Foreword of his mother's autobiography.  Linda Armstrong Kelly had Lance when she was seventeen years old.  She struggled to make ends meet and raised Lance to be a strong and independent person.  They endured their hardships along the road but Linda's love for her son and her determination to give him the best possible life had a huge influence on Lance.  Linda was thriced divorced until she found true love at fifty with Ed Kelly.  Her son developed stage three testicular cancer and recovery seemed unlikely.  Linda stayed by her son's side during the fight for his life which he overcame and beat remarkable odds.  Lance Armstrong went on to win an unprecedented seven Tours during his career after surviving cancer.  He developed the Lance Armstrong Foundation which has raised millions of dollars for cancer research.  While Lance Armstrong is my hero and the hero to millions of others, his mother's role in his life cannot go undocumented.  Readers will admire Linda positive attitude towards life and instilling the same fighting drive in her only son.  I have read all of Lance's biographies and have been completely captivated by this remarkable man.  No Mountain High Enough is Linda's story to tell, and what a story it is!