*"It's tough being the spawn of Satan."  David Hochman,  TV Guide

Note: I know this author should be alphabetized under L, but you try keeping up with this website.

Until I read Rita Charbonnier's Mozart's Sister, I didn't know he had one and I certainly didn't know she, too, was a musical genius.  The novel carefully follows the life of a woman whose gifts were thrown away.  I look forward to more from the author.  Nancy

Music

"Look at me.  Look at me"  Unknown Afghan woman throwing off her veil on November 13, 2001 at the liberation of Kabul   more quotations

Meena, the founder of RAWA, was killed by ignorant fanatics in 1987, but not before she started an organization devoted to literacy, health, and social justice that continues to help the women of Afghanistan. 

Author Melody Ermachild Chavis has chronicled the important story of Meena's struggle.  Nancy

Can You Keep a Secret? is a chicklit of another color though the heroine is (naturally) in debt too.  This time the problem is trust, but since the approach is light-hearted, just enjoy the book.  Nancy

Love in a Torn Land is another look at the lives of women in the Middle East from Jean Sasson.

Bob in the Middle East

Bonus - This book is set in Dublin, though except for the odd phrase like "your woman," (Translation - the other woman!!!  I thought it was a typo.), the location doesn't matter.

Written by a man about a woman in Botswana, but don't miss - this series is delightful!  Nancy

PS Smith's series about a divorced Scotswoman is less exuberant, but still a good read.  Begin with The Sunday Philosophy Club.

PPS Check out my mini-review on still another Smith series here.