Sunday Salon ~ a book is a book, of course, of course

BOOK DEPT.

American Dervish ~ by Ayad Akhtar, 2012, fiction

Hayat Shah is a young American in love for the first time.  His normal life of school, baseball, and video games had previously been distinguished only by his Pakistani heritage and by the frequent chill between his parents, who fight over things he is too young to understand.  Then Mina arrives, and everything changes.  Mina is Hayat’s mother’s oldest friend from Pakistan.  She is independent, beautiful, and intelligent, and arrives on their doorstep when her disastrous marriage in Pakistan disintegrates.  Even Hayat’s skeptical father can’t deny the liveliness and happiness that accompanies Mina into their home.  Her deep spirituality brings the family’s Muslim faith to life in a way that resonates with Hayat as nothing has before.  Studying the Quran by Mina’s side and basking in the glow of her attention, he feels an entirely new purpose mingled with a growing infatuation for his teacher.   When Mina meets and begins dating a man, Hayat is confused by his feelings of betrayal.  His growing passions, both spiritual and romantic, force him to question all that he has come to believe is true.  Just as Mina finds happiness, Hayat is compelled to act — with devastating consequences for all those he loves most.

This book arrived on my doorstep this week, won in a giveaway from Alyce @ At Home with Books.  Thanks, Alyce!

SPEAKING OF THE WEATHER

It was windy here this week.  This flagpole is outside my Northgate branch of the library.

FAMILY

My three-year-old great-granddaughter Raegan loves pink.  Can you tell?

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