No one writes as beautifully or movingly about the lives of modern Afghan women as Nadia Hashimi, author of The Pearl That Broke Its Shell and When the Moon Is Low. Her debut novel, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, has proven to be a huge hit with book clubs and readers all over the world, and When the Moon Is Low (on sale now!) is sure to continue that trend. Today we would like to give a warm LLF welcome to Nadia, who has come to share her love for libraries.
***
In some ways, I feel like my first “job” was a herald of things to come. I was a very proud volunteer in my elementary school library in New Jersey where I had the huge responsibility of re-shelving returned books and checking out books with the inky date stamper. I must confess, there is still nothing like the musty smell of a card catalog or the graceful organization of the Dewey Decimal System. I used my volunteer time in the library to explore the shelves and revisit the books I’d loved as a child (my favorite: Freckle Juice by Judy Blume). I love libraries, so it's an extra thrill to attend a few gatherings of librarians, like the mid-winter ALA and the recent Day of Dialog in New York. Being stranded in Chicago for an extra day by a blizzard wasn't even so bad, as I had the company of librarians and great books to get me through the snowy night.
As an author, I’m deeply appreciative of the efforts libraries make to engage with readers – those beautiful, themed displays and the ambitious calendar of events for patrons. I will never forget the amazing, standing-room-only reception I received in my hometown’s public library. What a treat to return to Warwick, New York and speak to a crowd of my neighbors, teachers and family about my journey from a local student to a physician and then a writer.
A quote from author Caitlin Moran has stayed with me as one of the most elegant descriptions for libraries: “[Libraries] are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination.” I sometimes see writing as a return to my roots. Having spent years working as a pediatrician, I am blissfully finding myself returning to these cathedrals with my own novels, awed by their ability to open doors and foster learning.
***
Thanks, Nadia! When the Moon is Low is on sale now, and make sure to grab the The Pearl That Broke Its Shell paperback as your next book club read!
-Amanda