Nadia Hashimi, the internationally bestselling author, returns with A House Without Windows, a vivid, unforgettable story of an unlikely sisterhood. In today’s post Nadia writes about the importance of libraries in her childhood. We love her and her new novel!
For two decades, Zeba was an unremarkable woman. But her quiet life is shattered when her husband, Kamal, is found brutally murdered in the courtyard of their home. Nearly catatonic with shock, Zeba is arrested for the crime. Awaiting trial, she meets a group of women whose own misfortunes have landed them in jail, including Nafisa, imprisoned to protect her from an “honor killing” and Mezghan, pregnant and unmarried, waiting for a court order to force her lover’s hand. The prison is both a haven and a punishment; removed from the unforgiving world outside, the prisoners form a lively and indelible sisterhood. Is Zeba a cold-blooded killer, her cellmates wonder, or has she, like them, merely been unlucky? Has she truly inherited her mother’s powers of jadu—witchcraft—that can bend fate to her will? Can she save herself? Or them?
A House Without Windows is on sale today!
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Later this year, what may be the world’s oldest library will open its doors to the general public. The library in Fez, Morocco, is believed to have been founded by a Muslim woman and first opened in 859. (Yes, 859…the age of the Vikings!) Pictures of the library are astounding—floral Andalusian art, intricate calligraphy and horseshoe arches. I can comfortably admit that I think “parchment” is a sexy word and I would even venture to guess I’m not alone.
The care with which this structure was originally built, with which it is has been rehabilitated over the years and with which it is now being restored speaks to the importance of libraries in our communities. These are cornerstones to our societies, past and present.
And libraries have played an important role in my life, past and present. While in grade school, the library was were where I blazed through summer reading challenges and held my first volunteer job. A few years later, it was in a library that I learned my tween angst was not that abnormal and that time could bend on itself if I let my imagination go. In other libraries up and down the east coast, I’ve studied for medical school entrance exams, reviewed pharmacology, conducted historical research for my novels, and written the final chapter of my latest book, A House Without Windows. As a side note, the title of my latest book comes from a Sufi poem but is also reminiscent of a quote from Horace Mann, a nineteenth century politician. He said: “A house without books is like a room without windows.” Incredibly true, I think. That’s why I bring my children to the library these days, so that it can be a house of learning and growing for them as well. There’s a special energy contained in a place that gifts patrons with information, validation and inspiration.
Libraries don’t have to be over a century old or have floors made of hand-laid geometric tiles to be majestic. Each is a kingdom with Google-defying wizards and sorceresses just past its open doors and soaring windows. Lucky me to have my words tucked into those magical stacks!
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Thanks, Nadia! A House Without Windows is on sale today.