Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran by Roxana Saberi

After growing up in the United States and pursuing a career in journalism, Roxana Saberi decided to move to Iran to become more familiar with Farsi and learn more about her culture. In the process, she performs as a freelance journalist and eventually decides to write a book on Iran and its people to educate the world of an Iran that she knew, not the Iran that the media knew. After several years of research and conducting interviews, she is arrested on counts of espionage and holding confidential documents, charges she was surprised to learn of.

In this fantastic and easy read, Roxana Saberi offers a real look into her experience in Evin Prison. She takes you into her cell and gives you a shocking yet humbling view of the lives of her cellmates. From political activists to religious dissidents, Saberi shows an interesting demographic view of Iranian society. Despite her challenging situation, she shows readers the true test of her human spirit and willpower, both needed to overcome her terrible situation.

I was incredibly inspired by Miss Saberi's account. As an American, I often read books about other cultures and people who have been through amazing experiences. I feel that her experience is an excellent example of what life is like in other countries of the world. Roxana often tells of things she expects as an American citizen on trial. However, those liberties that we are afforded at no cost and no struggle are not given to her. Flossing her teeth, communicating with family, consulting a lawyer.... These were not freedoms she was allowed, freedoms she felt she was entitled to as basic human rights.

I encourage any reader to take a few days in Evin Prison with Miss Saberi and feel a life-changing experience.

The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman

In my attempt to start reading more books for pleasure instead of pure academic gain, I came across a huge stack of books I have purchased over the last four years that I have not even started reading. The first of these books I finished is The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman. The thing that really drew me to this book form the beginning was the shelf appeal. The title caused intrigue in me, so I decided to pick it up and flip through a few pages. The first surprise that found me were the illustrations. I had no idea at the time who Maira Kalman was (illustrator for Elements of Style), and I was heavily perplexed by a novel written for adults where there are illustrations like a children's storybook on every single page. At this point, I was sold. I absolutely bought the book (along with ten others, no doubt) where it has hidden on my bookshelf until recently.

It took me three nights before bed to finish it. I am still trying to work out my own definition for the book. However, I have found this to be an incredibly daunting task. The books title lends a hint: the principles of uncertainty. I, after reading this novel, have become very uncertain about a lot of things. For instance, after reading the first few chapters, I was uncertain that the book was worth my time or had any memorable meaning to it. As the chapters trudged along, I began to really appreciate the odd collection of memories and questions that Kalman introduces through drawings and random knowledge.

Kalman definitely brings a clean, fresh, although jumbled, perspective of the world since the 1990s. This book is a very simple read on the surface but contains many hidden images and stories within its short prose and colorful images. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick but interesting read (...or look).

Making sense of Madame Bovary

Unfortunately for the majority of us, we spend four years of high school in English classes reading the "classics." However, they didn't have enough time to make us read all of the classics. One of the classics that I never had to read is Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Well... I haven't had to read it until about a month ago. Three books in four weeks. Flaubert has haunted me for the past month. While reading his work in English would probably be cake, I am reading it in French (French class = French version). The majority of the words and phrases he uses in his descriptions no longer apply to the modern French language.

The biggest struggle I have had in reading this epic novel is interpreting Emma Bovary. It's harder, still, to find the place of Charles Bovary in relation to Emma. Does she love him? Did she ever love him? It's very simple to see that Charles loves her, but to what extent? Is it really love? What about her affairs, as well?

Emma Bovary, born to a family living in the countryside, has always sought adventure and romance. She yearns for mystery and intrigue, purpose and desire. All of these things she wants, Charles cannot provide. He's a simple man and enjoys little things. He isn't imaginative or brilliant. Charles Bovary is used to be pushed around and loved to be controlled by women. His mother did this all of his life, ensuring he got into the schools he needed to get into, finding him second chances to take important tests, and securing his first job in Tostes. She even went as far as to select his bride, an almost identical personality to that of Madame Bovary mère. Although a doctor might make women take a second glance today, Emma Bovary does not care in the slightest about doctors. She wants to me treated and charmed every second of her life. While her life with Charles may have begun this way, it certainly does not remain that way for long.

Perhaps Flaubert is saying something important about the relationship between a man and a woman. He offers little vignettes of married life between two people who do not love each other many times. For instance, there is a section in the first part of the story where the two have been invited to a ball held by the Marquis. When getting ready for the dance, Charles attempts to be affectionate towards Emma by kissing her shoulder. She refuses and tells him to leave her alone. There are many other instances where she tells him how simple he is (i.e. throwing out her marriage bouquet as a symbol of her rejection of the marriage). Flaubert, I think, is pointing out something about a woman's heart. Some women want romance and chivalry without seeing the love and affection given them on various occasions. Perhaps Flaubert is telling us all to keep our feet firmly planted to the ground and realize that constantly chasing romance can cause catastrophe (e.g. Emma's suicide). We have to be happy with the things we already have and be resourceful. Constantly worrying about what we don't have hurts worse than focusing on what we do have.

Hats off to Flaubert for one of the most masterful works of realism and prose in the French language. I have never in all of my life been more impressed with a book. If you don't believe me, pick up a copy and find out for yourself who Emma Bovary is and what Flaubert teaches us about life and love. You won't be disappointed.

An Ordinary Man: An Autobiography by Paul Rusesabagina (with Tom Zoellner)

This book has been hailed as a wonderful account of the Rwandan civil war. It provides the story behind the Blockbuster hit, Hotel Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina writes of his life before, during, and after the genocide that took place in Rwanda. This autobiography contains both stories of love and human compassion, as well as grotesque scenes of violence committed against innocent parties. This account includes many well-known facts about the events surrounding the Rwanda genocides and some of the not-so-known facts. It is a must-read. Anyone interested in the Rwandan history needs to read this book.

If you would like to learn more about ways to help prevent future genocides in Africa and around the world, please visit the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation website.

Ordinary Man: The Beginning

Over the years, the world has seen more evils than we can conceive as individuals. There are many times when people just sat and watched the violence on television, the devastation of other countries by natural disasters. As a student, I often did not know what I could do, where I could go, and who to send money to. I didn't know what to do when I saw these atrocious acts all over the world. After lots of thinking and studying, I decided to start this blog.

This blog is dedicated to all of the causes and efforts around the world that may not get much attention. I will regularly post information on tragedies happening around the world, as well as give you information on how to lend your support. Even if you do not choose to send money or volunteer, just the knowledge that you will gain could someday lead others to aiding in a cause.

Thanks to everyone who might be reading.

"Our time here on the earth is short, and our chance to make a difference is tiny... Wherever the killing season should next begin and people should become strangers to their neighbors and themselves, my hope is that there will still be those ordinary men who say a quiet no and open the rooms upstairs." -Paul Rusesabagina, from An Ordinary Man: An Autobiography