Nadia Hashimi's Blog: Video, page 2

Based on feedback I've received from lots of folks, I've started putting together a quarterly newsletter to share updates with reader friends. It's a one page look at where I'm going, what I'm writing, what I'm reading, news I find interesting or anything book world related that I feel compelled to share. If you're at all interested, please send an email to [email protected] with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. I'll happily share the newsletter with you as well.

In other news, if you are thinking of giving THE PEARL THAT BROKE ITS SHELL (or WHEN THE MOON IS LOW) as a gift, drop me a note and I'll send out a signed bookplate that you can use to personalize.

As always, so grateful for your readership and interest!

I'm coming up north for a long overdue visit with Canadian readers and booksellers. Harper Collins Canada will be hosting a special Meet & Greet in their downtown Toronto offices.

Thursday, May 14th
7:00 pm
2 Bloor St East, Toronto

Limited space so please RSVP if you're free. I'm sure it'll be a lively conversation:
[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/HarperCollin...

I had the privilege of participating in the 2015 First Year Experience Conference in Dallas, Texas this past February. It was a chance for me to talk with college administrators and educators who are committed to providing the best possible experience for students adjusting to college life and academics. This was an especially exciting opportunity for me because I’m a big believer in the lasting impact teachers can make on individual lives.

My first year read was Chinua Achebe’s THINGS FALL APART, which was a brilliant selection. College is a time when young adults are pushed to look within just as much as they are encouraged to learn about the world around them. It’s a unique and important period of intro- and extro-spection. Here’s my talk on how PEARL fits in with the first year theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kvoWe...

I had the honor of joining the book club at Boulevard Books & Cafe last night in Brooklyn, NY. It was brutally cold (as this winter has been on the northeast) but you wouldn't have guessed it in the bookshop. These readers were enthusiastic, emotional and invested -- making for a remarkable discussion of PEARL and all the hot topics contained within.

For me, it was an exceptional evening since it brought me back to Brooklyn, a borough with an incredible food, authentic neighborhoods and a healthy dose of attitude. I spent four years in Brooklyn, so I can say that.

Tatiana did a fantastic job of organizing and leading the discussion. If you want to hear an inspiring story on how one comes to own an independent bookstore in today's electronic market, pull her aside.

Tatiana approached me via email to ask if I would join their book club discussion and I could not resist.

If your book club has chosen PEARL, I'd be happy to Skype in and join the chat. I can be contacted through Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter or my website. (My smoke signal reception is limited).

Keep reading and stay warm...
Nadia

Friends/readers,

So thankful for the many votes and ratings that have landed Pearl in the semifinal round of the Goodreads Choice awards. I'm so very pleased to be nominated for both Fiction and Debut Author.

This week, voting is again open. Please take a moment to vote for your favorites. I can promise you, as an author, I am really moved by the time readers have taken to vote for Pearl, send me a message or recommend Pearl to others.

Voting closes on Saturday. Happy voting, everyone!

Readers and Friends -

I was thrilled to see that The Pearl That Broke Its Shell was nominated as a Best Book of 2014 in 2 categories - Fiction and Debut Goodreads Authors. What a surprise! Of course, this has everything to do with having incredibly supportive readers. I'm grateful to all of you who have shared in Rahima and Shekiba's journeys.

The voting is open now. Please take a look at the Goodreads Home Page for a link to cast your vote. I would love to see Pearl make it to the next round.

Thanks, as always, for reading --

Nadia

Thanks to CP Lesley for a lovely chat on why I wrote The Pearl That Broke Its Shell and what it means to be a girl in Afghanistan.

She and I both read sections from the book. Hope you enjoy!

http://newbooksinhistoricalfiction.co...

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell is on sale for e-readers (Nook, itunes, Kindle) for $1.99. If you enjoyed the story, please share with others so they can get in on this less-than-a-cup-of-coffee price!

October 11th was the International Day of the Girl Child. Here's my post on Psychology Today:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/g...

I participated in a panel discussion on what the 2014 Afghan elections might mean for the women of Afghanistan. Did you know that 60% of the Afghan population turned out to vote in the last election, about the same as the last turnout for the US presidential election?

About 36% of those voters were women. Young women and grandmothers braved the Taliban's threats of violence and trekked to the polls, waiting proudly on long lines for a chance to voice their opinions.

Women ran for over 300 provincial council seats too. Two presidential candidates had women as their running mates. Women hold roughly 28% of parliament seats (about the same representation as Australia).

Reminder - just a decade ago women were shut away behind blackened windows and barred from the public sphere.

If that's not change...

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell and the Afghan elections. To see the full discussion:
Huffington Post Live discussion from May 15, 2014