Quarterly Postal Markup Book Exchange discussion

discussion about this book

If you have any questions about Iran or persain culture during reading this book, you can ask me :)
and we can talk about.
I love talking about book !

Books make us friends from everywhere in the world :)

I watched a tv show recently about Persian food. I didn't realize how many people in the U.S. refer to themselves as Persian instead of Iranian because of the stigma, which is sad. I love Persian food - books and food make us friends everywhere :-)

That's right
Food is important too. :)

That is sad, Julie, I've never had Persian food, since there are no Persian restaurants where I live, but I am curious about it. What foods have you eaten?

Yes, I love how books can give a window into different cultures! What is your favorite food Zeinab?

My favourite food is all the Iranian food ;)
they are very very delicious
like: ghormeh sabzi which is very popular, a kind of stew!

Oh that sounds great! What is your favorite food Julie? That is, Persian or otherwise?

What about yourself? ;)

My favorite is Korean food.

how amazing! Korean food sounds tasty. :)

Yes it is! I especially like bulgogi, which is Korean beef, and kimchi, which is fermented spicy cabbage. It goes in soups, stews, and is good by itself, but I understand if not everyone likes it.

I love Korean too, bibimbap is my favorite. The Persian foods I've had are like kebabs, saffron rice, and shirazi salad. Yum!!

Yum is right! Ah food. Food is wonderful :)

Kebab ") Shirazi salad :) I love them....what a discussion about food! made my mouth watering :-D

I have a question. I'm at the chapter about Firoozeh's wedding, and she talks about the aqd. What is an aqd? Does it symbolize blessings for the bride and groom? I was also surprised that weddings start at 10pm and end at 2 am! Wow! In the US weddings usually take place when the sun is shining.

Good and difficult question
AQD is a traditional ceremony, before the wedding. This may be held as early as a year before the wedding itself, to allow time for all the wedding arrangements to be made.
that in it says Marriage vows(which is Arabic words and one of the rules of Islam for marriage)
Firoozeh in this chapter describes All the ceremonies exactly.
The Sofreh Aghd is a spread, decorated with many symbolic items all representing an element of marriage for the couple's new life together. During the Sofreh Aghd, the couple exchanges legal wedding and marriage vows. This tradition has been practiced for thousands of years and very customary at Persian weddings. Regardless of religious beliefs, Sofreh is an essential part of a Persian ceremony.
I upload two pictures of Aqd for you so you can have a more exact image of it
http://uupload.ir/files/dknb_15579e05...

an old painting
http://uupload.ir/files/x841_aghde-ar...

I hope you get your answer Dominique
my English isn't perfect yet
;)

one point:
some beliefs and behaves that Firoozeh says in this book as an Iranian culture belonged to the older Iranian generation and now they have changed a lot.

another picture of the Sofreh Aqd:
http://uupload.ir/files/fafs_سفره_عقد...

Thank you, that's very helpful to know! It seems I can't see the pictures in my browser, there's something wrong with my connection, but I found pictures of sofreh aqd on Google, it's beautiful. Don't worry, I think your English is good :) Ah yes, beliefs change between generations.

I am loving this book! The author is is not much older than me so I can relate to all the cultural references. She is so funny!!

Yes she has a wonderful wit! I enjoyed the book too, and have already finished :)

I'm really happy to see, you both enjoyed the book I've suggested. I love this too. You, Julie, can relate to the American cultural reference in terms of your age, and I can relate to the Iranian cultural reference.
somewhere during reading this, I laughed out loud and really understand the situation.

I finished it too.
It was really light and funny. made me feel better in quarantine.

Sorry I'm behind you guys. I will finish it over the weekend. What should we read next??

No problem Julie, no hurry
I did my turn :)
what is your suggestion? or Dominique?

Have either of you read Becoming by Michelle Obama? Or Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi? Zeinab can you get either of those?

I've listened to some of Becoming on audiobook, but never got to finish it before my library loan expired :( So I would like to finish it, yes.

Yes, I can get "becoming"
It is famous and bestseller here.
I don't have any problems with it.
:)

Great!