Read Women discussion

Happy Fall!

In a week or so, the day after Halloween(!), we'll be starting our November reads and discussion and if you haven't participated in a group read before, consider adding your voice to the discussion of one or both of these two compelling novels - one that takes place in Sweden and the other in Iran.

Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius and

Daughters of Smoke and Fire by Ava Homa

Stolen is a

”Swedish novel that follows a young indigenous woman as she struggles to defend her family’s reindeer herd and culture amidst xenophobia, climate change, and a devious hunter whose targeted kills are considered mere theft in the eyes of the law...Based on real events, the award-winning novel ... is part coming-of-age story, part love song to a disappearing natural world, and part electrifying countdown to a dramatic resolution—a searing depiction of a forgotten part of Sweden."

Daughters of Smoke and Fire is the debut novel of Canadian-Kurdish author and activist, Ava Homa. Here's the publisher's blurb:

Set primarily in Iran, this extraordinary debut novel weaves 50 years of modern Kurdish history through a story of a family facing oppression and injustices all too familiar to the Kurds. Leila dreams of making films to bring the suppressed stories of her people onto the global stage, but obstacles keep piling up. Her younger brother, Chia, influenced by their father’s past torture, imprisonment, and his deep-seated desire for justice, begins to engage with social and political affairs. But his activism grows increasingly risky and one day he disappears in Tehran. Seeking answers about her brother’s whereabouts, Leila fears the worst and begins a campaign to save him. But when she publishes Chia’s writings online, she finds herself in grave danger as well.

Inspired by the life of Kurdish human rights activist Farzad Kamangar and published to coincide with the 10th anniversary of his execution, Daughters of Smoke and Fire is an evocative portrait of the lives and stakes faced by 40 million stateless Kurds. It’s an unflinching but compassionate and powerful story that brilliantly illuminates the meaning of identity and the complex bonds of family. A landmark novel for our troubled world, Daughters of Smoke and Fire is a gripping and important read, perfect for fans of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun.

Both have sold well since publication but are not blockbusters and may not be in every library collection so you might need to do an interlibrary loan or the like. Please secure your copy of the book/s in time for the November discussion.

[If there is another book by a woman author you would like to read with another reader, go to the “Buddy Reads” folder and make a request.]

They both sound good, but gah! Carol - you just got me to get another book to read!!!!!! But, I am interested in both of these as well.........

Misty wrote: "They both sound good, but gah! Carol - you just got me to get another book to read!!!!!! But, I am interested in both of these as well........."

😭😭😉

I feel very torn about stolen. I really want to read it and bear witness to this experience but I find violence against animals to be very triggering due to past trauma, I'm not sure I can handle it tbh

Hannah wrote: "I feel very torn about stolen. I really want to read it and bear witness to this experience but I find violence against animals to be very triggering due to past trauma, I'm not sure I can handle it tbh."

Hannah, I have already started it. It is a lovely book mainly in the fact that I am learning so much about the Sami culture and the area of the country in which the story unfolds, BUT the book starts out with the 9 year old seeing "her" reindeer dead and it is quite traumatizing to her. The incidences aren't particularly graphic (to me, yet) but I have the luxury of thinking of the reindeer as Rudolph and therefore keeping my thoughts at bay. I think you may find this quite triggering.

Hannah wrote: "I feel very torn about stolen. I really want to read it and bear witness to this experience but I find violence against animals to be very triggering due to past trauma, I'm not sure I can handle i..."

totally hearing you, Hannah. I’m bracing myself and am hoping i have Gail’s reading experience.

Thanks guys, it was learning about the Sami culture that made me want to read it too. I think I'll start with daughters and see how you both get on with stolen. Carol you can be my canary!