I just got home yesterday from the first leg of my book tour. A big thank you to Bensenville Reads for selecting FUNNY IN FARSI. My hostess there was a superhero named Jill Rodriguez. She is the county librarian and has the most amazing, devoted staff you can imagine. Not only do they work with the community, but they are very innovative. For example, their library stays open 24 hours every September 11th since they believe libraries are the antithesis of what happened that day. Kelly, another librarian, started a program “52 Books in 52 Weeks.” You see what I’m talking about? These people are DEVOTED to literacy.
I also visited Fenton High School. (Hi Esteban! Hi Sal! Hi Mansoor!) I met kids from Blackhawk Middle School (I will not embarrass Blake or anyone else since I seemed to do plenty of that when I was there.) I also visited Bridgeway, which is a huge senior home. Great audiences everywhere I went, except for… Apologies to Barbara’s Bookstore where I drew a whopping crowd of THREE people. (Thank you Bob, Madonna and Hannah.) Oh well, it has to happen to all authors at some point but I would like not to experience that again!
In Ohio, I particapated in Dayton’s Big Read where they had selected FUNNY IN FARSI. (Thank you Dayton!) I spoke at Meadowdale High School for Kristen Mills’ classes. They were a GREAT audience and had even made me a banner with all kinds of drawings related to FUNNY IN FARSI, including a camel/llama/lamb. I think the final consensus was that it was a llama. No matter since I loved it.
The Big Read event was very interesting because they also gave awards to volunteers in the community. Let me tell you, there are some amazingly generous folks in Dayton. (Did you know there is even a peace museum there?) It was a very fun evening.
I also spoke at Books & Co. What a store! Thank you to Sharon for doing so much behind the scenes. When an author event goes well, it’s not just because of the author. It’s also because of the people who planned it and advertised and set out the chairs, etc. It was an enthusiastic crowd with lots of questions. I had a blast.
And a final thank you to Becky from Project READ for everything, including driving me to the airport. (90 minute drive!) I hope to be back in Dayton again.
Until then, keep reading!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Firoozeh:
Saw you last night at Keplers bookstore in Menlo Park.
You were absolutely hilarious, your makeup was perfect, the haircut looked expensive, your child was well behaved, and the baklava was delicious. Oh also–I am enjoying the book.
Do you have the contact info for Jill Rodriguez in
Bensenville? If not, I am a librarian–I’ll find her.
I want to know about the 52 books in 52 weeks program.
What were the books?
Have a wonderful next oeg of your Midwestern tour. When you return, we need to talk about lunchtime Palo Alto restaurant appearances–you, a talented moderator, the book, an audience, and lunch.
Did I mention that I am moving to Palo Alto in Jume?
Know anyone who wants to buy a condo near Keplers in Menlo Park?
Bye
Lauren John
May 7th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Oh my goodness, what an email! I have to go lie down now.
Thank you for coming to my book event. I love Kepler’s and I am so grateful that such a wonderful independent has survived.
Jill’s contact is:jillrod@comcast.net
I LOVE the restaurant idea. Let’s do it!
I am so happy that we will be neighbors soon! You will have no problem selling your condo.
Best,
Firoozeh
May 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Dear Firoozeh
Congratulations on your new book. It is nice to read about your tour - I’m sorry that I am not in the USA and cannot go. I really enjoyed Funny in Farsi.
I am working on a blog/site called PocketCultures which tries to show life in other countries and cultures. There is one part about cross-cultural relationships and I would really like to talk to you about publishing a short excerpt of your book there.
If it is something you might consider maybe we can discuss further by email?
Many thanks and all the best.
Liz
May 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Hi Liz,
What a great site and so relevant in today’s world! I will definitely be surfing that one next time I have some free time.
You are welcome to publish a few paragraphs but I think you have to get permission from Random House for more than that. Let me know when publish something and I will write about it on my blog.
Thanks a lot for asking permission. I really appreciate that.
Best,
Firoozeh
May 7th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Dear Firoozeh,
I am reading your new book. I love it. Last night I was reading about your pregnancy and your son he didn’t sleep. My son was the same way. He is 3 and hald now and still is not a good sleeper.
I loved your previous bood too. As a matter of fact, my husband and I have given your book (funny in farsi) as a gift to so many people. I also donated a copy of your book to my son’s preschool for an auction event. I think you are doing a great job in showing that Iranians are friendly people.
Last year when I went to Iran, I bought a copy of the traslated version of Funny in Farsi too. My mom enjoyed reading your book and I told her the other day to look for the new one.
Thank you Firoozeh and keep up your good work.
Poopak
May 7th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Thank you Poopak!
I have received very little feedback about my second book since it just came out last week. You can imagine how happy I am to hear that you like it!
As far as your son not sleeping, that will change when he becomes a teenager. My son used to wake up at 6:00, at the very latest, and now on weekends, he can sleep until 10. I only wish he had slept like that when he was little!
Thanks again for your support for both books. If you get a chance, please write a review for Amazon.com.
Best,
Firoozeh
May 9th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Hi Firoozeh
You gave a WONDERFUL talk this morning at the Circle of Support Breakfast. When signing books for me I mentioned I loved hearing YOU narrate the audio book. As per your “request”
I went online to audible.com and amazon and posted glowing reviews.
Don’t let a bad comment now and then get you down.
You are ABSOLUTELY fabulous! (and extremely funny)
I am looking forward to reading Laughing without and Accent. I expect to be sharing excerpts from it!
Deb
May 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hi Firoozeh,
Thanks so much for your kind message! I have just published the story, you can find it here: http://pocketcultures.com/mypartnerisaforeigner/
If there is any problem please let me know and I will fix it.
Very best wishes.
Liz
May 9th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Dear Firoozeh,
What an honor to meet you in Dayton at the Masonic Center on May 2 (it takes me a while to catch up with greetings) - and to get your autograph! Looking forward to sharing Funny in Farsi with friends and relatives, and to reading your new book soon.
All best wishes,
Vicky
May 9th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Greetings Firoozeh from Meadowdale!
We wanted to Thank You again for coming to our school and speaking to us. That event is the moment many of us will remember when we look back on our years at Meadowdale. We are extremely excited to be able to take home a copy of Funny in Farsi and can’t wait to start reading Laughing Without an Accent. We just wanted to write and let you know how honored and APPRECIATED you have made us feel. We’ll never forget you.
YOU ROCK!
Ms. Mills’ Students
P.S. We’d like to send you something, but we don’t know where to send it to.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Dear Firoozeh,
I have read your first book at least three times and have enjoyed it very much. In my first reading of your recent book, which I have enjoyed even more, I have found the following minor typos and proof reading errors (the brackets include the corrections):
Page 9, line 15 from top …he was [very] upset …
Page 13, line 7 from bottom …from [what] she …
Page 16, line 4 from bottom …supposed [to] tell …
Page 33, line 2 from bottom …not [long] after …
Page 39, line 14 from bottom for Ali [as] an elevator…
Page 65, line 4 from top … son of one [of] our …
Page 89, line 15 from top … a movie, [except] maybe …
Page 115, line 2 from bottom … as soon [as] my son saw me, though, …
Page 128, line 14 from top …nature of some [of] the treasures …
Page 145, line 10 from top …pyramid next [to] my apple tree …
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Javad
May 11th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Dear Javad,
Why aren’t you working at Random House?!? Thank you for your careful reading. I have passed your info to my editor.
If you send me your address (I will not put it in my blog), I will send you a free signed copy of my book. You deserve something for all that hard work!
Thanks again,
Firoozeh
May 12th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I loved listening to your first book from Audible. It added so much to hear it in your own voice. Will you also be selling the 2nd book there? I’ve looked a few times but not seen it yet. Thanks for the laughs and perspectives. Hope you and your family continue to be well.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
salam…sorry..i thought your page can protect farsi…and i writed farsi…your book is great , i read your first book today .wish i could write english better and say my feel about your book
good luck and best wishes
May 14th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Dear Mrs Dumas
I don’t want you to show this message in your website if you don’t want to. but we need your help.
Immediate and unconditional deletion of “Arabian Gulf” from Google Earth
http://www.petitiononline.com/sos02082/petition.html
May 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thank you Cathy!
For some reason, I have not yet been asked to record my second book. I certainly hope Audible asks me soon! Please feel free to email them, pester them, picket at their offices, whatever you think of, as long as it’s legal, moral and ethical.
Thank you again,
Firoozeh
PS It’s funny that you liked my voice. Have you read some of those reviews on Audible?!? I guess my voice is torture for some. Oh well.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I like your voice just fine! And I like best hearing your stories directly from you. It adds so much to the telling, hearing what you emphasize and the added emotion an actor couldn’t portray. I did make a recommendation on Audible. Any of you other fan who read this, feel free to do it also. Only takes a minutes. www.audible.com/request
May 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Dear Firoozeh,
Hello! I recently read Funny in Farsi in my English class and I loved it! It was the only book during the entire course that I found to be, well, funny. I found it to be a very detailed and engaging view into the life of an Iranian American during the Iranian Revolution.
Currently, in class, we are writing a paper using Marjane Satrapi’s Book Persepolis and Funny in Farsi. The prompt is to compare how you and Satrapi represent the Revolution, and I would like to ask about your views on how it affected you. What were the emotional effects? How did you cope with them? What do you wish you could change? What did you feel like you needed to do for Iran during this time? What about for America?
Thank you for your time!
Graham B.
9th Grade Honors English 9
Enloe HS, Raleigh, NC
May 17th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Firoozeh,
I look forward to your appearance at the Seattle Public Library the 21st. Actually, I can hardly wait. I’m still reading “Funny in Farsi” and can’t remember when I’ve smiled so much while reading a book - especially the part re the meals one can have while shopping at Price Club. Will you be available to attend Seattle’s 2nd Iranian Fesitval June 28th? Thank you for sharing a part of your life.
May 19th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Thank you Jordan. I’m so glad SOMEONE is coming since it is the same night as the American Idol finale! Why does this happen to me?!?
I don’t live in Seattle so I will not be able to attend the Iranian Festival. You’ll have to tell me all about it at the event. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.
I am REALLY looking forward to coming to Seattle. Bring your friends and anyone else you see on your way to the library…
Best,
Firoozeh
May 20th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hi Firoozeh,
I just came acrosss your first book Funny in Farsi the other day at B&N. I could not put it down. I read it in one day. I am half Middle Eastern and half American but spent most of my life growing up and living over there. My grandparents were Iranian and so all of my aunts/uncles and my father even speak Persian, except for all of us kids and cousins (the younger and more rebelious generations anyways haha just kidding). I remember my parents bringing over a sweet Iranian lady to tutor me and give me Persian lessons. If only I had the patience and interest at that age to stick with it I would probably be fluent today. Kids…their such brats sometimes, apparently I was then!
The stories in your book touched me in ways I cannot describe. I was sitting there reading and laughing hysterically and also nodding my head at nearly every point because I grew up in much the same way and can draw so many distinct parallels between your stories and my own. The cultural similarities, those things that you mentioned Americans do different or see differently are things I even face today as an adult. It never ceases to amaze me yet inspire me to really be who I am regardless.
It was extremely refreshing and inspiring to read a book like yours that sort of jelled all of these bi-cultural tid bits or pieces if you will that have been sort of lost in translation over the years as I’ve tried hard to meet somewhere in the middle of the best of both worlds. Your words gave me that. They were the closure I had been searching for all of these years, seriously.
Thank you for a wonderful read. I cannot wait to get my hands on your latest!
Best Wishes,
Alee
May 21st, 2008 at 1:39 am
Thank you Alee, for your email. It put a big smile on my face.
I hope you enjoy LWAA as well!
Best,
Firoozeh
May 21st, 2008 at 2:32 am
You’re appearance at the Seattle Public Library has also been announced in the IACA (Iranian-American)Newletter so hopefully it will be a good turnout. This will also give me an opportunity to hear direct from the source how to correctly pronounce your name. I will also try to email Dr. Nassim Assefi to see if she will also be there. Have a safe trip to Seattle (we’re suppose to have some showers after the warm weather this past weekend….Sorry).
June 10th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Hey Jordan,
It was great meeting you at the library. I look forward to finding another excuse to visit Seattle again.
Best,
Firoozeh