…my fall-back home. I moved down here about a month ago to focus on writing the new novel and to do so in a warm climate. I will miss the Arab-American mecca that is Michigan, but I will not miss the seven month Winters.
To give you an idea of what my new novel is like, I’ll share with you the books and objects currently parked at my desk.
Angela Carter: Saints and Strangers and the Old Wives’ Fairy Tale Book.
The Making of Iraq, 1900-1963 by Samira Haj
Two different Mythology encyclopedias, and a scholarly book on Myths.
Candide, by Voltaire
The Devil’s Dictionary, by Ambrose (lost in Mexico) Bierce
Haddawy’s edition of the Arabian Nights
Santera: African Magic in Latin America
The Book of Imaginary Beings, by JL Borges
A picture of the Virgin Mary and child
A Jaime Hernandez drawing of a woman walking out of an East LA apartment in red cape.
Smoking rabbit toys.
A tiny toy sewing machine.
A Fairy door.
Two notebooks.
A wrapped cube of Nablus soap, all the way from Palestine.
Postcards.
A poster of Umm Kulthum.
My computer, on which about 50,000 words have so far been written.
I have a title, but I’m too shy to share.
Meanwhile, A Map of Home is released in paperback tomorrow. Be sure to pick up a copy for a friend if you liked it and want to share Nidali’s raucous voice with others.
i can’t wait!
Welcome back to Austin, home of seven-month summers! Looking forward to your new book.