Goodbye, 2023!

I had a challenging year, but it seems I've survived it.

Goodbye, 2023!

I'm grateful for all the "guests" you sent my way.

Book Review: Full Circle Undivided

I received Full Circle Undivided, Poems - Volume 1, by Wendy E. Slater, as a gift, and what a beautiful gift it is!

The poetic imagery Slater creates with her words has brought me solace during a difficult time, taken me on a journey of self-reflection, and beautifully told my truth:

"There is no scent to follow,

No clue to unfold,

No soft shelter to shield me,

No roots to ground me.

I am still

With myself."

I highly recommend this exceptional collection of poems. These are poems that I revisit often to bring comfort, remembrance, and introspection.

Eleven Days Later

Eleven days ago, I wrote about Toomaj Salehi on my blog: 
https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/unifire.html 

Today, the regime's forces brutally attacked Toomaj only eleven days after his release and took him to an undisclosed location, possibly because Toomaj described some of the torture that he underwent during his time in prison. 

Clearly, the regime fears him.

Unifire

Toomaj Salehi, also known as Iran's Son, rapper whose anti-regime songs had scared the demonic regime occupying Iran, has been released on bail after spending 389 days in prison, most of it in solitary confinement under torture, without any medical treatment despite his crucial need for it. 

The timing of his release, only days after the anniversary of Kian Pirfalak's death, reveals the fear of the corrupt government and the intention to distract the freedom fighters with some good news. Toomaj's freedom is, of course, not without restrictions. 

This wasn't Toomaj's first arrest, either. He was arrested in September 2021 after releasing this song: https://youtu.be/DB_vAtHNgoE?si=ISe8jGTFODFK2Wej

The rapper's first words after his release yesterday reflect his concern for all the other prisoners, as reported by the person in charge of his social media accounts.

I expressed my gratitude for Toomaj by posting an open letter to him in November 2022: 
https://gratigi.blogspot.com/2022/11/toomaj-salehi.html 

* unifire = a combination of "unite" and "fire," symbolizing the strength and passion that comes from standing together as a community

God of Rainbows

One year ago today, a nine-year-old boy named Kian Pirfalak was shot and killed by the Islamic regime forces in the city of Izeh, in Iran, during the Woman Life Freedom movement. Kian was a little scientist who hoped to become a robotics engineer. After his death on November 16, 2022, one of his videos went viral, in which he explained that he was going to test a boat he had built. He began his experiment with the words "in the name of the god of rainbows." 

Since the Islamic regime forces stole the bodies of the people they killed to sell them back to the families, who paid anything they had to just so they could bury their loved ones, Kian's mother immediately took her dead son's body home to protect it. After nine years of making sure her son slept comfortably by covering him with blankets during cold nights, the woman had to cover her son's body with ice until she could bury him. 

During the same shooting that killed Kian, the boy's father was badly injured and taken to hospital. With his vital signs so unstable, his wife didn't tell him what had happened to Kian. He needed more than one operation and ended up spending months in hospital not knowing his son had died. Once his condition stabilized, his wife finally informed Mr. Pirfalak, and photos went viral of the poor man in a wheelchair visiting his son's grave.

The Islamic regime forces haven't stopped persecuting Kian's family since they murdered the boy: first his mother, then both parents, and eventually other family members, first during his burial, then on the day that Kian would have turned ten, then on the fortieth day after his death, when Iranians hold a special ceremony for their dead. Today, the evil forces arrested several people who had gathered to observe the anniversary of Kian's death. 

The demonic regime has also sentenced an innocent protestor to death for killing Kian Pirfalak. Kian’s own family have maintained that the man is innocent and that their child was shot and killed by regime forces.

Rest in peace, Kian.🌈

Book Review: Simone LaFray

Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers' Ball, by S. P. O'Farrell, is the first book in the Simone Lafray mystery series and a fun book to read, not just for ten- to twelve-year-old adolescents, as it says in the book details, but for all ages. I found the story captivating and liked the characters, particularly the delightful Simone. I will have to read the next book in the series since this first one didn't have a denouement...

Book Review: You Wish

You Wish, by Mark Scott Piper, is the story of fourteen-year-old Jake Parker finding a lantern in an abandoned house in ruins. His discovery is a gift that could solve all his problems, but Jake soon realizes it can also be a curse... The story is well-written, the characters are well-developed, the book is a page turner, and the lesson is clear. I enjoyed reading You Wish and recommend this book to anyone at any age. 

A Dictionary

I was recently looking for a word online and accidentally discovered The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig. The word lover in me couldn't resist and found a way to justify the purchase of this unnecessary item: a gift to myself for my upcoming birthday. 

It's a fascinating book. Check it out...
Or at least watch the author's TED Talk (link below):

The conquest of new words | John Koenig | TEDxBerkeley

https://youtu.be/ANFQPEkczYc?si=0ATKRzRAFin2EuZM

One Year Later...

WE'RE STILL STANDING.

#WomanLifeFreedom

https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/mahsaamini.html

https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2022/10/be-their-voice-say-her-name.html

https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2022/11/for-freedom.html

https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2023/01/did-he-know.html

https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2023/02/february.html

https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-driving-force.html

A Driving Force

Music has an incredible power to ignite social change and be a catalyst for positive transformation. It transcends language and cultural barriers, connecting people from all walks of life. Through its melodies, lyrics, and rhythms, music has the ability to inspire, educate, and mobilize communities towards a common cause. It has been a driving force in numerous important movements throughout history, amplifying voices and shedding light on various social issues like inequality, injustice, and discrimination. By evoking emotions and sparking conversations, music has the remarkable ability to unite individuals, ignite empathy, and ultimately pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

https://youtu.be/7ChZablq2OY?si=ckyQI2ZDt6Rkqgl8

Mehdi Yarrahi was arrested one week ago, four days after the release of his song. The revolution in Iran continues, stronger than ever, as we approach the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death on September 16. 

#WomanLifeFreedom

Summer Samplings

I volunteered to teach interested teenagers a summer writing class at my local library for an hour a week in summer 2023. I created a workbook — containing some basic information, the types of writing, a few grammar lessons, exercises, several useful tips on editing, and so on — and promised my potential students I would publish their completed work in an anthology.

Only a few people registered, and only half of them were teenagers, but each had a story to tell. Four students completed their stories, edited them, and allowed me to create a tiny anthology titled Summer Samplings — “Samplings” because each piece of writing is a sample of a bigger project in the works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF45D51V

Book Review: Kellcey

Kellcey, by Kacey Kells, is an honest memoir, in which the author chronicles the highlights of her childhood, illustrating her state of mind at the time of her first serious relationship during her teenage years, describes a sexual assault she suffers in great detail, reflecting why rape is one of the most underreported crimes, and finally gives an account of the effects of this traumatic event on her life.

This touching story, the author's insight, and the flow of words make Kellcey a fascinating read, despite its editing issues. I recommend this book to everyone, male and female, and give it five stars.

Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me: Anthology

I'm thrilled to announce that the anthology I created as Afarin Rava (a pen name made from the last part of my first name and the first part of my last name: nooshafarin ravaghi) is now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Twelve-Year-Old-Anthology-Afarin-Rava/dp/B0CC7D4Z4H/

I had the honor and privilege to work with over thirty writers who, hoping to make a positive change in the world, contributed their valuable life experiences and advice to children and adolescents. This book is a collection of priceless life lessons shared by random people, each of whom wished they could reach out to their twelve-year-old self and whisper their precious lessons in a way that their younger self would hear, believe, and learn.

Many thanks to B.H. Arias, P.D. Austin, Jerome Berglund, Mike Bowerbank, Rocío del Mar, Holly Dobbie, Hannah Downey, Glenna Gill, Ilya Gutlin, Claude Inkwell, Althea Hogsett, Karen Hoffman, Margaret Lindsay Holton, Roberta Beach Jacobson, Heather Lynn, IA McCleery, Kelly Miller, Sallie Moffitt, Danielle Moody, Natasha Morningstarr, Chris Palmore, Diane Riley, Nina Romano, Gloria Worley Ruberry, Edward Selender, Claire Sheehy, Leif E. Slusher, Paul Spalding-Mulcock, Vicky Whedbee, Peter B. Williams, Charles Dan Worley, and Wanda L. Worley, whose contributions brought this book to life.

The Perfect Book?

I write daily, mostly in the morning, while I drink my morning tea. I have different blogs. When I have finished reading a delightful book, I may review the book and post my thoughts on nooshasblog.blogspot.com. Each Wednesday, I post a letter of appreciation on my gratitude-girl blog, gratigi.blogspot.com. Every day, I add a short post to my blog afarinrava.blogspot.com: a motivational quote, a grammar feature, a line from one of my books, a photo, or a review of one of my books. If I have a work in progress, I spend at least half an hour writing or editing that.

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
Stephen King

I have written and published three books, all memoirs, and each has taught me a great deal about book writing. Fully aware that my books hardly near a perfect book, I have tried to do my personal best every time, and I hope that enough practice will help me improve my work and allow me to produce a work that approaches the ideal writing and reading experience.

I began writing when I first learned to trace the letters of the alphabet and form words, at the age of six, but writing to publish — which happened first when I became an editor and later when I published my own work — trained me to look at a book from a reader’s point of view. With that added perspective, I try to avoid all the nuisances I experience and to implement all I enjoy as an avid reader. I consider it my responsibility to the reader. 

Author Responsibilities

Fonts & Spacing

I edit books for a living, and my hobbies include reading and writing. All of that takes a toll on my eyes, so I no longer buy, borrow, or read books with small print: I like large fonts. I also like to have enough space between the lines on a page. Why add pressure on my eyes? And why do that to my readers?

Chapter Length

Books that have short chapters work better for me as a reader. I prefer putting a book down after I complete a chapter to leaving it in the middle of a chapter, and with my busy schedule, I like books with shorter chapters better. 

Cover

The cover of a book should be attractive, but it should also be related to the content in a way. I have seen book covers that attract attention just for the sake of attracting attention and that have nothing to do with the message of the book.

These constitute only three aspects of book writing that make the reading experience more enjoyable for the reader. Authors have more important responsibilities to their readers, two of which I value the most: honesty & clarity.

Honesty

“Good writing can be defined as having something to say and saying it well.”
Edward Abbey

I enjoy reading most genres but find myself spending more time on nonfiction, and mostly on memoirs. In a memoir, I want the author to be honest, and not just with the reader. I have read personal accounts in which the author assigns blame to everyone and takes no responsibility for anything. That does not work for me. I want the author to admit they have made a mistake, to take responsibility for their actions, to learn a valuable lesson, and to teach me, the reader, that lesson. 

Clarity

Clear communication requires correct grammar and specific word choice. 

“It’s not wise to violate the rules until you know how to observe them.”
T.S. Eliot

Grammar refers to all the rules that form the entire system and structure of a language, including punctuation. 

Word choice refers to the use of precise language that conveys the exact intended message.

Without grammar rules and the right vocabulary in a written work, the reader will not have experience the clarity needed for proper communication. The best writers master the language they write in. Those who may not have the tools (knowledge and experience) to revise their work properly should hire an editor to ensure their writing follows all the grammar rules and transfers the right meaning to the reader. All writers should have their work proofread.

I find it useful to put the manuscript aside for a month and re-read it with fresh eyes. It helps the author discover the holes and inconsistencies in their writing. The author may also find sentences that they could have expressed in a better way, more effectively and/or more concisely, and rewrite them.

A suitable amount of editing results in a well-organized, consistent, and coherent piece of writing, free from mistakes and errors, which flows well from beginning to end. I would appreciate such a work as a reader, so I hope to, one day, create such a work as a writer. 

Summer

Summer is officially here... but summer has different definitions depending on the location. To me, summer used to mean entire Sundays on the beach, but now, here, the weather has been so hot lately, and the air so full of insects, that besides my evening walk with the dogs, which I look forward to every day, I leave my cabin as little as possible.

This works out just fine with my three ongoing book projects, including the anthology many of my writer friends contributed to, plus a writing class that I teach until the end of summer. 

I have a few books on my to-read list for the summer. I started the first one, Kellcey (by Kacey Kells) several days ago, but given all the editing I'm doing during the day, my progress is slow, so it will take me a while to finish it and post a review. I was also hoping to have another Marco Ocram masterpiece by this summer to put on my reading list, but it seems there are no new books by the author. 

Happy Summer!

Book Review: The Baneridge Murders

I couldn't put Mike Bowerbank's The Baneridge Murders down. The story of this page-turner, a detective story with psychic and suspense elements, takes place in a small town where nothing is as it seems. I love detective stories and I enjoyed this one, but my favorite part of the book was the author's creativity with fairy tales and his main character's art of storytelling.

Book Review: On the Road to Co-Operative

Charles Dan Worley has done a fantastic job illustrating the people of Co-operative by painting a wonderful picture of their daily lives and activities in their coal-mining community in Kentucky. 

After I read his memoir On the Road to Co-Operative, I felt like I personally knew everyone there. Also, as someone who loves languages, words, and grammar, I particularly enjoyed the style of the author and learned many words and structures authentic to the region. 

Read the fascinating stories of coal miners and their families. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

K

Ever since my little Koochooloo gave birth to her son, making me the proud owner — and servant — of a family of dogs, I’ve celebrated her on Mother’s Day. Even though I’m the mother of three furry babies, in my house, Koochooloo has been the only real mother.

This year Mother’s Day was a little different. Koochooloo didn’t sleep at all Saturday night. She spent the entire night walking around the room or just standing in one place: no sleeping or even sitting. She was restless and threw up a few times. Sunday morning, she didn’t want her breakfast. She just kept walking around the bedroom. She seemed frustrated, and I noticed she breathed more loudly than usual. Every time I tried to hold her, she stayed in my arms a couple minutes but then wanted to go walk around again. 

When I took the two boys out, Koochooloo didn’t want to come with us. I picked her up and took her outside because I didn’t want to leave her alone and I thought she would want to pee. She just stood right where I put her and didn’t move a muscle during the ten minutes or so that we stayed outside. Clearly, something was very wrong. This became more evident when she didn’t want dinner either. 

Once I turned the lights off and the other two dogs went to bed, she went to the dog bed we have — which no one ever uses because they all usually sleep on my bed. She started breathing fast, and, after a while, it got faster and noisier. I didn’t know how to communicate with her because she lost both her sight and her hearing a while back. I pressed my forehead against her head and held it there for a while. She calmed down a little, and I put my left hand under her head and held her paw with my right hand. About ten minutes after that, my little girl’s beautiful heart stopped beating and she exhaled for the last time at 2:45 am on Monday, May 15, with my hand under her head and my other hand holding her left paw.

I had the honor of living with her since May 1, 2010, when she was only four weeks old. We had thirteen years and two weeks together. Koochooloo took a big piece of my heart with her. 

It is 4:45 am now. Koochooloo’s body is still resting in the dog bed, and the two boys are still sleeping. I don’t know how they will react to her death. They’ve never been apart. I haven't slept in more than 48 hours, and I feel exhausted, but I can’t sleep. I’m waiting for daylight to give her a proper burial.

Anthology

A new anthology is in the works.

The theme? advice to your twelve-year-old self

Submissions are now open.

Anthologies provide excellent opportunities for readers and writers to connect. If you would like to contribute and get published or know anyone who would be interested in being a part of this wonderful project, please know that:

- the deadline for submission is May 31, 2023; 

- you can use a pen name;

- every submission must be between 100 words and 1,000 words;

- your submission must be original and unpublished;

- you can submit as many times as you want;

- it's free: you don't pay, and you won't be paid if/when your submission gets published;

- you will be notified whether or not your submission was selected by June 20, 2023;

- if your submission is selected, you can then email a short bio, not exceeding 75 words.

- each piece must be copied and pasted into an email message following its title and the author's name, and the subject line must read "For 12";

- if you are submitting more than one piece, please use a separate email message for each;

- all submissions must be sent to afarinrava@gmail.com.

Thank you. 

April

It's the last day of April...
What a month!
And what a terrific (in both definitions of the word — current and archaic) test for me!
I feel a little proud of myself for recognizing the good in each situation and focusing on that.

~

The month started with me at my desk for twenty-two hours straight, formatting a rather large book, with pictures, for a friend. It was exhausting…but I knew it would be even more challenging for her if she tried to do it, so I put myself through this unpleasant experience.

BUT

I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment once I finished it around 5:30 p.m. and I knew my friend was relieved that this was done. Also, I slept well that night — better than any night in the last seven years; in fact, I may have passed out.

~

A few days later, I found out that someone I knew — and loved — had died a while back. He was a wonderful human being, one of those people you could talk to, knowing he would get what you said and wouldn’t judge you, knowing you wouldn’t have to filter anything you wanted to say. He was also a true gentleman.

It was in 2010, right after my first children’s book came out, that someone recommended Reza to me. He had a print shop and I needed business cards. He made my cards — did a fantastic job, too, in terms of both quality and price. After that, I saw him regularly at various business events in Orange County, California. We didn’t have any online connection except for a few business-related email exchanges.

After I left California and got settled in Arkansas, I wanted to reconnect with him and keep in touch. I managed to find two accounts in his name on social media platforms, both private, and sent him requests to connect. After a long while, not having received any response to my requests, I thought maybe he wasn’t active on those platforms; after all, many people have accounts but don’t use them. I sent him an email message to his work email, the only email address I had, and when I didn’t hear back, I thought he may have closed his business — he had mentioned the possibility of doing so the last time I had seen him. Finally, I googled him to see if I could find a different way to contact him and sadly came across the announcement of his death — a heart attack. He was around my age…in his fifties. Apparently, he had died soon after I had left California, and before my efforts to reach him.

It broke my heart…

BUT

I felt honored to have met and known him in my life, and I felt grateful for the friendship… because I could count on one hand the number of people I’ve met in my life that were this honorable.

~

In the days that followed, I had very little motivation to do anything. Following the news of the horrific events that unfold in Iran didn’t exactly make me feel better, thinking about all the young people who died, the void they left, and the futures they’ll never get to have…

BUT

History has shown us that every revolution has a high cost, so I did what I could to help, in my own limited way, and continued to read, translate, and share the atrocities of the Islamic Republic Guard Corps — a.k.a. terrorists — in Iran.

~

Two days in a row, my phone warned me of a tornado coming and told me to take shelter.  Since I came to live in the woods, I’ve had many tornado watches but only a few tornado warnings. Since these warnings often accompany severe storms, I also lose power when they come along, and with three terrified dogs, I’m paralyzed through it and have to sit in a safe place and hold all three of them for as long as the warning is in effect, which sometimes lasts a few hours…

BUT

I’m grateful all four of us survived both warnings, whereas some didn’t, as I later found out.

~

I spent two entire weeks with severe headaches — two kinds of headaches. I’ve always had problems with my sinuses, but it gets worse in the spring; my sinuses flare up when plants start releasing pollen, and that causes a headache that won’t quit. Nothing alleviates the pain. I’ve tried all kinds of pills and syrups. Recently, I found out that I have advanced arthritis in my neck — I didn’t even know I had arthritis, let alone advanced arthritis — which also causes terrible headaches…

BUT

At least I know why I’m experiencing this pain. It’s not scary like when I feel pain and don’t know why; it’s just uncomfortable pressure caused by known issues.

~

This month, I found a hypocrite among the few people I interact with. No matter how small I keep my circle, they always appear, like weeds…

BUT

I’m grateful I noticed it and saw their true colors. 

~

So...
Thank you, April, for the challenges...
And thank you for letting me feel the pain but focus on the good.
Goodbye, April.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Book Review: Dark Eyes

Nina Romano's Dark Eyes, a thriller woven with elements of romance and well-researched history, set in Soviet Leningrad in the 1950s (1956-1957, to be exact), tells the story of Anya and Andrei — a former ballerina and a police photographer — who have fallen in love with each other and somehow become the enemy of a corrupt state. Prepare yourself for some serious suspense as you follow these characters who try to escape a cruel fate.

A personal note: I read this book while closely following the turbulent events of the current revolution in Iran, my home country, and the similarities of certain chilling situations reflected the authenticity of the setting in Romano’s historical romantic thriller and amplified the emotional ride I felt. 

I give this book five stars and highly recommend it.

Languages & Life Lessons

A year ago today, I received this beautiful embroidery of my book cover, a surprise present from my dear friend Holly. 

 

This precious gift is now sitting in a shadow box on my book shelf. 

 

International Women's Day 2023

Today, on International Women's Day, worldwide, people unify to celebrate women, daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers; groups and individuals esteem women, empower them, elevate women's visibility, applaud equality for them in sport, in technology, and in the workplace; people respect women's choices in health, honor women creatives, those who forge change, and women who thrive.

Today, on International Women's Day, the world celebrates women... in theory; what happens in practice?

Today, on International Women's Day, the world brings global awareness for many issues that women face, including inequality, abuse, and violence.

Today, on International Women's Day, the world celebrates women, but why just today?

Today, on International Women's Day, I challenge all women and men who truly value women (1) to take their first step toward improving the world for all females of all ages, in every country, and (2) to continue until every girl and woman on the planet can live the life she deserves. 

Take action right now: https://endgenderapartheid.today/

#EndGenderApartheid
#WomanLifeFreedom

February

This month I didn't write or post anything on this blog. I've been working on a number of projects: writing, proofreading, home improvement, and learning how to write a novel.

I wrote two book reviews, one of which took its sweet time going live on Amazon. The other is still lost in cyberspace.

I designed covers for three different formats of a book.

These days, I'm reading a book written by a valued member of the writing community. 

...

February ended on a sad note: We lost Pirouz, the last survivor of the endangered Asiatic cheetah cubs born in captivity in Iran. The little boy had brought the people of Iran so much joy and hope — possibly why he was killed. (BTW, to those who killed this beautiful creature, you WILL pay.)

#ShervinHajipour had expressed his concern for Pirouz's safety in his song #Baraye (September 2022): 
https://youtu.be/0th9_v-BbUI 

I actually woke up to this news in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep again, so when daylight finally arrived — and it was a beautiful sunny day — I went outside to work to get rid of some of my sadness by expanding the dogs' fenced area using some blocks.

I spent most of the day outside, and, while working, sang a song that was stuck in my head, over and over again: 
https://youtu.be/-bsUwRDlbXk

I don't know if my voice broke any of the neighbors' windows, but I did notice all the cute little birds fly away. Scared? Intimidated? Who knows?

One sixth of 2023 is gone.

I look forward to March...

Book Review: Bewitched

I grew up watching, and loving, the television show Bewitched, like many others around the world. In Bewitched: Secrets from Comedy Genius Sol Saks, Carolyn Haynes not only gave me a front row seat to behind the scenes of this fabulous show but also offered insight into its creator's world as well as a new perspective. A great read! I recommend it to all Bewitched fans.

Book Review: Captive Hearts

I received a free copy of the audiobook Captive Hearts: A Persuasion Variation, by Kelly Miller, in exchange for an honest review. I admit it's not the genre I usually read (or listen to), but since I had read Jane Austen decades ago when I was trying to find my genre, I decided to give it a shot, and I don't regret having done so. Once I got used to the reader's British accent, which took a few minutes, I was hooked on the story, which is exactly what the book's subtitle suggests, A Persuasion Variation. This "variation" reflects the author's storytelling skill, which deserves five stars. Well done! I recommend it to all who enjoy Jane Austen's books.

Did He Know?

Did he know?
Did he know he wasn't alone?
Did he know we were screaming his name for weeks?
Did he know a whole country was his family?
Did he know his picture is forever carved in my head?
Did he know we were with him while he was being tortured?
Did he know we were with him while they were placing the noose around his neck?
Did he know we were crying?
Did he know we won't forget him?
Did he know?

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini was arrested, sentenced to death in a sham trial because he knew martial arts, and executed. Since his parents died years ago, Mohammad lived alone. He was a simple worker and taught martial arts to children from poor families in his free time. After his arrest, he underwent severe torture for weeks. The Islamic Republic regime occupying Iran executed Mohammad before sunrise on January 7, 2023.

#MohammadHosseini