Infidel

This is a book unlike any book I have ever read. It wasn't an easy read, I actually felt nauseous at times. But I now feel more aware and (dare I say) educated about a part of the world to which I had very little insight. It's rare that a book changes or impacts your point of view on something, and this one certainly did for me. I'm not sure I'm ready to see all of Islam as something dangerous and hateful towards women, but she wages a pretty string argument: it is not OK to sit back on our ideas of religious tolerance and fear of being politically insensitive and allow all this systematic deep seated oppression to continue unchallenged.

Further- what a journey we get the honour of witnessing. Both physically and spiritually. She charts the evolution of her own values and intellectual awakening with such precision and rigor. Causes one to reassess their own processes. The why and how of beliefs and values is fascinating territory and I have to say, after reading this book I thought for days about why I believe things I do (about religion and otherwise). And how little I really challenge myself to deeply inspect the things I value. What an impressive accomplishment this book is- and her life. I'll never think about Islam the same way again.

This is the first time I've checked it! I like the idea of it.. and of The Infidel. MAybe we could make the meeting a little later in October? I think I am due to host.. I do have a roomie moving in for a few months... so if you would like to host, Joyita, I'm fine with that. But I am happy to host either way..
Let me know and I'll send an email out with all the info.
Hope Alberta is good. And Toronto!

my vote

Hey bookworms,

I say we read Infidel. If no one else has offered yet, I can host. The middle of October seems good, considering we haven't chosen the book yet. Is this blog the best way to communicate? Who's checking it regularly?

Another Idea

Hi Goldies,

Are people up for another suggestion? Not to derail anyone who has already gotten going on By Grand Central, but it seems like there might be time for another suggestion.

Here is a book I'm really interested in, that is right in line with our female focussed philosophy.

Perhaps if not now, then at some time in the future? It's a memoir and also a survivor story as well as a unique view on the world of Islam.

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Here are some reviews;

Reviews

• Sandip Roy. The High Price of Freedom. San Francisco Chronicle.
• Joel Whitney. Un-Veiled. The Village Voice.
• William Grimes. No Rest for a Feminist Fighting Radical Islam. New York Times.
• Dark secrets. The Economist.
• Anne Applebaum. The Fight for Muslim Women. Washington Post.
• Christopher Hitchens. A voice that will not be silenced. The Sunday Times.
• Andrew Anthony. Taking the fight to Islam. The Observer.
• Luuk van Middelaar. Out of Europe: Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Wall Street Journal.
• Sol Schindler. A Muslim woman, her leadership and its costs. The Washington Times.
• Theodore Dalrymple. A feminist for the ages .... The Globe and Mail.

As for timing, how is October 8th or 15th? Not sure when Tasha is back...

We haven't done a dramatic romance...

Hi Golden Girls,

I started reading Grand Central Station years ago, but never made it through. As I recall, it is a very intenselly romantic book, something we haven't tried yet.

I'm up for anything...did we choose a date? Did we discuss new member possibility?

testing123

The Gold Stars Ignite on the Net

The inaugural post. Let's discuss our next book:

Here is my suggestion, lifted shamelessly from the letters of Yann Martel to Stephen Harper:

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, by Elizabeth Smart

I also like the description of Bonjour Tristesse

For more: www.whatisstephenharperreading.ca
(not what it might seem)