More Than Just Painted Nails and Highlighted Hair

I read the most amazing nonfiction book this week. And you know it has to be good, because I usually hate nonfiction books. But this one made the real world just as amazing as a fantasy one. It's called the Kabul Beauty School, by Deborah Rodriguez, and follows Rodriguez as she travels to war-torn Afghanistan, after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001. At first, surrounded by doctors, engineers, and therapists, she feels out of place, and worries that she can't make an impact in the Afghan people's destroyed lives. But she soon discovers one thing that she, and only she, can bring to Kabul, Afghanistan: a beauty school for the many Afghan women she befriends on her trip. And soon the Kabul Beauty School becomes more than just teaching women to die hair and paint nails; it becomes an escape from prejudice, abusive husbands, and a country that doesn't appreciate women. It's a really amazing story, and everybody should read it. it will make you laugh, cry, and want to fly to Afghanistan right now, this minute, to meet the amazing women whose stories are told.

Gifts Of Red Glass

So, for my birthday, I did get a few books...and a few more gift certificates to buy them, which are always good too. One of the books I got was Red Glass, by Laura Resau. It's an amazing, funny, touching story about illegal Mexican immigrants, red glass, chickens, road trips, and facing your fears. It follows the story of Sophie's sixteenth summer, and the little 6 year old boy who burrows his way into it, bringing more worries and fears to pile on top of Sophie's already higher than average pile. His name is Pablo, and he's discovered at a hospital with her stepfather's business card in his pocket. Thus starts her summer, and the road trip to find Pablo's family, where she discovers stars, strength, limes, salsa dancing, perspective, and....Angel. The story's really well written, and I recommend it to anyone who likes Hispanic culture, journeys, or a book to read...one with words. It's one of the better ones in that category.