Books for Arab American Heritage Month
In honor of Arab American Heritage Month in April, we are sharing books by Arab and Arab American authors that share their culture, history, and personal lives.
But there are those who don’t share Jessica’s appreciation for the arts. Ruthless kidnappers abduct Vaughan and demand a considerable ransom for his safe return—or else Olga will be made a widow. Jessica can’t imagine why local criminals would be interested in Vaughan. To solve the mystery, she turns her attention to his friends in San Miguel—friends who don’t appreciate Jessica poking her nose into their business....
All thoughts of having a quick lunch evaporated a few minutes later when a mariachi band stepped onto the terrace. I ate and listened to the band members as they threaded their way among the umbrellas to serenade each of the tables.
The music helped ease the tension of my hectic last few weeks. It was nice to be on vacation. I love to travel, but book tours can be exhausting. While I enjoy meeting new people, especially readers, and seeing new places, it’s always a pleasant prospect to contemplate a few weeks with nothing specific to do but sit back and relax. No notes to take, no schedules to meet, no rush to catch another plane.
Vaughan and Olga were the perfect hosts. They insisted I use their home as if it were mine. They had promised that I wouldn’t be in their way. “We’ll even ignore you, if that’s what you want.” Which, of course, wasn’t what I wanted at all. What I did want was time. Time to renew our acquaintance. Time to stretch out with a book. Time to take leisurely walks in a charming town. Just a peaceful vacation with old friends. It sounded wonderful.
But I was in for a rude awakening...
But there are those who don’t share Jessica’s appreciation for the arts. Ruthless kidnappers abduct Vaughan and demand a considerable ransom for his safe return—or else Olga will be made a widow. Jessica can’t imagine why local criminals would be interested in Vaughan. To solve the mystery, she turns her attention to his friends in San Miguel—friends who don’t appreciate Jessica poking her nose into their business....
All thoughts of having a quick lunch evaporated a few minutes later when a mariachi band stepped onto the terrace. I ate and listened to the band members as they threaded their way among the umbrellas to serenade each of the tables.
The music helped ease the tension of my hectic last few weeks. It was nice to be on vacation. I love to travel, but book tours can be exhausting. While I enjoy meeting new people, especially readers, and seeing new places, it’s always a pleasant prospect to contemplate a few weeks with nothing specific to do but sit back and relax. No notes to take, no schedules to meet, no rush to catch another plane.
Vaughan and Olga were the perfect hosts. They insisted I use their home as if it were mine. They had promised that I wouldn’t be in their way. “We’ll even ignore you, if that’s what you want.” Which, of course, wasn’t what I wanted at all. What I did want was time. Time to renew our acquaintance. Time to stretch out with a book. Time to take leisurely walks in a charming town. Just a peaceful vacation with old friends. It sounded wonderful.
But I was in for a rude awakening...
In honor of Arab American Heritage Month in April, we are sharing books by Arab and Arab American authors that share their culture, history, and personal lives.
For National Poetry Month in April, we are sharing poetry collections and books about poetry by authors who have their own stories to tell. These poets delve into history, reimagine the present, examine poetry itself—from traditional poems many know and love to poems and voices that are new and original.