In The Land of Invisible Women by Qanta A. Ahmed, MD

Genre: Memoir

This is the true story of a female Muslim doctor’s travels from the United States to Saudi Arabia. Due to some Visa problems, Dr. Ahmed must relocate to Saudi Arabia where she works at a hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Immediately she’s hit with culture shock.

Dr. Ahmed paints a vivid picture of the differences between the West and the Middle East. Readers live through her struggles and learn how she adjusts to a completely different lifestyle then she was used to.

The doctor takes us all on an unforgettable journey, showing us what it’s like to be a woman in another land and not treated as an equal. This book is well-written and fast-paced. I wasn’t sure it would be something I’d like, but once I got started, the pages flew by and I found myself feeling the pains Dr. Ahmed went through. It’s an interesting book that will grab your attention from beginning to end.

The Sunday Salon - The End of November!

Happy Sunday Everyone! I haven't been around in a couple of weeks - just busy with reviews and work. I can't believe it's only one more month until Christmas and the end of 2008. That really went fast.

Last year, at this time, I wasn't part of the blogger world and knew nothing about reading challenges. I only completed one challenge, but I got a late start so now I'm all motivated to get involved beginning in January. I signed up for five reading challenges so far (check out the sidebar on my blog for what I'm getting myself involved in - LOL).

For now, I'm catching up on review books and mixing in holiday books. Right now I'm reading a Harlequin Blaze "Heating up the Holidays". It's three stories by Jill Shalvis (a favorite author of mine), Jacquie D'Alessandro and Jamie Sobrato. It's cute and very Christmassy :)

Next up on my reviews is "Like Glass" by Matthew Corey and then I'll be participating on J.Kaye's Blog in a noontime chat of the book. Then, I'll be reviewing "De Marco Empire" by J Lou McCartney, which looks like a good read.

Hope everyone has a great week!

What an animal reading challenge

Okay, I'm getting in late on this one, but I couldn't resist - I love books with animals (especially cats!)Click on the button above to join in. Here's a little about the challenge...


With a little nudge from this weeks Weekly Geeks, I've finally decided to take the plunge and host my first reading challenge -- What an Animal!

The rules are simple:
1. Read at least 6 books that have any of these requirements:

a. an animal in the title of the book
b. an animal on the cover of the book
c. an animal that plays a major role in the book
d. a main character that is or turns into an animal (define that however you'd like ;>)).

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragons, mermaids, centaurs, fairies, vampires...you get the idea...

3. Challenge runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. You can still sign up after July 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by June 30th ;>).

4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or just list them as you find them.

6. Books may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).

7. Crossover books with other challenges is permitted and encouraged.

8. You don't have to blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.

9. Sign up with Mr. Linky below. Please sign up with the specific post announcing the challenge if you are a blogger. If you do not blog, sign up with your name and leave the URL field blank.

Thanks!

10. Have fun!!


Here are my choices...

NOTE: I just updated it and replaced the Rita Mae Brown with Blaize Clement. I'll still be reading the Brown book, but for a different challenge. Trying to juggle all the challenges has become a challenge!

1. Choosing to Be: Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master by Kat Tansey Click here for review
2. Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund by Blaize Clement Click here for review
3.Doggone by Gabriella Herkert Click here for review
4. Only the Cat Knows by Marian Babson Click here for review
5. Even Cat Sitters Get The Blues by Blaize Clement Click for review
6. Familiar Double by Caroline Burnes Click here for review

2009 Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge

J.Kaye's Book Blog is hosting this challenge which looks like a lot of fun. I didn't participate last year, but I will this year. Click the button above to get more details.

This is for the ones who finished the 2008/09 Suspense & Reading Challenge are ready for another.

Rules of this challenge:

* Read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.

* You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. Also, you may change as you go.

* Your books can crossover into other challenges.

* You don't need a blog to join in this challenge. For those who do, this is important. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your S/T books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed.

Here are my choices...

1. Deadly Exchange by Geoffrey M. Gluckman (terrorist thriller) Click for Review
2. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (medical thriller)
3. The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly (supernatural mystery)
4. Trust Me by Brenda Novak (romantic suspense)
5. Compulsion by Jennifer Chase(serial killer thriller) Click for Review
6. Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle Click for review(amateur sleuth)
7. Murder of a Chocolate Covered Cherry by Denise Swanson Click here for review (cozy mystery)
8. 6th Target by James Patterson (criminal thriller)
9. Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine (comic thriller) Click for review
10. The Cat, The Quilt and The Corpse by Leann Sweeney Click for review (murder mystery)
11. 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr Click for review
12. Die Before I Wake by Laurie Breton (drama thriller)Click for review

Happy Thanksgiving!