Introducing Recently Published Books
Ali Sadr
Martyr!
A novel by Kaveh Akbar
Martyr! is the debut novel of Kaveh Akbar, a well-known poet whose work has been extensively published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and other prestigious outlets. Martyr!—with an emphasis on the exclamation mark—was published by Knopf and spans 331 pages.
The novel follows a young Iranian American man who came to this country as a child and lives in a small Midwestern town. The characters and stories are deeply relatable to all immigrants, while also being fresh and captivating. The book quickly became a bestseller in The New York Times and has received acclaim from numerous critics and reviewers, including NPR, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe.
Here’s what you’ll find inside the cover: “ELECTRIFYING AND PROFOUND, BRAZEN, PROFANE, AND OFTEN VERY FUNNY, THE FIRST NOVEL FROM THE FEROCIOUSLY GIFTED YOUNG POET KAVEH AKBAR HERALDS THE ARRIVAL OF AN EXTRAORDINARY NEW VOICE IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION.”
Cyrus Shams, the novel’s hero, is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: a mother whose plane was shot down over the skies of the Persian Gulf in a senseless accident and a father whose life in America was circumscribed by killing chickens on a factory farm in the Midwest. Cyrus is a drunk, and addict, and a poet whose obsession with martyrs leads him into the mysteries of his past—toward an uncle who rode through Iranian battlefields dressed as the angel of death to inspire and comfort the dying and toward his mother, through a painting discovered in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests she might not have been who or what she seemed. Cyrus is guided on his journey by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, and delivered—in the novel’s unforgettable final pages—to a world that teems with unforeseen wonders.
Martyr! is a work of gut-wrenching anguish and exquisite consolation—a book that sees into every corner of the human heart, that faces down shame and despair, and emerges with a vision of humanity that is capacious and full of grace, an astonishing debut.
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Kaveh Akbar’s poems appear in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Paris Review, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. He is the author of two poetry collections, “Pilgrim Bell” and “Calling a Wolf a Wolf,” in addition to a collection of short stories, “Portrait of the Alcoholic.” He is also the editor of The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 110 Poets on the Divine. He lives in Iowa City.
For more information go to: Kavehakbar.com
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THE EXIT INTERVIEW
A novel by M. Nariman
The Exit Interview is M. Nariman’s debut novel, published in 2023 by Amazon Book Publication and spanning 180 pages. Set in a futuristic landscape reminiscent of Northern California, the novel delves into the complexities of characters, their perspectives on life, love, the environment, and relationships. While the story is set in the future, it remains relatable and relevant, particularly regarding the role of artificial intelligence. As an expert in AI and robotics, Nariman’s background lends credibility to the narrative.
Here’s what you’ll find on the back cover: “When David comes upon an unusual-looking house after hiking, the last thing he expects is an encounter with Amanda, a beautiful and mysterious woman who makes a strange offer—asking him to stay and be her assistant. As the two travel virtually and meet different people, David participates in philosophical discussions on a variety of intriguing topics initiated by Amanda and her friends. However, he’s still unclear as to exactly ‘who’ Amanda is and her purpose for choosing him for this peculiar journey. Eventually, Amanda gives David a manuscript, and he learns the truth—about Amanda, her past, and more than he could have ever imagined.”
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M. Nariman is an inventor and the founder of an automation and robotics company with interests in philosophy, AI, physics, and anthropogeny—the study of the origins of humans.
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The American Cat and the Persian Family
A children’s book By Judith Wilson Shadzi
Based on a true story, Zeeba is a Nebraska farm cat that is adopted by a Persian family from Iran. She and her sister Peeshi not only experience all the trials of a cat’s life, but are submerged into a foreign culture. They learn the Farsi language and lounge on colorful Persian carpets.
Step into the enchanting world of a fortunate cat whose limitless curiosity leads to unexpected adventures, all the while discovering all the customs of her cherished adopted family. Zeeba experiences love and loss, but she is smart and, most of all, a survivor. This story, aimed at children aged 8-12, is certain to be a favorite for all and one to read again and again.
In today’s world, with a mixture of people from diverse backgrounds in our midst, it is more important than ever to learn the beauty of each language and culture. It is only right that Zeeba—the cat that was loving, curious, and obedient—would strive successfully as the author herself did, to adapt and thrive in the Persian culture.
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Judith Wilson Shadzi is a published author, award-winning artist, and businesswoman. She received her bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics, and a minor in Iranian Studies from the University of Minnesota. Judith went on to receive a teaching credential in Health, and a Master of Education at National University. Judith lived in Iran for five years during the 1979 Iranian Revolution and speaks fluent Farsi. She is vice president of Cosmic Solar and Roofing, Inc., a company she and her husband, Bahram, own and—with their son, Pey—operate. They live on a solar-powered orchard in Southern California with their cat, Una.
For more about Judith, go to: judithwilsonshadziartistauthor.com
