Literary Corner: New Books from Local Authors
Memory Garden
Written by: Zohreh Ghahremani
Illustrated by: Susie Ghahremani
Memory Garden is a captivating book that takes readers on a journey through the power of memory. This hardcover edition is perfect for those who enjoy holding a physical book in their hands while immersing themselves in a story. With beautiful prose and vivid descriptions, author Zohreh Ghahremani explores themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Whether you’re a fan of literary fiction or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, Memory Garden is a must-have addition to your book collection.
About the Author: Zohreh Ghahremani is an author, speaker, and painter whose work is heavily influenced by her experiences as a Middle Eastern immigrant and her background as a poet. Zoe published her first novel, Sky of Red Poppies, in 2010 and was blown away when it was selected for KPBS’ One Book, One San Diego program, the annual city-wide reading selection. Her experience speaking to groups near and far and her joy at connecting with readers everywhere assured her that she had made the right decision. Her sophomore novel, The Moon Daughter, won Writer’s Digest Book Awards for Best Literary Fiction. She is also the author of The Commiserator (in Persian) and has contributed to numerous other literary volumes. She now writes for both adults and children. Her debut picture book, Memory Garden, illustrated by her daughter Susie, will be published by Godwin Books/Macmillan in 2024.
____________________________________________________
The Spy’s Apprentice
Written by: Tatiana Ovanessoff
The Spy’s Apprentice is a novel inspired by true events, based on Tatiana Ovanessoff’s grandfather and uncle. It is a story narrated by the son of a successful family man and Russian spy who plans his exit from the Russian Cheka spy organization to save his family. However, he is caught in the Anglo-Russian rivalry for Persia and must decide between his freedom and saving his newfound love from prison and certain death. It is a re-imagining of a brief vignette in history.
About the Author: Tatiana Ovanessoff is a Russian-Armenian immigrant who, after growing up in Iran (Persia), obtained a degree in Journalism in the U.S. She is an award-winning artist and enjoys the outdoors. Now retired and a citizen, Ovanessoff lives in the countryside of San Diego, California, with her husband, cats, and dog named Shah.
____________________________________________________
Exit Prohibited, A Memoir
Written by: Ellen Estilai
After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Ellen Estilai and her family attempted to leave Tehran, their home of nine years. At the airport, her Iranian husband is inexplicably prevented from leaving. As he confronts hostile colleagues and the Islamic Republic’s opaque bureaucracy, Ellen examines their lives, trying to understand what might have brought them to this point. Exit Prohibited is a story of complex Iran, at once welcoming and hostile, progressive and traditional, enamored with and distrustful of the West—an Iran as complex as Estilai’s relationship to it.
About the Author: Ellen Estilai has spent much of her career collaborating with artists, writers, and agencies to strengthen communities through the arts. She has served as the executive director of Riverside Arts Council and Arts Council for San Bernardino County and has taught English language, literature, and writing at universities in Iran and California. Her essays, short stories, and poetry have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. Her booklet, The Museum of Missing Things, has just been published by Jamii Publications in 2024. Because Ellen and her husband have been immigrants in each other’s countries, her writing frequently explores the joys and tribulations of the immigrant experience. She lives in Riverside, California.
