On my bookshelf

Infidel :: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Ali has written a gripping account of her life as a young Muslim woman who's lived in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and much later, the Netherlands. She survived beatings, female circumcision, a forced marriage, and later death threats, in a society and religion that ignores women's rights and subjugates them. She sought asylum in the Netherlands where she studied political science and became an elected member of parliment. Ayaan went on to denouce Islam while working for Muslim immigrant issues in that country.

It's taken me nearly 5 months to finish this book. It's not an easy read and much of Ayaan's life had me seething at the injustices she faced, especially at the hands of her own family members. Despite everything, she still holds them close and thanks them at the end. Highly recommended and an unforgettable biography.

Now reading: Literacy and Longing in LA (my on-the-go book) and The Jane Austen Book Club (bedside table book).