Words have always carried more weight with me than images – give me a book over its movie any day – but I do love to see the beautiful images other people create when they’re in love with a book. That’s not my strength, but I can certainly appreciate it in others! So here’s a few of my faves based on what I’ve been reading recently.
Zahra’s Paradise
Ahhhh, this was one I’ve been wanting to read for a while. Zahra’s Paradise is published semi-anonymously, with only pen names to the title. The reason being exposure of corruption and evidence of coverups, hacking, stolen information, torture, and all sorts of horrific depressing crimes. It was originally written as an illustrated web series after the fraudulent elections in Iran in 2009. Protestors were arrested and vanished. The history included in the book is brilliantly helpful, but the emotion and the story is what really packs the punch.
Holding the book in front of the city streets reflects the spirit and nature of the story. Go out, fight, be heard. You CAN’T just stay in the comfort of home and take what’s given; you must brave the cold (snowy) reality outside.
I love the cool extra inis photo featuring a newspaper page about the book. You can see some of the amazing detail that goes into the entire book. It’s astonishing and a tribute to the lives lost, done in time given to the art.
Because I love Korean, and I love seeing books in other languages and from other countries. No matter where you are, you should be learning.
Craigslist Confessional
Remember a few days ago when I said I thought that Craigslist Confessional might be too intense for me to read? Well, I managed to buck up and press on. And I’m really glad I did, because it was as moving and emotional and fascinating as I expected. Not every story was painful… but many were.
Because this aesthetic of shadow and light fits the mood of the book. Sharing secrets, letting things out that have been hidden, but still retaining some anonymity.
Because reading about secrets in public is a delicious contradiction. It also serves as a reminder that everyone around you has a life that, to them, is as multifaceted and complex and interesting as yours is to you. Be kind.
Because it partially started in D.C. so it feels fitting to have a scene with notable features in the background.
Will you be reading either of these books? Drop your thoughts so far below!
My Book Joy 