On My Nightstand - Princess

Princess – By Jean Sasson

On the back cover:
Recently named as one of the best 500 books written by women since the year 1300, Princess has been called “riveting” and “heart-wrenching.” Most importantly, this New York Times bestseller galvanized human rights activity all over the world. The book sold over 4 million copies worldwide and struck a chord with women of every age and nationality. Many educators are listing Princess as required reading for their literature classes.

Jean Sasson spent twelve years in Saudi Arabia observing first-hand the hardships faced by women in the country. In Princess, Jean Sasson vividly depicts the harsh restrictions endured by Saudi women. Telling the true story of “Sultana,” a pseudonym that protects the identity of a modern-day princess in the royal family of Saudi Arabi, the author describes a disproportionate society where men have all the power.

“Sultana” whose real name cannot be used for fear of death for revealing these secrets to the world, asked the author to tell her story. Together, Jean Sasson and Princess Sultana have lifted the black veil of secrecy that hides women in the fabulously wealthy land where thirteen-year-old girls are married against their will to men five times their age; where young women are stones to death for a mere indiscretion; where women cannot travel without their husband’s permission; where men rule as gods.

Princess is a testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and great courage. You have never read a story like the story of Sultana; you will never forget her or her Muslim sisters.

My thoughts:
This is a book club book, and I have to be honest, I was not eager to read this book. First it is non-fiction – I don’t read non-fiction, and second – it is about a culture I know nothing about and does not really interest me.

Wow, was I wrong. This is a phenomenal book. I loved it. It opened my eyes to a country, culture and people I know nothing about but really loved learning about.

Jean Sasson does an exceptional job at telling Sultana’s story. It is shocking and scary to know women are treated this way even today.

My rating: 5 out of 5.

Gardening

I have decided to put in a vegetable garden this year.  I know I have spoken in the past about how much I hated my parents garden when I was growing up and used as slave labour to plant, weed and harvest, but things are different.

First, I am planting a much smaller garden, and second, I am now an adult and parent - funny how you look at things differently when you grow up.

So my garden, I have been blogging about it over at Minivan Stiletto, come on over and check it out.

Cherry Tomatoes

Lobster

I am not sure about you and your kids, but every time we go to the grocery store, we have to walk by the lobster / crab tank to say “hi”.


So when my parents recently came back from a vacation to the Maritimes, and brought us a lobster I was not too sure how the kids would react to eating it.

I pulled both kids into the kitchen to show them the lobster – they were thrilled and excited (it was already dead).

They both wanted to touch him, Anderson was saying “he’s so cute, he’s so cute”; Jackie was thrilled to be shown how his claws worked.

As he was sitting on a cutting board, Jackie started playing with him; Anderson then pulls up and starts talking to him – “Hi lobster...”

So I tell them that we are going to put him in water, cook him and eat him (I really don’t want tears when we crack him apart) Jackie says: “I WANT TO EAT HIS FACE!!”

Okay, I have to admit, I was a little shocked at that response, no tears, just an overly eager child to eat a lobster face. She followed it up with telling us she wants to eat his eyes. Really? Who is this kid?

Laughing Hysterically

I know we are the meanest dog parents alive, but I could not stop laughing.

I love the look on his face - I know he was swearing at me right there.

Camping Season Starts

We were all very excited for camping season to start again.

It is always hard to say good bye to the trailer in the fall and I think we go through some campfire withdrawal for a few months, but here we are, back again!

Jacqueline could not wait to get back out to the trailer, so in spite of the snow storm we drove through to get there, we arrived ready for a good family weekend.

This season we moved Jackie up to the top bunk and put Anderson in the bottom bunk (yeah - no more playpens!!).  I am happy to report, both kids did super great - they slept well and did not stay up chatting for hours - maybe it was because they were exhausted each night?

And what would camping be without a campfire and marshmallows?

I forgot the marshmallows, so after a quick run to the store we were in business.

I apologise for the lack of pictures, but we were busy, more to come next time, I promise.