Here is an interview Ocean Vuong did with PBS NewsHour
How To Read a Graphic Novel
For many of us in the group this is our first foray into graphic novels. In case you needed a little background on how to approach or read graphic novels, here’s a a helpful guide from artist/writer/creator Jessica Abel and a TEDx conference video from Associate Dartmouth Professor Michael Chaney that give a little background on why comics are “serious” now, how you go about reading them and why graphic novels contain an intimacy or power that print novels and movies do not.
The Next Book: Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
The October book will be Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast. Reminder: the discussion for this book will be October 24th from 7-8pm in the 3rd floor Board Room. As always there are copies available behind the Circulation Desk for people who wish to join us for the discussion or just read what we’re reading.
Interview: Author Yong Chen
Here is a radio interview from Southern California Public Radio with Yong Chen. It covers a lot of what is in the book.
Tehran Traffic
While Hooman Majd gives a very succinct description of being a pedestrian in Tehran, it helps to see what exactly he might have dealt with every day. So here are some YouTube videos just showing traffic along with street scenes in Tehran. The last video is a POV of someone crossing the street!
Iran and Islam
This post is about explaining Iran’s special place in the Islamic world. Here are some great articles on Khomeini-ism, the conflict been different religious branches, and Iran’s evolving views on theocracy and populism with an Islamic framework.
U.S. Institute of Peace – The Iran Primer: Iran and Islam
Places of Peace and Power – Shi’a Islam
Council on Foreign Relations – Religion and Politics in Iran
Stratfor – In Iran, Political Change At a Measured Pace
Al-Jazeera – Iran’s Election Campaigns
Pew Research – Restrictions on Women’s Religious Attire (world)
New York Times – Cautiously, Iranians Reclaim Public Spaces and Liberties Long Suppressed
A Timeline of Iran’s History
Many of you will remember Jimmy Carter/Ronald Reagan’s Iran Hostage crisis but might not know much about Iran’s before or after that crisis. Here are some helpful timelines that encompass Iran’s ancient history to it’s modern history. Here is a great analysis of Iran-U.S. relations from Congressional Quarterly.
True Story Book Club 