May I be given the energy and the creativity to make even tiny steps toward the future envisioned by Dr. King, his predecessors, and all those working today to continue the work to which he gave such strong leadership.

Steil initially went to Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, to train newspaper staff in journalism skills, and was invited back to serve as editor. She experiences power struggles with her boss, and struggles to train her staff into polished professionals. More interesting, however, are the culturally-specific challenges of journalism in Yemen. For example, both men and women worked on the newspaper, but the women generally had to be home before dark, and had their family’s permission to work. However, Steil’s narrative is respectful and careful, tending to highlight the strengths of her female staff.

Based on Steil’s experience, journalists in Yemen face considerable challenges with censorship and government control of media. During the presidential election, it was challenging to convince some staff of the necessity to publicize opposition candidates, for example. Also, the newspaper was prosecuted for reprinting cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, even though the cartoons were accompanied by an article condemning such depictions.

Describing her day-to-day life in Sana’a, Steil paints a picture of what life is like for ordinary Yemenis. When staff members invite Steil to their homes and to wedding celebrations, she has an opportunity to experience Yemeni culture and customs in an intimate manner that a tourist would not experience. She was granted many exemptions from cultural norms, due to her status as a foreigner; for example, she ate lunch in a restaurant with a male companion, and saw no other woman doing so. At times Steil wore an abaya (a dresslike robe worn over clothes) to observe modesty, and a scarf over her hair, as an attempt to blend in more readily.

Understandably, Steil faced many personal challenges while living in Yemen. Her work schedule was exhausting, and she experienced illness and loneliness. While adjusting to life in a dramatically different culture, friendships and social outings with other expatriates provided a chance for release. Her descriptions of parties and similar indulgences were perhaps the least interesting aspect of her story.

At this writing, people throughout the Middle East are voicing their hunger for change. Those of us living outside the region would do well to educate ourselves about its unique cultures and political predicaments. Steil’s book serves as a helpful tool in this regard—a highly readable first step in learning about Yemen. The country faces immense challenges, including diminishing natural resources, but Steil was able to lift up its beauties as well.

My hope is that this book reaches a wide audience, helping readers to develop a more holistic image of Yemen, and enticing readers to dig deeper into Yemen’s history. Reading this book has increased my desire to travel there one day (perhaps once freedom increases ever-so-slightly?), and heightened my wish that change will come through peaceful means, making daily life in Yemen, as well as the prospect of tourism, much easier.

When jae steele’s Ripe From Around Here arrived, it joined a pile of vegan library books on my kitchen table. I needed inspiration and fresh ideas, and hoped one of the books would help. steele’s book was the star. These are the recipes that will become everyday favorites, and the ones that omnivores will devour, blissfully unaware that no animal products are present.

Read my full review, posted on 3rd November 2010 at Elevate Difference.

She offers many author suggestions, and there will be links to reviews by readers to give you additional ideas. I encourage you to sign up, and make 2011 a year to discover unfamiliar writers.

I encourage you to take a look at this author. My review of Touch is posted at Elevate Difference, and you are welcome to post comments there.

Read the complete review, published on August 23, 2010, and post your comments at Elevate Difference.