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Review Highlights Egyptian Author Abdelrahman ElGendy's Memoir 'Huna' on Revolution and Imprisonment

Review Highlights Egyptian Author Abdelrahman ElGendy's Memoir 'Huna' on Revolution and Imprisonment

Nour Eldin Hussein's review in Mizna explores Abdelrahman ElGendy's memoir, 'Huna: A Memoir of Revolution, Prison, and Becoming,' which details ElGendy's experiences during and after the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état. ElGendy, then 17, was arrested on terrorism charges and imprisoned for six years, accused of affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood. His memoir delves into the profound loss of personhood and agency within the carceral system, illustrating how the state's power, referred to as 'the Arms,' attempts to strip individuals of their identity and freedom. The review emphasizes ElGendy's narrative as a testament to 'hereness'—a persistent sense of being and resilience that endures despite extreme repression. This concept of 'hereness' is portrayed as a form of internal victory and survival, found in small acts of defiance, camaraderie, and the pursuit of knowledge even within the confines of prison.
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Afghan Women Rebuild Lives in U.S. After Taliban Takeover, Chronicled in New Book

Afghan Women Rebuild Lives in U.S. After Taliban Takeover, Chronicled in New Book

A new book, "The Last Free Women: A Daring Escape from Afghanistan and Coming of Age in America," details the experiences of four Afghan women who escaped Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021 and subsequently rebuilt their lives in the United States. The book, co-authored by Rebecca Blumenstein and Diana Kapp, highlights the extraordinary efforts made by organizations like The New York Times to evacuate Afghan employees and their families. The New York Times, for instance, evacuated 124 Afghan employees and their family members, navigating a chaotic situation where the U.S. government was unable to provide immediate assistance. This involved securing help from foreign governments like Qatar and Mexico. The narrative focuses on women aged 17 to 24, who had high aspirations for careers in medicine and law, which were abruptly halted by the Taliban's return to power. Their stories illustrate the challenges and resilience of a generation of Afghan women who grew up with opportunities for...
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Brisk Walking Offers Significant Health Benefits for Sedentary Individuals

Brisk Walking Offers Significant Health Benefits for Sedentary Individuals

Brisk Walking Offers Significant Health Benefits for Sedentary Individuals
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Adele's 'Skyfall' Lyrics Detail Resilience and Unity Amidst Adversity

Adele's 'Skyfall' Lyrics Detail Resilience and Unity Amidst Adversity

Adele's 'Skyfall' Lyrics Detail Resilience and Unity Amidst Adversity
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Merriam-Webster Adds 1,400 New Words to Dictionary, Reflecting Contemporary Language Use

Merriam-Webster Adds 1,400 New Words to Dictionary, Reflecting Contemporary Language Use

Merriam-Webster Adds 1,400 New Words to Dictionary, Reflecting Contemporary Language Use
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Phil Klay Appointed President of PEN America Amid Internal Disagreements Over Israel-Hamas Conflict Stance

Phil Klay Appointed President of PEN America Amid Internal Disagreements Over Israel-Hamas Conflict Stance

Phil Klay, a National Book Award-winning author and Marine Corps veteran, has been named the new president of PEN America. This appointment occurs as the literary and free expression organization faces significant internal divisions regarding its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Klay succeeds Dinaw Mengestu, who resigned in July after less than a year in the role. Mengestu's resignation followed a PEN report that focused on the 'widening cultural isolation' experienced by Jewish and Israeli writers since the war began. Mengestu publicly stated on Instagram that the report's emphasis demonstrated a continued bias against Palestinians, undermining his belief in PEN's capacity for equitable change. Prior to this, two years ago, numerous writers expressed dissatisfaction with PEN's initial response to the conflict, alleging a slow reaction to the deaths of Palestinian writers and journalists, which led to the cancellation of the organization's annual awards ceremony and 'World Voices' festival due to parti...
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Bryn Clark Returns to Flatiron Books as VP and Editorial Director of Nonfiction

Bryn Clark Returns to Flatiron Books as VP and Editorial Director of Nonfiction

Bryn Clark Returns to Flatiron Books as VP and Editorial Director of Nonfiction
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Pedro Pascal's Early Career Resurfaces, Highlighting Two Decades of Work Before Stardom

Pedro Pascal's Early Career Resurfaces, Highlighting Two Decades of Work Before Stardom

Pedro Pascal's Early Career Resurfaces, Highlighting Two Decades of Work Before Stardom
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Books About Sheryl Sandberg You Should Read

Books About Sheryl Sandberg You Should Read

A curated reading list of essential books by and about Sheryl Sandberg, from her influential 'Lean In' to critical perspectives on her legacy.
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Weekly Gratitude Practices Boost Mood and Optimism, Research Suggests

Weekly Gratitude Practices Boost Mood and Optimism, Research Suggests

Weekly Gratitude Practices Boost Mood and Optimism, Research Suggests
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HarperCollins to Phase Out David Walliams' Backlist Following Inappropriate Conduct Allegations

HarperCollins to Phase Out David Walliams' Backlist Following Inappropriate Conduct Allegations

HarperCollins to Phase Out David Walliams' Backlist Following Inappropriate Conduct Allegations
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Australia Reads Initiative Engages Parliament to Combat Declining Reading Rates

Australia Reads Initiative Engages Parliament to Combat Declining Reading Rates

Australia Reads, a non-profit initiative of the Australian books industry, recently co-hosted an event in Canberra to address the decline in reading rates. The event brought together members of local government, including MPs and Senators, with publishers, booksellers, librarians, and authors. The primary goal was to highlight the coordinated effort needed to champion reading in Australia and internationally. This initiative comes at a critical time, as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Programme for International Student Assessment (OECD PISA) recently reported a global decline in reading rates, with Australian teenagers' reading levels at an all-time low. The event led to the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of Books and Reading, an advocacy group within the government dedicated to promoting reading. Key parliamentary advocates, Dr. Carina Garland MP and Senator David Pocock, co-chaired the event, which also featured leading Australian authors. The positive response from at...