Repeat three times: "Just walk past that used bookstore...Just walk past that used bookstore...Just walk past that used bookstore..." Nope, didn't work! Couldn't resist and picked up at Frugal Muse bookstore 11/23/08.

From Publishers Weekly:

A terrific opening chapter—colorful, suspenseful, funny—ushers readers into the curious closed world of Afghan women. A wedding is about to take place, arranged, of course, but there is a potentially dire secret—the bride is not technically a virgin. How Rodriguez, an admirably resourceful and dynamic woman, set to marry a nice Afghan man, solves this problem makes a great story, embellished as it is with all the traditional wedding preparations. Rodriguez went to Afghanistan in 2002, just after the fall of the Taliban, volunteering as a nurse's aide, but soon found that her skills as a trained hairdresser were far more in demand, both for the Western workers and, as word got out, Afghans. On a trip back to the U.S., she persuaded companies in the beauty industry to donate 10,000 boxes of products and supplies to ship to Kabul, and instantly she started a training school. Political problems ensued ("too much laughing within the school"), financial problems, cultural misunderstandings and finally the government closed the school and salon—though the reader will suspect that the endlessly ingenious Rodriguez, using her book as a wedge against authority, will triumph in the end.

Offering up in loveamystery's Two Worlds Virtual book box

I really enjoyed this book. This sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes funny memoir detail Deborah Rodriguez's experiences running a beauty school in war-torn Afghanistan. Her strength of character and ability to persevere under the most adverse conditions is truly amazing. I read this a couple months ago, but have holding onto this this for a bookring or special themed book box.

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Requested & sent to Jneni for loveamystery's Two Worlds Virtual Bookbox - enjoy!

Thank you for sending this and the other book to me taaza~! :) Got in the mail today! Woot!

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Finally! This book is on its way to Lynn! I hope you'll enjoy reading this as much as the rest :-)