This feels a bit odd, saying hello and welcome to people I’ve never met before. It reminds me of when I’m traveling. I never feel more American than when I am traveling in another country. One of the ways I express that is by saying “hi” and smiling really widely at strangers—typical break-the-ice American behavior. It’s really fun to gauge and assess the reaction of other people when you smile and say hello. Americans always say hi back. Others—sometimes not so much. I’ve had people cringe back as if they thought I was crazy. Others just keep on walking—well, maybe they quicken their pace a bit. On one vacation at a resort peopled by a lot of Italians, no one answered me back. Day after day, I tried. No one even smiled. Not until I changed tactics and said, “Buongiorno!” That got them going! A flood of friendly Italian followed. Through sign language and a lot of nodding and smiling, I made a lot of friends. On another vacation in Malaysia, which seems to be a honeymoon favorite for young couples from Arab countries, I was dismayed to see how many of the young brides’ faces were fully veiled. How was I going to gauge their reaction from behind a veil? It didn’t stop me. I still kept smiling and saying hello. And you know what? I could see by the way the young women’s eyes crinkled—they smiled back! So—even when it feels awkward, I’m all for smiling and saying hello to strangers.
I am so very excited and honored to be a part of B&N’s New Reads Book Club. One of the most gratifying and thrilling experiences I have had along the journey from writing to publication has been communicating with readers. Suddenly, I realize that all the characters I lived with for so long in my head are no longer just mine. They have become a part of a community of readers—strangers—with whom I feel a new bond of friendship.
I look forward to answering questions, joining in what I hope will be lively and honest conversation, and making friends with readers who have connected at some level with characters that came to life at my keyboard.
So—hello everyone!!! (My smile is so wide, my cheeks are getting a workout!)
Peace and love,
Nafisa
