Recommended Non-Fiction Read - Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
My Kindle was starting to feel neglected after 5 months of dark solitude and neglect, so I, loving parent that I am, whipped it out this week for a quick spin around the block. By “quick spin” I really mean three ridiculously long, delayed, packed-tight-as-sardines commuting days aboard the train (SF Muni, you absolutely slay me with your dizzying speed). And by “around the block” I really mean around the devastated blocks of New Orleans circa August 2005 (figuratively speaking, of course). Readers, let me introduce you to Zeitoun (pronounced “Zay-toon”), a fascinating and painfully heartbreaking true story of one Syrian-American man’s experience living through Hurricane Katrina, and my personal #1 recommended non-fiction read of 1H2011.
Zeitoun first caught my eye when it was voted as San Francisco’s “One City One Book 2010” selection for Sep/Oct 2010, and boy was it a good one. Written by Dave Eggers, co-founder of the literacy organization, 826 Valencia, Zeitoun is entirely-absorbing, captivating, terrifying, moving and a recommended-read for everyone — and I mean EVERYONE. Besides tearing up on the train at least a handful of times while reading the book, I personally was so touched by the story that I went on to donate money to The Zeitoun Foundation, which is dedicated to “the continued rebuilding and social advancement of New Orleans and to promote understanding between people of disparate faiths around the world.”
5 out of 5 stars from me. If you’re still not entirely sold, check out an excerpt from the book from the Zeitoun Foundation’s website.
