Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Daughters of Iraq by Revital Shiri-Horowitz

Welcome to Author Revital Shiri-Horowitz
Bio:

Revital Shiri-Horowitz was born and raised in Israel. As a kid, she wrote poetry and short stories, and wrote in her journal up until she met her husband. She never imagined that one day she’d be a published author in multiple languages, and in so many countries, and even continents.
Revital went on to earn a BA in Hebrew Literature and Geography from Tel Aviv University, an MA in Geography from Haifa University and an MA in Hebrew Literature from Tel Aviv University.
She was an assistant professor of Geography in Haifa and Tel Aviv Universities, and has been an editor for Hebrew-language books.Based in Seattle, Washington, and in Israel, Revital is the mother of four boys, married to Amnon for twenty years, writes poetry, writes a blog in “Haaretz,” an Israeli newspaper, and a blog in English at http://revitalsh.wordpress.com/, a site in English and Hebrew at http://www.revital-sh.com/, and is a member of Goodreads.com and SheWrites.com.
Revital loves hearing from her readers and enjoys giving presentations to readers groups and book clubs and other groups. Revital is working on a second novel.

Interview:

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I actually like where I am now. I would not like to go back, because as a woman I would not be able to have equal rights as I have now, and the future…I am not sure I would like that too, since I am worried about radical Islam taking over. I am afraid it would change the world. I am also worried about nuclear bombs, so I do not see a reason not to just like the present, and always pray things will only change for the best.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
I would meet 5 powerful women who influenced the world, and I would ask them one question: “How did you do it?” Most of them had kids too (I have four sons!) so I would like to learn from them. The women would be: Marie Curie, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Helen Keller and Hilary Clinton.

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
I would bring my family, some books and comfy beds.

What is one book everyone should read?
The Old Testament. It is an important part of human history, the basis of three major world religions.

If you were a superhero what would your name be?
Brave At Heart…

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I would have liked to be brave and never be afraid.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
I love Strawberry ice cream.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?
It would be my uncle, who was a very talented poet, wrote 3 books and died before he published. I edited his second and main book, and was able to publish for him two out of his three books. I would have loved to show him the books and see the look at his face when he held them in his hands.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
We have a special Israeli breakfast with eggs, chopped salad, lots of excellent Israeli cheeses, and wonderful breads. We have those on Saturday mornings.

Night owl, or early bird?
Definitely an early bird. I love waking up before anyone else, and just taking my coffee quietly.

One food you would never eat?
Oh, there is a long list, but mainly many animals that are not Kosher.

Pet Peeves?
Dogs barking in our neighborhood.

Skittles or M&Ms?
Not really sure, do I really have to choose?

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
You'll learn about a culture you've never read about before.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I am working on a second novel, about a woman who left her kids and husband and went to live in a different country. It is about love and friendship, and the love for your country.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I write about things that I think are important to speak about. I really need some philosophical drive to keep me going, some kind of a humanistic mission. So I write.

Links for Revital Shiri-Horowitz:
Blog: http://revitalsh.wordpress.com/
Site: http://www.revital-sh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=559266593
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RevitalHorowitz
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Iraq-Revital-Shiri-Horowitz/dp/0615460798/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daughters-of-iraq-revital-shiri-horowitz/1100445005

ABOUT THE BOOK

Daughters of Iraq is the story of emigration from Iraq to Israel as experienced by two sisters: Violet, whom we learn about through a diary she kept after being diagnosed with a critical illness, and Farida, whose personality unfolds through her relationship with her new surroundings and with herself. And a third character: Noa, Violet’s daughter and a student in her twenties, searching for meaning. Noa embarks on a spiritual quest to the past, so that she can learn how to build her life in the present and the future. While each of the three women is struggling with her own issues, they are all looking for the same thing: happiness. They have a strong sense of family, of their deep roots. They are all inextricably linked to each other. By the book’s end, the author has painted a powerful and moving canvas of the whole family.

Book Giveaway Details:
Please comment below on your favorite holiday dish and enter to win a copy of Daughters of Iraq. In one week, Revital will pick a winner of this book. Available in any ebook format or as a paper copy. Also available in English or in Hebrew. We will ship you a copy anywhere in the world. Be sure there is a way to contact you if you win.

For the Giveaway Grand Prize: Everyone who comments is eligible to win a lovely Mama Nazima's Jewish Iraqi Cuisine (http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Nazimas-Jewish-Iraqi-Cuisine/dp/0781811449/). Revital will pick a lucky winner at the end of November 2011 and can ship anywhere in the world. Good luck!