Back in my younger days, my siblings criticized me for always wanting to have the last word. But they were wrong. To have the

  The guests will be here in a matter of hours and I’m only halfway done with dinner. Sweet aroma of basmati rice, sautéed onions,

  Halfway through writing an article, which is to appear on the next issue of Persian Book Review, I came across a rather unfair criticism

  Attending a writer’s conference, I call front desk and ask for a different room with two beds because my daughter will also be there.

  Watching the World Cup games, I am reminded of the true definition of an old Persian proverb, “sitting ringside and shouting, ‘knock him out!’”

  Our great cultural heritage may be what we’re all about, but despite its many good qualities, there are also aspects that diminish our ability

  Ask any mouse and he may tell you he would willingly give his right ear — or both — to be an American citizen.

  The recent world events have introduced a new wave of books about Iranians and in fact, there has been more written about Iran during

  No matter how big or small our homes may be, I am convinced that there is a gardener inside each Iranian. We are in

  One only needs to socialize a few hours with us Iranians to realize that a good laughter is at the core of our lives.

  When I was invited to attend my best friend’s surprise birthday party in another city, I thought why not? I hadn’t seen her for

  Dear Mina: I read your letter to Iranian.com [See Mina Hakim-Bastanian's: “Sad & shameful”] and even though I have tried to refrain from further

  What would you call it if one chose to work hard, absorb much abuse, grow old at a young age, be disconnected from the

  Every year, I promise to be more organized with my Norooz preparations for the following year; and every year as the vernal equinox approaches,

  My friend called to tell me of a new book about Iran, written by someone I had briefly met in Chicago. With nostalgia now

  I pick up a magazine and there it is again, the Islamic cartoons by some idiot in Denmark hits me in the face, telling

  For months, friends and family had sent me messages not to miss this performance. Having grown-up in a society that told me politics were

  Just and I feel as if thirty years have just been taken off me. Here is that snow covered alley with no sign of

Last Saturday, a good friend invited us to attend the performance of Hadi Khorsandi. Those who had seen his other programs said he was at

Here is a piece I had written a while back and now wish to dedicate it this Thanksgiving to and all the good grandmothers who

Serious thoughts must have gone into the selection of a Persian word that has enough power to unload a ton of weight on one’s heart.

Recently, as more bad news arrives from around the world, I wonder when enough is considered enough. As if the recent wars weren’t enough, the

She paces the thirty feet available to her in the back of her daughter’s house and smiles at the remembrance of her first reaction to

It took us a long time to obtain a visa and go back to London. All those years, I thought I missed it, but now

Enjoying a peaceful last quarter of my life, it now takes a lot to make me angry. Having graduated from London University and familiar with