Blog

Persian New Year and Passover celebrations

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Angella

This past Saturday was the first day of spring, which coincides with the Persian New Year. Parties and family festivities took place to celebrate the arrival of the new year. And as Persian Jews, we are now getting ready for Passover the following week. Joan Nathan just wrote an article about my family, our traditional Sabbath evenings, and how we celebrate Passover. Some great recipes that have been passed down through generations have also been included. Here is the link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/dining/24passover.html

Whether Jewish or not, we all feel that the newness of spring bring with a host of possibilities at our doorstep. So, I hope that this year brings much abundance and joy into everyone’s life.

High Atop the Eifel Tower in Paris

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Angella

This week’s adventures took my husband and me to Paris. We were at the famous Maxim’s Restaurant for the book signing of Pierre Cardin only 3 hours after we landed in this beautiful city. Needless to say, our week was full of wonderful experiences. Although we had been to Paris on numerous occasions, we had never done the most touristic excursion, which is going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The day was clear and I shot many beautiful panoramic scenes of the city.

We managed to see 2 blockbuster exhibitions, one a retrospective of YSL at the Petit Palais and the Lucien Freud Exhibit at the Centre Georges Pompidou. (I hope to write about it in an article in the Huffington Post)

I also wanted to see the “Living Wall” installation of the exterior of the Musee du quai Branly that was designed and planted by Gilles Clement and Patrik Blanc. To think that the entire facade of the building is planted material!

Of course, my favorite pastime between seeing art and roaming through the streets of Saint Germain des Pres and Le Maire is my hunt for the best hot chocolate. (Laduree took the prize!)

David and I also had the great fortune of being invited to the American Ambassador’s residence for a music recital. This residence really is magnificent, but it is Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador Rivkin that truly shine. They are both warm, intelligent, and engaging–we should only be so proud to them represent our country in France.

Here are some pictures of our 4 day get away! And yes, I spotted my book in the Assouline Store in St. Germain. It was such a great feeling.

The Glamorous Life of a Writer

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Angella

Just last week, I was with a friend who was walking down a busy street in Los Angeles with her roll away carry-on luggage to catch a ride with me. Needless to say, we got many stares and I was secretly thankful that it was not me looking so awkward walking in the streets (although being next to her did not help either).

Who would have known that the following week, I would stroll right into a Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store in the plush Ball Harbor Mall with a carry-on luggage. I tried to keep my cool but I was in a rush to find a bathroom so that I could change, put on my make up, recharge my dead black berry, and get ready for my book signing and the grand opening of Books & Books.

My flight from Los Angeles to Miami was a bit delayed and to make matters worse, I found out that my hotel was in the opposite direction and very far from my book event that evening. So, I had no choice, I drove straight to the mall– and did I tell you that I had never been to Miami either?

I found Saks at one end of the mall and went straight into the bathroom and opened my luggage….changed my clothes in the cramped space, recharged my blackberry batteries for 15 minutes, and put on make up and did my hair in the public space. A very friendly woman helped zip up my dress. Voila! I was done, as horrifying and funny experience. At least this story has a nice ending. Ausbert de Acre from Assouline Publishers greeted me at the bookstore and said, “Angella, you look marvelous.” Oh….the book signing was a success!

My adventures in the month of February

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Angella

I wanted to update everyone and tell you how amazing the IMPACT event in Portland was. The organizers of the event could not have been more gracious and welcoming and the ladies and the stories I heard at the event were so inspirational. What is also so wonderful is that this event raised more funds than last year’s, in spite of the economy. As I look back on my experiences, what I value the most is the fact that I get to meet so many interesting people–it is as if I am enlarging my circle of friends. I will be posting some pictures of that night on my web site shortly.

This coming week will take me to the East Coast– thankfully to where the weather is warm and sunny! I will be doing a book signing at Books & Books in Bal Harbor and on Saturday morning I will be speaking at the Aventura Turnberry Synagogue. I have a chance to catch up with some friends too. A short stay for sure, but it should be lots of fun.

Note from Angella

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Angella

I am most excited about my upcoming trip to Portland where I will be speaking to a sold-out event for the Women’s philanthropy division of the Jewish Federation. To think that 400 of my books have already been sold before the event is quite unbelievable to me. The theme of this event centers on people’s stories and how it impacts our lives.

While I was thinking of some points to share at the upcoming Feb. 8th event, it struck me–my maiden name is Maddahi. In Persian, the word Maddahi means one who tells stories. So, it seems that perhaps I was destined to tell stories!

I will certainly update you on my month-long series of experiences and events.

Literary Affairs and LACMA

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Angella

I always knew that I liked organizations whose names started with a letter “L”. But I didn’t know that I would start the year off with a double “L” bing bang! Julie Robinson,

the founder of Literary Affairs, is what I call a celebrity in the Southern California Literary Scene. She runs 30 book clubs per month as well as organizes field trips and behind the scenes experiences for her readers to fully immerse them with the topics of the books. On January 8^th, Literary Affairs organized an all-around stimulating and beautiful event at one of my favorite cultural organizations—LACMA.

As she had chosen my book, Life as a Visitor, to be showcased for her book club, she decided to give her readers and added layer of Persian experience. As luck would have it, LACMA was holding an exhibition of two very rare and spectacular Persian carpets. Both Carpets date back to the first half of the 16^th century and have been rarely exhibited to the public because of its size and sensitivity to light.

Guests toured the exhibit and saw sections of the Islamic Arts Section of the museum as well. And after the tour, Julie had an hour interview with me, where we engaged in a wonderful dialogue about my book, the Iranian culture and community. The day was closed by a Persian Style lunch, that was co-hosted by Julie, and three of my dear friends, who are also members of her book club. Thank you Julie, Pamela, Beth, and Alison.

It was a day to be remembered.

Here is a photo of me and my co-hosts along with the President of LACMA, Michael Govan. And one of Julie and me.

Elie Wiesel, the Queen and I — a surreal night

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Angella

A friend told me over lunch yesterday, “You should just write a book about all that is happening at the book signing!” Her comment is quite on target….I have had the most wonderful and surreal experiences at my book events.

Just this week my book tour took me to New York, where good friends Nazee and Joe Moinian hosted a fabulous and elegant cocktail party at the Plaza Hotel. One Hundred and fifty friends, family, and colleagues came to the signing, which was a huge success.

There were two people whom I have always admired, attended and supported the event.

Her Majesty, Queen Farah Pahlavi and her daughter-in-law, Yasmine attended this event. Her Majesty had the kindest words to say about the book and the role of Iranian artists in the Persian culture, especially in the diaspora. This event was surely not about politics, as my book is not about politics either. Her Majesty’s presence had the added significance since as a child I have always regarded her as a symbol of a modern Iranian woman—one who is intelligent, articulate, and concerned for the larger community. I also know of her great passion for art, which inspires me to this day. As she put it in her eloquent way, “People who show the good face of Iranians, who elevate us, are the jewel of the country”. I was touched and humbled that she included me in that group.

Elie Wiesel, the Noble Laureate and Holocaust survivor has always been a hero to me. His life and his message surpass the limits of race or religion. He speaks out against violence, repression, and racism all over the world and always stresses the dangers of society’s indifference in relation to such matters. How amazed I was to have him attend the NY book signing. Again, another “pinch-me” kind of moments where I felt so truly lucky to talk to him finally.

…..And the list of my many wonderful experiences continues.

Sidney Poitier and The Beverly Hills Library Event

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Angella

Sidney Poitier and Angella Nazarian The highlight of the series of book events I had this week was being introduced by Oscar winning actor, Sidney Poitier, at the Beverly Hills Public Library. What I have always admired in him was that early in his career he took pride in portraying his community in a way that brought a sense of dignity and pride and shaped a new vocabulary for generations to come. He is a true trail blazer to me.

In his speech in front of some 280 people, he talked about the human diversity seen on our planet and our commonalities within that diversity:

“We all sprang from different places—different cultures, languages, habit patterns—different religions—different—continents. We are all different in multiple ways, yet we are ONE family—one species—all sharing one home—planet earth.”

He was gracious as always and shared the kindest words about my book and poetry. I was touched by the fact that he viewed me as “the quintessential example of a gobal citizen”. There is no higher compliment given by such an esteemed human being. I hope I live up to it. Certainly the message of Life as a Visitor is just this: we are all different, yet we have so much in common, and bonds with others are forged when we connect on our deepest and most genuine level.

Becoming the #1 Best Seller at Book Soup

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Angella

These past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of activity and book signings for me. I can’t even begin to express my general sense of gratitude for my group of close-knit friends and family that organized so many successful book events for me. They have made the process of showcasing the book so rewarding. My experience now shows that your biggest publicists and advocates are your friends and family. In the first week of my book launch, I managed to sell 1100 books through Book Soup bookstore, placing me on their #1 Best Seller List in my category. The most touching part of this is that again, my close family and friends are right there cheering me along.

Book Soup Best Seller List

My book signing at the Beverly Hills Public Library

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Angella

The next two weeks will be action packed for me. It starts with my book launch on October 4th and keeps going, with it culminating with my reading and book signing at the Beverly Hills Public Library on October 18th at 3:00pm. It is a surreal experience because when I was in middle school and high school, I spent so much of my time at the public library in Beverly Hills. Here I am 25 years later talking about my experiences growing up in the city. It is also an incredibly exciting time for me since I get to share the stage with one of my childhood idles, Mr. Sidney Poitier. Please take the time to look through the following publications that list in greater detail, the program for that day. The Los Angeles Times Calendar, Metromix Los Angelels, LA weekly, Iranian Information & Connection Center, Kodoom, and The Jewish Journal have all have my event posted in their calendars. Hope to see you at one of my events.

http://www.calendarlive.com/books

http://www.laweekly.com/events

http://losangeles.metromix.com/search/results?keywords=Book+signing

http://www.thisisbrandx.com/books

http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks

http://www.jewishjournal.com/community_calendar

http://www.lacitybeat.com/

http://events.kodoom.com

http://www.iranianhotline.com