Join us Tuesday, February 13th at 5:30pm for a book conversation with Nazik Adam, author of "Mint and Melancholy," and Rose Heithoff.
Snacks and warm mint tea will be provided!
About the book:
“Tonight, the stars, moon, and wind caught my attention. Long after I was done cleaning, I stood in the middle of the kitchen just watching the stars. Adam and my parents said they were unimpressive compared to the ones in Sudan, which fascinated me. The light flooding from the building outside competed with them, but if I focused hard enough, I could make the stars shine brighter than all the other lights.” Siblings Adam and Amanii act as if they are strangers to each other, so when they find themselves away from their Maine home and in a rural village in Sudan, they are surprised by what they learn about each other.
In Mint and Melancholy, Nazik Adam pairs scenic prose with her own life’s experiences to create a fictional story that explores family dynamics in the face of differing cultures, generational trauma, and the relationship between brother and sister.
Praise for Mint and Melancholy:
“Nazik Adam writes fiction like the poet she is. Each sentence about Amanii and her family pulls us deeper into the lives of this Sudanese American family. Amanii’s quest to understand her big brother, Adam, is emblematic of a deeper search: How much does one’s origin story foretell about the future and what is the true meaning of home?” – Charlotte Agell, author of Shift
“Mint and Melancholy is eloquent and engaging, with dialogue immersed in each short story. Nazik’s writing allows for a beautiful connection to be woven in her stories — one that’s instantly recognized through the eyes of young Muslim girls.” –Lerman Waiss, author of Astur Unveiled
Nazik Adam is a graduate from Deering High School and a Telling Room alum. Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Nazik likes to write poetry about Sudan. In her first debut short novel, she uses her poetic style to construct this intimate story in vignettes about a Sudanese family living in Portland, Maine.
Rose Heithoff grew up in New Jersey and she’s not sorry about it! She is an enthusiastic reader, an enthusastic supporter and volunteer for the Telling Room, and the former Event Coordinator and General Manager at Back Cove Books. Favorite activity? Crossing the street to say hello to a dog.