The Earth Is Round

The Earth Is Round

Zohreh Ghahremani

We hear “It’s a small world” all the time, but I prefer my old Persian expression that says, “The Earth is round, we never know when we’ll meet again!” Maybe what I enjoy is its optimism, or the indication to an active world rather than one that’s shrinking in size. I recently came to experience this dynamic wave and realized how truly connected people are.

Years ago, I read Digging to America by Ann Tyler and wrote a review on it for The Iranian. Months later, I received a sweet letter from two ladies in New Jersey. Prior to conducting a book club session regarding the above book, they had decided that since parts of the novel involved Iranian characters and culture, they should look up a review by an Iranian writer and, as luck would have it, found my article. Their flattering remarks complimented me on my review and in the end they expressed interest to read more of my work and to be notified about my upcoming novel. We exchanged pleasantries and I promised to be in touch.

Four years went by and I became so absorbed in my work that I lost track. Two weeks into the launch of my novel, I received another e-mail from one of those ladies. I was deeply touched to learn that she had followed my articles and now wanted me to provide copies of my new novel for a NY bookstore, where she now worked. A year has gone by and I still can’t put a face to her name, but in my mind, she has earned an angelic image.

To date, The Blue Door Books in Cedarhurst NY has single handedly sold more copies of my Sky of Red Poppies than any other vendor - excluding Amazon, not to mention arranging several book club discussions by phone. I wouldn’t be surprised if by now the people in Cedarhurst know me better than San Diegans do! This is no longer just business because such connections convince me that I’m on the right path and generate the energy I need to go on.

So, if you happen to pass through Cedarhurst NY, stop by The Blue Door Books and visit the people who don’t just provide books, but deeply care about their clients. Good recommendations are why we all became readers and receiving such care is what makes independent bookstores irreplaceable.