Azar Nafisi, Auditorium Speaker at 2014 ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO — Azar Nafisi, award-winning, critically acclaimed author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” the long-running New York Times bestseller published around the world in 32 languages, will offer insights into her work, including her engagement in promoting literacy and reading books of universal literary value, when she appears as an Auditorium Speaker at 2014 ALA Annual Conference from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28.

Described as a master of modern memoir, Nafisi returns in her latest book, “Things I’ve Been Silent About,” to Iran and her childhood. The book is a personal reflection on women’s choices, a portrait of a woman, a family and a troubled homeland, her exploration of a young girl’s pain over family secrets and a mother’s lost life, a young woman’s discovery of the power of sensuality in literature and the price a family pays for freedom in a country beset by political upheaval. Attendees will also learn more about her forthcoming book, “The Republic of Imagination: A Portrait of America in Three Books” (Viking, October 2014).

“Reading Lolita in Tehran” received many awards, including the Nonfiction Book of the Year Award from Booksense, and was a finalist for the 2004 PEN/Martha Albrand Award for Memoir. Nafisi has lectured and written extensively on the political implications of literature and culture, as well as on the important role Iranian women and girls continue to play in calling for change and pluralism in Iran. 

Nafisi’s appearance is sponsored by Viking.

ALA Annual Conference—Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves

Early Bird rates are available through March 3, 2014.

Making your case to attend resources.

Ways to stay in touch and get updates and ongoing information include the Annual Conference Website; Twitter @alaannual and #alaac14; Facebook; Pinterest; Google +; and Tumblr