Coffee Time

This is one of those images that has 'taken-up-far-too-much-time'!

I finished reading a book this afternoon which relates to the subject (more in a moment) but also wanted to combine the Book Review with two other challenges - 1001 Blips - Thoughtful Thursday'and September Technical Challenge. So I have two cups of coffee of very different sizes (Forced Perspective) with soft focus and a bit of radial zoom (post production effect) as well as high key!!!! Maybe too much for the one 'bite'?

The book I have now finished reading is 'the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul' by Deborah Rodriguez, and focuses on five very different women whose differing circumstances throw them together. There is quite a lot about the treatment of women in Afghanistan, some of which is almost unbelievable, as well as attitudes. The author knows her subject well having lived and worked in the area and brings together the strands of the story with a good style.

The characters of the women are contrasting but all have a mystery in their pasts. the Coffee Shop becomes a meeting place and the hub of the novel. If I have a criticism it's that the ending was a bit too gentle for such a difficult country. It would be an excellent Book Group novel but I must be honest and say I feel it is not really a 'chaps' book. There are reading notes to help discussions and a few recipes if you feel moved to host a 'themed' session.

The thought for 'Thoughtful Thursday' is from Eleanor Roosevelt and quoted in the first few pages of the book:
Women are like tea-bags; you never know how strong they are until they're put into hot water.[/b]
I don't see why the same principle doesn't apply to men too!