From Publishers Weekly:
"Joining the current rage for model memoirs is Dirie, a native of Somalia, who has for more than a decade stalked the world's catwalks and appeared in numerous glossy magazines. This, however, is no fluff-job dictated into a tape recorder on transatlantic flights, then recomposed by a hired gun back in New York. Rather, it is a striking account of a personal odyssey that began in the Somali desert, where Dirie grew up without shoes, living amid nomadic tribes and tyrannized by patriarchal strictures. As a pubescent girl, Dirie was circumcised, a procedure described here in chilling detail, before escaping an arranged marriage to stay with an aunt in Mogadishu. Landing a job as a house servant in London, Dirie struggled to launch a modeling career while dodging British immigration authorities and the dreadful results of marriages of convenience. At the end of this affecting and at times very entertaining book, Dirie's metamorphosis from desert nomad into jetsetting nomad culminates in a post as a human rights ambassador to the UN, where, these days, Dirie campaigns for the eradication of female circumcision and for women's rights around the globe. It's easy to forget that Dirie's memoir is a book about someone whose success has come from posing for the camera. Indeed, it is Dirie's remarkable lack of narcissism or entitlement that makes her so captivating a raconteur."

Accompanying a relay book on a journey to leeny37.

Yikes! I received this book ages ago and I was so sure I had put in a journal entry for it, so I'm not sure how it slipped past me! Apologies for the delay, it's safe here in my hands! Thanks crimson-tide for this extra book and I'm so sorry that I didn't journal it earlier.

RELEASE NOTES:

I will be releasing this at tomorrow's Melbourne meet-up in Prahran Hotel.

Picked up at last night's meet-up. Will be added to my ever growing tbr pile, and will most probably accompany me on my journey to Thailand in two weeks.

Really enjoyed this, though it was a bit of a contradiction, being both uplifting and devastating all at once. Waris' outlook on life is certainly positive, but what she had to go through is heart-breaking, and I can't imagine surviving in the world she grew up in. Her appreciation of the simple things in life is something we could all benefit from.

RELEASE NOTES:

Off to Makita21 today

the book made its way back to not far from where it originated :), received today, cheers

inspirational read, up for relay again :)

Thanks so much for sending! I can't wait to read it! Looks very good indeed.

I enjoyed this book. I really enjoy reading about the African culture because the women are so strong and lead simple lives that I can't imagine getting used to. This book was an easy read for me, especially since I also love reading Alexander McCall Smiths' "Ladies' Detective" mystery series. Reading about cases such as Dirie's are really inspiring when the going is tough in my American lifestyle. I try not to worry when I can't afford to pay bills during specific hard times because I am alive and well. As long as I have a roof over my head and food to eat, I always have a lot to be thankful for. Great book!

RELEASE NOTES:

Great book. I hope to read her follow-ups.

Found this at a local library book sale. Can't wait to read it!

Finally got around to reading it. After I started, I couldn't put it down. It's leaving my house on Thursday...safe travels little book!!

I had a hard time picking it up to read. But once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. Makes you appreciate all the things we take for granted.

This is one of those books that makes one think, change and appreciate little things in life. I could not put it down once I started reading it.