On Sunday afternoon, I had the enormous pleasure to meet and listen to an incredible author whom I had previously only known through the pages of her book. Deborah Scroggins, the winner of Georgia Author of the Year for her book, Emma’s War, is in town for her new book, Wanted Women – Faith, Lies, and the War on Terror: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui.

I am lucky enough that we have a mutual friend, Danica Kombol, who was hosting a small event at her home. When I received the invitation last week, I immediately rush-ordered Wanted Women from Barnes and Noble. Though I have not yet had a chance to finish reading it, here’s what I’ve loved about the book so far: it’s an intimate look at the lives of two women through the eyes of a female journalist, and this was a chance to hear Deborah speak about her experiences researching these two polarizing figures.

Deborah Scroggins is a name you should know if you are a reader of contemporary nonfiction and stories of compelling women. She has won six national journalism awards for her reporting from Sudan and the Middle East. She is a former correspondent for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and has published articles in Granta, The Independent, Vogue, and Glamour. Plus, she’s an Atlanta native.

Wanted Women is a riveting look at militant Islam, Muslim women’s rights, and the war on terror—brought into focus through two lives on opposite sides: activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali and religious extremist Aafia Siddiqui. The book has met with rave reviews in publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Economist. Scroggins’ tales of her experiences in Pakistan and The Netherlands while researching the book are fascinating and the information she uncovered makes for a can’t-put-it-down-read.

You have two chances to hear Deborah Scroggins speak about her book Wanted Women this week in Atlanta. See below for details on her two public appearances on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 and Thursday, February 23, 2012.  Don’t miss this great opportunity to hear Deborah Scroggins speak and get your copy of Wanted Women.

WHERE: Deborah Scroggins Book Events in Atlanta

Thursday, February 23, 2012
Georgia Center for the Book/DeKalb County Public Library - 215 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA
7:15 PM - free – open to the public

Thursday, February 23, 2012
Emory University – Cox Hall Ballroom, 3rd Floor, Atlanta, GA
5:30 PM - free – open to the public