Mark your calendars...

Hurrah! Not one of my usual news sources, this, but I have it on pretty good authority that Ms. Marjane Satrapi will be making her first-ever public visit to the UK in October, as part of this year's COMICA festival. Speaking at the ICA (exact date and time still to be confirmed), her talk will be timed to coincide with the English-language release of her latest book, Chicken with Plums. I highly recommend all of Satrapi's books. Iranian or not, it's such a joy and a departure from the norm to read about contemporary Iran in a way that actually makes you smile, even laugh, that they are well worth a look. Plus, for those of us who don't speak Farsi, it's probably the easiest and most pain-free way around to gain some insight into the lives of ordinary Iranian women.

And in case you were wondering, chicken with plums (prunes, really) is an absolutely delicious dish. :)