I Accidentally Lied on Radio...

I get the email a few days before Thursday, I’m invited to be on the radio show, Closer Look with Rose Scott. My schedule is thankfully open and I say yes (thank you to my local indie bookstore Charis Books for recommending me!)

The host Rose Scott is organized, gracious, and funny. The topic is on improving early literacy rates in Georgia. Rose asks us to talk about our books and since it’s Ramadan, I choose Lailah’s Lunchbox, my Ramadan book. I worry a little bit when the knowledgeable pediatrician she asks questions to has pages of printed facts about literacy and answers with poise and big words. I wonder what questions I will get asked when it’s my turn. We are told that Rose is conversational and to have fun!

That morning before going on radio, I peek at my face which is sleep deprived from waking up in Ramadan for suhoor and am grateful for eye makeup concealer. Reader, when I zip open my makeup bag, there is no concealer left, not a drop1. My husband kindly reminds me I’m going to be on the radio not television. I ignore him and manage to find an old cakey concealer, which takes me a lot longer to blend in, but I’m finally ready and off on my way to the coffee shop where the recording is happening.

I get to read a page from my book, and I choose to read the poem in which Lailah writes to her teacher from the safe haven of her library.

I’m sitting the closest to Rose, and twice she has to push the microphone a smidge closer to me to project my voice. No biggie. I’ve had a cold recently, and with Ramadan my throat was a little dryer, but, but, but I am on the radio. Live! with Rose Scott! I’m having fun!

Rose asks how the response to the book has been, and I say, something like Great! I get selfies every day from readers with Lailah’s Lunchbox, especially every day in Ramadan.

Reader, this is a lie.

I DO NOT get selfies EVERY DAY. I get occasional pictures of happy children and parents and educators in Ramadan holding up my book proudly. But not EVERY DAY.

I listened to the replay2 (I’m near the last 20 minutes in-between some other awesome authors!), and when I heard my audio, I couldn’t help chuckling imagining my lovely little email inbox clogging with a daily selfie of someone holding my book! Oof. In case you want to hear it, here it is.

I will call it good old Ramadan brain.

Ramadan Mubarak3 for all those who celebrate!