Spanish instructor to read from, sign newly published poetry book

KALAMAZOO—A Western Michigan University Spanish instructor has released an acclaimed, new book of poems that will be featured at a book signing and reading in Kalamazoo next week.

Hedy Habra will sign copies of her poetry collection "Tea In Heliopolis" from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Michigan News Agency, 308 W. Michigan Ave. A reading and question-and-answer session begins at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to her most recent release, Habra is the author of a short story collection, "Flying Carpets," and a book of literary criticism, "Mundos alternos y artísticos en Vargas Llosa."

'Irresistible book'

The poetry collection has garnered enthusiastic reviews from those in the poetry world.

Cubop City Blues calls "Tea in Heliopolis" "an irresistible book, offering poems of exquisite charm and sensibility. Both cinematic and painterly, moving across vast swaths of ancient geography, Habra's work … takes you on a voyage richly textured with Old World Mystery and New World urgency."

Diane Wakowski, author of "Emerald Ice" writes, "The poems of 'Tea in Heliopolis' form the story of a family, sometimes tragic, sometimes searingly beautiful, and always exotic, seen through the eyes of a painter. Moving through life in Egypt, to Beirut, then to America, … the chronicle captures the bravery it takes to remember and yet experience a beauty transcendent to pain. This is a remarkable book of poetry."

Hedy Habra

Habra was born in Egypt and is of Lebanese origin. She has earned a master's degree in English and master's and doctoral degrees in Spanish literature, all from WMU. She has received WMU's All-University Research and Creative Scholar Award and a Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship Award.

Habra writes poetry and fiction in French, Spanish and English and has published more than 150 poems and short stories in numerous journals and anthologies.

The book is for sale online at amazon.com and locally at Kazoo Books, 2413 Parkview Ave. and 407 N. Clarendon St.

For more information on Habra and her work, visit hedyhabra.com.