Coming August 15, 2025: Harvesting Rosewater:

As chief of OBGYN at Mount Sinai, Farah Afshar is struggling with the demands of her job while adjusting to her newly divorced and empty-nester status. When the pretext of improper hijab leads to the arrest and death of Mahsa Amini, a global awareness of women’s fight for freedom in Iran ensues, and Farah’s children develop a sudden interest in their mother’s birth country. Their questions about her past living through the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war demand answers that threaten to reveal secrets Farah has held onto for forty years. Farah’s life begins to unravel as the heightened momentum of the Women, Life, Freedom movement coincides with an impending malpractice lawsuit at work. Will taking a leave of absence to escape to wine country for a period of solitude and self-discovery be the answer, or is her only hope for piecing her life back together by sharing her truth with everyone.

Harvesting Rosewater is the engaging and informative own voice women’s fiction genre mashup perfect for any book club discussion.

Found in Transition: A Mother’s Evolution During her Child’s Gender Change

My memoir is about my journey as a mother while my daughter transitioned from male to female. The book weaves my story of growing up as an immigrant and outsider into my daughter’s story.

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Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” My memoir is the parent perspective book I needed to read when my daughter came out, yet I couldn’t find. But this is not just a memoir about a pediatrician mother and her transitioning teen. It covers universal topics such as identity, belonging, self-discovery, unconditional love, family, and growth. It is the story of a modern American family.

Praise for Found in Transition:

“A beautiful, honest, utterly engaging story of a mother’s love. It will inspire your heart and stay with you for a long time,” Tembi Locke, New York Times best-selling author of From Scratch.

“In this engrossing and sometimes heart-wrenching account, pediatrician Hassouri describes Ava’s…transition from male to female with approachable, empathetic language that bridges gaps in understanding about the transition process. The author’s unflinching honesty about her initial ignorance regarding trans issues is refreshing, and her unwavering adherence to truth makes the story both compelling and edifying…a moving and relatable story of love and heartache. A unique parenting story that has plenty to say about families in general,” Kirkus Reviews.

“Found in Transition is a narrative of hope for anyone who has ever navigated identity. Hassouri lays bare her own struggles, ultimately demonstrating the idea of family as a verb, proving such stories are vital to this cultural moment, and that love indeed endures,” Shawna Kenney, author and writing instructor, UCLA Extension Writers Program.

“Found in Transition is simply beautiful. Heart-opening and mind-expanding. Paria invites us on her journey from resistance to acceptance of her daughter Ava’s trans identity, and in doing so reminds us that spiritual growth takes commitment and work, and that to love and accept one another as we are is the greatest gift we can give each other,” Scott Stabile, author of Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart.

“A brave, bare, humble, and honest portrayal of a mother coming to understand her child’s experience. This much-needed book gives voice to the common journey of bewildered parents trying to do right by their child, especially those supporting adolescents with gender dysphoria—disbelief, anxiety, protectiveness, uncertainty, and love, love, love. Found in Transition is also a great resource for medical professionals to understand the real experience of families with transgender teens,” Amy Weimer, MD, Medical Director, UCLA Gender Health Program.

“I really can’t imagine a better book not only to help parents going through similar struggles, but also, truly, to help us all rethink the expectations we impose on our kids from the day they are born. Paria Hassouri, blindsided and fearful at first, shows us what it looks like to find acceptance and grace, and how transformative and uplifting that awakening can be if we are open to it,” Hilary Liftin, author, Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper.

“In this open, honest, and relatable memoire, Paria Hassouri invites the reader on a journey through the initial resistance and eventual embrace of her child’s gender transition. Found in Transition speaks to the power of parental love and trusting our children to grow into the people they know themselves to be,” Abigail C. Saguy, UCLA professor of sociology and author of Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are.

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My publisher for my memoir is New World Library, and publicity inquiries should be directed to Kim Corbin, their senior publicist.

My literary agent for my memoir is Jill Marsal at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.