Snake Hips

dancersdreamland · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 1:28 pm Post subject: Snake Hips

If you enjoy belly dance, then you'll love the book Snake Hips by Anne Thomas Soffee. Here's a quick description:

"This hilariously uplifting memoir follows an Arab American woman's merry life as the shimmies her way from getting dumped by her tattoo-artists boyfriend to coming to grips with being single, ample, and 30. With her life suddenly sidetracked and her heart broken, Soffee moves back home to Richmand, Virginia, to wallow in self-pity. THere she comes across a flier advertising the usual classes in yoga, vegetarian cooking, ballet, and...belly dancing. Against the wishes of her extended family and friends, she enrolls hoping to heal her heart and reconnect with her Lebanese roots. Her life is never the same after she discovers the riotous world of American belly dancing, a warm and welcoming subculture where younger and thinner are not necessarily b etter. Soffee's ethnic high leads to Princess Jasmine fantatise - i.g. being "third-favorite wife" to sheik she is cyberdating - a perfect relationship until she realizes that being obedient is easier online. Then she falls for a beautiful Lebanese boy-next-door, which leads to more wildly funny adventures. In the end, among the zils (finger cymbals) and thrills of attending classes and performing in moose lodges and county fairs, Soffess is suprised to find happiness and true love along the way."

This books is an absolute MUST READ for belly dancers and fans of this art form. It is hilarious, uplifting, and just an all around good book!

Have you read it? What did you think?

Medira · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

I haven't read it, but I think I'll have to look into it. :)

dancersdreamland · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 12:09 am Post subject:

If you enjoy belly dance, you'll love Snake Hips. Definately look into it!

Mahlisa · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 33 Location: New Jersey

Also, what is considered to be the Bellydancin' Bible, if you will, is the "Serpent of the Nile". It's a great intro to the dance, with a great history and present day-story, kind of everything you need to know in a nutshell. However, it's been so over-quoted by dancers,that now some dancers sometimes do not take it seriously.
With my research on the dance (I actually wrote my college honors thesis on it), I found many things within that book to be leaning towards the truth, and it was very helpful as a source.

dancersdreamland · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject:

Good call. I'll have to check out that book as well. Must go to the book/cd store every soon!

Mahlisa · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 33 Location: New Jersey

I had a couple more books on bellydance I'll have to get the titles and post them on here.

dancersdreamland · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject:

There's a pretty comprehensive list here - http://www.dancersdreamland.com/resources_main.htm