The Lip Reader

“The Lip Reader,” winner of the 2022 Next Generation Book Awards for most inspirational novel, unlocks a mesmerizing journey of resilience, love, and determination. As a young child, Zhila Shirazi loses her hearing to meningitis. But adversity doesn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams. From Tehran to Los Angeles, Zhila’s journey unfolds, revealing her courage, intelligence, and unwavering spirit.

In 1985, disgusted with the treatment of Jews by the new Islamic government, Zhila immigrates to the United States. Her goal? To receive a cochlear implant and improve her hearing. But it isn’t until she meets her soulmate, Mickey Daniels, that she truly feels her life is complete. Together, they face love, loss, and an aggressive form of cancer.
 

“The Lip Reader” is a gripping true-life story which captures Zhila’s voice authentically as a first-person narrator. Michael Thal’s writing immerses readers in Zhila’s world, celebrating her triumphs and touching our hearts.