Weve all been there. You and some guy youre super into go on a double date with your crazy friend and some dude she met on the Internet. Predictably, her e-date wears too much cologne; his shirt is too unbuttoned; and is that foundation on his face? So you three ditch him the instant he goes to the bathroom. It could be just another zany night in Belltown, only it happens in Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran (Random House, $26), the follow-up memoir to Azadeh Moavenis Lipstick Jihad. In 2005, Moaveni returns to the land of her heritage (though not her of birth) as a reporter for Time. The guy she meets is named Arash. No spoilers as to how it turns out, though you can probably guess from the title. As for the danger promised by the subtitle, Islamic hard-liners led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have just won the election when Moaveni arrives, and the economy is falling apart. Soon the authorities are taking down satellite dishes and stopping women in the streets for immodest dress. All the while, journalist Moaveni must check in regularly with the mysterious and possibly sympathetic government agent Mr. X, who finally tells her shes being investigated on charges of undermining the regime. Sometimes, even when you want to, you just cant go home again. (Note that Sat. event is at Third Place Books.) LAURA ONSTOT
Fri., Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., 2009
