The Iraqi blog called Baghdad Burning by Riverbend, an anonymous Iraqi woman, is up or the $52,000 Samuel Johnson Literary prize. The blog, which chronicles three years of war and occupation, documents the impact of the war on the lives of ordinary people.

An anonymous Iraqi woman nominated as a contender for a literary award for her blog of the Iraq war and its impact on ordinary Iraqis. Up against 18 other books out of 168 entries.
Using the internet as her outlet, the Iraqi author, who says she is in her late twenties, chronicles her anger and fear during “three years of occupation and bloodshed” in Baghdad. She also calls for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

Spring should be about renewal and rebirth. For Iraqis, spring has been about reliving painful memories and preparing for future disasters. In many ways, this year is like 2003 prior to the war when we were stocking up on fuel, water … We’re doing it again this year but now we don’t discuss what we’re stocking up for. Bombs and B-52s are so much easier to face than other possibilities”

Excerpt from Baghdad Burning
… I’ll meet you ’round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend…

Riverbend began the blog on 17 August 2003. She wrote: “I’m female, Iraqi and 24. I survived the war. That’s all you need to know. It’s all that matters these days anyway.”
She said she worked as a computer programmer before the invasion but then lost her job because it became too dangerous for women to travel to and from their workplace alone in an increasingly lawless society. Small literary publisher Marion Boyars bought Baghdad Burning last year, classifying it under the genre of biography and memoir. The publishing house has said it knows Riverbend’s identity but respects her wish to remain anonymous.
One of the articles, And the oscar goes to (posted 6th March, 2006) is not intended to be funny. You can feel the air of bitter sarcasm and disappointment. I respect you and admire you, Riverbend!
It amazes me how this happened. I urge my the readers to actually go through Baghdad Burning. Apart from the literary genius the author is, she leaves me awestruck with her simplicity and sincerity. I am moved. Deep. The scene of US in Iraq is way more than what the media emotes. Every article strikes you. Strikes you hard.