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The Girl with Seven Names
The Girl with Seven Names | Hyeonseo Lee
An extraordinary insight into life under one of the world s most ruthless and secretive dictatorships and the story of one woman s terrifying struggle to avoid capture/repatriation and guide her family to freedom. As a child growing up in North Korea, Hyeonseo Lee was one of millions trapped by a secretive and brutal communist regime. Her home on the border with China gave her some exposure to the world beyond the confines of the Hermit Kingdom and, as the famine of the 1990s struck, she began to wonder, question and to realise that she had been brainwashed her entire life. Given the repression, poverty and starvation she witnessed surely her country could not be, as she had been told the best on the planet ? Aged seventeen, she decided to escape North Korea. She could not have imagined that it would be twelve years before she was reunited with her family. She could not return, since rumours of her escape were spreading, and she and her family could incur the punishments of the government authorities involving imprisonment, torture, and possible public execution. Hyeonseo instead remained in China and rapidly learned Chinese in an effort to adapt and survive. Twelve years and two lifetimes later, she would return to the North Korean border in a daring mission to spirit her mother and brother to South Korea, on one of the most arduous, costly and dangerous journeys imaginable. This is the unique story not only of Hyeonseo s escape from the darkness into the light, but also of her coming of age, education and the resolve she found to rebuild her life not once, but twice first in China, then in South Korea. Strong, brave and eloquent, this memoir is a triumph of her remarkable spirit."
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perfectsinner
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This is pretty good so far. Heartbreaking, of course

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WriterAtHeart
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Pickpick

What a compelling story about a young woman who inadvertently finds herself to be a defector of North Korea and the fight she must make to keep herself free from a country she no longer wants to be a part of. But she must also think about the family she left behind and the punishment they must endure because of her departure.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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A harrowing memoir of all the complexities of escaping an authoritarian regime for another. And persistently pursuing a more complete defection and freedom. Lee‘s story is well-told and propulsive. Every time I thought she was settled in, there was a gut punch and a “plot twist.” Inspired by her resilience.

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2021 #readingasia2021 #northkorea #notchristmas-ey #rebelreader

Librarybelle This does indeed sound harrowing! 2y
alysonimagines I‘ve read this and can attest it is both harrowing and riveting, just as you described. What the author had to go through was a severe test of her resilience. 2y
BarbaraBB You are steady reading your way through Asia 🤍! 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @BarbaraBB I am … just got Iran, North Korea, and Syria ✔️ off my list! Still super behind and need a break from authoritarian regimes for a bit. 2y
BarbaraBB Haha yes that can get too much 😉 2y
78 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Adventures-of-a-French-Reader
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Pickpick

I've always been intrigued by North Korea. This book is great to discover how people are living there. A great testimony!

Full review on my blog: https://the-literary-adventures-of-a-french-reader.com/blog/the-girl-with-seven-...

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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

Once I started this I couldn‘t put it down. The author paints a detailed, vivid picture of life in #northkorea, how the dictatorship has managed to keep control of the ordinary people for so long, and why those people are so suspicious of the West.

I‘m amazed at how strong the author was to go through all that she did to escape that regime, and also not to return.

#readingasia2021

Caroline2 Sounds great, stacked. 👍 3y
Librarybelle Sounds really good! 3y
Hooked_on_books The book I‘m planning for North Korea is the same idea, written by someone who escaped. When you have a number of books by people talking about escaping from somewhere, you know something‘s very wrong with that place! 3y
squirrelbrain Yes, @Hooked_on_books - I don‘t see many books in praise of North Korea! 3y
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mhillis
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The Girl with Seven Names is so well-written and each chapter leads in to the next so seamlessly that it was hard to stop reading. I never could have imagined all of the reasons for the author‘s name changes or the details of her journey out of North Korea. #ReadingAsia2021 #NorthKorea

BarbaraBB This sounds real good. 3y
Librarybelle Agree with @BarbaraBB …this sounds really good! 3y
mhillis @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB I‘ve had this book for a while—so glad I finally read it! 3y
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Conservio
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Reading this #biography while I wait my 15 minute “recovery” time from the 2nd vaccine for #Covid19. #northkorea

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shivanishinde09
Pickpick

I immensely enjoyed reading this book and was hooked to it from the start. This memoir gives you an insight into the daily lives of North Koreans. It makes you realize that the life we take for granted is such a blessing! The struggle that Hyeonseo & her family go through to reach South Korea and start afresh is awe-inspiring! It is a must-read.

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Kangaj1
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#doublespin @TheAromaofBooks
I was nervous to read this, and while it was hard reading it was such a page-turner. I lived in Seoul as a child and have been to China, so many places and customs mentioned were familiar to me. Highly recommended.

TheAromaofBooks It's always so fun to read a book that connects to places you've visited!! 3y
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Bojo2006
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WOW. This was a fascinating book! It‘s a page-turner as the author describes her experience defecting from North Korea and then helping her family do the same, but it‘s also an eye-opening look at the differences between the cultures of North Korea, South Korea and China. Absolutely worth reading! It‘s a strong statement for the value of all people and the importance of defending human rights.

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Beccacraft
Pickpick

I LOVED this autobiography by Hyeonseo Lee, who tells her story of living in North Korea, her defection, and the many years she is on the run. It is wonderfully written, gripping, horrifying, and exhilarating. I was especially moved because I am about the same age as Hyeonseo and it is truly devastating to compare our childhoods, adolescent years, and adulthoods.

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BookwormM
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#ReadAroundtheWorld #NorthKorea

A really interesting look into one of the most secretive countries in the world.

Intriguing to see how the Kim dynasty came to power and how they maintain that power.

It also shows why the population haven‘t rebelled yet and why they consider the West as enemies.

It is hard for the ordinary people to have an opinion about the outside world when it is kept from them so effectively

squirrelbrain I just tagged this today as I found it on Libby, ready for #readingasia2021. 3y
JanuarieTimewalker13 That photo is stunning!! 3y
BookwormM @JanuarieTimewalker13 thanks I have been snapping autumn foliage on my daily walks will all be over too soon for another year 3y
Freespirit Love those leaves🍃 3y
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Currey
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Pickpick

#readaroundtheworld #northkorea A straightforward but nevertheless compelling story about a young women‘s struggles to make her way to safety after leaving North Korea. The author was not a political refugee but a naive teenager who got caught in a number of bad decisions, not unlike many teenagers. The repercussions, however, of being from an oppressive regime and the treatment of refugees in China and elsewhere turned this into a thriller👇

Currey I learned a great deal about North Korea and about the treatment of refugees worldwide. 3y
BookwormM 👍still waiting for my copy to arrive at the library 3y
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BookwormM
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#ReadAroundtheWorld #NorthKorea

How did it get to be October already?

I have ordered the tagged book from the library for my virtual visit to North Korea what has everyone else chosen?

Currey I have also gotten the tagged book from my library and I thought I might read The Red Queen by Drabble to get some before the division insight into Korean history. It gets horrible reviews however so that will be a “maybe”. 3y
rockpools I‘m ridiculously excited - this‘ll be my first print library reservation since March! I‘m trying this: 3y
BookwormM @rockpools I know what you mean I was so pleased when my library reopened 3y
BookwormM @Currey I think the Drabble is on the 1001 list so I will have to read it at some point 🤣🤣 3y
Currey @rockpools My library has been open all summer for curbside pick up but still I completely understand your excitement. @BookwormM Oh no, now I have to read it even if half of GR gave it one star 3y
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Loveforlit2
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Cortg
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Pickpick

My curiosity about North Korea turned me on to this book. It is the story of a young North Korean who escapes her country then manages to help her brother and mother escape. It was all very interesting! *Since the beaches are closed and it‘s gorgeous, I created my own beach vibes in the back yard this afternoon ⛱

BookmarkTavern Looks perfect! ☀️🌊 (edited) 4y
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la_rose_noire
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Day 5
#7days7books
Seven books that left a deep impression on me and changed me.

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andioop
Pickpick

This is nothing shy of a roller coaster. A story Westerners should know.
Another book after which I can only say: all borders are murder, and refusing refugees asylum is a moral atrocity. F-ck fascism. Etc.
There is so much about this world I do not know.
If you don‘t have time to read the book, watch the TED talk, it is well-revered.

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MelKelsey
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I listened to this book about a woman who defected from North Korea. It's not a story that's been told often. It's important and interesting, but it could have been better written and more engaging.

violabrain This book is amazing! 4y
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RealBooks4ever
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Growing up under a regime that held quick public executions for people denounced by their neighbors, and let people starve in the streets, Lee felt the need to experience the outside world before she became an adult at 18. She slipped over to China. She never went back. Overall it‘s a dramatic journey well worth a read! 💜#audiobook

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rockpools
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I was surprised by this memoir. Hyeonseo Lee‘s decision to leave North Korea was more about teenage exploration than ideological conviction. So many of her decisions could have ended up so much worse. And her poor family!

I thought her story was well-balanced and well-told - a fascinating read.

This was #somethingwithtravel for #nonfiction2019

vumblereads I always love seeing old kindle models. It just goes to show how sturdy they are. 5y
rockpools @vumblereads It‘s the only one I‘ve had and (most of the time) it just behaves! Looking a bit battered now & there‘s an e-ink splodge in one part of the page, but no plans to upgrade right now 😁 5y
Palimpsest This was one of my mom‘s books for her book club. She told me it was unbelievable what this woman had to go through and that I should read this book. 5y
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vumblereads I have the first kindle paper white model and it‘s still in good condition, it lags from time to time but it hasn‘t really bothered me yet. Thank goodness I didn‘t cave in and get the kindle oasis when it came out. I really liked the waterproof feature but it was too expensive. I‘ll wait wait for other, “better”, future models to come out before I get a new one. 5y
rockpools @vumblereads 👍 And as for waterproofing... I go with a clear ziploc freezer bag, if I‘m daft enough to read it in the bath. Classy, eh? 5y
rockpools @Palimpsest It‘s a really good read - I‘d recommend it! 5y
vumblereads My favorite pastime!!! Reading in the tub 😂 5y
quietlycuriouskate Glad to see I'm not the only one who's still using a pre-Industrial Revolution kindle. 😊 5y
rockpools @kathedron I got a matching second-hand pre-industrial revolution Kobo for library ebooks too. Now, that‘s clunky! 5y
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ShyBookOwl
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Pickpick

My husband and I just finished listening to this audiobook together. I had read the physical book about 3 years ago and loved it just as much the second time around. What an amazing story. Both times, I felt like I was reading 1984 for the first half and a thriller for the second half. It still astounds me. I learned so much from her story.

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rockpools
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Hyeonseo grew up in North Korea, #soclose to the Chinese border that her brother would play in the river with boys from the other side. Her decision to cross the river was almost accidental, little more than a teenage prank, a young person quite literally pushing at boundaries and wanting to explore their world. But it had a lifetime of consequences for her and her family.

#maymoviemagic

Cinfhen Sounds harrowing 5y
rockpools @Cinfhen Surprisingly, I think she had a fair bit of luck on her side. Almost every decision she made could have turned out a whole lot worse. Her poor mother, though! 5y
Cinfhen I‘ve already stacked but interested to read her journey 5y
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rockpools
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Starting tagged book on my train journey home from the hols. Only a few pages in so far, but I feel I‘m in safe hands - she‘s a good storyteller! And I‘ve brought the weather back with me 🌞

ShyBookOwl I read this book a couple years back and still think of it often. I learned so much and yet it also read like a thriller. I was on the edge of my seat and even when I'd put it down, it would be constantly running through my head. I hope you enjoy it! 5y
rockpools @ShyBookOwl So good to hear! I‘ve been wanting to read this for years, but never quite got to it. Was flicking through my kindle on the journey today and nothing was ‘sticking‘ til I got to this. Like her writing style so far! 5y
Itchyfeetreader Hope it‘s been a lovely break 5y
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rockpools @Itchyfeetreader It‘s been great thanks Jo! Lots of sunshine and blue skies and way too much eating 😉. Be glad to get back now though x (edited) 5y
Cathythoughts I‘m only home today too. I hope you had a great break. 👍🏻♥️ 5y
rockpools @Cathythoughts It was lovely thanks Cathy! Hope you had a fab time in Spain too. Wifi‘s been a little patchy, so I‘ll catch up with everyone‘s posts tomorrow 😀 5y
63 likes6 comments
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bnmlucky2
Bailedbailed

I hated this book. I thought she was selfish and unlikeable.

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la_rose_noire
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Pickpick

Follow this 17-year-old girl through her escape from North Korea which lasted over a decade. A captivating autobiography!!!

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la_rose_noire
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About her first time outside North Korea.

rretzler Welcome to Litsy! Enjoy! 5y
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rockpools
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Just in case anyone‘s interested, ShelterBox (UK) have started a book club. A book from round the world, every 6 weeks. Haven‘t seen this as a charity ‘thing‘ before: https://www.shelterbox.org/book-club

Velvetfur That looks sooooo good! Thank you for sharing 👍 5y
Weaponxgirl Oh wow! Thankyou for this so much! 5y
Cinfhen Cool idea !!!! 5y
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rockpools @Weaponxgirl @Velvetfur Looks good, doesn‘t it? Would love to hear how it goes, if you try it. If my finances ever settle down, it‘s something I‘d like to do. 5y
rockpools @Cinfhen It looks neat doesn‘t it? I also like the fact that the person running it has the official job title ‘Head Bookworm‘ ! 5y
Weaponxgirl @RachelO that‘s my only thing, but since it looks like a good cause I may just got for it soon. 5y
Velvetfur @RachelO Yeah finances are the concern for me at the moment too 😊 5y
TrishB This looks fab! When my jet lagged brain becomes unfogged I will decide 👍🏻 5y
rockpools @TrishB Hope you‘ve recovered from the jetlag. I‘m still considering- but the books they‘ve chosen seem to be ones I‘ve wanted to read... 5y
70 likes9 comments
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

Wow—this memoir of the author‘s escape from North Korea is fascinating, heartbreaking, and compelling. I can‘t wait to watch her TED talk.

violabrain This book is great! 5y
20 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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jdiehr
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Pickpick

My book club chose this book and my first thought was, "Maybe I'll skip this one." I'm glad I didn't. Living in a free country is something that I take for granted. The bravery and tenacity of Hyeonseo Lee is unbelievable. My horizons have been broadened.

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jdiehr
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I wasn't super enthusiastic when my book club chose this book, but I started it today and am really enjoying it.
Henry has no comment just yet 😺

thebluestocking Oh good. My book club is reading it in a couple of months. 5y
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Tove_Reads
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Powerful. Sad. Encouraging. Marvelous. I could go on forever. I have read many a books about North Korea, but I think this one is my fave. It is like reading a thriller. Unfortunately this story is true. What a remarkable woman! I have no clue how she managed to do it all. I encourage everyone to read this story of how she defected to South Korea, and went back to the Chinese-N. Korean border to get her family to defect as well.

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Tove_Reads
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Tove_Reads
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Some of the 26 books I plan on reading in December!

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TracyReadsBooks
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Visiting my mom almost always involves a book exchange and this Thanksgiving was no different. She sent me home with four books which, she told me, fall into the so-so (but nonetheless interesting) to “I really liked it” categories. Looking forward to some good reading.

BookNerd9906 Absolutely love Eleanor. ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Notafraidofwords Woah Incidents of Slave Girl changed my life. Absolutely amazing book. 5y
21 likes2 comments
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BronteTime
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What an incredible life this woman has led! Her story adds humanity to all the news headlines about N. Korea.

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BookishRedhead
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Pickpick

Just as touching as the first time I read it.
Forever one of my favourites

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Jules7
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Pickpick

Guys.....I read this awhile ago and forgot to review what with moving and summer and everything else. BUT....so good. Read it, just read it. True story of a refugee struggling to find freedom and unravel a lifetime of N Korea‘s propoganda.

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Wife
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Pickpick

Amazing courage, determination, and intelligence to make her way out of North Korea. A very intense read. This pic is from the author‘s 2013 TED Talk. I watched it on YouTube. I highly recommend the book. 4/5⭐️s

MinDea @Jess7 didn't you want to read this for #LBR? 6y
Jess7 Yes!! I‘ve heard it‘s great for discussion 6y
Jess7 Yes, I‘ve heard it‘s great for discussion @MinDea 6y
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Beatlefan129
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1. Technically yes since I have iBooks on my phone. But I hate reading on such a small screen
2. Always! I love my local library!
3. Yes, I go back and forth between print and e-books
#TuesdayTidbits

SilversReviews Me too on going back and forth from print to e-books. Thanks for playing. 6y
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Beatlefan129
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At my favorite book store The Tattered Cover to pick up some new stationery to write to my pen pal. I‘m so excited!! Thank you to TheReadingMermaid for organizing the matches!

Erinsuereads Are you a Denver person??? Yay!! Look @5280reader I found another! (edited) 6y
BeansPage You are most welcome 🤗💕 6y
Beatlefan129 @ErinSueG I sure am! Lots of us on Litsy I guess 6y
Erinsuereads I thought there weren‘t any!!! I‘ve been toying with the idea of organizing a meetup at #bookbar but wasn‘t sure who else there was! 6y
Beatlefan129 I would love that ErinSueG!! 6y
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mrslamping
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“As many discover, freedom - real freedom, in which your life is what you make of it and the choices are your own - can be terrifying.” #bookquotes #life

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mrslamping
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Enjoying a little late night reading! I‘m determined to finish this book by tomorrow!! #nightowlreading #currentlyreading

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mrslamping
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“I had one private realm I could escape to: in books.” Most readers can resonate with this statement💛🧡#loveforreading # currentlyreading

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mrslamping
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Reading about the life and what children go through being brought up in North Korea is very eye-opening. From public hangings to “life purification time,” I couldn‘t imagine having to live like this!

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Jess7
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“Dictatorships may seem strong and unified, but they are always weaker than they appear. They are governed by the whim of one man, who can‘t draw upon a wealth of discussion and debate, as democracies can, because he rules through terror and the only truth permitted is his own.” - #HyeonseoLee #TheGirlWithSevenNames #TBR

Day 10: #NumberInTitle (seven) - #AprilBookishMadness

SleepyDragon Sounds kind of like US leadership right now ... 6y
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BookishRedhead
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Another like from Hyeonseo Lee

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BookishRedhead
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Hyeonseo Lee liked my photo!
Aaaahhhh

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ibeeeg
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Pickpick

//⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️// This was an eye-opening book. Hyeonseo Lee expanded my perspective on North Korea with the knowledge of how deeply the propaganda within this country has been indoctrinated into their citizens. Their societal perspective is vastly different than the one I know.

Through Lee‘s narrative, which read like a well written novel, I have gained a brief understanding of North Korea and have gained a newer perspective.

Read: 1/14/18

Jess7 Nice review! This one has been on my TBR for way too long! 6y
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Insightsintobooks
Pickpick

I love memoirs and this one did not disappoint. It is heart wrenching. I liked learning about North Korea as well.