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#SpringSkies Day 27 #Secret(s)

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

This is a story of Syrian refugees Nuri and Afra and their journey to find asylum in the UK. It was well written but the format of the dual timeline threw me off at times of what time frame I was in. Usually that doesn‘t affect me but honestly the story was just not keeping my interest and I started skimming just to get through. There was nothing in the story that made me want to read more to see how it ends. Just blah for me 😕

In a small town in the Donbas, 2 remaining residents, Sergeyich + Pashka,frenemies, live a codependent life as bombing between russia + ukraine rains over them.Summer arrives + S drives his beehive south to find somewhere for his bees to pollinate, with curious encounters along the way. Set after 2014, this is a gentle but darkly profound bk given the current war. Sergeyich is a remarkable character+his response to life make a compelling story⬇️

It‘s been a rough day, so I checked this out from library and read it to Bailey who likes to chase bees. She didn‘t seem impressed, but I found it delightful. 🤣🤣🐝🐝

This is the story of Nuri and Afra who we initially meet in the UK as they await their asylum hearing. From there we go backwards, to Syria where war rages on.

I really liked how the author showcased PTSD throughout this story, its an aspect that doesn't get much attention but an important one in the refugee experience.

Another book shining a light and giving a perspective that we don't see reflected in current media.

#ReadAway2024 A friend recommended this book and I am grateful. I don‘t know what I expected but the surprise was a pleasure. I loved this book!! Speculative fiction doing what it does best, social commentary from a different perspective. Bravo!👏

The story alternates between two timelines: the present and the past.

In the present, Nuri and Afra, a Syrian couple, seek asylum in England. Afra, once a prolific artist, is now blind, and Nuri fears for her well-being. They stay at an English bed and breakfast, awaiting their asylum interviews. Lucy Fisher, a social worker, assists them in the process. The past timeline reveals Nuri‘s life before the war. ⬇️

I totally forgot to post last night! 🤦🏻‍♀️ #two4tuesday
Thanks again @julieclair for the tag!

1. The tagged book was great! But I‘m reading Daughter of the Pirate King right now and really loving it!
2. A couple - Canadian Boyfriend and The Heart Principle.

IDK why I put off reading this for so long - it‘s a great book! Great female characters, all different and flawed, but who came together in friendship.

#bookspinbingo - got a bingo!
#readaway2024
#pop24 - a Bildungsroman
#readordonate
#jumpstart2024
#tbrtarot - 5 words in the title
#joyousjanuary

A fictional story about a Syrian refugee couple making the perilous journey from Aleppo to UK. I liked the comparison with bees and beekeeping, and the bond between the protagonist and his cousin. But overall the story didn‘t sit well with me. First, because the female protagonist has no voice and her helplessness was frustrating. Second, the author writing this story in first person feels inauthentic given her own background. Overall, so-so.