#JuneSpecials Day 7: My backdrop looks like a #Prairie of sorts - at the foot of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain - sunflowers in the middle of the desert. My review of Maria Ressa‘s outstanding book here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-pdf
pick5 Stars • The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys is set in 1957 Spain under Franco‘s regime. Daniel, an American teen photographer, uncovers the dictatorship‘s secrets through his photos while falling for Ana, a hotel maid with a tragic past. The novel explores oppression, forced adoptions, and Spain‘s silenced history, blending romance and historical truth.
#TheFountainsOfSilence #RutaSepetys #Bookish
pickThis book was amazing! You have to read it. Ressa is a Philippine American dual citizen, journalist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Her story is incredible. She describes her work to preserve the integrity of journalism and democracy in the Philippines, the global south, and the world. What she‘s been through under Duterte and his successor, her fight against Facebook/social media misinformation…it‘s all so relevant. Just take my word and read it.
so-soI founds this quite difficult to get into, it‘s hard going. I enjoy the magical realism genre but it didn‘t really work for me in this one as it dealt with serious subject matter. I found the writing a little ‘flowery‘. On the other hand I did find it interesting as I don‘t know much about the Argentinian ‘Dirty‘ War. So at least I‘ve learnt something! I liked the ending as it was left on a note of hope. I read this with my local book club.
Another exciting Saturday evening
My daughter and I tried Toro, a Spanish (as opposed to Mexican) food restaurant for #foodandlit. It was extraordinary! We had montaditos (queso de cabra frito) which knocked our socks off. Then we shared baguette sandwiches (jamón serrano with manchego cheese and cochinita pibil) and salads, and for dessert, torrijas. Toro was a brilliant find and a new restaurant for our list of places to go like last month‘s Venezuelan restaurant. #Spain
I‘m on a business trip so dining alone at Olive Garden. A chance by myself to read!
