pickSoft pick - 3/5
Alia, librarian in Basra, Iraq, does her best to save the books of her library from being destroyed by the raging war.
Why soft pick? Not a fan of the illustrations and of the writing style.
21 likes
pickSoft pick - 3/5
Alia, librarian in Basra, Iraq, does her best to save the books of her library from being destroyed by the raging war.
Why soft pick? Not a fan of the illustrations and of the writing style.
pickThis is the second book I‘ve read by Vlauntin. He writes so well about people who are struggling. This books focuses on three people, Freddie, who is struggling to make ends meet since his family left; Pauline, a nurse at the local hospital who also cares for her father; and Leroy, a war veteran whose never been the same since suffering a TBI while serving his country and whose medical care loosely ties things together.
pickA great read about the impact of war, generational trauma, and the importance of human connection. Alternating perspectives of individuals in Las Vegas, centering the war in Iraq and the aftermath on soldiers and their families, as well as an immigrant family. In-depth inner dialogue and emotional lives of the featured characters who all struggle, but do their best. A great audio as well!
pickThis will be my 1st 5* + my 1st willy vlautin. The story is of ordinary Americans just abt surviving in a society where life is tough. We follow Leroy, an Iraq veteran, who wants to kill himself, + his dreams in a hospital bed .Pauline is a nurse working hard shifts, and Freddie manages the home where Leroy lives as well as in a hardware store. Incredibly moving, a sorry story of America, brilliant characterisation, + a compelling bleak tale.
Alaska Battle of the Books High School list for 2024-2025. I am on maternity leave this semester, but I will help a bit when I‘m back in January before the battles. I am working on Sunrise over Falluja. I‘ve read Old Man and the Sea and Fighter in the Velvet gloves before.
#akbob2425 #battleofthebooks #alaskabattleofthebooks #teachersoflitsy
I am enjoying Robin‘s fresh voice. It‘s almost weird to hear the youth in the voice of an Iraq War soldier since this invasion happened when I was in 5th grade. I think Meyers‘ portrayal of the confusion and lack of knowing even in the soldiers rings true.
#akbob2425 #battleofthebooks #alaskabattleofthebooks
pick4.25⭐
This particular piece pulls at your emotional core, tugging at the heartstrings in a way that leaves a lasting impact. Yet, it must be noted that it also contains elements that could be described as sorrowful, adding a depth of sadness that can't be overlooked. Michael Kramer did a wonderful job of narrating. Although, there is a newer version of the book (available on Audible) with Jay Kopelman, himself, narrating the story.
pickI can‘t even imagine going through what these families experienced.I was a military wife whose husband was deployed to the Middle East.Many of the occurrences described in this book could have happened.Thankfully they did not.I liked how the husband and wife‘s lives came together in order to get Jolene the help that she needed.This story is inspirational.It talks of deployment from a different angle.Reading it helped me to bette understand PTSD
