Bookaversary: A tribute

I see it's worn spine and the urge to flip through the pages is almost impossible. Tired and true, it has withstood the test of time- five years-and continues to be an important place in both my bookshelf and heart.

"Shake Hands with the Devil" is the horrifying true story of one of the worst and bloodiest genocides in history and the man in the middle of the horror. Canadian General Romeo Dallaire was sent to Rwanda in 1993 as head of the U.N. Peacekeeping mission. In a little as a few months later, he and his small band of peacekeepers would be witnesses to cold-blooded massacres and the betrayal of the entire world. Receiving an order to get out, he refused, writing that it would be immoral to withdraw when thousands of lives were at stake. One million deaths and one hundred days later, Gen. Dallaire would go back home a broken man in search of death: to rid himself of the guilt, pain, and sorrow of what he had seen.

On that Sunday morning in March of '06, my dad and I walked out of the mall with that wonderful treasure (I also purchased Samantha Power's "A Problem from Hell"). Weeks later, I would weep for the millions killed, for the indifference of the U.N., and overall for Gen. Dallaire. Yes, I will admit it has taken on something within me and replaced with both hope and strength. Hope that goodness can prevail and strength it takes to make it through the darkest of hours.

After all these years, I will always carry this important piece literature within the walls of my heart. It has shattered my heart but made me whole. The subject is tragic and heartbreaking yes, however it is an important example of courage, compassion, and hope through the darkest hours of humanity.

Paradise

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library." -Jorge Luis Borges

A trip to the Book Barn Book Exchange is always bliss!

High

High by Ruth5 on Polyvore.com

Review: Lucky Child by Loung Ung

 Read- March 20, 2010

 As some of you may know, I had the privilege of meeting Loung Ung who wrote about her survival during the killing fields in Cambodia in "First They Killed My Father". In this follow up, "Lucky Child" continues where the first book left off. Leaving behind her surviving siblings, including her older sister Chou, Loung with her older brother Meng, and his wife leave for America. Growing up, Loung still struggles with the memories of forced labor, hunger, disease, and murder of her father, mother, and two sisters. Meanwhile, Chou is left behind trying to resume her life but, like Loung, struggles with the loss of half her family and missing her little sister. Told in alternating voices, "Lucky Child" remains to be a testament of courage, loss, and resilience of the human spirit.

Review: Becoming Abigail by Chris Abani

Date Finished - Mar 16, 2011

In a raw and luminous voice, Chris Abani's novella "Becoming Abigail" is the story of a young Nigerian woman whisked away to London by her Uncle and sold into prostitution. The scene's in this novella are very graphic and Mr. Abani takes us into Abigail's world of grief and betrayal. I don't want to give too much away, since this is a book to be savored despite it's wrenching narrative. Nothing short but memorable.

Review: "Extraordinary Evil" by Barbara Coloroso

 Date Finished- Jan 17, 2011

For years, I have read a plethora of books on the ever present tragedy of genocide. Now, a renouned author and expert on bullying, Barbara Coloroso switches gears with "Extraordinary Evil". This groundbreaking and brilliant book highlights three major genocides (Armenia, Holocaust, and Rwanda) and how and why they occurred. One of the reasons why this book is unique is because Ms. Coloroso uses the fundamentals of bullying in explaining genocide. However brief, "Extraordinary Evil" has left a firm impression within my heart (I actually wept at the end). I urge everyone to read this heartbreaking and refreshingly human book!

http://www.kidsareworthit.com/

Swap-tastic!

As a bargain hunter, I know how hard it is to keep a tight budget. Books these days are quite expensive, especially new ones. Well that's all in the past because there is a fabulous website called PaperbackSwap. com Here is how it works: Let's say you have a copy of "The Grapes of Wrath" and someone wants it. That person sends a request to you and once you get it you'll print out the label to send the book. Usually, you'll pay no more than $3.00 (depending on the weight) to mail the book. In return, you'll receive 1 book credit to use to get any book you'd like on PBS. So far, I have several books from PBS and I can tell you it has been heaven sent! Free to join, so what are you waiting for? Your next read is just a swap away!

Review: "Crash Into Me: A Survivor's Seach for Justice" Liz Seccuro

Date Finished - Mar 4, 2011

 A life can change either in an instant or in a few hours. For Liz Seccuro in one night, her world was shattered by her brutal rape by another University of Virginia student in 1984. Years later, Liz who is happily married and a mother of a young girl is contacted by William Beebe, the same man who raped her apologizing for his crime. So begins "Crash Into Me", a brutally raw, unflinching, and harrowing memoir. After she was raped, she was failed justice by UVA who swept it under the rug as did the brotherhood of the sorority in which the crime took place. By the end, you will feel anger at the failure of a broken system and cheer for Liz Seccuro's strength and fearless courage on behalf of rape survivors everywhere.

Book Review: "Sarah's Key" Tatiana de Rosnay

 Date Finished- Mar, 2009

I'm sure for every book junkie they have come across a book that not only was unforgettable but has changed them in someway. For me, one of those books was "Sarah's Key" the breathtaking and extraordinary debut novel by Tatiana de Rosnay. American journalist Julia Jarmond is assigned to cover the story of the Vel' d Hiv round up of thousands of French Jews, including children, in June of 1942. Julia discovers the story of Sarah, a ten year old who was rounded up with her family and taken to the death camps. When Julia learns of Sarah escaping, she finds a heartbreaking secret that links her to the little girl. It is a simple story of how the past can change the present and the resilience of the human spirit.I don't think I have ever wept so deeply after I finished this beautiful story. There is a quote by author Augusten Burroughs that sums up my feelings for this book: "This is the shocking, profoundly moving and morally challenging story...  It will haunt you, it will help to complete you… nothing short of miraculous.”

Upcoming release!

Okay, MAJOR NEWSFLASH! Here are some fabulous YA books coming out very soon!

Everlasting - Alyson Noel

The Day Before - Lisa Schroeder

What Happened to Goodbye - Sarah Dessen

Like Mandarin - Kristen Hubbard

Rival - Sara Bennett Wealer

Wake Unto Me -  Lisa Cach

Followers, thanks for following my little blog :-) Means alot!

Review: "Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom" Susin Nielsen

Date finished- Jan 30, 2011

For Violet, being the daughter of a Hollywood director isn't all glamorous: He dumped Violet's hair dresser mother for a blond trophy wife actress named Jennica and starting a new family. Life in Vancouver, Violet's mother switches from boyfriend as much as she creates new hair style's. To 
 make things even worse her mother falls head over heels for Dudley Wienner, a lovable loser in Violet's eyes. Moved to the breaking point, she and best friend Phoebe set out on a mission to snag the perfect man for mom: George Clooney. This short but memorable novel will make for a hilarious, poignant, and lovely read for any teen (and Clooney fans)!