After WWII the Communists Developed a Hard Anger against the Jewish Community
3.5 stars
I’m not sure what I expected this book to say to me. I guess I tAfter WWII the Communists Developed a Hard Anger against the Jewish Community
3.5 stars
I’m not sure what I expected this book to say to me. I guess I thought it would be a happy tale about the Yelchin family. Unfortunately, it was about life in Communist Russia. Actually, it was about being Jewish in Communist Russia. I grew up in middle America during the Cold War. We were taught to hide under our tiny wooden desks if a Russian bomb was launched from Cuba toward our home. I remember me childish fear against the communists.
Until I read this book, I had no idea how frightened the Russian people were of each other. Living in a constant state of fear must have been horrible.
I recommend this book. It isn’t funny. It left me feeling hopeless. I know I never want to live in an authoritarian society. ...more
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrators were amazing. The accents were slightly hard to understand for the 5.0 stars and 3 tissues
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrators were amazing. The accents were slightly hard to understand for the first few pages, but then became very clear. (After working at a university for 38 years, I became adept at understanding American English with strong foreign accents.)
This story is about a Somalian family with two young sons. The father was working in the fields one day while his oldest son was playing under a tree. Strangers approached the farmer and the small child saw his father gunned down. The boy started running for home and his mother was running toward him. She decided to keep going toward her husband and instructed her son to take care of his special needs little brother.
Many Somalians lives were changed that day. The boys ended up in a Kenyan refugee camp where they lived for many years. An older woman took the boys under her care and kept the children as safe as she could.
The great thing about middle grade stories like this is that adults can read the gentle text (geared for middle-graders) and learn what life was like for these refugees. To stay in Somalia meant death. Leaving their homeland was the only choice they had.
Whether you agree with refugees coming to your country or not, I beg you to read this memoir and learn how they all ended up homeless. Knowledge is power. This book tells some sad tales. But it also brings hope, found family, and gratitude for living in a stable society.
There are many memorable quotes that will stay with me forever. I predict that this may well be my favorite read of 2024.
This book was very different. I liked the main character and was shocked to see how she was changed in the first pages of the book. ImagI want to fly!
This book was very different. I liked the main character and was shocked to see how she was changed in the first pages of the book. Imagine experiencing your own death, followed by “waking up” as a being with wings. Wings that actually allow you to fly. And that is just the start to this story. Recommend....more
I’m sorry, but this book fell flat when compared with the first book in the series. Still, it earned 3 stars. I think it is worth reading if you want I’m sorry, but this book fell flat when compared with the first book in the series. Still, it earned 3 stars. I think it is worth reading if you want to know how the main characters are doing after the epic adventure in book 1. But be prepared for only an average reading experience....more
The world building is top notch. I was able to visualize the people, and the world around them.
The story held my iA Very Cold Winter, Indeed!
3.5 stars
The world building is top notch. I was able to visualize the people, and the world around them.
The story held my interest, but the people lived very tough lives with little joy or comfort.
The townspeople are governed by acolytes of the Winter King. The King is a deity and looking upon him would kill mere mortals. At one point the King was kind and visited the people with love. For some reason, the King visited winter upon his villagers which is extremely harsh. Those who cannot escape before the winter season hits have a minimal chance of survival. This is where class difference becomes an issue. Those with wealth are able to buy heating fuel and food, while the poor freeze and starve.
And then there was the coughing sickness. It didn’t discriminate between the rich and the poor. The sickness crossed all the classes and caused a violent death for all who contracted the disease.
I have no doubt that most of you will give a higher rating to this tale. I recommend you give this tale a try if you don’t mind the suffering endured by the poor....more
I started school in the 1960’s in Ohio. A free state during the Civil War. I learned quite a bit of this stuff in schooWritten for children and adults
I started school in the 1960’s in Ohio. A free state during the Civil War. I learned quite a bit of this stuff in school. With the advent of school curricula being edited, this is a gentle, factual account of the history of this nation. I highly recommend this to any and all Americans who want to know what the Underground Railroad was. Now, I want to learn about the Boston Tea Party. Yes, this series is fabulous!...more
1. When I heard about this book, I had to read it. 2. Who knew a story could be told so well in list form? 3. As a child who moved to the bI love Lists!
1. When I heard about this book, I had to read it. 2. Who knew a story could be told so well in list form? 3. As a child who moved to the burbs in 7th grade, I understand so much of what Ted and Annie were feeling. 4. I recommend this book!...more
This is a very unique book about time travel assisted by the preparation of Korean food recipes. I know very little about Korean food, but reading thiThis is a very unique book about time travel assisted by the preparation of Korean food recipes. I know very little about Korean food, but reading this delightful tale made me very hungry.
What happens when your grandmother shows up at the front door, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, and completely disrupts the household? It is a tale of love, respect, family and friendship. I predict that I will want to revisit this delightful story many times in the future.
I would like to request that the author turn this tale into a series. The story ends with all plot points tied up. However, time travel always offers the possibility of future family explorations. I would love to learn more about the Korean culture and learn more about this family, both present-tense and past-tense....more
This is my favorite book of 2022. The writing is absolutely beautiful. The narration welcomed me into the story slowly at first. But a couple of chaptThis is my favorite book of 2022. The writing is absolutely beautiful. The narration welcomed me into the story slowly at first. But a couple of chapters in, I got lost in this amazing story and basically read 3/4 of the story in one sitting.
The synopsis tells you everything you need to know about the plot. At the end of the book, the author gives you a peak into the creative process she used to write this gem. Do yourself a favor and read every word she writes, or speaks, for those of us who listened to the audiobook. Her process enhances almost every detail of the story. I won’t say more because I want you to make these discoveries on your own.
Now, I’m going back to page one to re-read this story. I am sure the author’s comments will enhance every detail in this book. I hope you love this story as much as I did....more
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