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MDSOMA

It would be a dream to win Dream Count by Adichie. Would complete my collection of her works. It’s been a long wait. Fingers crossed

I loved last year’s festival and I was so disappointed to find it was sold out by the time I read the notices for this year. Maybe you need a few native English speakers?

I would take my husband, also an avid reader (both of us have read and enjoyed Lessons in chemistry). He has read Chris Whitaker and I enjoy Cecilia Ahern‘s books). What a wonderful birthday treat this would be.

Ich drücke meinen Daumen and Cross my fingers

• Die Affäre Alaska Sanders tönt am Bestens. Eine Zusammensetzung eines Krimis und Thriller! Meine Haare stehen bereit zu Berge

zoulfakatouh Fabulous answer. thanks

Is it possible Zoulfa made the same mistake I did? The information said Thursday April 12th. I just noted the week and Thursday: it was a surprise to see Fanny‘s comment yesterday that it would be today, Wednesday?

Fanny The blurb on the book says this is suitable for age 13 up. I am not sure I‘d want to give the book to such a young teen as the descriptions of the injuries are so graphic - and brilliant. Were you consulted about the age? Is it a reflection of the fact that children in „war“ zones have to grow up so quickly?

Thanks to Orellfüssli for a free copy as part of their reading circle. Our 20 copies all came with an inscription by Zoulfa. Mine is “Tears spilled on this book are non-refundable I’m afraid”.

I couldn’t put the book down having got to the end of our reading of part 2 and the twist I definitely did not see coming.

YA and romance are not my typical genres but Samala and Kenan are such strong characters, living life on the edge in Homs, Syria. They have both lost family to the military, bombs and snipers while living in a “freed city” : the people are supported by the Free Syrian Army, surrounded by the military and as such liable to be attacked, including by the use of sarin. Theirs is a revolution not a war they say. The fact that this is a novel based on true facts amazes and depresses me!

I really enjoyed the herbology quotes re the descriptions and medicinal uses for plants - almost a mantra to distract her mind. Lotus. pinkish leaves. stabilises blood pressure. Heals inflammations. Lotus. lotus. lotus. I missed these in the later parts of the book.

There are pretty graphic descriptions of a lot of horrors: this makes for difficult reading. Syria is described as grey with alternate outbursts of red. Samala only starts to see different colours after meeting Kenan and dreaming of a “might” life.

PS I don’t like epilogues of the x years later variety.

Could Zoulfa let us know why the novel includes a happy ending? Was this a personal choice and if so why? Was it suggested by an editor. I can see this as a choice for my book club where we often debate what if endings. Without the epilogue there could be a lively discussion on did they survive and if so, then what happened. Or could a cliffhanger merely be a ploy to lead in to a second novel?

Fanny

I’m finding these opening pages very hard to read. The depictions are so vivid it is hard to credit that there’s so much truth within. I’ve already looked up some of the history of Old Hams - depressing!

I use GoodReads to record my reading life and noted that this was a 2022 nominee for best young adult fiction. By the content so far - surprising categorisation.

Side note: couldn’t see this book on the shelves in Basel’s Orell Füssli. I was there last Friday and had a good look round. Seems a shame.

Fanny

Delighted to be going to be part of this book discussion. I usually read in English and look forward to reading a diverse range of opinions as we all bring different life stories to our reading experiences.

Similarly I am pleased that Orell Füssli are now including books in English in the Book Circle.

Mein Lieblingsbuch dieses Jahres ist das Sternenloses Meer von Erin Morgenstern. Es ist eine tolle Fantasie voller Magie, Bücher und Bibliotheken. Was will man mehr??

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Ich würde das Buch von Lucinda Riley lesen. Ich lese Krimis sehr gerne. Auch habe ich ab und zu Heimweh nach England und habe in der Nähe von Norfolk gewohnt.