The Orchard of Lost Souls | 
pickThis one grew on me the further I read into it. Shows the horrors of war and a failing society. Liked the inter connectedness of the three main lead female characters. A good read but still prefer Black Mamba Boy by this author. Read for #ReadingAftica2022 #Somalia
Fifth book finished for #MarvellousMay
Starting my second book by this author for #ReadingAfrica2022. This one is for #Somalia, and is set just before the civil war focusing on three women. If it‘s anywhere as good as Black Mamba Boy I am in for a treat.
Just started this and now I need to know what happens to these characters!
pickThis should be a dictionary example for “heart-wrenching” because oh my Lord, it made my heart ache for these characters—especially knowing that while they‘re fictional, they represent millions of real people experiencing such brutality. This is a book that demands the reader bear witness. It‘s not easy to do, and shouldn‘t be. I was drawn more to Deqo & Kawsar than Filsan, & the end left a bit to be desired, but overall this was so moving. 4/5 ⭐️
She has become one with the bed; from a two-legged creature she has grown four metal feet, the mattress moulded to her flesh, its springs entwined with her ribs. Trapped within a skin within a bed within a house, only her two peeping eyes feel mobile, alive; they flutter about the room, settling hesitantly on her dusty possessions, the mysterious bundles and packages that litter the nests of old women.
The police service had purged all of those who challenged the government‘s edicts & now no outrage was inconceivable. Oodweyne‘s proclamations were becoming more menacing; his nickname ‘Big Voice‘ was intended to mock his radio interludes but the words he spoke in that deep percussive drawl were increasing in violence & hubris. He wanted all citizens to know that no one would get the better of him; that it would take death to unseat him
[AHEM 🍊]
She has grabbed all of her clothing from the wind: a white shirt caught on a thorn tree, a red dress tumbling abandoned by the roadside, cotton trousers thrown over a power line. She dresses in these items that ghosts have left behind and becomes an even greater ghost herself, unseen by passers-by, tripped over, stepped on.
I‘ve had this on my TBR shelves for almost a year and have heard...basically no one talk about it. It sounds like it‘s going to be pretty heavy, but the blurb on the front says it “captures... the triumph of the human spirit” so that sounds appealing right now! (Weird side-note: when I type ‘triumph‘ it suggested 😤 which I always thought was supposed to be an angry face, and it suggests it for that, too. The fuck?) #nowreading
@LapReader your #jolabokaflodswap package arrived today! Thank you! The package had been resealed & there was a note from the post office indicating that the original seal had been broken. But I don't think anything was tampered with. Thank you so much for the fab books, the very intriguing lime & pepper chocolate 😁, and your lovely note. I'm sure it's a huge relief to you that the package made it after the long wait ❤️ @MaleficentBookDragon
pickThis is a tale of life, revolution, and war seen through the eyes of three women written by a woman whose family was out of the country when things really came apart as the civil war ramped up. Mohamed does a good job of developing the three generations of female characters as they move through the turmoil and cross each other‘s paths. A good study of what it is to be a woman in a patriarchal African society in turmoil.
The best kind of book mail is what you forgot ordering! 🤪
#riotgrams Day 13: #pinkcovers! Here are some on my TBR. I found The Orchard of Lost Souls on Bookriot actually, from their recommendations from countries targeted by Trump's travel ban! I love new reading goals. It's a great list, go google it. @bookriot
