Welcome to Litsy!

Starting a new book recommended by a library coworker.

4⭐️ I quite enjoyed this #bookclub read. For me, it went by quickly, as the chapters were fairly short and straightforward. What I enjoyed the most was the description of life inside of North Korea, due to closed off nature of the country. It was a very intriguing read. #2024 #nonfiction #northkorea #memoir

She has seen hell, and yet, it didn‘t kill her kindness, her compassion, and her loving spirit. And for that, she deserves respect.

FULL REVIEW: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com/2024/09/review-girl-with-seven-names-hyeonse...

I was reading about Nort-Korea again. The situation is not knew to me, but how they can escapa from that terror is awful as well.

This is pretty good so far. Heartbreaking, of course

What a compelling story about a young woman who inadvertently finds herself to be a defector of North Korea and the fight she must make to keep herself free from a country she no longer wants to be a part of. But she must also think about the family she left behind and the punishment they must endure because of her departure.

A harrowing memoir of all the complexities of escaping an authoritarian regime for another. And persistently pursuing a more complete defection and freedom. Lee‘s story is well-told and propulsive. Every time I thought she was settled in, there was a gut punch and a “plot twist.” Inspired by her resilience.

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2021 #readingasia2021 #northkorea #notchristmas-ey #rebelreader

I've always been intrigued by North Korea. This book is great to discover how people are living there. A great testimony!

Full review on my blog: https://the-literary-adventures-of-a-french-reader.com/blog/the-girl-with-seven-...

Once I started this I couldn‘t put it down. The author paints a detailed, vivid picture of life in #northkorea, how the dictatorship has managed to keep control of the ordinary people for so long, and why those people are so suspicious of the West.

I‘m amazed at how strong the author was to go through all that she did to escape that regime, and also not to return.

#readingasia2021

The Girl with Seven Names is so well-written and each chapter leads in to the next so seamlessly that it was hard to stop reading. I never could have imagined all of the reasons for the author‘s name changes or the details of her journey out of North Korea. #ReadingAsia2021 #NorthKorea

Reading this #biography while I wait my 15 minute “recovery” time from the 2nd vaccine for #Covid19. #northkorea

I immensely enjoyed reading this book and was hooked to it from the start. This memoir gives you an insight into the daily lives of North Koreans. It makes you realize that the life we take for granted is such a blessing! The struggle that Hyeonseo & her family go through to reach South Korea and start afresh is awe-inspiring! It is a must-read.

#doublespin @TheAromaofBooks
I was nervous to read this, and while it was hard reading it was such a page-turner. I lived in Seoul as a child and have been to China, so many places and customs mentioned were familiar to me. Highly recommended.

WOW. This was a fascinating book! It‘s a page-turner as the author describes her experience defecting from North Korea and then helping her family do the same, but it‘s also an eye-opening look at the differences between the cultures of North Korea, South Korea and China. Absolutely worth reading! It‘s a strong statement for the value of all people and the importance of defending human rights.

I LOVED this autobiography by Hyeonseo Lee, who tells her story of living in North Korea, her defection, and the many years she is on the run. It is wonderfully written, gripping, horrifying, and exhilarating. I was especially moved because I am about the same age as Hyeonseo and it is truly devastating to compare our childhoods, adolescent years, and adulthoods.

#readaroundtheworld #northkorea A straightforward but nevertheless compelling story about a young women‘s struggles to make her way to safety after leaving North Korea. The author was not a political refugee but a naive teenager who got caught in a number of bad decisions, not unlike many teenagers. The repercussions, however, of being from an oppressive regime and the treatment of refugees in China and elsewhere turned this into a thriller👇

My curiosity about North Korea turned me on to this book. It is the story of a young North Korean who escapes her country then manages to help her brother and mother escape. It was all very interesting! *Since the beaches are closed and it‘s gorgeous, I created my own beach vibes in the back yard this afternoon ⛱

Day 5
#7days7books
Seven books that left a deep impression on me and changed me.

This is nothing shy of a roller coaster. A story Westerners should know.
Another book after which I can only say: all borders are murder, and refusing refugees asylum is a moral atrocity. F-ck fascism. Etc.
There is so much about this world I do not know.
If you don‘t have time to read the book, watch the TED talk, it is well-revered.

I listened to this book about a woman who defected from North Korea. It's not a story that's been told often. It's important and interesting, but it could have been better written and more engaging.

Growing up under a regime that held quick public executions for people denounced by their neighbors, and let people starve in the streets, Lee felt the need to experience the outside world before she became an adult at 18. She slipped over to China. She never went back. Overall it‘s a dramatic journey well worth a read! 💜#audiobook

I was surprised by this memoir. Hyeonseo Lee‘s decision to leave North Korea was more about teenage exploration than ideological conviction. So many of her decisions could have ended up so much worse. And her poor family!

I thought her story was well-balanced and well-told - a fascinating read.

This was #somethingwithtravel for #nonfiction2019

My husband and I just finished listening to this audiobook together. I had read the physical book about 3 years ago and loved it just as much the second time around. What an amazing story. Both times, I felt like I was reading 1984 for the first half and a thriller for the second half. It still astounds me. I learned so much from her story.

Hyeonseo grew up in North Korea, #soclose to the Chinese border that her brother would play in the river with boys from the other side. Her decision to cross the river was almost accidental, little more than a teenage prank, a young person quite literally pushing at boundaries and wanting to explore their world. But it had a lifetime of consequences for her and her family.

#maymoviemagic

Starting tagged book on my train journey home from the hols. Only a few pages in so far, but I feel I‘m in safe hands - she‘s a good storyteller! And I‘ve brought the weather back with me 🌞

I hated this book. I thought she was selfish and unlikeable.

Follow this 17-year-old girl through her escape from North Korea which lasted over a decade. A captivating autobiography!!!

About her first time outside North Korea.

Just in case anyone‘s interested, ShelterBox (UK) have started a book club. A book from round the world, every 6 weeks. Haven‘t seen this as a charity ‘thing‘ before: https://www.shelterbox.org/book-club

Wow—this memoir of the author‘s escape from North Korea is fascinating, heartbreaking, and compelling. I can‘t wait to watch her TED talk.

My book club chose this book and my first thought was, "Maybe I'll skip this one." I'm glad I didn't. Living in a free country is something that I take for granted. The bravery and tenacity of Hyeonseo Lee is unbelievable. My horizons have been broadened.

I wasn't super enthusiastic when my book club chose this book, but I started it today and am really enjoying it.
Henry has no comment just yet 😺

Powerful. Sad. Encouraging. Marvelous. I could go on forever. I have read many a books about North Korea, but I think this one is my fave. It is like reading a thriller. Unfortunately this story is true. What a remarkable woman! I have no clue how she managed to do it all. I encourage everyone to read this story of how she defected to South Korea, and went back to the Chinese-N. Korean border to get her family to defect as well.

#readingtheworld #readtheworld #northkorea

Some of the 26 books I plan on reading in December!

Visiting my mom almost always involves a book exchange and this Thanksgiving was no different. She sent me home with four books which, she told me, fall into the so-so (but nonetheless interesting) to “I really liked it” categories. Looking forward to some good reading.

What an incredible life this woman has led! Her story adds humanity to all the news headlines about N. Korea.

Just as touching as the first time I read it.
Forever one of my favourites

Guys.....I read this awhile ago and forgot to review what with moving and summer and everything else. BUT....so good. Read it, just read it. True story of a refugee struggling to find freedom and unravel a lifetime of N Korea‘s propoganda.

Amazing courage, determination, and intelligence to make her way out of North Korea. A very intense read. This pic is from the author‘s 2013 TED Talk. I watched it on YouTube. I highly recommend the book. 4/5⭐️s

1. Technically yes since I have iBooks on my phone. But I hate reading on such a small screen
2. Always! I love my local library!
3. Yes, I go back and forth between print and e-books
#TuesdayTidbits

At my favorite book store The Tattered Cover to pick up some new stationery to write to my pen pal. I‘m so excited!! Thank you to TheReadingMermaid for organizing the matches!

“As many discover, freedom - real freedom, in which your life is what you make of it and the choices are your own - can be terrifying.” #bookquotes #life

Enjoying a little late night reading! I‘m determined to finish this book by tomorrow!! #nightowlreading #currentlyreading

“I had one private realm I could escape to: in books.” Most readers can resonate with this statement💛🧡#loveforreading # currentlyreading

Reading about the life and what children go through being brought up in North Korea is very eye-opening. From public hangings to “life purification time,” I couldn‘t imagine having to live like this!

“Dictatorships may seem strong and unified, but they are always weaker than they appear. They are governed by the whim of one man, who can‘t draw upon a wealth of discussion and debate, as democracies can, because he rules through terror and the only truth permitted is his own.” - #HyeonseoLee #TheGirlWithSevenNames #TBR

Day 10: #NumberInTitle (seven) - #AprilBookishMadness