The Cellist of Sarajevo | 
pickFinally finished today. I have deliberately taken my time reading this as war is such a heavy topic for me. I did enjoy it, but was unaware of any controversy surrounding it until today when I was talking about it with my art therapist (who often asks me what I am reading and she looked the story up).
pickA beautiful character study of how normal people navigate war. Heart wrenching yet hopeful.
To start tomorrow. Not sure how I will go as books in war are not really my thing, but still trying to read my way around the world.
pick3.5⭐️ A really interesting book; some sections felt longer than they should have. A character study that looks at how war affects people on a daily basis. #2024 #historicalfiction #fiction #canadian #literary #bosnianwar
so-so
Loving the planning.... of course, this can all change on a whim.... 😂
but these are all from my shelves.....
#booked2021
#spring
@Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft
A suitable quote during this tumultuous time. What a beautifully sad book this was.
#Bookreport #WeeklyForecast. Finished American Rose and now need to read The Gstring Murders which has sat on my shelf for years and years. Loved The Cellist but it hurt my heart. Looking forward to finishing all those in progress. I am listening to AntiRacist and need to get a physical copy. Audio isn‘t conducive to rereading passages to insure understanding or stopping for reflection.
pickI‘d listened to half of this book on audio but finished it off yesterday on Kindle. I preferred the audio as I hear so much more in books like this than if I‘m speed reading.
Such a good book, but so heartbreaking. I still can‘t understand that this was real life for people in Europe, only 25 years ago. Makes our current situation less of a battle - at least we don‘t have to worry about getting shot when we have to go out to fetch water.
Book: Tagged
Author: Coben, Harlan
Movie: Cool Runnings
Singer: Cassidy, Eva
Song: Called Out in the Dark - Snow Patrol
#ManicMonday #LetterC @JoScho
pickBeautiful, powerful story about a man who every single day makes the choice to sit in the street and play his cello, despite the fact that his city is at war and people regularly get gunned down in the street.
This book reminded me that despite what craziness might be going on around you, you can't control that, but you can control your response to it. 💚
#ReadingEurope2020 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB
pickAn amazing, beautiful novel that follows three different characters during wartime Sarajevo. Loosely based on a true story, the title comes from a cellist who plays his cello on the sniper-filled street once a day for twenty-two days in order to pay tribute to the twenty-two victims of a rocket attack on that very same street.
Bought to be a Christmas gift for a cellist I know. It looks really great. I'm not a fan of the review right on the cover though.
pickMovingly depicts daily life during the siege of Sarajevo through the perspective of different citizens of the city. Through each we see the small steps taken to preserve humanity and normalcy. I was brought to tears by the cellist‘s dedication and by the choices made by several characters. #featuresamusician #booked2019
pickThis totally brought back all the news bulletins from the 90s to me.....another horrible, bleak period in recent history. An excellent read though, I really enjoyed it. Been on internet reminding myself of the facts on a significant memorial day 😪
I have so much to do but decided that a 20 minute read would make my afternoon more productive....been on my kindle for ever!!
#lunchtimeread
pickThe spring #booked2019 revealed some great reads... my favorite the haunting tagged book 💔
@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage
pickI read this book for #booked2019. Because of the title, I thought it would work for the #featuresamusician prompt. Based on a true incident, a cellist decided to play Adagio in G Minor in the war torn street of Sarajevo after 22 people were killed by explosives. He played at the same time for 22 days. Powerful, sad and yet, a celebration of recognizing humanity in devastating times. Thank you @Cinfhen for the kind gift.
May wrap up and #Junetbr plans.
Did pretty good with my ambitious #maytbr read about half the shelf plus 4 library books and 2 audiobooks for a total of 20 books in May.
pickDuring the siege of Sarajevo one day at 4 pm mortar shells struck a group of people waiting for bread, 22 were killed and for the next 22 days Vedran Smailovic, cellist, played Albinoni's Adagio in G minor at the site to honor the dead. That's the true story that inspired this novel.
⬇️
Books as gifts. Is that a thing? Does anyone else do it? I took books from my own stash to thank a friend.
pickI really enjoyed this no-nonsense read. It truly felt like a look into the "day-in-the-life" of 3 individuals during the siege of Sarajevo.
so-soMixed feelings. It's good but my appreciation was marred on learning that the real life cellist, Vedran Smailovic, was deeply upset when the book came out (and I guess he wasn't thrilled about the shirtless chap on the cover, either) and Galloway appears to have been less than considerate in response. Where does inspiration end and appropriation begin? Probably I *should* put such questions aside and judge the book on its own merits. I cannot.
Has anyone read this? Any thoughts? I'm excited to start it!
pickPart two of my journey. A seven hour coach trip.during which I read this book. I liked the three character perspective and the way the cellist is the link between everything. There are some moments of true sadness but that adds to the tales.
pickI‘m ashamed of how little I knew about the horrific war that took place less than 25 years ago. The city of Sarajevo stood under siege from 1992-19996 under the most harrowing conditions. Author Steven Galloway beautifully paints with the words the absurdity of war and the sheer randomness of who survives. Based around a true event & figure, the Cellist of Sarajevo becomes a symbol of hope, despair and existence. A slim but impactful read.
“There is no way to tell which version of a lie is the truth.” This book is just killing me. Gorgeous writing
pickI loved this book and was halfway thru until I spoke to a colleague at the office who was originally from Sarajevo. When I mentioned I was reading this book, his face fell. Not only did he know the musician this book was based off of, he is a Bosnian Serb, and fought (with guns) to get his family out of Sarajevo during that time. In a nutshell, he told me the book was very one sided, and not to believe everything you read in the news. Wow!
#Aprella #WeRise Tomorrow is bookclub and also my favorite meeting, we choose our 2018/19 books for September - June🙌🏻❣️We each nominate three books and then 2 from each of our suggestions are usually taken
These are my three choices. I‘ve been wanting to read the tagged book forever...it‘s about a quiet act of defiance over the course of 22 days in a war torn Sarajevo. I‘ve heard it‘s beautiful and haunting. Who‘s read it?!?
pickDay 7 - Book and Music: War. Death. Survival. Words tell of the harrowing experiences in a city under siege with mortar shells dropping every few feet and bullets whistling through the air. In the midst of this for 22 days a cellist sits among the debris of a destroyed city and plays his instrument for all the world to hear. He plays with all his heart and each note is a tear drop to stain and burn a memory into history. Recommended! #MarchInBooks
#MarchInBooks #photochallenge @maich
#bookandmusic
Haven't read it yet, but it's the only music related book on my self. Sounds like a moving story though.
1) Kitchen table, couch or in bed.
2) Always a bookmark.
3) I can stop but prefer to at a chapter or specific page.
4) Only very carefully.
5) I'm fine with both usually.
6) I always have at least 2-3 going.
7) Everywhere.
8) Never out loud unless to someone else.
9) Only if I dislike the book.
10) *Gasp* Monsters!
11) That would be a no.
12) @TheKidUpstairs @EstelaV because I don't think you guys have done it yet?
Day 4 of #febinbooks18 is #bookmarkappreciation and boy do I appreciate them! I make them all the time (like those seen on the left) and also buy them. I have too many to count and I may have a problem. 🤷♀️
#bookmarks
pickIt's seems impossible to pen a review of this poignant, powerful book. As one character mentioned, I never lived through war, I have no idea what is like. Inspired by the actions of cellist Vedran Smailović, Galloway creates a world of fiction based on real events, I was transported to Sarajevo, into the lives of four individuals, living in their once beautiful city plagued by the tragedy of war.
I don't normally post deals but this book has really stuck with me over the years. Life under siege, what matters, etc. $1.99 kindle atm http://amzn.to/2yBF5u7
I only had two books for today #occupationinthetitle prompt and they happen to be by the same author! #fallintobooks
This was recommended by Paul at The Last Word Bookstore--my favorite book shop in all the land. I'm spending a quiet Sunday evening reading something beautiful.
My nomination for #MostBadassHeroine for #Riotgrams is Arrow from The Cellist of Sarajevo.
This would be one of my top books OF ALL TIME.
Picked up some great reads at Half Price Books. Can't wait to get started.
