Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it.

#ABookADay2025

Popovic was part of the movement (Otpor) that ousted Milosevic from power in Serbia, and this book is a handbook of sorts—taking principles from Otpor and discussing how those principles could be applied in a variety of contexts, using nonviolent activism and resistance to effect change. The wealth of examples he offers are inspiring and often hilarious. I can‘t help but wonder if the Portland Frog was inspired by this book… ⤵️

A novel with a quiet librarian living in Minnesota. The Bosnian and Serbian war was brutal with atrocities which offend common decency. The story was well written and heartfelt. 4/5⭐️

3.5⭐️ “Death is terrifying no matter where and when it comes, and life, though it brings us closer to death with every instant, is wonderful.”

I felt so gloomy after reading this story. Sadly, the brutality in history is not enough to stop us repeating the same mistake.

I follow Lauren Grubaugh Thomas‘ Substack, A Soulful Revolution, and today‘s piece was hopeful and encouraging to me, as I feel somewhat at a loss over effective action in the face of current events. I‘ll link her piece below. She highlighted the tagged book and an upcoming series of online book discussions, if anyone‘s interested in joining in. I just put the book on hold at the library! Links in comments ⤵️

The Quiet Librarian is not what she seems. This book tells a dual timeline story of a woman who survived war in Bosnia but her new life in the U.S. is disrupted when her friend is killed. This would make a good movie or TV series. I‘d never read this author before but he did a good job with both parts of the story.

This is my center square for the July #BookSpinBingo card

Hana‘s quiet existence as a small town librarian is upended when her best friend dies after falling from a balcony. The ensuing investigation threatens the facade Hana has created after immigrating from Bosnia during the Bosnian War. Hana seeks answers in order to protect herself and her friend‘s young son. A 3.5 ⭐️ pick for this intriguing novel that shines a light on a conflict that I knew little of except for the headlines.

“They are told that the only way to have peace is to expel us or kill us. When such are the words they hear every minute of every day, it becomes too loud for them to listen to their hearts. They do terrible things and believe they are doing what is right. “

A view of the Bosnian-Serbian conflict told through the eyes of Muslim woman who suffered unspeakable horrors, became a freedom fighter, and ultimately escaped to Minnesota. Told in alternate timeline chapters, the “quiet librarian” sets out to solve the murder of a dear Bosnian friend.

If you‘ve enjoyed Sepetys‘s books, you‘ll really enjoy this, but it‘s definitely written for grownups.

This is the book I picked up from the Serbia leg of our trip through Eastern Europe.