I usually read graphic novels in one go but I couldn‘t do it with this one. It is hard to believe that humans can commit such horrible crimes even though history and reality sadly confirm now and again that they certainly can. Joe Sacco is the master of comic journalism and once again his written and graphic report have made a deep impression on me. I highly recommend it.

I bought this book at Dublin airport and I couldn‘t put it down until I finished it. The conflict in Northern Ireland is at the heart of the story along with the personal stories of the characters who suffer inevitably from the conflict and their own struggles.

Another wonderful book by Javier Cercas. It‘s the first one of the trilogy. I read the second one without knowing that there was a trilogy, and aside of a few spoilers I enjoyed it as much as the second one. Cercas is definitely one of the best contemporary Spanish writers.

As I was reading this book, I realised that I had already read it in 2012. I didn‘t remember the details, but I surely remembered the tone of the stories. These are stories of tormented love which are beautifully narrated. It is nice to revisit books even when one doesn‘t realise it at first🙂

The Impostor is the true story of a man who was the president of the association of Spanish survivors of concentration camps called Amical Mathausen based in Barcelona. He was widely recognized. Some years ago, a historian exposed his lies and deceit: he had never been a prisoner at Mathausen and his stories were full of lies. After reading about 100 pages, I couldn‘t continue because of the disdain that I felt about the impostor.

One of my favourite graphic novels. I read it years ago and now I decided to buy it. I really like Delisle‘s way of depicting everyday stories in unique and interesting places. Already thinking of adding to my collection more of his books that I also liked.

One of the most beautifully illustrated graphic novels that I have read in a long time. As disturbing as the story is and consequently the illustrations, one cannot help but enjoy the artwork. I hope to see more of Renée Nault‘s work in the near future.

What a wonderful autobiographical graphic novel! The memoir of Brigitte Findakly co-written and drawn by her husband, Lewis Trondheim. I have read it in one go and I will surely reread it, so straight to my to-buy book list.

Another wonderful book by Fernando Aramburu. Toni, a high school teacher, is disappointed in life and has decided to put an end to his life. He has chosen a date, within a year. Every night, he will write the story of his life.
(Image from Amazon.com)

When I read the synopsis of the book, I thought that it contained a lot of topics that I found interesting: pre Spanish Civil war times, a family of Jewish origins… but in my opinion, the story turned out to be just superficially melodramatic, none of the topics were developed accurately, and I could not feel any empathy or connection with any of the characters. Disappointing.

Another successful library finding. Javier Cercas is a well-known Spanish writer who has very good reviews. I had never read any of his books and I‘m very happy to have found another writer that I really enjoy. “Independencia” is the second book of the trilogy “Terra Alta” about political intrigues, corruption, and greed, set in contemporary Barcelona. I can‘t wait to read the other two!

Beautiful stories of love and exile. My first book by Mario Benedetti and I can say that many more will come, because I absolutely loved it!

In Spain, we were taught by our grandmas to kiss the bread when we dropped it. This is the title of this beautiful book that contains the fictional stories of ordinary families from Madrid who have to face the 2008 economic crisis. Their solidarity, optimism, and humbleness are a lesson to all of us.

I loved this book so much! It‘s the story of a Hungarian aristocrat who marries a Jewish girl against their families‘ will. They later divorce and when the Nazis invade Hungary, he and his current wife help her and her current husband to hide in the basement of their house. Their love story unveils along with the development of the invasion. The story keeps you hooked up until the very last page.

Aramburu has become one of my favourite writers. Reading his books is as natural as breathing; once you start you can‘t stop. This one is a collection of short stories focused on the pain that terrorism causes and the devastating effects of loneliness and dispair.

A beautiful collection of poems that I have really enjoyed. David Jerusalem is a fictional poet created by Borges and used by Barnatan to fictionalise the authorship of his poems. Other poems are connected to Jewish tradition, myths or literature.

I have really liked this book. It‘s the story of a Moroccan girl who emigrated to rural Catalonia at a young age with her mother. Her cultural identity struggle is that of many immigrants who feel that they do not really belong to one place anymore but to themselves, their personal values, and their life goals.

“Joan Miro‘s Dream”
A hand is coming from the air.
Don‘t be afraid.
Its splendor is the tongue
that pronounces the days and the lights
from the voiceless space.”

This is my last book about the Basque conflict for a while. I enjoy reading about specific themes or topics for some time in order to learn more but also to broaden my perspective on those issues. This book contains a lot of information but I did not enjoy the fact that it is biased. Time for some poetry now.

One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. This is a story of nostalgia that takes you to the places, people, and feelings of your childhood. The story of someone who left their homeland and neighbourhood to work and live in another country and of their journey of returning, remembering, and leaving again to embrace the present.

“Homeland” the graphic novel. After having read the book and watched the wonderful HBO adaptation, I could not resist to buy the graphic novel. It is a raw depiction of a terribly sad story. It is dark and painful the same way as terrorism is. The artist, who is from the former Yugoslavia and has lived in Barcelona for many years, shares his life story at the end of the book.

The autobiography of an agent who infiltrated in the Basque terrorist band ETA. I am interested in the topic and I had read a lot about it, so I started the book with high expectations. However, I did not enjoy how the sequence of events is narrated and the fact that the protagonist is always speaking so highly of himself.

“The Fish of Bitterness” is another wonderful book by Fernando Aramburu about the victims of ETA. Each story is full of humanity and raw feelings and they are all narrated in the unique and personal way that Aramburu masters. I strongly recommend his books to all readers who are interested in the Basque Country conflict from a social and personal perspective.

Image from 97 FM Irratia

One of the books that I have enjoyed the most. It offers an accurate account of the conflict in Northern Ireland and a very personal portrait of the people involved. It has the pace of a novel even though it is presenting historical facts based on research and interviews. I strongly recommend it.

I loved the book and I also liked the graphic novel very much. Thank you @Sharv_Sona for the recommendation.

“For you, a thousand times over” is probably one of my favourite (and most moving) literary quotes.

New book, and the kind that you must take anywhere you go, even to the hairdresser‘s. I have always loved biographies and this one is sadly so relevant nowadays… I dream of the last page of this story being the end of the war and the end of the evil ambitions behind it. Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦💙

One of those books that succeed in taking you to the story as a guest rather than a reader. The integration of the writer‘s notes in the novel is a very interesting element although I didn‘t enjoy it at the beginning. @Sharv_Sona I‘m now ready for “The Kite Runner” graphic novel 🙂

Image from La Tercera

I have always been interested in the conflict in the Basque Country and the history of ETA. When I was reading “Patria”, I felt truly moved by Aramburu‘s narrative. He has a unique way of depicting Basque society and its challenges in the past decades. After having read a few pages, the characters of “Años lentos” have already become close to me, and I can‘t wait to continue reading.

A book is a gift to dream, to travel, to learn. This book was a gift indeed from a group of wonderful people that mean a lot to me. I have gasped, smiled, felt sadness, anger and joy throughout the story. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with me💚 @Sharv_Sona @Lovelylottereader @AnnaSummer7 and the rest of the Golden Team ✨ I will always remember you.

“What is your name?” His eyes slide from a corner of the room back to her. “Why must I have one?” “All things have names”, she says. “Names have purpose. Names have power.”

“Henry would rather be a storykeeper than a storyteller”

Books are always special, but when they are gifted by special people, they become treasures. I have just started this one, and I can‘t be more thankful to my Golden Team ✨💛 @Lovelylottereader @AnnaSummer7 @Sharv_Sona

One of those books that one reads without effort because the characters capture you on the first pages. A story filled with emotions, smiles, and tears, como la vida misma. Muchísimas gracias @Sharv_Sona for this unforgettable gift of a beautiful story along with your annotated feelings?

“Mrs Quintana looked different. I don‘t know, it was like she was holding the sun inside her. I had never seen a woman look more beautiful.”

“The problem with trying hard to not think about something was that you thought about it even more.”

“You like teaching?”
“Yes”, she said.
“Even when your students don‘t care?” (…)
“No matter what, Ari, my job is to care.”

“Someday, I‘m going to discover all the secrets of the universe.”
That made me smile. “What are you going to do with all those secrets, Dante?”
“I‘ll know what to do with them”, he said. “Maybe change the world.”

@Sharv_Sona Beautiful moment ✨

I have received an annotated book as a gift from an adorable student. It comes with a key. This is definitely one of the most thoughtful and loving gifts that I have ever received. Thank you so much, @Sharv_Sona ❤️

Today, Anne Frank would have turned 93 years old. I have read her diary multiple times, and it‘s one of my favourite books. Today, I want to remember Anne and honour her memory with my wonderful students @Sharv_Sona and @Lovelylottereader and @AnnaSummer7

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy” (Anne Frank)

(Image from Anne Frank House Museum)

“A baby was like a revolution, Grigori thought: you could start one, but you could not control how it would turn out.”

(Image from Madras shoppe)

A comprehensive historical account of the history of the Kievan Rus, the Muscovite period, the Russian Empire, and the USSR.

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?”

Today, in Catalonia, we celebrate La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George‘s Day). People give each other books and roses. Barcelona is full of books and roses stalls.

Happy Diada de Sant Jordi to everyone and especially to my favourite group of readers: @Lovelylottereader @Sharv_Sona @AnnaSummer7 Amelia, Jamie, Dhra, and Camilla 📚🌹❤️

(Image: iStock)

“Las instituciones internacionales de investigaciones económicas están constantemente sirviendo datos (…); como, por ejemplo, el célebre índice “Big Mac”, que considera más próspero un país cuanto más caro cuesta un bocadillo en el McDonald‘s. En cambio, para evaluar la situación de los derechos humanos, los analistas observan el precio al que se vende el kaláshnikov. Cuanto más barata sea la metralleta, más se violan los derechos humanos.”

Let Eisner‘s words review the book:
“I began to produce graphic novels with themes of Jewish ethnicity and the prejudice Jews still face. (…) Upon examining the illustrations of the original editions of ‘Oliver Twist‘, I found an unquestionable example of visual defamation in classic literature. The memory of their awful use by the Nazis in World War II, one hundred years later, added evidence to the persistence of evil stereotyping.” (Eisner)

I truly enjoyed the first part of this book. I fell in love with the sweetness and goodness of Klara and I felt very curious about this futuristic society where children are ‘lifted‘. I must say that the story lost power for me and only regained it towards the end. Perhaps, this is exactly how Ishiguro wanted us to feel. @Sharv_Sona the book is yours when you are ready. Image: Scribble Whatever

Food for the soul at the end of the day.

Once again, Ishiguro has captured all my senses in this beautifully written story. @Sharv_Sona I‘m lending you this one as soon as I finish it.

“Do you believe in the human heart? I don‘t mean simply the organ, obviously. I‘m speaking in the poetic sense. The human heart. Do you think there is such a thing? Something that makes each of us special and individual?”

“Until recently, I didn‘t think that humans could choose
loneliness. That there were sometimes forces more powerful than the wish to avoid loneliness.”

Current read 1: “Gomorra”. The textile business and its dark secrets; the drug market, its distribution routes and strategies; the Camorra‘s ways of working and the idiosincrasy of the people of the region where they operate. A truly interesting and disturbing book, especially when one knows that it is all based on true events and the author must live under police protection. I love the immediacy of purchasing eBooks for certain books and topics.