Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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I missed this book when it was a #MGBuddyRead choice, but that put it on my radar so I picked it up from the library recently. It tells a family‘s story of living in Basra when Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait. These kind of #MiddleGrade books that expose readers to events around the world are so important, and I‘ll be adding this one to my worldwide reading bulletin board.

#ReadingAsia2021 #ReadTheWorld #ReadingTheWorld #Iraq

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Zoe-h

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Great book! I have nothing bad to say about this one. I loved every element of it. This book is a true story based on Ali Fadhil‘s experiences during Iraq‘s war against the United States and 34 other nations. 5⭐️

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 10 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie What do you all think in general or in specific regarding when white Americans tell the stories of POC? 5y

LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie I think it depends. In this book the POC is working with the white American to tell his story. Do we know how this came about? Was it a friendship. Is so it doesn‘t bother me. If it was a co-writer assigned by a publisher I might have problems with that. 5y

mrp27 I know it's Ali's story and it's mg but I would love to know more about how he got out and what happened to the rest of his the family, how they got out etc. 5y

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mrp27 I agree, depends on the story and the why's but for the most part it doesn't bother me as long as the story is authentic and done right. 5y

sblbooks Great book @Lmstraubie I'm glad you suggested this one. 5y

SamanthaMarie @mrp27 I agree with wanting to know more!! 5y

SamanthaMarie @LibrarianRyan @mrp27 They make it seem like a friendship in the Acknowledgement section. I think I just worry that instead of centering and passing the mic to POC we often think we need to tell their stories for them "the right way." But I am hopeful this was done with integrity. 5y

mrp27 @LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie Agreed. It does seem like a friendship and I'd rather see a partnership likes this other than have assigned writers. I don't mind at all if people need or want help to tell their stories. (edited) 5y

Lmstraubie @mrp27 @LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie @sblbooks I believe he became friends with a "Dr. D." when he was the translator for the Saddam trial. The co-author is the twin sister of Dr. D's wife (who is also an author). I believe this person was also pivotal in bringing Ali to the US (although I'm not 100% sure). But a very valid point especially for this story. 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 Agreed. I want to know more. @SamanthaMarie I too am trusting this was done with integrity. 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Thanks for bringing my attention to this story! 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 9 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie Yes it could. They happen slowly and over time. With the right amount of instability and fear. The right amount of propaganda. I'm not saying it could happen tomorrow. But if certain trajectories maintain course, I think it could happen. 5y

LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie I agree. All it takes is one person who does not want to leave the office of president and enough backers to form a coup and keep the next election from happening or the change of power from happening. 5y

LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie another way it could happen is a major disaster, be it terror or natural, and martial law is declared. All could happen. And unfortunately I fear America is coming closer and closer. 5y

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Peddler410 I don‘t think I have anything more to add — @SamanthaMarie and @LibrarianRyan have covered my thoughts. 5y

mrp27 I agree, totally can happen here. I like to be optimistic and think people would rise up and fight it tooth and nail if it were to happen. 5y

sblbooks Yes it could happen anywhere. I agree with what everyone has said so far, and I hope and pray @mrp27 is right that we would rise up to the defeat a dictator. 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie @SamanthaMarie Agreed. It could happen anywhere, anytime. It's going on all over the place. Maybe even in your company (small dictatorships). I too, hope that the majority would rise and defeat such actions. But it isn't always that easy. Again, look to Germany with Hitler. 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie @SamanthaMarie Agreed. You should all read this book by Madeleine Albright, it shows how easy it can be to switch. It happens slowly before your eyes almost without you realizing it. There are warning signs. After you read this, you can see that many countries are in the "danger" area/turning point.?

Fascism: A Warning

mrp27 @JaclynW Thanks for the book recommendation, gonna have to check it out! 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 👍😊 It's a fascinating read! 5y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie hate to bother you as I know school just started. I was wondering if you were going to host another round? Pedler (can not remember her full handle and I'm on the desktop version that doesn't fill it in) were thinking of doing Small Spaces for October. But I said I would ask if #MGBuddyRead was still going first. 5y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan So sorry. I know I've dropped the ball lately 😣 My library was renovated this summer and it's kind of taken over lol. The plan was to skip September & start up again in October. I've been meaning to post for recommendations. Is Small Spaces middle grade?? 5y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie yep. It‘s middle grade spooky. The sequel comes out this year. I‘ve heard good things. And I understand the changes at the library thing.

Small Spaces

Lmstraubie @librarianryan Thanks for understanding . I'm good with making it October's read if that's okay with you and @Peddler410 5y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie cool! 😁😁 5y

Peddler410 @Lmstraubie Works for me! 5y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 Would either of you be able to run the chat for this book (create & post questions)?? 5y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie sure. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 8 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan Ego. They want the power. They need it. Some of the best leaders never wanted power. 5y

Peddler410 Greed! Power itself. I can‘t imagine that for myself so it‘s hard to really understand why someone else would want to be so controlling 5y

mrp27 I strongly believe a huge motivating factor to control is fear. This feeds the greed and power aspect. 5y

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sblbooks I agree with everyone, also possibly insecurity. 5y

Lmstraubie @sblbooks @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan All of these hold true. I've tried to see how a person can think harming others is beneficial. If it were a situation of desperation I could understand (not agree, but understand). But to have so much and just want more so you have it & control it while others suffer is just something I can't wrap my head around. 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie I feel the same way. 5y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan Good point! 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I agree with all of you. Ego, power, greed, fear, insecurity. Some people also get a kick out of controlling others, bullying them essentially. Some get a high off of knocking others down. Hitler feared the Jews taking over. Look what he did. Propaganda, murdering millions. He totally got people to buy into his ideas. Racial tensions here are another example. ⬇️ 5y

JaclynW Is it human nature (to a degree) to want to be the "best?" A survival of the fittest type of thing? You see it even at the schools with young kids. There is always a hierarchy of sorts. Leaders like Saddam or Hitler take it to an extreme. My guess is their need to create safety and security is fear driven and the fear never extinguishes because the fear itself never leaves. They become paranoid and get more extreme. 5y

mrp27 @JaclynW Exactly. Fear drives people to control the same way that cowardice drives people to bully. 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 Yep! 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 7 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie I rather wish I knew. I think some of it comes from what your parents/family believes. Some of it probably also depends on the kind of education you have been exposed to. But I would love to know and understand. 5y

Peddler410 Again, I agree with @SamanthaMarie Ali‘s family was educated and as a result saw through the propaganda. As for younger generations, following the belief system of parents can be hard to break away from. So, if the parents believe a thing, kids are more likely to believe that thing. 5y

mrp27 I think about this all the time and wish I had a definitive answer. Obviously your parents views, your education, access to information, and what you are exposed to in life helps you to think through the propaganda. 5y

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LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @SamanthaMarie I agree with you both. This is Nurture over nature. It‘s not just how you were raised but also are you willing to look at things a new way, explore new areas, etc. it‘s hard to get away from familiar thinking of you live and see the same thing every day. We see this in country living. People who have never been more that a hundred miles from home. 5y

sblbooks @mrp27 agreed 5y

Lmstraubie @SamanthaMarie @Peddler410 @mrp27 @LibrarianRyan This is another question in which all of your responses hit the nail on the head. 5y

JaclynW @mrp27 @LibrarianRyan Agreed! Agreed! Agreed! Lack of education, lack of perspectives, no empathy, an unwillingness to be open and explore, etc. I'd like to add FEAR!! You fear what you don't know, therefore you are more likely to believe propaganda- especially if it comes from someone who "appears" to know what they are talking about. This is happening in our country now. I'm sure we could all list several examples. I see it daily. Sadly. 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie ⬆️ 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Great question! 5y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW It amazes me how much this happens in our own country and how easily. We have access to do much information, but aren't as discriminate about it as we should be. 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Exactly. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 6 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie I can imagine he did feel some pride but also such sadness about what it could mean for his father. It is also a burden of responsibility I wouldn't wish on a 12 year old. Such a loss of innocence at too young an age. 5y

Peddler410 While Shirzad took his new role so seriously, I have to believe he was unhappy having to take it on. It is a loss for him, having to grow up too fast. Unfortunately, I see this happen to the students in my middle schools often. 5y

mrp27 Agreed, must have been a huge burden during an incredibly trying time. 5y

LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 agree. I don‘t think it‘s something he wanted, it was expected. It‘s a very traditional life style 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie Agreed. A bit of pride but a huge burden. What a great deal of pressure for a young man. And to have the thought in the back of your mind that the reason you are doing this is because your father may be dead. So heartbreaking. It's unfortunate that this does occur in our world today all too often for various reasons. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 5 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie Not surprised that she used the comic book and not surprised that Ali had that reaction. As a mother trying to feed a family in the worst of times... desperate times call for desparate measures. (Though of course I wish she had used his math book 😉) And Ali is an 11 year old whose whole life has been upended time and time again. I think we all seek control and constancy in times of extreme duress. 5y

Peddler410 Not surprised by. I was angry at the mom along with Ali. Then, I understood why mom did what she did and I was a little less mad. Ali‘s reaction was 100% appropriate—as @SamanthaMarie mentions, his life has been turned upside down again and those comics were his comfort blanket. 5y

mrp27 Not too surprised, you do what you gotta do. However I was a little disappointed because I felt like she didn't understand or know her son well enough to try to find something else to use, but I get it. I totally understand his reaction. I'm sure I'd feel the same if someone burned my favorite book. In times of stress and chaos you try to hold onto something that feels comforting to you. (edited) 5y

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LibrarianRyan @mrp27 @Peddler410 @SamanthaMarie not surprised. I get it, to her the math book is more important. However don‘t most mothers know what their child‘s comfort item is? Would she have done the same to the sisters dolly? And I completely see his reaction. His comics were his comfort items. 5y

mrp27 @LibrarianRyan Right?! Burn the doll not the comics! 5y

sblbooks @LibrarianRyan exactly 5y

SamanthaMarie @LibrarianRyan Yeah that is so fair. And I also wonder why she just didnt ask if any of the kids had any spare paper. But maybe that's a pride thing... not wanting to ask. 5y

LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie I also wonder if she didn't think of it as having literary value. Were there no other books in the house to steal paper from like front and back matter (the blank pages). 5y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @SamanthaMarie @sblbooks @mrp27 @Peddler410 I was surprised that his mom used the comic books (considering there were other sources of paper). I guess I just thought she would have known how important they were to him, regardless of her thought of the literary quality. I totally understood his reaction. I think I had the same one when I read that part lol 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I completely understood this too. As was mentioned, desperate times call for desperate measures. It did seem like the mother didn't understand his attachment, which is odd, but was explained in the book that she's so busy in her life that she just didn't know. Still sad. I agree with you that there HAD to be something else to burn. His reaction was appropriate for his age. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 4 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie Ugh. That's my response. Ugh. Heart wrenching. 5y

Peddler410 It broke my heart when I read it. 5y

mrp27 I found it ironic and heartbreaking. I'm sure he's not the only person that has had this thought. 5y

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LibrarianRyan Accurate. That how his kid mind sees it, not as America trying to stop bad people, but America trying to stop bad people no matter how man good people they hurt. 5y

sblbooks Sad. I'm glad he was able to make it to America in the end. 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I think that quote illustrates how complicated war is. I don't think it is ever any soldiers' intent to kill innocent people - in fact that is who they fight for. But you can't always tell nowadays who is "good" and who is "bad" (I think the book mentioned this too). Saddam hid bombs in schools, he knew what he was doing AND unfortunately that put innocent people in harm's way. 5y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW So true. It still baffles me at how people use innocent souls to hide behind. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 3 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie It is sad to me that it is so... normal. It makes me think about how privileged we are in America in present times to not experience night after night of bombing. But it also makes me think of those in our country who live in fear night after night of ICE or other horrors. 5y

Peddler410 I agree with @SamanthaMarie It is heartbreaking that this type of activity is considered the norm is some places. 5y

mrp27 I agree that it saddened me and broke my heart that people lived/live this way. I feel very privileged to not have ever experienced life like they did. 5y

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LibrarianRyan Agree with everyone. 5y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @mrp27 @Peddler410 @SamanthaMarie I agree at how sad the normalcy of it was, kind of, oh well here we go again. But it also made me think about how it seems mass shootings are becoming almost common place here. I know there is still a lot of advocacy to help stop it, but for whatever reason this is the connection my brain made. 5y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie I see that connection. It‘s its own type of war. 5y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan Sadly yes 😕 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I'm in agreement with what you've said. The normalcy of the war and all it meant was very sad indeed. We are definitely privileged here in this country not to have never really experienced something like this to that degree. The nightly bombings, lack of food, fear, unrest, etc. I can also see your comparison of mass shootings. It has become normal. (That sounds so awful!!) 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 2 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie Nothing. I was only 1. Haha. But I do remember that he went on trial in 2003? and was prosecuted for his atrocious actions. 5y

mrp27 I was 18/19 years old and I remember watching the start of the war on CNN. I remember feeling unsettled by it all. I was in college at the time so there was lots of discussions. 5y

Peddler410 I was in my freshman year of college. The TA teaching my English class had a friend serving in Iraq — we read many articles about the conflict. 5y

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LibrarianRyan Scared. My dad is a retired Navy Seabee. While it was a ground conflict, my dads a landlover. They go in before to set up and after to clean up. There was a possibility he could be sent over. Instead he want to Antarctica and then we got sent to Alaska. (edited) 5y

sblbooks I was a freshman and sophomore in high school. in world history we would read the paper every day to see what was going on. Some of my friends older siblings were in the military and being called up. it was scary because we didn't know how long the war would last. 5y

Lmstraubie @sblbooks @Peddler410 @mrp27 @SamanthaMarie I was a senior in college and doing my student teaching. I remember the class I was with being particularly effected by it and how seeing it through the kids eyes brought a different perspective. @LibrarianRyan I can't imagine the fear you had. I'm glad it all turned out well. 5y

Lmstraubie @sblbooks @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @mrp27 @SamanthaMarie I also vaguely remember pictures of Saddam when he was caught years later. 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I was in high when the war occurred. I remember bits and pieces. What I remember most is many of my religious friends telling me this was a sign of the end of the world - something about a tyrant from the Middle East.... To my non-religious mind, it was weird but at the same time it freaked me out because of their certainty. The world couldn't end! My life was just beginning! 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I also remember when they found Saddam. I was older then and paid closer attention to the news. I remember how haggard he looked. This hugely powerful man looking like he could be mistaken for a homeless man on the street. I still don't know about all of the crimes he committed in detail. Those poor Iraqis though...😢 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @mrp27 @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks @Lmstraubie I also grew up near an airbase, so we knew people going to Iraq. It was in our local news a lot. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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Question 1 #mgbuddyread

SamanthaMarie Going into the story completely blind I figured the MC would be a younger boy and that it would have something to do with Iraq. After having read through I still think the title is a good match for the content inside. I did wonder if Sadam Hussein would ever play a face to face role in the book but was shocked at the ending. My heart went out to Ali. Just. What a trauma on all sides. 5y

Peddler410 I feel the title is fitting. I had an aha moment when it came together. 5y

mrp27 I do. I liked that the author was able to relate his experiences and tell his story through the analogy of video games. 5y

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LibrarianRyan @mrp27 @Peddler410 @SamanthaMarie I went in blink expecting something completely different but I loved it, and when the title finally made sense it was simply perfect. 5y

mrp27 @LibrarianRyan Same! I never heard of the book until the buddy read. Glad I read it. 5y

sblbooks At first I thought it was a strange title, but it made sense after I read the book. 5y

JaclynW @SamanthaMarie @Peddler410 @mrp27 @LibrarianRyan @sblbooks I also went into this book blindly and found some of the book's reveals to fit the title perfectly. Almost eerily so. I loved that it was based on real events. Maybe that's where the eeriness comes in. 5y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW It did have a different feel knowing it was based on an actual experience. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

Looking forward to some great conversation! Please be sure to tag each other in your responses 🙃

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @mrp27 @SaturnDoo @TheBookHippie @amie @sblbooks @JaclynW @cwarnier @SamanthaMarie 5y

SamanthaMarie Yes!!!! 5y

LibrarianRyan Yeahhh 5y

JaclynW I finally finished the book today! I will start getting to the questions. 😊 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

Just a reminder our July/August #mgbuddyread discussion is this Sunday, August 18th. Questions will be posted around 4:00 PM EST. Join in the discussion when you can! Questions? Post below.

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @mrp27 @SaturnDoo @TheBookHippie @amie @sblbooks @JaclynW @cwarnier @SamanthaMarie 5y

LibrarianRyan yeahhh 5y

SamanthaMarie I'm still waiting for my copy from ILL. But if it doesn't come by Thursday then I'll buy it on Kindle. So so excited!!! 5y

Lmstraubie @SamanthaMarie It's a quick read. Fingers crossed it comes in 🤞🤞🤞 5y

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LibrarianRyan

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

I had a pretty productive July thanks to #BBRC and #24in48. We shall see if I can keep the momentum going in August.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego A very successful month! 💕📚💕 5y

mcipher Yay! And what a pretty post. 😊 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

@LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @mrp27 @SaturnDoo @TheBookHippie @amie @sblbooks @JaclynW @cwarnier

SaturnDoo 😁👍❤💜❤ thank you!!! Will mark my calendar to watch in October! 5y

LibrarianRyan Cool beans. I understand. I had to ILL a copy from a university so I get it. 5y

mrp27 No problem. 5y

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TheBookHippie Sounds fine ! 5y

JaclynW Sounds great, thanks! 5y

SamanthaMarie Joining in!!! Just heard about this and I can't wait :) 5y

Lmstraubie @SamanthaMarie Welcome to the group! We're excited to have you 😊 5y

SamanthaMarie Thank you so much :) 5y

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Lmstraubie

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

Calling all #mgbuddy readers! The July book is Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy. Questions will be posted on July 28th around 4:00 EST. Join in when you can! Questions? Post in the comments below 🙂

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @amie @JaclynW @Peddler410 @sblbooks @Chelsibno @mrp27 @cwarnier @TheBookHippie @Daisey @SaturnDoo 5y

TheBookHippie I was nervous for a minute there!!! Am reading and enjoying !!! I thought oh no are we supposed to be done already 🤣🤣🤣 5y

mrp27 Thanks for reminding me, I nearly forgot! 5y

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Lmstraubie @mrp27 @TheBookHippie Sorry 😣 I'm a little behind 5y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie hey I‘m proud to finally not be behind on one thing!!! 🤣😩🤦🏽‍♀️ 5y

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie Never behind, just working on a different schedule 😉 5y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie my entire life runs this way 🤣🤣🤣 5y

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie LOL Seems to be working! 5y

mrp27 @Lmstraubie No worries! I had it written down but I still forgot. 😁 5y

SaturnDoo I wanted to read this one but so far I haven't been able to get my hands on it 😢😭 my library doesn't have it. 5y

Lmstraubie @SaturnDoo So sorry to hear that. I had to interlibrary loan it & there was only one library in my system that has it. 😕 5y

Peddler410 Got my copy today from the library — there were two copies available. I have an advanced reader copy at school 🤦🏻‍♀️ Totally forgot to gray ANY copy before the end of the year — I‘ve had it in my libraries since it first came out. For some reason, I haven‘t read it yet. 5y

JaclynW I just got my copy from my local library! Can't wait to start! 5y

sblbooks @SaturnDoo My library did not have it either. I bought the e-book on Kindle. 5y

SaturnDoo @sblbooks I was trying to avoid buying it 😂 especially since I'm not working right now. Maybe I can read it later and come back to the discussion. 5y

SaturnDoo @Lmstraubie have the next books already been picked? 5y

Lmstraubie @SaturnDoo No not yet. I will be sending out a survey. I think we'll take a mini hiatus for August & September and start up again in October. 5y

SaturnDoo @Lmstraubie oh ok...I was just curious. ☺ 5y

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LibrarianRyan

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

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5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you #mgbuddyread for making me read this book. I would have never read it otherwise and I would have missed out on a wonderful and moving story.

Full review will be posted to LT and GR later today.

Peddler410, TheBookHippie, Amie, mrp27, SaturnDoo, Lmstraubie, Chelsibno, JaclynW, sblbooks

mrp27 Thanks for the reminder! I totally forgot about this months buddy read. 5y

LibrarianRyan @mrp27 I ordered the book a month ago because I knew it would take a bit for ILL to find a library willing to lend a copy. Most of the public around me do not have it and neither did the bookstore. I was board at work yesterday and started it, and then could not stop. 5y

Johanna414 I just got this in my library last month! 5y

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Lmstraubie So glad you enjoyed it! Posting the reminder now 😣 5y

LibrarianRyan @Johanna414 It was so good. If I was still in a public, I probably would have crossed by radar, but now that I am in a government, I don't always see the smaller books. 5y

mrp27 @LibrarianRyan Wow, that stinks the book wasn't readily available to you. I'm lucky my library has it I just need to put in a request for it and start reading. 5y

LibrarianRyan @mrp27 it was probably more popular in suburbs of Chicago where the libraries are better funded. Once you get below I80 the library funding isn‘t as nice and the libraries only buy the best sellers. 5y

mrp27 Gotcha. Looks like a good one. 5y

Johanna414 @LibrarianRyan the only reason it crossed my radar is that my PermaBound book rep recommended it highly when she was visiting me this year. She‘s one of those really awesome sales people who actually reads the books and can have a good conversation about literature for young people 5y

LibrarianRyan @Johanna414 those are the best reps. 5y

JaclynW I just picked my copy up from my local library. Can't wait! 5y

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Peddler410

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story | Jennifer Roy, Ali Fadhil

I've always been a sucker for fiction based on true stories. And, yes, I do really like historical fiction. This one is coming up soon in my ARC pile.

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