Welcome to Litsy!

“My childhood had gone by without my knowing, and it seemed as if my heart had frozen.” Beahs childhood was taken away from him due to conflict and how he was forced to grow up quickly in order to survive (Beah 150).

“We must strive to be like the moon” Beah can be suggesting that we can find inspiration for inner peace in the world, specifically the moon (Beah 231).

“I was still hesitant to let myself let go, because i still believed in the fragility of happiness.” this can suggest that Beah is hesitant to fully embrace happiness because he is afraid of losing it or it being taken away (Beah 174).

“How many more times do we have to come to terms with death before we find safety?” he asked. It is understandable to feel overwhelmed and anxious about death, especially in the face of uncertainty and events that are out of our control. (Beah, 209.)

“In the sky there are always answers and explain actions for everything: every pain, every suffering, joy and confusion.” This statement suggests that the sky, or perhaps the universe holds the answers to all of life‘s questions and experiences (Beah 127).

Good book for history, great book for changing how you view the world.

This was really compelling: the second book about an African boy soldier for me this year. This memoir is about a teen who escapes with two friends from his village, and survives for a long time before being forced into the military, then released into a rehab program and eventually escaping to the U.S. Excellent insights into the impact of loss of home and family in civil war.
#ReadingAfrica2022 #SierraLeone
#Bookspin
#Nonfiction2022 #Survivor

1* A Long Way Gone
2* All Her Little Secrets by Wanda S. Morris
3* Wakiki Beach, Hawaii; Scottsdale, Arizona and Tampa, Florida.
#WondrousWednesday @Eggs

Rare is it to learn all about a nation by the tale of terror of war, loneliness, grief, and starvation told by a boy who walked much of the country first to try to escape the horror and then to take part in it. Ishmael was forced to become a soldier at 13, under the heavy influence of drugs continuously killing, killing, killing. It‘s a heartbreaking true story about a boy who had a decent childhood forced into this macabre circumstance ⬇️

For the #readafrica2022 #sierraleone I chose this title. As a society of humanity we have to do so much better. The fact I knew he had a happy ending to his journey (and happy as in he‘s still alive and living a life he has well earned) allowed me to read the whole memoir. This is another if he could live it I could read it and acknowledge his journey with my heart breaking. @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB @Texreader

This was required in high school. It was very triggering for us. Students walked out crying. Ishmael and everyone he knows are in an impoverished war torn hell. Terrorist groups kidnap children and force them to fight for them. His home was destroyed and his parents were killed. There is starvation and random acts of violence; and he tries to explan the psychological affects it has. It is scarier than any stephen king book because it is real..

#readingafrica2022 #SierraLeone @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

This is my next pick for #readingafrica2022 #SierraLeone @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

My daughter read it for freshman high school English so I‘m repurposing it.

Such a tough read, but also so important to get through!

Probably the most heart-wrenching thing I have ever read. This feels like an important book. One that should be read and re-read in every classroom around the world to remind us just how much there is to lose. It shows the true resiliency of the human spirit, and the miraculous power of hope. This should be revered as a modern classic.

Wow this was an incredibly difficult book to read. #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

A really tough read. This story was about Ishmael‘s experience as a child soldier and as such included the things he did and saw so it was pretty graphic and sad and awful at times.

This book broke my heart. But I feel that it is a really necessary read. Something we all should be more aware of. Thank you Shannie for the recommendation!
#bookrecommendations #alongwaygone #ishmaelbeah #breaksmyheart #importantbooks #blackstoriesmatter #beawareoftheworldaroundyou

heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com
New Post Today!
https://heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-long-way-gone.html

When you wake up early on your workout rest day....oh darn I guess I‘ll have to read 🤷🏻‍♀️

Anyone else sometimes get up early to read in peace?

#bookworm #momlife #earlymorningreads #happiness #2021books #book10 #book11 #firefly #themagnificentnine #jameslovegrove #josswhedon #alongwaygone #ishmaelbeah

heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com

When you‘ve been talking about diversifying your reading list and your best friend texts you with more book recommendations...I trust her recommendations explicitly so obviously I‘ve already ordered one. I can‘t wait for this one to arrive #bookrecs #alongwaygone #ishmaelbeah #preparedtosob #2021books

heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com

Heartbreaking to read but absolutely necessary. A child soldier‘s experiences in Sierra Leone. Graphic and detailed. Not for the faint of heart.

Thanks for the tag @Sharpeipup

1. The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
2. No
3. 🤔 50-60
@Eggs

Super excited to begin reading this book today! 📚

Day 13 & 14: For fun, I am going to post one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want. #bookstoread #tbrpile @StaceyKondla

This was difficult to read. The things Ishmael went through-I can‘t imagine how he survived it. I‘m glad I read it though. It‘s important to know about things like this so that hopefully they can be stopped before other children are put through that kind of trauma.

Book 5 for #bookspinbonanza @TheAromaofBooks

I read this book recently and it still haunts me. Too often children are forced to be soldiers in wars started out of greed and quests of power, wars they have no business being a part of, and yet they have no other choice but to do whatever they must to survive.

#AboutaSoldier #MagnificentMarch @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Started this one last night. Such a heart wrenching but important book to read.

This photo makes it hard for me to crack this cover. Especially in my cushy, 1st world, latte drinking backyard. But I‘m going anyways because this is the world I live in and I‘m trying to wrap my arms and heart around it...💔

A touching retelling of how life can change in an instant.

#autobiography #war #truestory #sierraleone #childsoldiers

At 13, Beah was forced to be a child soldier in Sierra Leone until he was rescued by an international relief organization. It's a powerful account, but comes up a bit short. His kidnapping into the army and his rehabilitation afterwards were detailed, but his time in the army covers less than a chapter. Maybe it was written that way on purpose -- maybe Beah doesn't WANT to remember it. But as a memoir, this lack of detail detracts from the story.

Guys, this is my first time and I‘m so excited!!!! 😊👏😍📚Five memoirs I‘ve been meaning to read at some point in my life. They all look good to me! Any preferences?
#lmpbc #round4 #groupI

Second book that I‘ve read with the 10th grade English class that some of my social comm students are in and it was just as gut wrenching as the first one we read (Sold).

This is an extraordinary account of a boy who survived being a child soldier, rehabilitated by UNICEF, and was able to be repatriated. Only to then find himself in the face of war again and forced to leave Sierra Leone for good. #ItsGreatToBeAHawk

#AbbaInAugust Read this true life account of a boy #solider for bookclub many years ago 😢💔 What‘s so upsetting is this “story” occurred in MY lifetime, not my parents,grandparents or great grandparents generation 😫We, as citizens of the world NEED to do better. ( I know, I‘m preaching to the choir...Littens are amazing) Happy Friday, friends 🍹💐☀️ images from Google

Have not read this, sounds harrowing.
A story of a young boy forced to become a killer, a child soldier during the Sierra Leone's civil war. ‘This is how wars are fought now by children, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become soldiers of choice.‘

#HeatofJuly #toysoldiers

I‘ve been sick for almost a week now and haven‘t been able to concentrate on any books so I finished this one as an audiobook.

Another tragic story. I didn‘t connect as much to Beah as I have to some other authors b/c I felt the writing was really detached.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#memoir #sierraleone

I first heard about Ishmael Beah when I heard him tell a story on @mothstories . The Moth piece stuck with me because it was a powerful piece told so beautifully. Beah‘s memoir of his life as a boy soldier in Sierra Leone is raw in its honesty and devastating in its depiction of war. I was grateful to have a smiling photo of the author on the back and to know that out of horror and loss he was able, as best he could, to build a new life.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to call this book a miracle. To have experienced what Beah has and have the bravery to put it down in written form for others who know nothing of child soldiers is more than anyone could expect- to have it be this perfect is an added blessing. We are all in Beah's debt for this memoir and the light it shines on one of war's most unconscionable evils. #LitWorld2018GB Sierra Leone @GatheringBooks

#thisremindsmeof #💔

Thank you so much for the tag @Jess7 😊
Sorry it‘s one day late 😏

1) The Big Comfy Couch? I can‘t remember any more of the top of my head!
2) A Long Way Gone by Ismael Beah
3) Sushi
4) The Super Bowl 💜

#friyayintro

The prisoner was simply another rebel who was responsible for the death of my family, as I had come to truly believe.

My daughter's Freshman GT/AP English books. They are new to me. Anxious to hear thoughts on these.

Ishmael is a brave and remarkable man for sharing his story. There's so much more I'm struggling to figure out how to put into words, so instead I'll just say everyone should read this. One of the most challenging parts is when you realize the ones you thought were supposed to be the "good" guys have almost the same feelings (or lack of),thoughts and actions as the bad guys. #lrc9 #litsyreadingchallenge #readharder2017

Someone gave me this book after reading it for her high school English class. I'm so glad she did. It's very intense and does have graphic details of what he saw as a boy soldier. The book gives insight into the mind of a young child soldier. How they feel and how they get the mindset of killing.

The subject of this memoir was heartbreaking, but the writing wasn't great. Even though I wanted to love this book based on how sad the subject made me, I just couldn't shake the feeling that the author would have benefited from the help of a ghost writer.

Just finished this today. It was so good, so #thoughtprovoking, but so so hard to read. I would highly recommend it for anyone thinking about the nature of violence and how it effects children and culture. Ishmael's story was incredibly moving and should be read by more people! #aprilbookshowers

I read a lot of books about war, and here are the four highest on my tbr! I've already read some of On War which is suuuuuuper dry but interesting, I am really looking forward to the two memoirs, and Schadlow's book looks fascinating! #bookaboutwar #marchmadness

#boyinthetitle #nonfiction edition #feistyfeb

I hit the library book sale today! I listened to A long way gone on audiobook a few years ago and found it so moving and heart breaking. For some reason, it has been on my mind lately. Now I have it. I am going to read the books I have checked out, my gifts from #cupidgoespostal @Reviewsbylola and then today's purchases. I'm having a #book feast ❤️📚👓

I haven't read this yet but the reviews look compelling. Will have to put it on my February TBR. #readjanuary #autobiography