Welcome to Litsy!

Near the beginning of this book I discovered that the author also wrote The Man Who Can Move Clouds (a great read) and I was delighted to know I was in good hands. This author is a “must read” for me. This book is a novelized rendering of life as she knew it while living and eventually fleeing Colombia. It is the time of Pablo Escobar and kidnappings and fear. Chula, a 7 year old, tells us the stories from that time. It‘s very moving.

This book isn‘t really about the refugee experience, other than how the family gets there, but I found this line really poignant. When I was a kid, my mom worked for an organization that helped resettle immigrants and refugees (The character of Dayo was her counterpart I guess). I wish I could say I had a lot of stories to tell from that time, but I was an asshole tweenager, more concerned about missing out on hanging out with my friends. Cont‘d⬇️

A difficult time and place to read about (Pablo Escobar and his reign of terror in Columbia) but the writing is inspired and the story deep and full of meaning. I loved learning about the challenging interpersonal connections through the perspective of a young girl. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

How is it nearly August? amy #BookspinBingo board :) @TheAromaofBooks

#2022Book116
The writing in this book is beautiful and the plot kept me interested from beginning to end. Then, when I learned that many of the events in the book are based off of the author‘s real experiences, it made the impact that much more powerful.

Chula and Petrona‘s voices bring to life a dark and turbulent time in Colombia‘s history.

4/5 ⭐️ This gripping story based on the author's experiences growing up in Colombia during the reign of Pablo Escobar was emotional. I particularly felt bad for Petrona and how her storyline ended. I can't imagine what living through that terrible time was like.

#FoodandLit Buddy Read Colombia 🇨🇴

Salmon with Aji Antioqueño (hot chili sauce) for the last day of #FoodAndLit #Colombia ??

The sauce (vinegar, green onion, white onion, cilantro, bell pepper, and habanero)is just the right amount of spicy…which is good because I made a LOT.

3✨Set in Columbia featuring the timeline of Pablo Escobar, the drug lord. Our POVs are a little girl who watches the news, but doesn‘t fully understand. Our second is a teenager that gets catch in the crossfire. I was not born/too young when all of this was originally happening, but I remember hearing about it. I cannot imagine how scary this would have been to live through. I felt for the characters as they tried to live normal lives. #FoodandLit

It‘s going to be a busy weekend, but I‘m going to try to get a ton of reading done for the #20in4 readathon. I‘ll probably throw my last DogMan book in there too 😭. I‘m going to miss that series. @Andrew65

Even though, this is a somber book about the violence of Colombia, I LOLed at "as confused as Adam on Mother's Day." I'm so blessed to live near so many great restaurants. Tropical Grill in Spruce Pine served me with grilled chorizo sausage and fried bread. So incredibly good. #FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

Hello #FoodandLit Buddy Readers!

How are you liking the story so far?

Here's some background info:

The effect of Pablo Escobar during his life and after his death- https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/the-afterlife-of-pablo-escobar/amp

Interview with the author- https://www.npr.org/2018/07/28/632769085/a-thwarted-child-kidnapping-inspired-fr...

I managed to find a copy of the #FoodAndLit #BuddyRead for #Colombia

I enjoyed this fictional story, partly based on the authors experiences.

The story follows the young narrator Chula‘s family and shows the disparity between people living in houses and the invasiones, of the decisions people needed to make to keep their families fed and safe, during a time when Pablo Escoban touched so many lives, and kidnappings were commonplace.

This is a somewhat autobiographical story told from the POV of a 7-year-old girl in Bogotá, during drug lord Pablo Escobar‘s committing domestic terrorism in #Colombia. It‘s a very believable rendition of how a young girl would process what‘s happening in her world, believing so much rests on her small shoulders. We also see in countless ways how one man impacted nearly every person in the country, ruining and ravaging lives. A powerful read. ⬇️

I‘m almost finished with both of these books, and I find the similarities intriguing. They are both told from the perspective of children, who are learning to understand the “rules” of race and privilege in their respective countries. In #Swaziland, racism is directed against black and mixed race folks and in #Colombia (tagged book), it‘s directed at native Indians. Racism is a painful worldwide phenomenon. #readingafrica2022 #foodandlit

I‘ve been so excited for June‘s #FoodandLit #Colombia, so I can break out this cookbook that my aunt gave me a few years ago. She and my mom were both born in Venezuela, and a lot of the food is similar, so these are flavors I‘ve grown up with.
Not very far into the book, but am already struck by the contrast between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” And how quickly a have can become a have-not.

Terribly sad in its truth. The middle dragged a bit, but this is why I read. To experience other‘s truth. The recipe I selected for #foodandlit was yum and I got the Colombian recipes link from another litten‘s post. Not sure it was the most authentic recipe. Something with corn would have better aligned with the book.

Only one chapter in, but a promising start to my June title for #foodandlit #columbia. I can‘t wait to see what recipes kittens pick this month. I am as yet uninspired in that regard.

repost for @Catsandbooks

#FoodandLit #BuddyRead for June in Colombia 🇨🇴

This is a casual read-at-your-own-pace buddy read. Anyone is welcome to join! Please go to the original post and let Catsandbooks know if you would like to be tagged in the check-in posts.

original post: https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2416663

#FoodandLit Buddy Read for June in Colombia 🇨🇴

This is a casual read-at-your-own-pace buddy read. Anyone is welcome to join! Please let me know if you would like to be tagged in the check-in posts.

I‘m starting this book tonight. #foodandlit #Colombia #buddyread @Butterfinger @Catsandbooks

My upcoming #FoodandLit Buddy Reads for the next 3 months. If you'd like to join me on any of these reads let me know!

Visit @Catsandbooks for more information

I am loving the #12Women12Countries project. It prompted me to pick up a book that has been on my shelf for a couple of years. Fruit of the Drunken Tree is set in Columbia and is a coming of age story written in the shadow of Pablo Escobar. Beautifully written. Highly recommend. 4 🌟

I also stocked up for the countries for which I don‘t have books yet for #foodandlit. Tagged for #Colombia. @Butterfinger @Catsandbooks

Partly autobiographical, a little uneven but poignant story of three girls growing up in the 1990s in a Colombia ruled by Pablo Escobar. It took me a while to finish, but I did! Not sure if the actual flower is the same or not. I just thought it was pretty.
#bookspin
#MarvellousMarch

I almost bailed early on, and then again when it had been 2 weeks and it was time to renew the loan from the library. I'm so glad I decided to stick it out and renew it! This is an amazing #OwnVoices book, based partially on the author's life.

This is my April #ReadAroundTheWorld challenge choice for #Colombia- told through two younger girls of opposing backgrounds in Bogota. Chula comes from more privilege while Petrona, barely in her teens, is the sole breadwinner for her dwindling family- killed off in violent ways. While the book certainly succeeded in capturing this time and place, I never felt very connected to either character, so I never rushed back to listen... #AudioColoring

One of those “good but disappointing b/c it‘s *just* good” books. Had high expectations but kinda underwhelmed. Did think the author did a great job of showing what life was like for ppl in this time & place, & writing was poignant at times. But the child POV was hard to fully believe, & the pacing was off. Did love the mother, wish she‘d been the protagonist, honestly! Will read more from this author but this was middle of the road for me. 3/5 ⭐️

Finally picking this one up! I know one of the POVs is from a 7-year-old (well, at least in the beginning) and I‘m not usually a fan of very young narrators, but I‘ve heard mainly great things about it, so I‘m going to remain open-minded.
#nowreading

Colombia in the 1990s,corruption,kidnappings,car bombs. The story told through the eyes of a young girl whose family lives in a gated community shelter from much of the violence, and becomes friends with the teenage maid who comes from a much different circumstance,opens your eyes to the horrific situations families and especially children faced during that time.It makes me feel sad in today‘s climate of immigration and families fleeing violence

Pulled these two books as possible contenders for IRL bookclub and noticed either one would work for #PoP20 #UpsideDownImageOnBookCover ❤️

The narrators remind me of Ferrante. Colombia from two perspectives during the late 80s and early 90s. Beautiful novel.

Set in Bogotá, Colombia and told through alternating chapters from the perspective of young Chula and Patrona, the teenage maid. Chula lives in a gated community and grows up seeing violence outside those gates. Patrona lives in the guerilla controlled slums of the Hills and has lost family to the violence and struggles to keep her family afloat. Parts of this story are difficult to read, but it was important to the story of that time and place.

“Multiply me when necessary, make me disappear when peremptory. Transform me into light when there is shadow, into a star when in the desert.”

The emotional roller coaster this book took me on was absolutely incredible. It has so much heart and soul written in the words.

Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras was so emotional and amazing! 7 year old Chula and her older sister Cassandra enjoy carefree lives in their gated community in Bogotá, but the threat of kidnappings, and assassinations change that carefree life. It is a beautiful come-of-age story of family, friendship, trust, love and loyalty. Inspired by the author's own life, this story is full of heart and soul. This is a must read!

Bittersweet 😍🤩loved it

Somehow, this reminds me so much of Alfonso Cuaron's Roma. An equally good one too.

Updating my #BBRC books 😅

My pick for #WhenItRainsItPours (full review on hookedonbookz.com) This book broke me to pieces...

#YeahBaby @LibrarianRyan

A beautiful come-of-age story of family, friendship, trust, love and loyalty. Inspired by the author's own life, this story is full of heart and soul. My heart went on an emotional roller-coaster on this one. A must-read.

Thank you @Soubhiville for this wonderful gift. You must get to your audio book soon. But get a box of tissue ready... ❤️

#HispanicHeritageMonth

#7covers7days. I think this cover is the perfect enticement for a sumptuous tale.

I guessed Mamá was giving her the same warnings I had received...not to pick up its flowers, not to sit underneath, not to stand by it too long & most important, not to let neighbors know we ourselves were afraid of it. The Drunken Tree made our neighbors nervous. Who‘s to say why Mamá decided to grow that tree in her garden? It may have been that long mean streak in her or it may have been because she was always saying you couldn‘t trust anyone.

This was good, very good but pales in comparison to The Far Field. Also I need to depart from refugee stories for awhile and read something very different in tone.

This is a tough book. It‘s a little dense, but very important and the writing is very strong. It‘s an eye opening book about the hardships people suffer in other countries and this really explores a period in time that doesn‘t get a lot of attention. Excellent writing and a heartbreaking story.

Historical fiction is the best way to learn about the world. I had no idea that Columbia had been through this difficult time, and it is powerful to have the story told from someone who experienced it first hand.

Gorgeously written with powerful prose and strong, female characters. Full review on Goodreads.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Netgalley

Thank you so so much for these wonderful gifts @Soubhiville! The book! What a timely gift! I'm planning to meet the author at the book fest this year! 💃🏽 And the postcards of authors! ❤️ 😍Aaaannd the gorgeous booksleeve! Did you make that? Love the cute dog design & the button! Omg you're super talented! ❤️

I'm touched beyond words. Thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness & generosity, Soubhi! You made my birthday all the more special! 😘

My kiddies did some #GoodReads stalking and took advantage of a Barnes and Noble summer sale and ordered these 4 books for me!!! Niki already claims she wants to read 2 of them 😉 Today has been a wonderful day 🥳🎂Thank You ALL so much for the #birthdayLove it made my day extra special ♥️♥️♥️

1. Daffodils!
2. tagged
3. A Bit of Fry and Laurie
4. Billy Collins
#humpdaypost
@DebbieGrillo @MinDea

A powerful debut novel about growing up in a violent world, in this case the Colombia of Pablo Escobar, and how children are affected by the choices we make and don‘t make. This will stay with me for a long time.