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Salt Houses
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
150 posts | 91 read | 3 reading | 245 to read
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GatheringBooks
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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#DecemberDreams Day 15: There is a #Sparkle to this book despite its grim theme of dispossession and displacement and disenfranchisement. There is still the distinct and defiant sense of self that shimmers and shines.

Eggs Gorgeous cover 💛❤️🧡 3mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great cover!! 3mo
44 likes2 comments
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GatheringBooks
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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#DecemberDreams Day 12: A lot of haunting #Memories shared and made in this multigenerational novel that is matrilineal in nature.

Eggs Well done 📚 4mo
41 likes1 comment
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GatheringBooks
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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#DecemberDreams Day 11: Let us all pray for #Peace in the region and everywhere else in the world where there is strife and unrest. 🕊️Paired with bibingka with salted egg and hot chocolate - perfect while we are in the Philippines.

Eggs ☕️🕊️🩵 4mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 🫖 4mo
43 likes2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

Multi-generational books are my sweet spot. This book about a family over time and what home means was no exception. Still #ReadingAsia2021 #Kuwait

BarbaraBB Kudos for still #ReadingAsia2021! 6mo
54 likes1 comment
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Twocougs
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

It‘s a story of a family‘s history from Nablus, to Kuwait, Boston, Paris, and Beirut. Lovely story.

IuliaC Such a beautiful cover! 10mo
38 likes1 comment
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Kshakal
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Cuilin Loved this novel. 11mo
Eggs Perfect 🤩 11mo
38 likes2 comments
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Cuilin
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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#MayMontage #Generational
As I searched for a book for today‘s prompt I realized I quite enjoy a generational novel. Here are some of my favorites Salt Houses in particular was beautiful. I read Kane and Abel as a teenager #Mumsshelf

Eggs Lovely selections 👏🏻👏🏻 11mo
ChaoticMissAdventures I love a well done generational too!! I think my favorites are a tie between Pachinko and 11mo
Cuilin @ChaoticMissAdventures Oh achinko was great. I have Homegoing on a shelf somewhere. 11mo
62 likes3 comments
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Kshakal
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Eggs Beautiful poppy cover❣️ 2y
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Amiable
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

Completed my first book for #NewYearWhoDis #NYWD22. It‘s a multigenerational narrative of a Palestinian family over six decades that delves into the reality of being forced to recreate lives in various foreign cities as immigrants and the enduring sense of homesickness that comes when you aren‘t sure where “home” really is. It‘s beautiful and poignant and wistful and lovely. Thank you, @Singout !

Singout You‘re welcome! I finished my first last night! Review coming. 2y
Amiable @Singout I‘ve had this book in my pile for a couple of years —I‘m so glad that your list made me finally pick it up and read it ! 2y
monalyisha 🎉🎉🎉 2y
JamieArc I really enjoyed this book. Glad you did too 😊 2y
Amiable @JamieArc I especially appreciated that not all of the characters were completely likeable. Just like in real life. 🙂 2y
82 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Amiable
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Here are my first picks from my fabulous #NewYearWhoDis match, @Singout ! Because I requested a match partner who had a list that was balanced with both fiction and nonfiction, I picked one of each to start off with in January. I already own “Salt Houses” and “When They Call You a Terrorist” was on my TBR, so it was an easy choice! 🙂

#NYWD22

monalyisha And -- BONUS! -- both covers are gorgeous! 😍 2y
Amiable @monalyisha They are! It makes me wish I could paint. 2y
JamieArc I really enjoyed Salt Houses. Happy reading 😊 2y
Singout Enjoy! 2y
70 likes4 comments
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Singout
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book, which gave excellent insights into the impact of the #Palestinian diaspora. Each chapter is written from the perspective of a woman in a resilient multi-generational family from the mid-60s to 2016, and showing how repeated wars, persecution, love, and hope for a better life lead them to Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, France, and the U.S. without losing family and ethnic ties.

#Booked2021 #SetInACountryWhereUNPeacekeepersAre

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Singout
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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When Salma peers into her daughter‘s coffee cup, she knows instantly she must lie.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

A multi-generational story set around the world—mostly in the Middle East. Matriarch Salma‘s family moves from country to country to stay safe amidst the realities of ongoing conflicts and wars. Beyond that, Alyan explores identity and otherness through her various characters. A nuanced portrayal of Muslim life in the the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2021 #readingasia2021 #kuwait

kplovesbooks Pretty cover! 2y
Librarybelle This is on my to read list! 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Librarybelle I really liked this one. Started it as I waited for an airplane ride. And didn‘t put it down the whole flight! 2y
See All 10 Comments
BarbaraTheBibliophage @kplovesbooks It is! I also like some of the other cover versions I‘ve seen. 2y
Crazeedi Most interesting! 2y
BarbaraBB It sounds good. I wonder why I didn‘t pick it up for one of the Middle Eastern countries. 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @BarbaraBB It is good. And works for a couple of different countries since the family moves a few times. Well, another time … 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Crazeedi It was definitely interesting! 2y
Reggie I just saw you on YouTube on @shawnmooney and even though I am not an audio person, this really piqued my interest. Also, I kept waiting for for the mention of a curse with the title that the book has, but maybe that‘s one of the spoilers. Anyways, great video! (edited) 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Reggie I haven‘t even watched yet!! But I‘m glad you enjoyed it because we had fun doing it. And yes, you might enjoy that audiobook. It‘s only 90 minutes long, so maybe you can manage. LOL. 2y
66 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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emmaturi
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

A moving and heartbreaking story of intergenerational Palestinian family. Starting in Nablus in 1963 through to Jaffa 2014. Each chapters are family members and their stories of the troubled times they live in.

Cathythoughts Sounds good & an amazing cover ❤️💔 2y
emmaturi Yes I enjoyed it! @Cathythoughts 2y
31 likes2 comments
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Lauren890
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this multigenerational novel overall. It starts in Palestine in the 1960s and switched perspectives, jumping forward through time. I felt that it rounded out some of the characters. Some parts were a little slow, but a lot of it was interesting and well written. Some strong female characters in a part of the world I‘m not very familiar with.
This was a #gettbr recommendation.

Centique That‘s a beautiful cover too! 3y
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheSpineView
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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#MayCharacters @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
Prompt: Matriarch

Love the strong female characters in this book especially Salma.

Eggs Gorgeous cover 🌺 3y
TheSpineView @Eggs ❤📕 3y
Traci1 That's so pretty. 3y
54 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Addison_Reads
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Mehso-so

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #ReadingAsia2021 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Had this not been for a challenge, I probably would have bailed.

It sounded much better than it ended up being. The last part of the book was the best, but before that it was just slow and boring, which is sad because it had a lot of potential.

TheAromaofBooks At least it's off the list!!! 3y
Librarybelle That‘s a shame! 3y
28 likes2 comments
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Lauren890
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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These are my new TBR recommendations from Book riot‘s service. My bibliologist changed and she gave me some recs I hadn‘t heard of which really makes me excited! 📚 The weather has also been nice, hence the spring-ish background.
#gettbr

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Hooked_on_books
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Mehso-so

Salt Houses is a multigenerational story of a Palestinian family displaced multiple times, to #Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and more. I found the premise compelling, but it never quite drew me in. There were some moments near the end that worked well, but overall it was just a little boring.

#ReadingAsia2021

BarbaraBB I was afraid for that based on a friend‘s opinion so skipped this one. Now I‘m glad I did! 3y
Librarybelle I do love the cover of this one, though. (edited) 3y
Come-read-with-me This was on my TBR. Might move it further down in the rotation now. 3y
55 likes3 comments
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Carolyn11215
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Current read. Generally fond of books set in the Middle East. Starts with the Six Day War of 1967 and then traces lives of various family members through many decades in many countries.

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PandaPanda
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

A multigenerational story of a Palestinian family displaced multiple times over 4 generations. I thought the multiple POV‘s would be annoying, but it was so refreshing. Almost like numerous short stories connected through one family. I also loved that we saw the world through the women of the family more often then the men. I would definitely recommend this to anyone on the fence about reading it.

50 likes1 stack add
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PandaPanda
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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“When Salma peers into her daughter‘s coffee cup, she knows instantly she must lie.” 😲

Really enjoying this one!

26 likes1 stack add
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crhealey
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

Celebrating #nationalbookloversday by finishing my first 5 star read in who knows how long! Loved this book so much.

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Itchyfeetreader
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Mehso-so

I really enjoyed the sense of family and connection and the descriptions of many parts of the Middle East I have been fortunate enough to visit being described with such love. However this is really a multi generational family saga and I think when I rarely dip into such a thing I like them to be chunkier with deeper chAracterisation and a sense of real connection. There was too much too quickly for me here. (Photo beruit)

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Cuilin
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

Beautifully told, intimate, multi-generational novel, about homeland, longing, identity, and family. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

28 likes1 stack add
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Cuilin
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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1. Exile ( tagged book)
2. Yes trying to support local bookstores. I‘ve had two delivered. Waiting on others.

I tag @Caitlin_Sheridan and anyone else who wants to play.

@TheSpineView @Eggs

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 4y
20 likes1 comment
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Cuilin
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Starting this today. Mixed reviews but I‘m drawn to immigration stories. Plus this cover is gorgeous. 😍 I just need to refill my coffee.

Catherine_Willoughby The poppy ❤ 4y
Cathythoughts Beautiful cover ❤️✨ 4y
27 likes2 comments
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suvata
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Panpan

Not my kind of book

katy4peas I started this one for book club and didn‘t get very far. I wanted to like it but couldn‘t get into it at this time. Might try again later. Lots going on and need my favorite books to escape into right now. 4y
suvata Not every book is for every person. This one was definitely not for me. 4y
48 likes2 comments
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Kshakal
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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I had high hopes for this one but it just didn‘t pan out for me! #thoughtyouwouldlikebutdidnt #gratefulreads @OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty cover though 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚 4y
39 likes2 comments
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Schlinkles
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Soubhiville Oh my, pretty! 5y
42 likes1 comment
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sarahjane1077
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Up next! #tbr #amreading

10 likes1 stack add
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AlizaApp
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

Generations of a Palestinian family as they face the troubled and changing Middle East. Starts in Nablus before the Six Day War and travels from Kuwait and Amman to Paris and Boston in a post-9/11 world.

36 likes2 stack adds
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Hestapleton
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
Pickpick

I liked this more than I thought I would. The first 100 pages are tough—a choppy storyline, new (to me) culture (haven‘t read much Palestinian lit)—but I found a groove eventually and really enjoyed the writing and characters that span generations. Wouldn‘t have discovered it without my book club! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book 10/30 for #bfcr2

64 likes1 stack add
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Hestapleton
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Was hoping to finish the tagged book tonight. And then my very independent kitty decided that he missed me and fell asleep all curled up in my lap. 😭❤️

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 5y
hermyknee Awwww ♥️ How are you liking Salt Houses? That one has been on my radar for quite a while 5y
Hestapleton @hermyknee I‘m liking it! My book club is reading it. The first 100 pages are slow and the style is a bit tricky to get used to, but I‘m in the swing of it and really enjoying the different perspective and writing. 5y
Crazeedi Kitty deserves a little lovin! 5y
rretzler 😻 5y
94 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Macnjen
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

Book club book for #litsyAtoZ challenge. Nice story of multiple generations of a middle eastern family. A little confusing as it jumps back and forth in time. Nothing major happens, it's just a story of their lives. I'd give it 3 stars as it was a little slow for me but a sweet storyline. @bookishmarginalia

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kindergartenkat
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Gearing up for #bookfitnesschallenge ! Went to CrossFit and finished Salt Houses today. Started listening to On the Come Up too.

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Victoria_Clyne
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Mehso-so

An interesting novel of an Middle Eastern family told by various members of the family at key historical points in time. I liked reading about their everyday lives and the impact of or reaction to the historical events but overall felt that it was too slow for me.

Kshakal Completely agree 5y
11 likes1 comment
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Macnjen
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Next book club book for the #litsyAtoZ challenge @BookishMarginalia fir the letter A.

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Kshakal
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Mehso-so

I have conflicting feelings about this multi-generational saga... the subject was interesting but it felt seriously disjointed to me. There were giant leaps of time and it made it hard to keep everything straight. Overall, not my favorite.

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Kshakal
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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A good book and a hallmark movie... yeah, I know how to party on a Saturday night 🤓

Mollyanna Sounds perfect! Enjoy! 5y
40 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
Pickpick

If you enjoy multi generational family sagas, this is a good one. Also very interesting exploration of the impact of the middle east wars from 67 to desert Storm on people's individual life choices.

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JamieArc
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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A bibliophile‘s torture: Checking into my hotel for a weekend full of meetings, I see a gift bag with Ta-Nahesi Coates‘ name on it. It turns out he won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for non-fiction and the tagged author for fiction (which I really liked). This bookish thing is happening right where I am and I can‘t go! Torture! I can even see INTO the event from my hotel window! 😫😫😫

Ericalambbrown I‘m so sorry! Ugh. 😢 5y
Schlinkles Oh painful. Salt Houses was such a beautiful book! 5y
BookNAround Loved Salt Houses. 5y
46 likes3 comments
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LinusTheWonderPup
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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RealLifeReading
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Books I found at the Singapore library@orchard
A debut novel about the displacement of a Palestinian family.
First line: “When Salma peers into her daughter‘s coffee cup, she knows instantly she must lie.”

Have you read it?

JulAnna I have not, but it sounds like something I would like! Stacked! 6y
MoniqueReads305 That first line is amazing. 6y
BookNAround Great book! 6y
See All 6 Comments
JamieArc I really liked this one. 6y
RealLifeReading @JulAnna @MoniqueReads305 I‘m definitely going to borrow it soon! 6y
RealLifeReading @BookNAround @JamieArc good to hear that! Looking forward to reading it 6y
117 likes10 stack adds6 comments
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Lola
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Finally sitting down to read after a loooong day. This one pulled me right in. @RoscoeBooks Fiction Book Club pick for August.

Tamra Love that cover! 6y
38 likes1 comment
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GypsyKat
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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Pickpick

I wouldn‘t classify this one as a page turner, but it was lovely. This follows a middle eastern family through several generations, and all over the world. It‘s beauty is in its simplicity. War, loss, hope, religion, and tradition weaving through the stories of this family and their everyday lives. 3 1/2 stars

82 likes1 stack add
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GypsyKat
Salt Houses | Hala Alyan
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I‘m starting this audiobook today. I don‘t know much about it so I don‘t really have any expectations. That alone should make it interesting. 👍🎧

Itchyfeetreader I have this in paperback but not read it yet. 6y
87 likes1 stack add1 comment