Welcome to Litsy!

There‘s no question that I. S. Berry has mad writing skills. There‘s a great story embedded in this thriller. I just wish that there was also at least one likeable character. I get it, spy novels are all about treachery and betrayal. Berry describes her protagonist, Shane Collin‘s, as world-weary. He is that, and his colleagues and foes are very ready to betray him, and themselves. I kept reading to find some redemption; there is none.

Once again trying to read while Not-My-Cat tries to send me subliminal messages about tuna fish.

Biography of Christian missionary Samuel Zwemer who served in the Arabian Peninsula for many years, then in Cairo, and later at Princeton University. Zwemer was often quoted in a recent book I read and I didn‘t know anything about him. This was a good resource that told his story and helped me start to know more.

Ruth and Euan travel to #Bahrain so that Euan can preach at the local church. Ruth is a bit bored and lonely, as is neighboring teen Noor, but what each is searching for the other ultimately can‘t provide. This book initially bashes you over the head with religion without warning (unless you read @squirrelbrain ‘s review, thanks Helen!), but then backs off that a bit to explore these two lost women. Not bad, not great.

#ReadingAsia2021

I‘m still counting this for #readingasia2021 #bahrain,as I made it just over halfway before bailing! 😁

The blurb gives no clue (other than the word ‘faith‘ hidden away) that Euan is a Christian going to Bahrain to convert the local Muslims, and to smuggle Bibles. The book is full of preaching and bible quotes and seems to strongly infer that Christianity is good and Islam is bad. It‘s also set in expat Bahrain so no feel for the country at all.

A short story that captured the culture of an island in the Arabian Sea very well. I think it could be easily crafted into a novel with the death defying exploits of pearl divers fully explored.

#Bahrain #ReadingAsia @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle

#PopSugar2021 gem, mineral, or rock in title

I am running a bit behind on the #ReadAroundTheWorld challenge (in the move I have even totally misplaced April‘s book!), but my #Bahrain selection is on Audible! I don‘t know if I would‘ve picked this one up otherwise and I quite enjoyed Amrou revealing his own story from a childhood crush on an animated fox (haven‘t we all been there?) to growing up with challenging relationships to his family, his religion and even his own mind. Well-performed!

Ah well. I‘ve only added one book to my #ReadingAsia2021 total this month, but it was really excellent nonfiction.

Karachi Vice by Samira Shackle for #Pakistan

I also read a short story for #Bahrain - I‘d already logged a book, but this was #ownvoices, enjoyable and short - so it wins! The Pearl Thief by Noor Al Noami.

That takes my total to 16/44. Eek! I wonder if I can read 6 in June to get me to the half-way mark 😬