Can’t you tell school is slowing down just a bit? I actually cooked a recipe! I had a can of pumpkin puree in the pantry so googled recipes. Came across this one. I used canned pumpkin instead of butternut squash/apples. I also didn’t have any vanilla so substituted maple syrup. This is a delicious recipe!!!!!! Not too sweet but just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.
To the book…
Ruta Sepetys…one of my absolute favorite writers. I had no clue she had a new book out (this one) but immediately bought it once I saw it on Amazon. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her books. I have read every one of them and anxiously wait when I know a new one is coming out.
This book is through the eyes of a teenager in 1989 Romania. If you don’t know much about that year, it is when the Berlin Wall came down and the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union.
When I used to teach World History, I would briefly touch up on Romania and the end of Ceausescu’s rule. I never knew, though, how awful his rule was until I read this book. In my opinion, his rule made Stalin’s look “not as bad.” Geez… And as an Economics teacher, there were many excerpts I feel I can use in class to contrast the difference between command and market economic systems. Sepetys does an incredible job of truly making you “feel” how difficult it was living under his totalitarian rule – socially, economically, psychologically.
If you have never read any books by Sepetys, you are truly missing out, especially for historical fiction lovers. I truly appreciate the time and effort she puts into bringing attention to forgotten stories that deserve to be told.
On a side note… when I bought this book, I saw that one of her novels was turned into a graphic novel (“Between Shades of Gray”). I bought it for my 15-year old who read it in two days. She loved it and had so many questions about that time period (she is taking World History right now). I think she will really enjoy this book as well.
If you don’t feel like reading a heavy book but something that is educating, then pick up this book (or any of her books). You will not be disappointed! Happy Reading!
