Read a collection of stories from citizens displaced by war

We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled — Wendy Pearlman

Welcome to Reading Under the Radar, where every Tuesday you’ll receive a book recommendation right to your inbox that hasn’t hit any major lists or book clubs but definitely deserves to be read.

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A Quick Update

Before we jump into today’s recommendation, I wanted to add a small note.

I fully intended to send out a brand-new recommendation this week, not one I’d used before. I want to make sure you, readers, have the freshest recommendations and new things to read every week!

But it’s been an incredibly difficult time, and I think we all feel it, whether it’s the current war, the election season that often places human rights up for a vote, the book bans, the transphobic violence and rhetoric, and I could go on for another century.

I’ve also had a personal upheaval — I recently lost my grandmother, my person I trusted most in this world, and it has turned everything upside down. I sold my house and moved states to be closer to family. I bought another house and move into it next week. I’m trying to keep my dog from stressing out too badly because he already has anxiety (don’t we all?). I’m trying to heal my body from 15 months of chronic illness and pain and manage my own mental health medications.

I don’t typically get this personal, but I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being the light for me during this time. I absolutely love seeing every single like and comment on each book recommendation. I run to Notes to see if someone is looking for a new book from me and if I can help them. I love scouring new release lists to prepare my monthly roundups. This is what has brought me joy.

But I can’t do it all, and so I will be recommending a book I’ve talked about before that I think will be a great one to read right now, collecting human experiences from people who have lived and are still living in crises. And I will be taking a break next week. You’ll see me back in your inbox after the Thanksgiving holiday when, hopefully, I will be refreshed and more excited than ever to chat about books.

For now, thank you all, and be kind. <3

Cassie

We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria by Wendy Pearlman

What It’s About

Wendy Pearlman, a political science professor and scholar of Middle East politics, began interviewing Syrian refugees after the 2011 uprising, protesting the government and calling for reform. They demanded something many of us take for granted: democracy and basic human rights. This protest enraged the government, which turned into a civil war, destroying the lives of thousands as they try to keep their loved ones safe.

This is the collection of these interviews, first-hand accounts from Syrians during this tumultuous time. Some chose to stay, some tried to flee, some tried to fight, and others tried to protect their loved ones. They discussed how fearful they’ve been under the current authoritarian regime and their struggle to provide a safe home for their families.

The stories that make it far and wide are often not the stories of people just like us: ordinary citizens with mothers and fathers and children who want to go to school and live a quiet life. This collection is about those people: the ones who are just like everyone else in the world. And amid the terror of the war and the uncertainty of their present day, they remain hopeful and wishful for a future that may be better for their children.

Why You Should Read It

These paragraphs were originally written in October 2022.

There are a lot of conflicts happening worldwide right now that affect a lot of people and are displacing them from their homes, families, and communities. I did not learn a lot about world history growing up, and it wasn’t until I started reading and became more active online that I was able to truly learn about people on different continents—continents I had been taught my whole life were not as good as the one I was living on. I do not think that at all anymore, thankfully, and reading stories from authors around the world has played a big part in educating me about the world.

It can feel overwhelming to stay up to date on the news constantly; our 24-hour news cycle is logistically impossible to keep up with, and a book can provide some of that knowledge while not being detrimental to mental health, especially if the news is something that greatly influences your mental health. We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled is an emotional, personal collection of stories from real people that will help you see a new piece of the world you haven’t before. Other important books like this are Without You, There Is No Us and Solito.

A book I will add today, in November 2023, is They Called Me Lioness: A Palestinian Girl’s Fight for Freedom.

Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations: 

• Read a novel about a reality TV family keeping secrets behind the cameras

• Read a big-hearted book about a girl with Broadway dreams

• Read a twisted dark academia novel about women seeking revenge

I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!

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