Threads: Zlata’s Ukrainian Shirt, by Lina Maslo, narrator Natalie Payne

 

Available January 23, 2024      AUDIO   10 m

Past meets present?

It's hard not to draw parallels of this story from the starving period in Ukraine in the 1930's with what is happening today. Based on her own family's experiences, author Lina Masio gives us a poignant story of one girl's experiences in the starving time. It's a story of not just deprivation, but one of family and love of not just each other but their culture and their hopes for a better future. You'll learn a bit of Ukrainian culture as you read, as well as the strength of human character. I had the audio version and it's a mere 10 minutes but it's 10 minutes that will stick. As we watch human despair in so many areas of the world today, we're reminded that this isn't the first time such horrors happened. The human desire for freedom and life shine through, however, as symbolized by Zlata's lovely Ukrainian shirt. Zlata means "golden" in Ukrainian, btw. It's survival perhaps is the strongest symbolism of the book.

Written for a young audience, the story somehow manages to tell the story unflinchingly without resorting to graphic imagining. The goal is to introduce us to the past with a subtle nudge of how it applies to our current and future lives. I liked the subtle sound effects in the audio version although, I must admit, I rather wished I'd gotten a hard copy for the illustrations as I'm sure the mind-pictures in my adult mind were much more frightening than the actual scenes visualized. The idea of fathers simply disappearing may be a tough one for children but it isn't dwelt on, I noted. In addition, the fact additional colors were used in future shirts and designs, not just the red and black, is symbolism in a simple form. The narrator has an adult voice, btw, but remember that this is a recollection, so it makes sense an adult sounding voice is narrating. 

Bottom line, I found it a satisfying, warm, hopeful read/listen. It may serve to open up discussion of then and now while sharing bits of Ukrainian culture and design with us. Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio - #MacmillanYoungListeners for making this sneak peek available to me. The cover is lovely and as full of hope as human longings.

Ukraine's Rich & Complex History of Empires, Nationalism, War & Political Strife, by History Brought Alive

 

There's a good book in here but you just have to find it. Please note before reading further, in all fairness, I was reading an advance reading copy, ARC, so what I was reading may not be the final version. As it was, at times the writing seemed disjointed, almost as if it'd been written by separate authors and then put together in the whole. It'd be talking about something in the early 1900's, then jump to the more recent history, then in the blink of an eye be back to the, say, 1800s. In other words, while lots of info was given, it was difficult to keep it orderly in your mind due to the skipping around and frequent repetition. I honestly scrolled back the first couple times I encountered virtually the same info, thinking I'd zoned out and somehow gone backward. Nope. 

That said, the overview of Ukraine's history was there. I did like the overall organization of the book. It was broken down into general eras, ranging from Ukraine's early beginnings through the (as of this writing) still current invasion. Situated at a crossroads of sort between frequently warring and ambitious neighbors, it has perhaps seen more than its share of conflict. 

One of the things I found interesting was how many different cultures came together in the Ukraine territory, from early Scandinavians and the Mongols of Genghis Khan, who seem to have brought the onion shaped domes often painted in bright colors and patterns that are still seen today. Christianity spread and had a wide influence on the culture and architecture in particular. For instance, St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev was built in the 11th Century and is still used today as home of the UNESCO Heritage Site. It was interesting to see where the various bits of the culture, art, and architecture I now recognize as distinctly Ukrainian probably originated. 

Despite quite a bit of repetition (which may have been edited out by now), the authors present a somewhat dry but thorough summary of Ukraine's history, it's pivotal moments in that history, and many of the players in the story. That history is also broken down into a political history timeline, which extends through the current attack, giving the basics of how Volodymry Zelensky came to be where he is today, winning election with 73% of the vote. Key figures in Ukraine's past are also highlighted at the end where you'll also find a list of references for further reading. 

Bottom line, while a disjointed, repetitive read, the book did provide me with ample information on Ukraine's history. For that reason, rather than slam it for the issues noted above, I'm going with a 3 star rating. Not one I'd pick up again, admittedly, even to skim through, but if you're looking for the basics of not just why this country is so important to know about and what past events brought us here, it's a beginning. Thanks to #BookSirens and #HistoryBroughtAlive for giving me a peek at an early copy.

The War Came to Us: Life and Death in Ukraine, by Christopher Miller

 

 Available July 18, 2023

This gives us a front row seat for what has going on in Ukraine the day of the Russian invasion. Miller was there. Not only do we get a peek at a text Alexander Vindman sent to him just hours before the first cruise missiles began falling, we get to see the behind the scenes reactions of not just the Ukrainians, many of whom had been through this before in 2014, but the media. They always look so cool and calm when the "on the air" light goes on but, well, that is definitely not always easy, as we learn here.

Maybe equally importantly, the author shares his years of experience and insight from living and working in Ukraine for years. You'll get to know the people, the average Ukrainian, and get some insight into their pre-attack take on Russia and government in general. You'll also learn things like why the Russians were so determined to capture the last hold-outs in that salt mine, so to speak, and the impact that defiance had on the ultimate plan. You'll also hear harrowing accounts of some of those taken hostage and shipped to Russia, including endless rounds of hours and hours of interrogation and being forced in front of television cameras. It isn't pretty and you will sense Miller's genuine concern for the people involved and others he struggles to keep tabs on.

And, when you aren't focused on war, you'll learn about favorite foods, best places to eat (wonder how many still exist?), dress, and bits of the language and lore. Miller even sneaks in history lessons as he writes of his own learning curve in the Ukraine after originally sent there by the Peace Corps in 2009. He was sent to the Donbas. That saga in itself is worth a book. Oh, what they must have thought of that bearded young American that one child dubbed Uncle Hedgehog, who rode everywhere on a no-frills bicycle. 

I won't detail the rest of the war related information since, sadly, it isn't exactly unknown. What is great about this book, though, is that through his seemingly idle memory sharing, several "whys" emerge as to why such and such was done or the reactions. 

Bottom line, I feel smarter and far better informed for reading this book. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #BloomburyUSA for making it available.

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine, by Erin Litteken

Devastating. Uplifting. Tragic. Hope. Cruelty. Tenderness. Evil. Love. Inhumane. Human. All these words fit. It's man's inhumanity to man while, somehow, still radiating a sense that where there is life there is hope. 

In other words, this one is an emotional roller coaster. Having read Litteken's first book based on family memories, I opted to read straight through. No notes but frequent breaks when the story became almost too much to bear. Quite frankly, even if I'd taken extensive notes I couldn't come close to capturing this story in the relatively few words of a review. It's a story that needs to be told, however, and Litteken does a wonderful job of, while not omitting the horrors, conveying the resilience and hope that shines from her three main characters. 

In some ways I felt most akin to artistic Liliya, but all faced the horrors of war in their own unique ways. The words that were left ringing in my mind came early, to be brave and keep fighting because, yes, where there is life there is hope. That inner strength goes a long way toward explaining the need the Ukrainians have to keep fighting against invaders.

Read this book. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for reminding me that even when hope seems slim, it is always there.

Blue Skies and Golden Fields, ( Kindle Edition) by Oksana Lushchevska

 Publication Sept. 1, 2022 

I was a sunflower fan long before it became an international symbol of not just peace but hope and resistance against foreign invasion. As such, the cover grabbed my attention immediately. As a retired teacher, I wondered how it could be used for learning, particularly as I imagine many children, the target audience, had never heard of the country before recent (2022) events. While it certainly isn't a comprehensive tome on the country's culture and place in history, it does provide a solid starting point as well as some hands-on projects.

My first reaction, probably naturally, was to delight in the colorful photos spaced throughout the book. For instance, rather than simple drawings of, say, a nightingale, the national bird of Ukraine, photos were used. No surprise, the sunflower got its own section, one that included instructions on planting them. They share a bit of culture here and there and one of them was a Ukrainian poem to be recited as you water your flowers. 

History-wise, they provide a very basic overview and timeline. I should note  that the book seems more directed at adults, adults who can read and discuss the information within with children. It provides a taking off place, in other words. Known as "the breadbasket of the world", Ukraine certainly is worthy of discussion. A handy timeline is provided, by the way. Given recent events, it provides a handy reminder that Ukraine's geographical location has made it something of a volatile barrier between the west and east at times. Again, not presented politically but in a conversational tone as a starting place for discussion. As such, this book would be an excellent starting point for adults wanting to know more about Ukraine. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #Capstone - #CapstoneEditions for providing this quick, easy-to-read overview of Ukraine, it's culture, history, and importance to the world. Now I'm going to go practice those Ukrainian phrases.  

The Memory Keeper of Kyiv, by Erin Litteken

Stunned. I was absolutely stunned as I read "The Memory Keeper of Kyiv". History repeats itself. This isn't an easy read. Reality slaps us in the face. But, it's an important read. Even as a history major who was certainly aware that awful things happened there, seeing that knowledge translated into words and characters we quickly came to like and care about made it all the more horrifying. People going about their everyday lives, loving, living, laughing, sharing first kisses... Then it's all ripped away from them. The cruelty of war. The desperation. The randomness. The lives destroyed. Erin Litteken captures it all in this novel, using the format of a modern character discovering her grandmother's journal as a means of bringing the past to the present. As we reel today of a story of a Ukrainian man going out to simply walk his dog, something I do daily, and being shot in the head by invading forces, we see the past happening in the present. Yes, history repeats itself.

I won't attempt to detail the plot and take away any of your immediate reaction to the story. The book uses alternating viewpoints. One is of present day Cassie, a still grieving widow, and her daughter, who go to stay with Cassie's grandmother while she recovers from an accident. The other is of 16 year-old Katya (the grandmother) as she shares her first kiss and hears whispers of invasion and awful tales of events elsewhere. Cassie discovers her journal. We follow her throughout the invasion and eventual Holodomor, a time of a man-made famine when keeping a single shaft of wheat to feed a starving family could be a death sentence. Friends and loved ones simply disappear. Children are snatched from their homes, never to be seen again. People are forced to make life or death decisions every day. Katya chooses to live. This is her story, yes, but also the story of her family, past and present, Cassie looks to her future, too, with hope.

I know now why Ukrainians fight so bravely and relentlessly. They know the consequences. This book, ironically conceived of even before the 2014 invasion of Crimea, should be required reading for anyone with an interest in history and current events, not to mention in learning the truth. Katya's story, fictional as it is, must be told.

Thank you #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me the opportunity to read #TheMemoryKeepersOfKyiv.

 

From GoodReads: "Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family’s harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during and after World War II. She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children."

Souvenirs from Kyiv, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger

Heartbreaking. You're there. You feel their pain. Their fear. Their hunger. The despair. You're reminded that all we really know of war is of our own experience, an experience many have only experienced from the safety and security of their television screen or a book. Most of all, you're reminded that there are no winners in war, then or now. It's easy to feel anxiety as we see the past being reflected in the present. While the foreword is new, the book itself details experiences in the second world war but echoes strongly given current events. A character in each of the six stories within ties them together.

I won't detail the stories as you need to meet them head on, with no expectations or screens to fully appreciate the hunger, despair and, yes, hope. As I type, the invasion of the Ukraine continues. We see the scenes on our tv screens, yes, but somehow even that and the starkly shattering scenes captured in pictures never quite lets us inside the heart, hopes, and dreams of the Ukrainian people. In this book, Ukrainian-American author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger allows us to feel their hearts as she shares her stories of families past. She weaves these stories into a tale of historical fiction but you know, you just know, the pain was real.

This book was an eye opener. Until recently, I must admit, I had no real knowledge of Ukraine or its people Her foreword, written post invasion, details a brief history of the country, noting that her goal is "to hold up a mirror to our humanity so we can reflect on how we have gotten to where we find ourselves. I write stories to help readers and listeners connect to their ability for empathy. And I write to resolve the truth behind the big picture, to make it clear that conflict is not about two teams meeting on the battlefield -- one called 'good' and one called 'bad', there are no winners in this story."

I recommend this to anyone who cares, anyone who has a thirst to know more than the news feeds dole out to us. It's a stunningly sad yet, ironically, hopeful story. The human need for freedom rings out. Read it. You owe it to yourself.

My genuine, heartfelt thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for making this book available.