Emily

Finally got round to reading Between Shades of Gray, a book that has been sitting on my tbr for about two years, and what a book it was.

Along with being part of my #theunreadshelfproject, this was also book two of my #popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (Prompt: A book with a map).

It was a hugely affecting novel, a devastating account of the experiences of Lithuanians (and others) as they were forced out of their homes by the Soviet secret police and killed or forced into labour camps and prisions. Sepetys, whose grandfather was a Lithuanian military officer, has done a huge amount of research into the deportations in her quest to write this book. It is horrifying, a truly dreadful reminder of what the human race can do to one another.

But, despite the subject matter, this book was beautiful. A story of art, of hope, of the strength of those put into such awful situations and of the importance of looking after one another. I loved every word. I still cried A LOT though. ⭐️4.75/5⭐️