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螌蟽慰 慰喂 位蔚渭慰谓喂苇蟼 伪谓胃委味慰蠀谓
欧宝娱乐 Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction (2022)螝维胃蔚 位蔚渭蠈谓喂 胃伪 蠁苇蟻蔚喂 蟽蟿慰谓 魏蠈蟽渭慰 苇谓伪 蟺伪喂未委 魏伪喂 蟿伪 位蔚渭蠈谓喂伪 未蔚谓 胃伪 蔚尉伪谓蟿位畏胃慰蠉谓 蟺慰蟿苇鈥�
螚 危伪位维渭伪 蟽蟺慰蠀未维味蔚喂 蠁伪蟻渭伪魏蔚蠀蟿喂魏萎, 蔚谓蠋 畏 蟽畏渭伪委伪 蟿畏蟼 危蠀蟻喂伪魏萎蟼 螘蟺伪谓维蟽蟿伪蟽畏蟼 蔚蟿慰喂渭维味蔚蟿伪喂 谓伪 蟿伪尉喂未苇蠄蔚喂 渭伪魏蟻喂维 蟺伪委蟻谓慰谓蟿伪蟼 渭伪味委 魏伪喂 蟿伪 蠈谓蔚喂蟻维 蟿畏蟼.
螚 蟺蠈位畏 围慰渭蟼 蟺慰位喂慰蟻魏蔚委蟿伪喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰谓 魏蠀尾蔚蟻谓畏蟿喂魏蠈 蟽蟿蟻伪蟿蠈. 螤伪谓蟿慰蠉 尉蔚魏慰喂位喂伪蟽渭苇谓伪 纬魏蟻委味伪 魏蟿委蟻喂伪, 慰 魏蠈蟽渭慰蟼 位喂渭慰魏蟿慰谓蔚委 魏伪喂 畏 委未喂伪 伪谓伪纬魏维味蔚蟿伪喂 谓伪 纬委谓蔚喂 蔚胃蔚位蠈谓蟿蟻喂伪 谓慰蟽畏位蔚蠉蟿蟻喂伪 尾慰畏胃蠋谓蟿伪蟼 蠈蟽慰蠀蟼 渭蟺慰蟻蔚委, 魏位蔚委谓慰谓蟿伪蟼 蟿伪 渭维蟿喂伪 蠈蟽蠅谓 未蔚谓 渭蟺慰蟻蔚委.
危蠁委纬纬蔚喂 蟿慰 蠂喂蟿味维渭蟺 纬蠉蟻蠅 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰谓 位伪喂渭蠈 蟿畏蟼, 魏伪胃蠋蟼 蟽蠁蠀蟻委味慰蠀谓 蟽蠁伪委蟻蔚蟼, 蟺苇蠁蟿慰蠀谓 尾蠈渭尾蔚蟼, 尉蔚蟽蟺慰蠉谓 维纬蟻喂蔚蟼 渭维蠂蔚蟼. 螒谓维渭蔚蟽伪 蟽蟿慰蠀蟼 谓蔚魏蟻慰蠉蟼, 畏 慰喂魏慰纬苇谓蔚喂维 蟿畏蟼.
螡伪 渭蔚委谓蔚喂 谓伪 蟺慰位蔚渭萎蟽蔚喂 纬喂伪 蟿畏谓 蔚蟺伪谓维蟽蟿伪蟽畏 萎 谓伪 蔚纬魏伪蟿伪位蔚委蠄蔚喂 蟿畏 危蠀蟻委伪;
螚 螞苇喂位伪 魏伪喂 蟿慰 伪纬苇谓谓畏蟿慰 渭蠅蟻蠈 蟿畏蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 蠈,蟿喂 苇蠂蔚喂 伪蟺慰渭蔚委谓蔚喂 蟽蟿畏 危伪位维渭伪.
螠伪味委 渭蔚 蟿畏 蠁蠅谓萎 蟿畏蟼 渭畏蟿苇蟻伪蟼 蟿畏蟼, 蔚委谓伪喂 慰喂 尉苇胃蠅蟻蔚蟼 魏位蠅蟽蟿苇蟼 蟺慰蠀 蟿畏谓 蔚谓蠋谓慰蠀谓 渭蔚 蟿慰 蟺伪蟻蔚位胃蠈谓 蟿畏蟼.
螘魏蟿蠈蟼 魏喂 伪谓 位慰纬伪蟻喂维蟽蔚喂 蟿慰谓 围维慰蠀蠁, 渭喂伪 蟺伪蟻伪委蟽胃畏蟽畏 蟿畏蟼 蠁蟻委魏畏蟼, 蟺慰蠀 魏维胃蔚 渭苇蟻伪 蟿畏谓 蟺蟻慰蟿蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 蠁蠉纬蔚喂, 魏维胃蔚 渭苇蟻伪 蔚魏蔚委谓畏 伪蟻谓蔚委蟿伪喂.
螌蟿伪谓 蟽蠀谓伪谓蟿维 蟿慰谓 螝蔚谓维谓, 蟿慰 伪纬蠈蟻喂 渭蔚 蟿伪 味蠅畏蟻维 蟺蟻维蟽喂谓伪 渭维蟿喂伪, 胃伪 蟽蠀谓蔚喂未畏蟿慰蟺慰喂萎蟽蔚喂 蠈蟽伪 蟿畏谓 蔚谓蠋谓慰蠀谓 魏伪喂 蠈蟽伪 蟿畏 蠂蠅蟻委味慰蠀谓 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰蠀蟼 未喂魏慰蠉蟼 蟿畏蟼 伪谓胃蟻蠋蟺慰蠀蟼 魏伪喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 蟺伪蟿蟻委未伪 蟿畏蟼.
螖蔚谓 尾蟻委蟽魏慰谓蟿伪喂 蟽蔚 蟺蠈位蔚渭慰. 螕喂伪 蠈蟽慰 慰喂 位蔚渭慰谓喂苇蟼 伪谓胃委味慰蠀谓鈥� 胃伪 味慰蠀谓 蟿畏谓 蔚蟺伪谓维蟽蟿伪蟽畏!
螝伪喂 畏 危伪位维渭伪 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 伪蟺慰蠁伪蟽委蟽蔚喂 蟺慰喂伪 蔚委谓伪喂 畏 未喂魏萎 蟿畏蟼 胃苇蟽畏.
螠喂伪 喂蟽蟿慰蟻委伪 伪纬维蟺畏蟼 魏伪喂 伪谓胃蟻蠅蟺喂维蟼 蟺慰蠀 伪谓伪味畏蟿蔚委 蟽蠀纬蠂蠋蟻蔚蟽畏 渭苇蟽伪 蟽蟿畏谓 蟺伪蟻维谓慰喂伪 蟿慰蠀 蟺慰位苇渭慰蠀 魏伪喂 蔚位蟺委未伪 蟽蟿畏谓 蟿蟻伪纬蠅未委伪.
螚 危伪位维渭伪 蟽蟺慰蠀未维味蔚喂 蠁伪蟻渭伪魏蔚蠀蟿喂魏萎, 蔚谓蠋 畏 蟽畏渭伪委伪 蟿畏蟼 危蠀蟻喂伪魏萎蟼 螘蟺伪谓维蟽蟿伪蟽畏蟼 蔚蟿慰喂渭维味蔚蟿伪喂 谓伪 蟿伪尉喂未苇蠄蔚喂 渭伪魏蟻喂维 蟺伪委蟻谓慰谓蟿伪蟼 渭伪味委 魏伪喂 蟿伪 蠈谓蔚喂蟻维 蟿畏蟼.
螚 蟺蠈位畏 围慰渭蟼 蟺慰位喂慰蟻魏蔚委蟿伪喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰谓 魏蠀尾蔚蟻谓畏蟿喂魏蠈 蟽蟿蟻伪蟿蠈. 螤伪谓蟿慰蠉 尉蔚魏慰喂位喂伪蟽渭苇谓伪 纬魏蟻委味伪 魏蟿委蟻喂伪, 慰 魏蠈蟽渭慰蟼 位喂渭慰魏蟿慰谓蔚委 魏伪喂 畏 委未喂伪 伪谓伪纬魏维味蔚蟿伪喂 谓伪 纬委谓蔚喂 蔚胃蔚位蠈谓蟿蟻喂伪 谓慰蟽畏位蔚蠉蟿蟻喂伪 尾慰畏胃蠋谓蟿伪蟼 蠈蟽慰蠀蟼 渭蟺慰蟻蔚委, 魏位蔚委谓慰谓蟿伪蟼 蟿伪 渭维蟿喂伪 蠈蟽蠅谓 未蔚谓 渭蟺慰蟻蔚委.
危蠁委纬纬蔚喂 蟿慰 蠂喂蟿味维渭蟺 纬蠉蟻蠅 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰谓 位伪喂渭蠈 蟿畏蟼, 魏伪胃蠋蟼 蟽蠁蠀蟻委味慰蠀谓 蟽蠁伪委蟻蔚蟼, 蟺苇蠁蟿慰蠀谓 尾蠈渭尾蔚蟼, 尉蔚蟽蟺慰蠉谓 维纬蟻喂蔚蟼 渭维蠂蔚蟼. 螒谓维渭蔚蟽伪 蟽蟿慰蠀蟼 谓蔚魏蟻慰蠉蟼, 畏 慰喂魏慰纬苇谓蔚喂维 蟿畏蟼.
螡伪 渭蔚委谓蔚喂 谓伪 蟺慰位蔚渭萎蟽蔚喂 纬喂伪 蟿畏谓 蔚蟺伪谓维蟽蟿伪蟽畏 萎 谓伪 蔚纬魏伪蟿伪位蔚委蠄蔚喂 蟿畏 危蠀蟻委伪;
螚 螞苇喂位伪 魏伪喂 蟿慰 伪纬苇谓谓畏蟿慰 渭蠅蟻蠈 蟿畏蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 蠈,蟿喂 苇蠂蔚喂 伪蟺慰渭蔚委谓蔚喂 蟽蟿畏 危伪位维渭伪.
螠伪味委 渭蔚 蟿畏 蠁蠅谓萎 蟿畏蟼 渭畏蟿苇蟻伪蟼 蟿畏蟼, 蔚委谓伪喂 慰喂 尉苇胃蠅蟻蔚蟼 魏位蠅蟽蟿苇蟼 蟺慰蠀 蟿畏谓 蔚谓蠋谓慰蠀谓 渭蔚 蟿慰 蟺伪蟻蔚位胃蠈谓 蟿畏蟼.
螘魏蟿蠈蟼 魏喂 伪谓 位慰纬伪蟻喂维蟽蔚喂 蟿慰谓 围维慰蠀蠁, 渭喂伪 蟺伪蟻伪委蟽胃畏蟽畏 蟿畏蟼 蠁蟻委魏畏蟼, 蟺慰蠀 魏维胃蔚 渭苇蟻伪 蟿畏谓 蟺蟻慰蟿蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 蠁蠉纬蔚喂, 魏维胃蔚 渭苇蟻伪 蔚魏蔚委谓畏 伪蟻谓蔚委蟿伪喂.
螌蟿伪谓 蟽蠀谓伪谓蟿维 蟿慰谓 螝蔚谓维谓, 蟿慰 伪纬蠈蟻喂 渭蔚 蟿伪 味蠅畏蟻维 蟺蟻维蟽喂谓伪 渭维蟿喂伪, 胃伪 蟽蠀谓蔚喂未畏蟿慰蟺慰喂萎蟽蔚喂 蠈蟽伪 蟿畏谓 蔚谓蠋谓慰蠀谓 魏伪喂 蠈蟽伪 蟿畏 蠂蠅蟻委味慰蠀谓 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰蠀蟼 未喂魏慰蠉蟼 蟿畏蟼 伪谓胃蟻蠋蟺慰蠀蟼 魏伪喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 蟺伪蟿蟻委未伪 蟿畏蟼.
螖蔚谓 尾蟻委蟽魏慰谓蟿伪喂 蟽蔚 蟺蠈位蔚渭慰. 螕喂伪 蠈蟽慰 慰喂 位蔚渭慰谓喂苇蟼 伪谓胃委味慰蠀谓鈥� 胃伪 味慰蠀谓 蟿畏谓 蔚蟺伪谓维蟽蟿伪蟽畏!
螝伪喂 畏 危伪位维渭伪 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 伪蟺慰蠁伪蟽委蟽蔚喂 蟺慰喂伪 蔚委谓伪喂 畏 未喂魏萎 蟿畏蟼 胃苇蟽畏.
螠喂伪 喂蟽蟿慰蟻委伪 伪纬维蟺畏蟼 魏伪喂 伪谓胃蟻蠅蟺喂维蟼 蟺慰蠀 伪谓伪味畏蟿蔚委 蟽蠀纬蠂蠋蟻蔚蟽畏 渭苇蟽伪 蟽蟿畏谓 蟺伪蟻维谓慰喂伪 蟿慰蠀 蟺慰位苇渭慰蠀 魏伪喂 蔚位蟺委未伪 蟽蟿畏谓 蟿蟻伪纬蠅未委伪.
496 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2022
8608 people are currently reading
211799 people want to read
About the author
Zoulfa Katouh
1听book5,158听followersAll Zoulfa wanted was to lay in her bed and eat sliced mango all day long with no single thought in her mind, but now she has two jobs, scientist and author. She has girlbossed so close to the sun, that she's burning. She lost the original plot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 16,287 reviews
June 14, 2024
鉃�
5/5 stars
鉁多繍
鈥淓very lemon will bring forth a child and the lemons will never die out.鈥�
Well, i have seen alot of people rave about this book since months but honestly i have been pretty conflicted about reading this. Why?? Bc every booktok rec have disappointed me soo far and i was afraid it would do the same but guess what it didn't. It is literally one of best literary pieces i have read till date. Every aspect of this was pure perfection鈥攖he storyline, the characters, the writing, even the quotes. I adored every single detail. Honestly, I wish I could erase it from my memory just so I could experience it all over again, feeling every emotion as if for the first time.
This book didn't just touch me; it shattered my heart, crushed my soul, and left an imprint on my very being. It's the kind of story that lingers long after you've closed the pages, like a gentle whisper in the back of your mind. Each word felt like a warm cup of coffee on a cold winter day鈥攃omforting yet profoundly stirring. Even after I turned the final page, I found myself unable to shake its grip on my thoughts, contemplating the struggles of countless children who may be facing similar challenges at this very moment.
After reading this, I couldn't help but realize how privileged we truly are. We take for granted the simple things like breathing without worry, enjoying a warm meal without fear of scarcity, or having clean water and a roof over our heads without a second thought. It's heartbreaking to think about the innocence stolen from these children because we, as humans, have lost touch with our own humanity.
Imagine for a moment the gut-wrenching reality of living with the constant fear of death. It's exhausting to worry about where your next meal will come from, if you'll have a roof over your head, or even if you'll take your next breath. It's unfathomable to me how anyone could subject innocent children to such suffering鈥攖hey don't deserve to contemplate their own mortality or wish for an end to their pain by disappearing. Children should be free to live their lives, playing, dancing, and experiencing the joys of childhood, not burdened with adult worries. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder: is it truly so difficult to hold onto our humanity, or have we become emotionless monsters who thrive on the suffering of others?
Hope is the lifeline for so many, the beacon guiding them through the darkest of times. It's the belief that someday they'll find freedom, that someday this suffering will cease, and that someday happiness will be within reach. Hope is what sustains them, keeping their spirits alive and their dreams alive. They long for the day when they can live without the burden of worries that we often take for granted as basic necessities.
This book mirrors the current state of our world in many ways. It follows the journey of Salama, an eighteen-year-old surgeon who saves lives every day, yet grapples with overwhelming guilt when she can't save someone dear to her. Forced to grow up too soon due to circumstances beyond her control, she faces the dilemma of leaving her homeland or staying behind. Enter Kenan, who challenges her resolve to stay having lost everyone else in the war. It's a poignant tale of love, loss, and the struggles of navigating life in the midst of chaos.
Its set in Syria during the country鈥檚 civil war, 'As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow' follows 18-year-old Salama Kassab as she navigates life under a cruel dictatorship. It's a story of unwavering love for one's country and the resilience that sustains people even in the darkest of times. Though fiction, it echoes the real-life struggles of countless Syrians who lost everything yet found the strength to persevere. It reminds us that amidst pain and hardship, happiness can still be found, and goodness prevails even in a world filled with evil. It's a gentle reminder that even when hope seems lost, a flicker of light remains to guide the way forward."
I'm truly happy that Kenan and Salama found each other. They've endured so much and deserve all the happiness in the world. While the book may not focus solely on romance, their love story is everything to me. They deserve all the happiness in the world. While nothing can replace the time or the people they've lost, I wish them everything. I want to believe that they never experienced another bad day, only happiness, after all they've been through.
The way the author crafted this book is absolutely gut-wrenching. It's as if every word was carefully chosen to evoke the deepest emotions in the reader. I've never come across a story that resonated with me so profoundly. It's the kind of book that lingers in your thoughts long after you've finished reading, leaving an indelible mark on your soul. I've never encountered a story that stayed with me quite like this one. It's the kind of book I'll never tire of recommending to others.
掳藮鉃� Overall, if you're on the lookout for a book that will not only send shivers down your spine but also bring tears to your eyes, even in the darkest hours of the night, then look no further then this book might just be the perfect catch for you! 馃拰
啾ㄠ QUOTES 鈯� 啵� 藮
鈿� 鈥淎untie鈥攄on鈥檛 cry鈥攚hen I go to Heaven鈥擨鈥檒l tell God鈥攅verything,鈥�
won't lie this quote right here literally gave me chills馃槶鉁嬸煆�
鈿� 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 hurt for you to think about your future. We don鈥檛 have to stop living because we might die. Anyone might die at any given moment, anywhere in the world. We鈥檙e not an exception. We just see death more regularly than they do"
鈿� "Freedom was never an easy price; it鈥檚 paid with鈥� Blood. More than we ever thought possible"
鈿� 鈥淜now that even in death, you鈥檙e my life.鈥�
鈿� "Fate has his strings, but we鈥檙e the ones who twist them together with our actions"
鈿� "It reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die."
-藡藦鉁勨揽鈹堚揽鈹�
陹梆煂封姽 啵� pre-read review 鈥�
Diving in because everyone is sobbing after reading this book and also bc im just a bloody masochist 馃槞馃馃徎
鈥淓very lemon will bring forth a child and the lemons will never die out.鈥�
Well, i have seen alot of people rave about this book since months but honestly i have been pretty conflicted about reading this. Why?? Bc every booktok rec have disappointed me soo far and i was afraid it would do the same but guess what it didn't. It is literally one of best literary pieces i have read till date. Every aspect of this was pure perfection鈥攖he storyline, the characters, the writing, even the quotes. I adored every single detail. Honestly, I wish I could erase it from my memory just so I could experience it all over again, feeling every emotion as if for the first time.
This book didn't just touch me; it shattered my heart, crushed my soul, and left an imprint on my very being. It's the kind of story that lingers long after you've closed the pages, like a gentle whisper in the back of your mind. Each word felt like a warm cup of coffee on a cold winter day鈥攃omforting yet profoundly stirring. Even after I turned the final page, I found myself unable to shake its grip on my thoughts, contemplating the struggles of countless children who may be facing similar challenges at this very moment.
After reading this, I couldn't help but realize how privileged we truly are. We take for granted the simple things like breathing without worry, enjoying a warm meal without fear of scarcity, or having clean water and a roof over our heads without a second thought. It's heartbreaking to think about the innocence stolen from these children because we, as humans, have lost touch with our own humanity.
Imagine for a moment the gut-wrenching reality of living with the constant fear of death. It's exhausting to worry about where your next meal will come from, if you'll have a roof over your head, or even if you'll take your next breath. It's unfathomable to me how anyone could subject innocent children to such suffering鈥攖hey don't deserve to contemplate their own mortality or wish for an end to their pain by disappearing. Children should be free to live their lives, playing, dancing, and experiencing the joys of childhood, not burdened with adult worries. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder: is it truly so difficult to hold onto our humanity, or have we become emotionless monsters who thrive on the suffering of others?
Hope is the lifeline for so many, the beacon guiding them through the darkest of times. It's the belief that someday they'll find freedom, that someday this suffering will cease, and that someday happiness will be within reach. Hope is what sustains them, keeping their spirits alive and their dreams alive. They long for the day when they can live without the burden of worries that we often take for granted as basic necessities.
This book mirrors the current state of our world in many ways. It follows the journey of Salama, an eighteen-year-old surgeon who saves lives every day, yet grapples with overwhelming guilt when she can't save someone dear to her. Forced to grow up too soon due to circumstances beyond her control, she faces the dilemma of leaving her homeland or staying behind. Enter Kenan, who challenges her resolve to stay having lost everyone else in the war. It's a poignant tale of love, loss, and the struggles of navigating life in the midst of chaos.
Its set in Syria during the country鈥檚 civil war, 'As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow' follows 18-year-old Salama Kassab as she navigates life under a cruel dictatorship. It's a story of unwavering love for one's country and the resilience that sustains people even in the darkest of times. Though fiction, it echoes the real-life struggles of countless Syrians who lost everything yet found the strength to persevere. It reminds us that amidst pain and hardship, happiness can still be found, and goodness prevails even in a world filled with evil. It's a gentle reminder that even when hope seems lost, a flicker of light remains to guide the way forward."
I'm truly happy that Kenan and Salama found each other. They've endured so much and deserve all the happiness in the world. While the book may not focus solely on romance, their love story is everything to me. They deserve all the happiness in the world. While nothing can replace the time or the people they've lost, I wish them everything. I want to believe that they never experienced another bad day, only happiness, after all they've been through.
The way the author crafted this book is absolutely gut-wrenching. It's as if every word was carefully chosen to evoke the deepest emotions in the reader. I've never come across a story that resonated with me so profoundly. It's the kind of book that lingers in your thoughts long after you've finished reading, leaving an indelible mark on your soul. I've never encountered a story that stayed with me quite like this one. It's the kind of book I'll never tire of recommending to others.
掳藮鉃� Overall, if you're on the lookout for a book that will not only send shivers down your spine but also bring tears to your eyes, even in the darkest hours of the night, then look no further then this book might just be the perfect catch for you! 馃拰
啾ㄠ QUOTES 鈯� 啵� 藮
鈿� 鈥淎untie鈥攄on鈥檛 cry鈥攚hen I go to Heaven鈥擨鈥檒l tell God鈥攅verything,鈥�
won't lie this quote right here literally gave me chills馃槶鉁嬸煆�
鈿� 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 hurt for you to think about your future. We don鈥檛 have to stop living because we might die. Anyone might die at any given moment, anywhere in the world. We鈥檙e not an exception. We just see death more regularly than they do"
鈿� "Freedom was never an easy price; it鈥檚 paid with鈥� Blood. More than we ever thought possible"
鈿� 鈥淜now that even in death, you鈥檙e my life.鈥�
鈿� "Fate has his strings, but we鈥檙e the ones who twist them together with our actions"
鈿� "It reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die."
-藡藦鉁勨揽鈹堚揽鈹�
陹梆煂封姽 啵� pre-read review 鈥�
Diving in because everyone is sobbing after reading this book and also bc im just a bloody masochist 馃槞馃馃徎
October 13, 2022
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Lemon Trees family.
It's quite strange giving my own book five stars but if there's one thing I gave 110% of myself in, it's Lemon Trees. And BTS taught me to speak myself. So here I am, speaking myself.
This book comes from my pain, my guilt, my love, my sorrows, my dreams, and my hopes. In short, this book comes from the raw parts of my heart.
Even though everything written in the book has been documented and reported on the news and the internet for more than ten years, not a lot of people know what's going on. Which is why I wanted to make it into a story. In the end, that's what human life is; stories.
It's going to be a difficult book to read. Hopefully, you'll cry, but at times you will laugh, you will awww and if I'm really lucky, you'll throw it against the wall. If you do do that, drop me a message and tell me because then I would know I have done good. That I wrote a good book that gave you strong feelings.
But in the end, ultimately, I hope you close this book with a newfound sense of hope. With a fire burning in your heart that 'yes, I will change the world' because this world is waiting for you. Salama, Layla, Kenan, and all the characters in this story may be fictional, but they exist in every single Syrian out there. These stories happened-- are still happening. We have once said we wouldn't allow for another Holocaust to happen, and yet, we are living through genocide every single day. Knowing their stories, their names is the first step. The second is to tell those who don't know. That's what this book is. An answer to those who are looking for one. Because no one takes to the sea, risking drowning and sharks in the water, sailing to an unknown future, if what they're leaving behind isn't something much more horrific.
And despite it all, I hope you see my Lemon Babies as more than the sadness. We are so much more than that. We are not what the media has written us to be. We are proud, resilient, kind, ambitious, generous. We changed the world. We were the cradle of civilisation-- inventions happened because of us. Our history is golden. We are strong hijabi girls who live life to the fullest, and soft, kind Muslim boys who reject the toxic masculinity ideology. We are not what they wrote us to be. We are not a stereotype. We are so much more than you can imagine. Salama, Layla, and Kenan are more than their pain and loss.
They are hope.
This story has been a whisper for far too long. Thank you for making it a shout to be heard all over the world.
馃崑
Z
Welcome to the Lemon Trees family.
It's quite strange giving my own book five stars but if there's one thing I gave 110% of myself in, it's Lemon Trees. And BTS taught me to speak myself. So here I am, speaking myself.
This book comes from my pain, my guilt, my love, my sorrows, my dreams, and my hopes. In short, this book comes from the raw parts of my heart.
Even though everything written in the book has been documented and reported on the news and the internet for more than ten years, not a lot of people know what's going on. Which is why I wanted to make it into a story. In the end, that's what human life is; stories.
It's going to be a difficult book to read. Hopefully, you'll cry, but at times you will laugh, you will awww and if I'm really lucky, you'll throw it against the wall. If you do do that, drop me a message and tell me because then I would know I have done good. That I wrote a good book that gave you strong feelings.
But in the end, ultimately, I hope you close this book with a newfound sense of hope. With a fire burning in your heart that 'yes, I will change the world' because this world is waiting for you. Salama, Layla, Kenan, and all the characters in this story may be fictional, but they exist in every single Syrian out there. These stories happened-- are still happening. We have once said we wouldn't allow for another Holocaust to happen, and yet, we are living through genocide every single day. Knowing their stories, their names is the first step. The second is to tell those who don't know. That's what this book is. An answer to those who are looking for one. Because no one takes to the sea, risking drowning and sharks in the water, sailing to an unknown future, if what they're leaving behind isn't something much more horrific.
And despite it all, I hope you see my Lemon Babies as more than the sadness. We are so much more than that. We are not what the media has written us to be. We are proud, resilient, kind, ambitious, generous. We changed the world. We were the cradle of civilisation-- inventions happened because of us. Our history is golden. We are strong hijabi girls who live life to the fullest, and soft, kind Muslim boys who reject the toxic masculinity ideology. We are not what they wrote us to be. We are not a stereotype. We are so much more than you can imagine. Salama, Layla, and Kenan are more than their pain and loss.
They are hope.
This story has been a whisper for far too long. Thank you for making it a shout to be heard all over the world.
馃崑
Z
November 14, 2022
every time i think of syria, i cant help but think of photo.
the syrian civil war has been ongoing for the past 11 years, with nearly 7 million syrians forced to leave their home and country during that time.
and while salamas story does provide the much needed hope and love that the present day situation is currently lacking, this is still not an easy book to read. although tenderly told, this story showcases just how brutal revolutions are and how, when faced with nothing to lose, sacrifice becomes the only answer when fighting for freedom.
although aimed at younger readers, this is definitely an eye-opening and educational book everyone should pick up, regardless of age.
鈫� 4.5 stars
the syrian civil war has been ongoing for the past 11 years, with nearly 7 million syrians forced to leave their home and country during that time.
and while salamas story does provide the much needed hope and love that the present day situation is currently lacking, this is still not an easy book to read. although tenderly told, this story showcases just how brutal revolutions are and how, when faced with nothing to lose, sacrifice becomes the only answer when fighting for freedom.
although aimed at younger readers, this is definitely an eye-opening and educational book everyone should pick up, regardless of age.
鈫� 4.5 stars
January 1, 2023
Sad as fuck but earnest as fuck. A love letter for Syria that more young adults should read instead of, like, ACOTAR or something
March 18, 2025
藦藡掳鈥�*鈦€鉃枫兓鉂ャ兓鈥滒潛愷潛� 饾摰饾摳饾摲饾摪 饾摢饾摷 饾摻饾摫饾摦 饾摰饾摦饾摱饾摳饾摲 饾摻饾摶饾摦饾摦饾摷 饾摪饾摶饾摳饾攢, 饾摫饾摳饾摴饾摦 饾攢饾摬饾摰饾摰 饾摲饾摦饾摽饾摦饾摶 饾摥饾摬饾摦鈥濄兓鉂ャ兓藦藡掳鈥�*鈦€鉃�
猡筐炼�18/03/25
鉃�infinite stars, spoiler-free review, shelved in 'invisible-heart-strings'馃挒
Here I'm back with my polished review. This review is going be the longest one I've ever written here. Everyone should read this book at least once in their life despite whether they are a reader or not. You may ask why? No worries, that's why 鉁↖'M HERE鉁� to convince you because that's my job 馃槍鉁嬸煆� TWs mentioned at the end of the review, so make sure to read it 鈿狅笍
This book deserves every star of this universe 馃槶馃挮 I don't know where I should begin with, there are no words to describe or that would amount to how much this book means to me. I feel hollow inside yet so full of emotions at the same time like I was the last two years. This book is that book that makes you wish you could keep turning the pages even after you finished it long ago. This can painfully and beautifully break something inside you that you never thought existed before 馃ズ鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩� I haven't found a book yet that can take the place of this one in my heart. You feel for the characters immensely, and you live through the characters experiencing all the emotions, hope, and love amidst the violence. I thought when rereading this for the third time again, I would never cry because I already knew what happens in each chapter, but oh boy, I was wrong. This is the only book that can make me cry always and touch my soul deeply every time 馃挀
what to expect 馃拰:
馃崑 Pharmacist x Animator
馃崑 Halal Romance
馃崑 Found Family
馃崑 Dystopian
馃崑 HEA (still bittersweet)
馃崑 Two best friends who are more like sisters
馃崑 Soul mates (meant for each other)
馃崑 Studio Ghibli movies mentioned
馃崑 Resistance, hope, survival and love
馃崑 Dealing with grief
馃崑 Takes place in Syrian War
This might be a fictional imagination, an ink sprawled on pages, but what's written here is happening in real-time, in real life as many people's reality while I'm writing this review. When I picked up this book at the mark of two months to Gaza's genocide for the first time back in 2023, I knew very well there's gonna be all sorts of emotions, and that's what I was looking for as well- I needed to experience everything in a single book. I'm glad this book surpassed all my expectations- I giggled, cried, sobbed, became sad, and then happy on repeat while reading this book馃ス馃馃徎.
There is always this constant feeling inside us, i.e., fear of dying. It might sound clich茅, but it's present inside every one of us. The people we see today might not be there tomorrow and vice versa. Without fear, emotions can't exist. And you might ask why am I suddenly speaking of the word 'fear'? Because this is one of the overarching themes of this book.
Let's take a moment to imagine what life would be like to live in constant fear, in a country, where bombs are dropped from everywhere, and there is no safe place to go, not even your very own home is safe for you any longer. It's like living in a dystopian world right? Everywhere you see is blood, limbs scattered, people screaming under the rubble to be saved, children orphaned and shivering, people mourning their lost loved ones. You don't want to die. You just want to live a normal life like anyone. You fear you might not live to see the next sunrise/sunset. You fear for your loved ones' lives. You don't want to be separated from them. If you die, you want to die together, so nobody is left alone to face this cruelty anymore. This is what fear is, it gears our emotions, and it drives us to make sometimes irrational decisions. Death teaches us many things.
All the characters in this book have touched me in so many ways. Each one of them gives you something to walk away with 鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩� Salama Kassab taught me how to live with fear; Kenan Aljendi taught me how to fight for what I believe in through his faith, caring nature, kindness, hopefulness, and gentleness toward Salama, making her see the colors she once thought she would never see in Syria again; Layla was the most precious, she taught me how to see light even in the darkness of this world 馃ズ; Hamza taught me the importance of resilience and Dr. Ziad taught me to keep faith in God and move forward, to never give up.
Kenan was Pazu to Salama, and Salama was his Sheeta馃スI swooned over their banters Their chemistry was out of the world 馃槱鉂わ笍鈥嶐煍� We all deserve a Kenan in our lives too and I hope we all get one, Insha Allah 馃グ馃
Me the whole time when Kenan appears, breathes, and speaks:
Love, hope, and dreams are what we hold onto when things get difficult. did an amazing job showcasing every aspect of emotions in this book 馃憦馃徎 There was so much love between Kenan and Salama. Despite going through turmoils- physically and mentally, they still held onto each other. The love they had for their country, their families, and in the hope they had for their future & their land Syria is soo very beautiful.
Throughout this whole book, it made me see a whole lot more- I can't put it into words. Whether Syrians or Palestinians or Sudanese, seeing their unshakable faith in the Almighty has shaken my faith. If they are God's chosen people for heaven- where do we stand then? A question I ask myself every day.
If you've read till here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, love, and support. I hope you will give this book a chance and fall in love with Salama & Kenan 馃グ馃拹馃挆
Special thank you to my besties irl, Shaz & Fizzy for reading this with me the first time around, giggling, flirting like Kenan with each other, and crying together in the messages. I love you both so much. I'm so glad I convinced you both to read this and had you both with me (I'm sorry not sorry for dragging you both in the emotional rollercoaster) 馃き馃挐
Salama&Kenan, Layla&Hamza, Lama, Yusuf, Dr. Ziad, Ahmad, and Nour- these characters are forever etched in my heart and I'll carry them with me wherever I go throughout my life 馃ズ馃挊 Believe me when I say this, I will be rereading this book many more times in the future every year and recommend this to everyone I interact with non-stop as long as I live 馃槍馃
TRIGGER WARNINGS: war and violence, parental deaths (on page), sexual assault (on page), murder, child abuse, torture, starvation, ptsd, grief, hallucinations, and a lot of giggling + crying, so be ready with your tissue box, you'll need it besties!馃挄
鈿狆煔⊿POILERS AHEAD馃毃鈿�
鉂�饾摙饾摳饾摱饾摦 饾摳饾摨 饾摱饾攤 饾摨饾摢饾摽 饾摱饾摳饾摱饾摦饾摲饾摻饾摷 饾摳饾摨 饾摙饾摢饾摰饾摢饾摱饾摢 & 饾摎饾摦饾摲饾摢饾摲馃挒:
the following are taken from the bonus contents 馃挒:
藦藡掳鈥�*鈦赌鉃枫兓鉂ャ兓饾摕饾摶饾摦饾摽饾摬饾摦饾攒銉烩潵銉凰徦嬄扳赌�*鈦赌鉃�
猡筐炼�15/03/25
rtc soon after I go stare at the wall for hours again, polish my old review & add new things because I read the bonus contents this time. OMG *crying happy tears with the ending* I finally finished my reread and all I can say is I WANT A KENAN IN MY LIFE 馃槶馃挊 also the bonus content from zoulfa with kenan's letter has my whole freaking heart 馃槱馃挀
猡筐炼�08/03/25
was dealing with some problems, so I couldn't read anything for the past few days. now I'm very much ready to dive back in and be a sobbing mess 馃槶鉁嬸煆�
猡筐炼�02/03/25
Ramadan is finally here, and that means it's time to revisit my lemon babies again 馃槶馃挊 Like they say, third time is a charm. I'm readynot ready to ugly sob all over again 馃ぇ
2nd reread on 21/03/24: 鈾撅笍 stars 馃挮
1st read on 24/12/23: 6 stars馃挮
猡筐炼�18/03/25
鉃�infinite stars, spoiler-free review, shelved in 'invisible-heart-strings'馃挒
Here I'm back with my polished review. This review is going be the longest one I've ever written here. Everyone should read this book at least once in their life despite whether they are a reader or not. You may ask why? No worries, that's why 鉁↖'M HERE鉁� to convince you because that's my job 馃槍鉁嬸煆� TWs mentioned at the end of the review, so make sure to read it 鈿狅笍
This book deserves every star of this universe 馃槶馃挮 I don't know where I should begin with, there are no words to describe or that would amount to how much this book means to me. I feel hollow inside yet so full of emotions at the same time like I was the last two years. This book is that book that makes you wish you could keep turning the pages even after you finished it long ago. This can painfully and beautifully break something inside you that you never thought existed before 馃ズ鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩� I haven't found a book yet that can take the place of this one in my heart. You feel for the characters immensely, and you live through the characters experiencing all the emotions, hope, and love amidst the violence. I thought when rereading this for the third time again, I would never cry because I already knew what happens in each chapter, but oh boy, I was wrong. This is the only book that can make me cry always and touch my soul deeply every time 馃挀
what to expect 馃拰:
馃崑 Pharmacist x Animator
馃崑 Halal Romance
馃崑 Found Family
馃崑 Dystopian
馃崑 HEA (still bittersweet)
馃崑 Two best friends who are more like sisters
馃崑 Soul mates (meant for each other)
馃崑 Studio Ghibli movies mentioned
馃崑 Resistance, hope, survival and love
馃崑 Dealing with grief
馃崑 Takes place in Syrian War
词馃崑鈥淣o one will remember our names. No one will know our story.鈥�馃崑词
This might be a fictional imagination, an ink sprawled on pages, but what's written here is happening in real-time, in real life as many people's reality while I'm writing this review. When I picked up this book at the mark of two months to Gaza's genocide for the first time back in 2023, I knew very well there's gonna be all sorts of emotions, and that's what I was looking for as well- I needed to experience everything in a single book. I'm glad this book surpassed all my expectations- I giggled, cried, sobbed, became sad, and then happy on repeat while reading this book馃ス馃馃徎.
There is always this constant feeling inside us, i.e., fear of dying. It might sound clich茅, but it's present inside every one of us. The people we see today might not be there tomorrow and vice versa. Without fear, emotions can't exist. And you might ask why am I suddenly speaking of the word 'fear'? Because this is one of the overarching themes of this book.
词馃崑鈥淏ut no matter how many times I see it, no amount of warning can prepare me for the sight of a human struggling for breath. This is not normal, and it never will be.鈥�馃崑词
Let's take a moment to imagine what life would be like to live in constant fear, in a country, where bombs are dropped from everywhere, and there is no safe place to go, not even your very own home is safe for you any longer. It's like living in a dystopian world right? Everywhere you see is blood, limbs scattered, people screaming under the rubble to be saved, children orphaned and shivering, people mourning their lost loved ones. You don't want to die. You just want to live a normal life like anyone. You fear you might not live to see the next sunrise/sunset. You fear for your loved ones' lives. You don't want to be separated from them. If you die, you want to die together, so nobody is left alone to face this cruelty anymore. This is what fear is, it gears our emotions, and it drives us to make sometimes irrational decisions. Death teaches us many things.
词馃崑鈥淔or every life I can鈥檛 save during my shift, one more drop of blood becomes a part of me.鈥�馃崑词
All the characters in this book have touched me in so many ways. Each one of them gives you something to walk away with 鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩� Salama Kassab taught me how to live with fear; Kenan Aljendi taught me how to fight for what I believe in through his faith, caring nature, kindness, hopefulness, and gentleness toward Salama, making her see the colors she once thought she would never see in Syria again; Layla was the most precious, she taught me how to see light even in the darkness of this world 馃ズ; Hamza taught me the importance of resilience and Dr. Ziad taught me to keep faith in God and move forward, to never give up.
Kenan was Pazu to Salama, and Salama was his Sheeta馃ス
Me the whole time when Kenan appears, breathes, and speaks:
词馃崑鈥淚nsh鈥橝llah, we will come back home. We will plant new lemon trees. We鈥檒l rebuild our cities, and we will be free.鈥�馃崑词
Love, hope, and dreams are what we hold onto when things get difficult. did an amazing job showcasing every aspect of emotions in this book 馃憦馃徎 There was so much love between Kenan and Salama. Despite going through turmoils- physically and mentally, they still held onto each other. The love they had for their country, their families, and in the hope they had for their future & their land Syria is soo very beautiful.
词馃崑鈥淭his is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here for centuries, spilled blood won鈥檛 stop us. I have my faith in God. He鈥檒l protect me. I鈥檝e been force-fed oppression, but I will no longer swallow its bitter taste. No matter what.鈥�馃崑词
Throughout this whole book, it made me see a whole lot more- I can't put it into words. Whether Syrians or Palestinians or Sudanese, seeing their unshakable faith in the Almighty has shaken my faith. If they are God's chosen people for heaven- where do we stand then? A question I ask myself every day.
If you've read till here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, love, and support. I hope you will give this book a chance and fall in love with Salama & Kenan 馃グ馃拹馃挆
Special thank you to my besties irl, Shaz & Fizzy for reading this with me the first time around, giggling, flirting like Kenan with each other, and crying together in the messages. I love you both so much. I'm so glad I convinced you both to read this and had you both with me (I'm sorry not sorry for dragging you both in the emotional rollercoaster) 馃き馃挐
Salama&Kenan, Layla&Hamza, Lama, Yusuf, Dr. Ziad, Ahmad, and Nour- these characters are forever etched in my heart and I'll carry them with me wherever I go throughout my life 馃ズ馃挊 Believe me when I say this, I will be rereading this book many more times in the future every year and recommend this to everyone I interact with non-stop as long as I live 馃槍馃
啾煃嬥鈥淓very lemon will bring forth a child and the lemons will never die out.鈥�啾煃嬥
TRIGGER WARNINGS: war and violence, parental deaths (on page), sexual assault (on page), murder, child abuse, torture, starvation, ptsd, grief, hallucinations, and a lot of giggling + crying, so be ready with your tissue box, you'll need it besties!馃挄
鈿狆煔⊿POILERS AHEAD馃毃鈿�
鉂�饾摙饾摳饾摱饾摦 饾摳饾摨 饾摱饾攤 饾摨饾摢饾摽 饾摱饾摳饾摱饾摦饾摲饾摻饾摷 饾摳饾摨 饾摙饾摢饾摰饾摢饾摱饾摢 & 饾摎饾摦饾摲饾摢饾摲馃挒:
鈥淚鈥檓 pretty sure my parents鈥� souls are glaring at me from Heaven right now for accepting. But I was outwitted.鈥�
鈥淲e were supposed to meet for coffee about a year ago.鈥�
鈥淭he marriage proposal. The one our mothers set up!鈥�
鈥淲hen you put it like that, it doesn鈥檛 sound very romantic.鈥�
鈥淚 know we met yesterday. But I鈥檇 like to believe in an alternate universe, where this鈥濃€攈e gestures between us鈥斺€渨ould have worked out spectacularly.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚鈥� it鈥檚 a shame, Kenan.鈥�
鈥淲hat is?鈥�
鈥淭hat we never had the chance to find out if we鈥檙e each other鈥檚 Pazu and Sheeta.鈥�
鈥淚s it okay if I skip walking you home today?鈥� I nod.
鈥淏ut may I tomorrow?鈥�
鈥渊别蝉,鈥�
鈥淗ow do your eyes always shine so brightly?鈥�
鈥淲丑补迟?鈥�
鈥淲hen I first met you, I thought it was a trick of the light. But that isn鈥檛 it. This stockroom has horrible lighting, and they still look like melted honey.鈥�
鈥淏ecause I might be arrested?鈥�
鈥淏ecause you made me fall in love with you!鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e my Sheeta.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e my Pazu.鈥�
鈥淧roposing on the revolution鈥檚 anniversary? I鈥檝e been planning this for a week.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e impossible,鈥�
鈥淎re you staring at me?鈥�
鈥淢补测产别.鈥�
鈥淚 have to tell you, I鈥檓 a married man now. My wife won鈥檛 like it if random girls ogle me. But if you insist on doing so, how about you do it up close?鈥�
鈥淎ren鈥檛 you sleepy?鈥�
鈥淚 can鈥檛 sleep while my wife works.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e a flirt, aren鈥檛 you?鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e just realizing this now? Salama, I鈥檝e been flirting with you ever since we met, I guess it was a bit too subtle.鈥�
鈥淏ut meeting you, loving you鈥� you made me realize how life can be salvaged. That we deserve to have happiness in this long night. Thank you for being my light.鈥�
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檝e known you all my life, Salama.鈥�
鈥淢y wife has a battle scar. She鈥檚 a badass.鈥�
鈥淜now that even in death, you鈥檙e my life.鈥�
鈥淎nother collaboration?鈥�
鈥淚t would be my honor to work with the genius herself again.鈥�
鈥淧raise me some more and you have a deal.鈥�
鈥淪alama, love of my life. My sky, my sun, my moon, and my stars, would you grant this mortal wish of mine?鈥�
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe you鈥檙e with me. How did I score someone so out of my league?鈥�
鈥淵ou seduced me with all your Studio Ghibli facts.鈥�
the following are taken from the bonus contents 馃挒:
鈥淪alama, I love you so much it physically hurts.鈥�
鈥淵ou look gorgeous, wife.鈥�
鈥淵ou are worth your weight in gold and I will make sure you know that however I can.鈥�
鈥淢y heart doesn't belong to me anymore. It hasn't been mine for a long time. It's yours. I'm yours. All yours.鈥�
鈥淜eep your eyes on me, Sheeta. Forget everyone.鈥�
鈥淵ou probably don鈥檛 know this, but I鈥檝e loved you from the moment you were in my home, wild-eyed and scared, and saving a life. I thought I couldn鈥檛 love you more than I loved you that day. Then I thought that the next day. And the next. And the next. Until every thought began and ended with you. All my dreams were of you. I wanted to love you in Homs more than the time we were given. I wanted to love you in a home we built on our land.鈥�
鈥淵ou were sitting on the balcony, looking up at the sky and all I could see was the back of your head, but I knew you were smiling. And I realized in that moment, as random as it was, that you are home. 鈥�
鈥淵ou are my home. You are all my happiness. You are all my colors. I only see them with you. 鈥�
藦藡掳鈥�*鈦赌鉃枫兓鉂ャ兓饾摕饾摶饾摦饾摽饾摬饾摦饾攒銉烩潵銉凰徦嬄扳赌�*鈦赌鉃�
猡筐炼�15/03/25
rtc soon after I go stare at the wall for hours again, polish my old review & add new things because I read the bonus contents this time. OMG *crying happy tears with the ending* I finally finished my reread and all I can say is I WANT A KENAN IN MY LIFE 馃槶馃挊 also the bonus content from zoulfa with kenan's letter has my whole freaking heart 馃槱馃挀
猡筐炼�08/03/25
was dealing with some problems, so I couldn't read anything for the past few days. now I'm very much ready to dive back in and be a sobbing mess 馃槶鉁嬸煆�
猡筐炼�02/03/25
Ramadan is finally here, and that means it's time to revisit my lemon babies again 馃槶馃挊 Like they say, third time is a charm. I'm ready
2nd reread on 21/03/24: 鈾撅笍 stars 馃挮
1st read on 24/12/23: 6 stars馃挮
April 29, 2022
we need to talk about ch 29. zoulfa HOW DARE YOU
July 16, 2024
5 stars!
鈥溬冑勝徺� 賱賷賲賵賳丞 爻鬲賳噩亘 胤賮賱丕賸 賵賲丨丕賱 兀賳 賷賳鬲賴賷 丕賱賱賷賲賵賳
Every lemon will bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out鈥�
I have read this book thrice and I have not been able to write as review for this book because I knew no matter how hard I tried, whatever words I used, nothing could ever describe how extra ordinary this book was, how well written it was and how it was filled with so much passion and raw emotions and I still do not think I could ever do this book justice with my words but I have to let out how this book made me feel and even that feeling is indescribable 馃槶 Keep in mind, I have read books that are considered to be the saddest books of all time and sure I felt sad, depressed? maybe but I have ever shed a tear on a book no matter how sad it was, don't get me wrong the feeling I felt were equivalent to crying but I just couldn't find tears to shed however this book had me crying through out and with each reread I cried harder and I didn't think it was possible to do that because you would be expecting the things that happen but I am not joking when I say this the way it was written, it can bring anyone to tears.
Zoulfa Katouh crafted a masterpiece, a literary masterpiece that deserves all the recognition it can get. The way she wrote about Syrians and their cause and what they went through with such clear vivid intensity that I was feeling what they were feeling, and it made it so much harder for me to read it whenever I read this book because there are millions of Syrians among them my Muslim brothers and sisters who go through this everyday and I would think about them and I just would not be able to go through with this book for hours because I felt so helpless reading this book knowing that there was nothing that I could do for them except for the awareness that I can spread for them. I love this book for its unapologetic, unfiltered honesty about how brutal war can be and how innocent people suffer for the actions of others, how people lose their loved ones as consequences for a conflict that they didn't even start.
I read this book the first time exactly a year before, and then again before October and then again in March and the third reread hit me the hardest because this book was about how the Syrians were resisting and that reminded me of what was going on in Palestine right now and whenever I would read scenes of them protesting and standing up I would see how well written and true they were because when I went to Instagram and saw the journalists reporting and how they were risking their lives staying their and recording what was going on there because they knew that if they did not do this no one would and the world would not be able to see the atrocities that they are facing or how they are being forced out of their own land. Zoulfah absolutely aced pointing out the harsh realities of this world.
I also love how Syrians are associated with Lemon trees and Palestinians are with Olive trees because they have been here for centuries since the time of their ancestors and no matter who tries to displace, kill or terrorize them, they all will live until the trees grow.
"But I'm Syrian. This is my land, and just like lemon trees that have been growing for centuries, spilt blood won't stop us. I have faith in God. He'll protect me. I've been force-fed oppression, but I will not longer swallow it's bitter taste. No matter what."
Salama was such a well thought character who was divided by so many different responsibilities and was burdened by having to make s0 many harsh decisions. Her working as a doctor but also having to leave because of Layla and her child. How she would choose Layla in a heartbeat but the guilt of leaving her people would never leave her not when she knows that there is so much that she can do for them but she could also not live with herself if Layla and her kid died if they stayed because her last promise to her brother was to keep his wife safe. I also love how fear played such a vital role in the decisions that Salama made, the hallucinations that she had of Khawf were because of her fear of having to choose between her people and the word Khawf literally means fear in Arabic. I think it made her character so much more real because having lost everything and still managing to find the will and power to fight for her people, to go everyday and look after them, put their lives above them and I love Salama so much because I understood her so well because I knew she would have stayed no for her people if Layla wasn't there and despite Layla saying that she would stay where Salama would, I knew Salama could never stay knowing that Layla was in danger and because of that Khawf being born and having a more heavy influence on her was very well written.
"鈥淭his is the land of your father, and his father before him. Your history is embedded in this soil. No country in the world will love you as yours does.鈥�
I loved Kenan so much. He was the most respectful man that I have read about, he was so caring and the so observant and like Salama I loved how he would do anything for his country. The love that they had for their home was so pure and the thing things that they were willing to do for their country was so moving, I loved how Kenan would record riots, protests and their lives because he knew that people out there needed to know what was going on with them and how they deserved justice. I also loved how Kenan and his relationship with his siblings, the love that they had for each other even under these circumstances was so strong. I also was in love with how as soon as Salama and Kenan entered each others life, the decisions that they had to make were so harsh and it changed everything. They knew that they wanted to live there because it was there home and they deserved to see it be free but they knew that they couldn't put the ones that they love through this, not when there was a chance to leave. Ahh even writing this review is giving me flashbacks and I am trying my best not to cry.
鈥淗e and I are owed a love story that doesn't end in tragedy.鈥�
I feel like Salama and Kenan's story was more than just two people falling in love. It was about hope and how even in the darkest times where you would think that you are alone and have nothing left, when you are fighting for the things that could be taken away in minutes, there is still hope of finding people to love and Kenan and Salama are a proof of that. I cried for them so many times that I have honestly lost count because what they had was so pure, how they acted around each other, always looked out for each other and cared for their family as their own. It was everything to me. I just love how even in this book that captures such a raw, brutal details, we were shown not to give up, that there will always be things that you'll find worth fighting for.
I am not even going to discuss anything regarding chapter 28-29 because it was absolutely brutal and and a part of me died with it right there. I can not relive it by talking about it again.
"鈥淎nd to all the Syrians who loved, lost, lived, and died for Syria. We will come back home one day.鈥濔煒煉�
Quotes that I love with every fiber of my being:
鈥淲e don't have to stop living because we might die.鈥�
.
鈥淚t reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
.
鈥淏ury me before I bury you" I did.鈥�
.
鈥淛ust on the other side, safety- not freedom. I'm leaving freedom behind, and I can feel the earth's grief when I get out of the car. The tired weeds try to encircle my ankles. begging me to stay. They murmur stories about my ancestors. The ones who stood right where I stand. The ones whose discoveries and civilization encompassed the whole world. The one whose blood runs through my veins. My footprints sink deep into the soil where theirs have long since been washed away. They plead with me: It's your country. This earth belongs to me and my children.鈥�
.
鈥淚 want my mama. I want her to soothe away my sadness and kiss me while calling me ya omri and te鈥檈burenee. My life and bury me.鈥�
.
鈥淪he grins and links her hand through mine. "That right there,' she whispers. "I want you to hold on to that. No matter what happens, you remember that this world is more than the agony it contains. We can have happiness, Salama. Maybe it doesn't come in a cookie-cutter format, but we will take the fragments and we will rebuild it.鈥�
.
鈥淵ou asked me if you could see colours again, Salama. If we deserve to see them. I think we do. I think you can. There's too little of it in death. In pain. But that's not the only thing in the world. That's not all that Syria has. Syria was once the center of the world. Inventions and discoveries were made here; they built the world. Our history is in the Al-Zahrawi Palace, in our mosques, in our earth鈥�
.
鈥淓mpires have collapsed throughout history. They rise, they build, and they fall. Nothing lasts forever. Not even our pain.鈥�
.
鈥淲hen I die, I'm going to tell God everything.鈥�
.
鈥淵ou see the military beating people up in the streets, dragging them away and murdering them, and you see your kid siblings trying to warm themselves at night, and you think it can't get any worse. But this, Salama, this is where hope dies. The fact they don't know what's going on because how could they? They're babies. They're just babies.鈥濔煉�
.
鈥淲e weave distractions between the bouts of agony.鈥�
.
鈥淚 feel the baby kicking against her stomach. Only fabric, layers of skin, and placental fluid separate it from the terrors of this world.
.
鈥淲hen I leave, it won鈥檛 be easy. It鈥檚 going to shred my heart to ribbons and all the pieces will be scattered along Syria鈥檚 shore, with the cries of my people haunting me till the day I die.鈥�
.
鈥淜now that even in death, you始re my life.鈥�
I love this book so much and I would recommend it to everyone in a heartbeat. Know that despite reading for the third time I couldn't write the a review months apart because that how much it affected me.
___
Guess who's reading this for the third time?!
What I do know:
鈥 am gonna be in bed all day
鈥别辫谤别蝉蝉别诲
鈥ill be sobbing by chapter 2
鈥ill feel single everytime I see our two lovely MCs
What I don't know:
鈥f I'll survive this for the third time.
Buddy reading this with the amazing Roxy I need her to be broken by this book as well and no that is not toxic or selfish of me...
鈥溬冑勝徺� 賱賷賲賵賳丞 爻鬲賳噩亘 胤賮賱丕賸 賵賲丨丕賱 兀賳 賷賳鬲賴賷 丕賱賱賷賲賵賳
Every lemon will bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out鈥�
I have read this book thrice and I have not been able to write as review for this book because I knew no matter how hard I tried, whatever words I used, nothing could ever describe how extra ordinary this book was, how well written it was and how it was filled with so much passion and raw emotions and I still do not think I could ever do this book justice with my words but I have to let out how this book made me feel and even that feeling is indescribable 馃槶 Keep in mind, I have read books that are considered to be the saddest books of all time and sure I felt sad, depressed? maybe but I have ever shed a tear on a book no matter how sad it was, don't get me wrong the feeling I felt were equivalent to crying but I just couldn't find tears to shed however this book had me crying through out and with each reread I cried harder and I didn't think it was possible to do that because you would be expecting the things that happen but I am not joking when I say this the way it was written, it can bring anyone to tears.
Zoulfa Katouh crafted a masterpiece, a literary masterpiece that deserves all the recognition it can get. The way she wrote about Syrians and their cause and what they went through with such clear vivid intensity that I was feeling what they were feeling, and it made it so much harder for me to read it whenever I read this book because there are millions of Syrians among them my Muslim brothers and sisters who go through this everyday and I would think about them and I just would not be able to go through with this book for hours because I felt so helpless reading this book knowing that there was nothing that I could do for them except for the awareness that I can spread for them. I love this book for its unapologetic, unfiltered honesty about how brutal war can be and how innocent people suffer for the actions of others, how people lose their loved ones as consequences for a conflict that they didn't even start.
I read this book the first time exactly a year before, and then again before October and then again in March and the third reread hit me the hardest because this book was about how the Syrians were resisting and that reminded me of what was going on in Palestine right now and whenever I would read scenes of them protesting and standing up I would see how well written and true they were because when I went to Instagram and saw the journalists reporting and how they were risking their lives staying their and recording what was going on there because they knew that if they did not do this no one would and the world would not be able to see the atrocities that they are facing or how they are being forced out of their own land. Zoulfah absolutely aced pointing out the harsh realities of this world.
I also love how Syrians are associated with Lemon trees and Palestinians are with Olive trees because they have been here for centuries since the time of their ancestors and no matter who tries to displace, kill or terrorize them, they all will live until the trees grow.
"But I'm Syrian. This is my land, and just like lemon trees that have been growing for centuries, spilt blood won't stop us. I have faith in God. He'll protect me. I've been force-fed oppression, but I will not longer swallow it's bitter taste. No matter what."
Salama was such a well thought character who was divided by so many different responsibilities and was burdened by having to make s0 many harsh decisions. Her working as a doctor but also having to leave because of Layla and her child. How she would choose Layla in a heartbeat but the guilt of leaving her people would never leave her not when she knows that there is so much that she can do for them but she could also not live with herself if Layla and her kid died if they stayed because her last promise to her brother was to keep his wife safe. I also love how fear played such a vital role in the decisions that Salama made, the hallucinations that she had of Khawf were because of her fear of having to choose between her people and the word Khawf literally means fear in Arabic. I think it made her character so much more real because having lost everything and still managing to find the will and power to fight for her people, to go everyday and look after them, put their lives above them and I love Salama so much because I understood her so well because I knew she would have stayed no for her people if Layla wasn't there and despite Layla saying that she would stay where Salama would, I knew Salama could never stay knowing that Layla was in danger and because of that Khawf being born and having a more heavy influence on her was very well written.
"鈥淭his is the land of your father, and his father before him. Your history is embedded in this soil. No country in the world will love you as yours does.鈥�
I loved Kenan so much. He was the most respectful man that I have read about, he was so caring and the so observant and like Salama I loved how he would do anything for his country. The love that they had for their home was so pure and the thing things that they were willing to do for their country was so moving, I loved how Kenan would record riots, protests and their lives because he knew that people out there needed to know what was going on with them and how they deserved justice. I also loved how Kenan and his relationship with his siblings, the love that they had for each other even under these circumstances was so strong. I also was in love with how as soon as Salama and Kenan entered each others life, the decisions that they had to make were so harsh and it changed everything. They knew that they wanted to live there because it was there home and they deserved to see it be free but they knew that they couldn't put the ones that they love through this, not when there was a chance to leave. Ahh even writing this review is giving me flashbacks and I am trying my best not to cry.
鈥淗e and I are owed a love story that doesn't end in tragedy.鈥�
I feel like Salama and Kenan's story was more than just two people falling in love. It was about hope and how even in the darkest times where you would think that you are alone and have nothing left, when you are fighting for the things that could be taken away in minutes, there is still hope of finding people to love and Kenan and Salama are a proof of that. I cried for them so many times that I have honestly lost count because what they had was so pure, how they acted around each other, always looked out for each other and cared for their family as their own. It was everything to me. I just love how even in this book that captures such a raw, brutal details, we were shown not to give up, that there will always be things that you'll find worth fighting for.
I am not even going to discuss anything regarding chapter 28-29 because it was absolutely brutal and and a part of me died with it right there. I can not relive it by talking about it again.
"鈥淎nd to all the Syrians who loved, lost, lived, and died for Syria. We will come back home one day.鈥濔煒煉�
Quotes that I love with every fiber of my being:
鈥淲e don't have to stop living because we might die.鈥�
.
鈥淚t reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
.
鈥淏ury me before I bury you" I did.鈥�
.
鈥淛ust on the other side, safety- not freedom. I'm leaving freedom behind, and I can feel the earth's grief when I get out of the car. The tired weeds try to encircle my ankles. begging me to stay. They murmur stories about my ancestors. The ones who stood right where I stand. The ones whose discoveries and civilization encompassed the whole world. The one whose blood runs through my veins. My footprints sink deep into the soil where theirs have long since been washed away. They plead with me: It's your country. This earth belongs to me and my children.鈥�
.
鈥淚 want my mama. I want her to soothe away my sadness and kiss me while calling me ya omri and te鈥檈burenee. My life and bury me.鈥�
.
鈥淪he grins and links her hand through mine. "That right there,' she whispers. "I want you to hold on to that. No matter what happens, you remember that this world is more than the agony it contains. We can have happiness, Salama. Maybe it doesn't come in a cookie-cutter format, but we will take the fragments and we will rebuild it.鈥�
.
鈥淵ou asked me if you could see colours again, Salama. If we deserve to see them. I think we do. I think you can. There's too little of it in death. In pain. But that's not the only thing in the world. That's not all that Syria has. Syria was once the center of the world. Inventions and discoveries were made here; they built the world. Our history is in the Al-Zahrawi Palace, in our mosques, in our earth鈥�
.
鈥淓mpires have collapsed throughout history. They rise, they build, and they fall. Nothing lasts forever. Not even our pain.鈥�
.
鈥淲hen I die, I'm going to tell God everything.鈥�
.
鈥淵ou see the military beating people up in the streets, dragging them away and murdering them, and you see your kid siblings trying to warm themselves at night, and you think it can't get any worse. But this, Salama, this is where hope dies. The fact they don't know what's going on because how could they? They're babies. They're just babies.鈥濔煉�
.
鈥淲e weave distractions between the bouts of agony.鈥�
.
鈥淚 feel the baby kicking against her stomach. Only fabric, layers of skin, and placental fluid separate it from the terrors of this world.
.
鈥淲hen I leave, it won鈥檛 be easy. It鈥檚 going to shred my heart to ribbons and all the pieces will be scattered along Syria鈥檚 shore, with the cries of my people haunting me till the day I die.鈥�
.
鈥淜now that even in death, you始re my life.鈥�
I love this book so much and I would recommend it to everyone in a heartbeat. Know that despite reading for the third time I couldn't write the a review months apart because that how much it affected me.
___
Guess who's reading this for the third time?!
What I do know:
鈥 am gonna be in bed all day
鈥别辫谤别蝉蝉别诲
鈥ill be sobbing by chapter 2
鈥ill feel single everytime I see our two lovely MCs
What I don't know:
鈥f I'll survive this for the third time.
Buddy reading this with the amazing Roxy I need her to be broken by this book as well and no that is not toxic or selfish of me...
July 5, 2024
infinity of 鉁�
there are some literary masterpieces that linger in the mind, refusing to be extinguished by the closure of the cover. certain poignant novels and stories remain embedded in one鈥檚 psyche, traversing the most mundane aspects of daily life, as if they had taken up permanent residence in the recesses of our subconscious. 鈥楢s Long As The Lemon Trees Grow鈥� is a testament to the power of realism, an elegiac reminder that there exists a profound dichotomy between those who possess the means to shape their own destiny and those who are powerless to do so.
馃崑Salama taught me that even in the most desolate of circumstances, hope can germinate and flourish with unbridled beauty.
馃崑Layla taught me in the notion that the passing of a loved one is not a definitive severing of ties, for their essence lingers in the recesses of our minds, preserved through fleeting yet indelible fragments of memory.
馃崑Khawf (禺賵賮) has taught me that the most pernicious enemy can often be found within ourselves, manifesting as an insidious, self-doubting fear.
馃崑Kenan has shown me that flexibility in one鈥檚 convictions can be a testament to the enduring power of love, requiring the courage to adapt and evolve in the pursuit of harmony.
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌�
they deserve a beautiful review. so rtc whenever i get time to write something decent
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌�
鉁↖T鈥橲 TIME 鉁� to wreck my soul
鈥渂ury me before i bury you, please.鈥�
there are some literary masterpieces that linger in the mind, refusing to be extinguished by the closure of the cover. certain poignant novels and stories remain embedded in one鈥檚 psyche, traversing the most mundane aspects of daily life, as if they had taken up permanent residence in the recesses of our subconscious. 鈥楢s Long As The Lemon Trees Grow鈥� is a testament to the power of realism, an elegiac reminder that there exists a profound dichotomy between those who possess the means to shape their own destiny and those who are powerless to do so.
鈥渘o one will remember our names no one will know our story鈥�
馃崑Salama taught me that even in the most desolate of circumstances, hope can germinate and flourish with unbridled beauty.
鈥渆very lemon will bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out.鈥�
馃崑Layla taught me in the notion that the passing of a loved one is not a definitive severing of ties, for their essence lingers in the recesses of our minds, preserved through fleeting yet indelible fragments of memory.
鈥� promise me you鈥檒l look for the joy, the memories are sweeter that way.鈥�
馃崑Khawf (禺賵賮) has taught me that the most pernicious enemy can often be found within ourselves, manifesting as an insidious, self-doubting fear.
鈥渇ear is a cruel thing. the way it distorts thoughts, transforming them from molehills into mountains.鈥�
馃崑Kenan has shown me that flexibility in one鈥檚 convictions can be a testament to the enduring power of love, requiring the courage to adapt and evolve in the pursuit of harmony.
鈥渢his world is more than the agony it contains.鈥�
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌�
they deserve a beautiful review. so rtc whenever i get time to write something decent
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌�
鉁↖T鈥橲 TIME 鉁� to wreck my soul
September 3, 2024
鈥滒潗桂潙滒潛� 饾搩饾憸饾搶, 饾搲饾捊饾捑饾搱 饾捇饾搧饾挾饾憯 饾捑饾搱 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾搱饾捊饾捑饾憭饾搧饾捁 饾挾饾憯饾挾饾捑饾搩饾搱饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捀饾憸饾搧饾捁 饾搶饾捑饾搩饾搲饾憭饾搰饾搱, 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾挿饾憸饾搨饾挿饾搱 饾捇饾挾饾搧饾搧饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾捇饾搰饾憸饾搨 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搱饾搥饾搸, 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾挿饾搳饾搧饾搧饾憭饾搲饾搱 饾搲饾捊饾挾饾搲 饾搲饾憭饾挾饾搰 饾捑饾搩饾搲饾憸 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾挿饾憸饾捁饾捑饾憭饾搱. 饾惣饾搩 饾捁饾憭饾挾饾搲饾捊 饾捑饾搲鈥欚潛� 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾搱饾捊饾搰饾憸饾搳饾捁, 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾捀饾憸饾搰饾搮饾搱饾憭饾搱 饾搱饾搶饾挾饾捁饾捁饾搧饾憭饾捁 饾捑饾搩 饾捑饾搲 饾挾饾搱 饾搶饾憭 饾搰饾憭饾搲饾搳饾搰饾搩 饾搲饾憸 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搱饾憸饾捑饾搧 饾搶饾憭 饾搵饾憸饾搶饾憭饾捁 饾搲饾憸 饾搮饾搰饾憸饾搲饾憭饾捀饾搲.鈥�
藲 嗉樷櫋 鈰嗭健藲
喑冣亐鉃� 鈧娝氣湩[ 饾摖饾摼饾摬饾摤饾摯 饾摙饾摼饾摱饾摱饾摢饾摶饾攤 ]鉁氣倞鈥�
Salama Kassub, at the tender age of just eighteen was a pharmacy student, she had a mother and father who loved her dearly, a brother and sister in law who thought the world of her. She was just an ordinary teenager on the cusp of a prosperous future. Then the waves of war and revolution washed over her homeland, Syria, and in its wake left her entire life in ruins.
Now Salama is thrust into the role of a doctor, for there are so few left. Everyday she sees blood, disease and death as the wounded never cease to arrive. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, a sea of desolate faces fill her vision on a daily basis as the bombs and bullets rip through them all. Salama is pushed to her absolute limit and the only comfort she finds is in her last remaining family member, her pregnant sister in law, Laya.
Fearing the military may attack her home in Homs next, Salama knows she and Laya must leave, they must find sanctuary in a foreign country. Though for someone so young this isn鈥檛 an easy decision by far. Amidst this is Khawf, a figure who only Salama can see, a figure who manifests her worst fears. Then there鈥檚 Kenan, a boy she should have been destined to have another life with.
藲 嗉樷櫋 鈰嗭健藲
喑冣亐鉃� 鈧娝氣湩[ 饾摐饾攤 饾摚饾摫饾摳饾摼饾摪饾摫饾摻饾摷 ]鉁氣倞鈥�
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is powerful, heartbreaking and utterly beautiful. Zoulfa Katouh tells a story that needed to be told, through voices who needed to be heard.
藲鈧娐� 蜔蜔蜑蜑鉃斥潵 嗖�. At the core of everything that happens to Salama in this novel, LOVE is at the core. Her love for her beautiful Syria, for her family, for herself, for her people, and for Kenan.
She is a character that I was immediately drawn to for her spirit of survival, her smarts, her caring of others, and her passion. Through Salama we witness both the brutality and hope in Syria, the desire to stay and protect and the need to leave, and the thousands of other ideas and experiences that pull Syrians in multiple directions.
藲鈧娐� 蜔蜔蜑蜑鉃斥潵 嗖�. Lastly, the novel explores the impact of trauma/PTSD on the psyche in a VERY unique way. The embodiment of Khwaf was fascinating to read.
CW:
War, Violence, Sexual Assault/Attempted Rape (on page), Death of a Parent, Mental Health
藲 嗉樷櫋 鈰嗭健藲
喑冣亐鉃� 鈧娝氣湩[ 饾摖饾摼饾摳饾摻饾摦饾摷 ]鉁氣倞鈥�
鈥滒潚潚攫潛傪潙� 饾捑饾搱 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾挿饾憭饾搱饾搲 饾搨饾憭饾捁饾捑饾捀饾捑饾搩饾憭 饾搲饾憸 饾搲饾搳饾搰饾搩 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾挿饾搧饾憭饾憭饾捁饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾搶饾憸饾搳饾搩饾捁饾搱 饾搲饾憸 饾搱饾捀饾挾饾搰饾搱, 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾挿饾憸饾捁饾捑饾憭饾搱 饾搨饾捑饾憯饾捊饾搲 饾捇饾憸饾搰饾憯饾憭饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搲饾搰饾挾饾搳饾搨饾挾, 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾憭饾搸饾憭饾搱 饾搨饾捑饾憯饾捊饾搲 饾搧饾憭饾挾饾搰饾搩 饾搲饾憸 饾搱饾憭饾憭 饾捀饾憸饾搧饾憸饾搳饾搰饾搱 饾挾饾搱 饾搲饾捊饾憭饾搸 饾搱饾捊饾憸饾搳饾搧饾捁 饾挿饾憭 饾搱饾憭饾憭饾搩, 饾挿饾搳饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾挾饾搲 饾捀饾搳饾搰饾憭 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛� 饾憭饾搷饾搲饾憭饾搩饾捁 饾搲饾憸 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾搱饾憸饾搳饾搧饾搱. 饾惣饾搲 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛�. 饾挴饾捑饾搨饾憭 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛� 饾捇饾憸饾搰饾憯饾捑饾搵饾憭 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾搱饾捑饾搩饾搱, 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾捑饾搲 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛� 饾挿饾搰饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾挿饾挾饾捀饾搥 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捁饾憭饾挾饾捁.鈥�
鈥滒潚潚金潙� 饾搱饾搳饾搩 饾捊饾挾饾搱 饾挿饾憭饾憭饾搩 饾搱饾搧饾憸饾搶饾搧饾搸 饾搨饾憭饾搧饾搲饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾挾饾搶饾挾饾搸 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搰饾憭饾搨饾挾饾捑饾搩饾搱 饾憸饾捇 饾搶饾捑饾搩饾搲饾憭饾搰, 饾挿饾搳饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捀饾憸饾搧饾捁 饾捑饾搱 饾搱饾搲饾捑饾搧饾搧 饾捊饾憭饾搰饾憭. 饾挳饾搮饾搰饾捑饾搩饾憯, 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搱饾搸饾搨饾挿饾憸饾搧 饾憸饾捇 饾搩饾憭饾搶 饾搧饾捑饾捇饾憭, 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱 饾搩饾憸饾搲 饾憭饾搷饾搲饾憭饾搩饾捁 饾搲饾憸 饾搶饾憸饾搰饾搩-饾憸饾搳饾搲 饾挳饾搸饾搰饾捑饾挾. 饾惪饾憭饾挾饾搱饾搲 饾憸饾捇 饾挾饾搧饾搧 饾搨饾搸 饾捀饾捑饾搲饾搸, 饾惢饾憸饾搨饾搱. 饾憖饾捑饾搱饾憭饾搰饾搸 饾搰饾憭饾捑饾憯饾搩饾搱 饾搱饾搲饾搰饾憸饾搩饾憯 饾捑饾搩 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捁饾憭饾挾饾捁, 饾捊饾憭饾挾饾搵饾搸 饾挿饾搰饾挾饾搩饾捀饾捊饾憭饾搱 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾搰饾搳饾挿饾挿饾搧饾憭, 饾搲饾捊饾搶饾挾饾搰饾搲饾憭饾捁 饾憸饾搩饾搧饾搸 饾挿饾搸 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捊饾憸饾搮饾憭 饾捑饾搩 饾搮饾憭饾憸饾搮饾搧饾憭鈥欚潛� 饾捊饾憭饾挾饾搰饾搲饾搱.鈥�
藲 嗉樷櫋 鈰嗭健藲
喑冣亐鉃� 鈧娝氣湩[ 饾摖饾摼饾摬饾摤饾摯 饾摙饾摼饾摱饾摱饾摢饾摶饾攤 ]鉁氣倞鈥�
Salama Kassub, at the tender age of just eighteen was a pharmacy student, she had a mother and father who loved her dearly, a brother and sister in law who thought the world of her. She was just an ordinary teenager on the cusp of a prosperous future. Then the waves of war and revolution washed over her homeland, Syria, and in its wake left her entire life in ruins.
Now Salama is thrust into the role of a doctor, for there are so few left. Everyday she sees blood, disease and death as the wounded never cease to arrive. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, a sea of desolate faces fill her vision on a daily basis as the bombs and bullets rip through them all. Salama is pushed to her absolute limit and the only comfort she finds is in her last remaining family member, her pregnant sister in law, Laya.
Fearing the military may attack her home in Homs next, Salama knows she and Laya must leave, they must find sanctuary in a foreign country. Though for someone so young this isn鈥檛 an easy decision by far. Amidst this is Khawf, a figure who only Salama can see, a figure who manifests her worst fears. Then there鈥檚 Kenan, a boy she should have been destined to have another life with.
藲 嗉樷櫋 鈰嗭健藲
喑冣亐鉃� 鈧娝氣湩[ 饾摐饾攤 饾摚饾摫饾摳饾摼饾摪饾摫饾摻饾摷 ]鉁氣倞鈥�
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is powerful, heartbreaking and utterly beautiful. Zoulfa Katouh tells a story that needed to be told, through voices who needed to be heard.
藲鈧娐� 蜔蜔蜑蜑鉃斥潵 嗖�. At the core of everything that happens to Salama in this novel, LOVE is at the core. Her love for her beautiful Syria, for her family, for herself, for her people, and for Kenan.
She is a character that I was immediately drawn to for her spirit of survival, her smarts, her caring of others, and her passion. Through Salama we witness both the brutality and hope in Syria, the desire to stay and protect and the need to leave, and the thousands of other ideas and experiences that pull Syrians in multiple directions.
藲鈧娐� 蜔蜔蜑蜑鉃斥潵 嗖�. Lastly, the novel explores the impact of trauma/PTSD on the psyche in a VERY unique way. The embodiment of Khwaf was fascinating to read.
CW:
War, Violence, Sexual Assault/Attempted Rape (on page), Death of a Parent, Mental Health
藲 嗉樷櫋 鈰嗭健藲
喑冣亐鉃� 鈧娝氣湩[ 饾摖饾摼饾摳饾摻饾摦饾摷 ]鉁氣倞鈥�
鈥滒潚潚攫潛傪潙� 饾捑饾搱 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾挿饾憭饾搱饾搲 饾搨饾憭饾捁饾捑饾捀饾捑饾搩饾憭 饾搲饾憸 饾搲饾搳饾搰饾搩 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾挿饾搧饾憭饾憭饾捁饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾搶饾憸饾搳饾搩饾捁饾搱 饾搲饾憸 饾搱饾捀饾挾饾搰饾搱, 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾挿饾憸饾捁饾捑饾憭饾搱 饾搨饾捑饾憯饾捊饾搲 饾捇饾憸饾搰饾憯饾憭饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搲饾搰饾挾饾搳饾搨饾挾, 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾憭饾搸饾憭饾搱 饾搨饾捑饾憯饾捊饾搲 饾搧饾憭饾挾饾搰饾搩 饾搲饾憸 饾搱饾憭饾憭 饾捀饾憸饾搧饾憸饾搳饾搰饾搱 饾挾饾搱 饾搲饾捊饾憭饾搸 饾搱饾捊饾憸饾搳饾搧饾捁 饾挿饾憭 饾搱饾憭饾憭饾搩, 饾挿饾搳饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾挾饾搲 饾捀饾搳饾搰饾憭 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛� 饾憭饾搷饾搲饾憭饾搩饾捁 饾搲饾憸 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾搱饾憸饾搳饾搧饾搱. 饾惣饾搲 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛�. 饾挴饾捑饾搨饾憭 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛� 饾捇饾憸饾搰饾憯饾捑饾搵饾憭 饾憸饾搳饾搰 饾搱饾捑饾搩饾搱, 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾捑饾搲 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱饾搩鈥欚潛� 饾挿饾搰饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾挿饾挾饾捀饾搥 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捁饾憭饾挾饾捁.鈥�
鈥滒潚潚金潙� 饾搱饾搳饾搩 饾捊饾挾饾搱 饾挿饾憭饾憭饾搩 饾搱饾搧饾憸饾搶饾搧饾搸 饾搨饾憭饾搧饾搲饾捑饾搩饾憯 饾挾饾搶饾挾饾搸 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搰饾憭饾搨饾挾饾捑饾搩饾搱 饾憸饾捇 饾搶饾捑饾搩饾搲饾憭饾搰, 饾挿饾搳饾搲 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捀饾憸饾搧饾捁 饾捑饾搱 饾搱饾搲饾捑饾搧饾搧 饾捊饾憭饾搰饾憭. 饾挳饾搮饾搰饾捑饾搩饾憯, 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾搱饾搸饾搨饾挿饾憸饾搧 饾憸饾捇 饾搩饾憭饾搶 饾搧饾捑饾捇饾憭, 饾捁饾憸饾憭饾搱 饾搩饾憸饾搲 饾憭饾搷饾搲饾憭饾搩饾捁 饾搲饾憸 饾搶饾憸饾搰饾搩-饾憸饾搳饾搲 饾挳饾搸饾搰饾捑饾挾. 饾惪饾憭饾挾饾搱饾搲 饾憸饾捇 饾挾饾搧饾搧 饾搨饾搸 饾捀饾捑饾搲饾搸, 饾惢饾憸饾搨饾搱. 饾憖饾捑饾搱饾憭饾搰饾搸 饾搰饾憭饾捑饾憯饾搩饾搱 饾搱饾搲饾搰饾憸饾搩饾憯 饾捑饾搩 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捁饾憭饾挾饾捁, 饾捊饾憭饾挾饾搵饾搸 饾挿饾搰饾挾饾搩饾捀饾捊饾憭饾搱 饾挾饾搩饾捁 饾搰饾搳饾挿饾挿饾搧饾憭, 饾搲饾捊饾搶饾挾饾搰饾搲饾憭饾捁 饾憸饾搩饾搧饾搸 饾挿饾搸 饾搲饾捊饾憭 饾捊饾憸饾搮饾憭 饾捑饾搩 饾搮饾憭饾憸饾搮饾搧饾憭鈥欚潛� 饾捊饾憭饾挾饾搰饾搲饾搱.鈥�
September 18, 2023
鈥淓very lemon will bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out.鈥�
I literally have chills after finishing this book.
There are no words I can say that will do this book justice. I feel so empty yet I feel so much.
鈥淣o one will remember our names. No one will know our story.鈥�
This may be a fictional story, but it is the reality of so many people out there. It is so powerful and incredibly heartbreaking but it鈥檚 important that this story exists.
鈥淔ear is a cruel thing. The way it distorts thoughts, transforming them from molehills into mountains.鈥�
Fear is one of the overarching themes in this book. It lives in every one of us. And when we鈥檙e backed into a corner, it drives our thoughts and actions. Fear takes over and we do things we never thought we could see ourselves doing. If you lived in a country where people all over you were dying, you didn鈥檛 know where the explosions would take place that day, you didn鈥檛 know if you would have enough water that day, and you had to live everyday not knowing whether you would come home and still see your family, just imagine how that fear would manifest itself. How are you meant to not let your fear take over?
鈥淒on鈥檛 focus on the darkness and sadness. If you do, you won鈥檛 see the light even if it鈥檚 staring you in the face.鈥�
Hope, love, light, dreams. This is what you hold onto. With all the death and sadness going on in this book, there was still so much beauty in the love between the characters and their families, the love they had for their country, and in the hope they had for their future and for Syria.
鈥淲e will come back home. We will plant new lemon trees. We will rebuild our cities. And we will be free.鈥�
This quote is one that will stay with me for a long time. I love the power behind the words and you can feel the conviction it was spoken in.
鈥淧romise me you鈥檒l look for the joy. The memories are sweeter that way.鈥�
I love these characters. They鈥檝e all touched me in so many ways. Each one of them will give you something to walk away with. Salama taught me how to live with my fear, Kenan taught me how to fight for what I believe in, and Layla, my precious Layla taught me how to see the light and beauty in this world even when it seems so bleak.
More beautiful quotes:
鈥淵our history is embedded in this soil. No country in the world will love you as yours does.鈥�
鈥淭he exterior I鈥檝e put up is nothing more than brittle twigs against a strong wind.鈥�
鈥淭his world is more than the agony it contains.鈥�
鈥淎 smile lights up his face. It鈥檚 as if I鈥檓 gazing at the sun.鈥�
鈥淎 war rages inside me and it seems I鈥檓 the only casualty.鈥�
鈥淭here are enough people hurting you. Don鈥檛 be one of them.鈥�
鈥淭his blanket of darkness isn鈥檛 our forever. Their evil isn鈥檛 forever. Not as long as we have our faith and Syria鈥檚 history running through our veins.鈥�
鈥淲ith all the destruction happening down there, it鈥檚 so easy to forget the beauty thats up here. The sky is so beautiful after rainfall.鈥�
"Might. What a word. It holds infinite possibilities of a life that could have been. So many options stacked one on top of the other, like cards waiting for a player to pick and choose."
鈥淭his is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here for centuries, spilled blood won鈥檛 stop us.鈥�
鈥淚n the midst of all the death, he made me want to live.鈥�
"We don't have to stop living because we might die."
鈥淏ury me before I bury you. Please.鈥�
鈥淜now that even in death, you are my life.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 sure our souls met way before they found their way into our bodies.鈥�
鈥淕rief isn鈥檛 constant. It wavers, tugging and letting go like the waves on the sea.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e human. No matter what, you have a heart so soft, it easily bruises.鈥�
鈥淎s long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
鈥�
i saw this fanart and fell in love <3
鈥�
鈥淭o all the Syrians who loved, lost, lived, and died for Syria. We will come back home one day.鈥�
February 1, 2025
this book both broke me and healed me at the same time.
August 26, 2023
Nie wiem czy by艂abym tak bardzo przekonana do szybkiego si臋gni臋cia po t臋 ksi膮偶k臋 gdyby nie studentka farmacji鈥� chyba by艂y艣my sobie pisane.
June 4, 2024
4/5 猸�
IT FINALLY HAPPENED: I cried because of a book. Which I haven't done in a veeeeery long while, so long I thought I became immune to tear-jerkers.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a beautiful and aesthetic book starting from the melodicity of the title to the visual impact of that stunning cover to the love stories happening inside the book. Yes, stories. Plural. Because there isn't only a boy and a girl falling in love. But I will get to that later.
Right now, I want to focus on the plotline, setting, time, and main characters.
In this story, we find ourselves in a real place, Homs, Syria. This city has been shattered by the Civil War that started in Syria as a revolution in 2011. And that is also the time when the action of the book happens - at the dawn of said revolution. That's when Salama, an eighteen-year-old pharmacy student finds herself in the position of a war nurse, trying to help the victims of terrorism still have a chance to live in sordid times and hazards.
The story is brute, cruel and extremely sad, from the very first pages you can see that the atmosphere is going to be charged and heavy. And this is because the author intentionally placed everything in such a vulnerable part of the Syrian modern history.
The main purpose of this book is to raise awareness. Awareness of a reality that happens at the same time as our reality but it's completely different, like a world apart.
At the same time, the author tries to destroy the stereotypes that seem to constantly be associated with the Muslim culture: her heroines are free and brave and unafraid to express themselves and dream big while also, yes, they wear hijabs. Because guess what? Wearing a hijab doesn't stop them from being free to express themselves.
And also, another beautiful thing that the author created: Kenan and his martyr spirit, his loving heart and lucid mind. The way Kenan loves his family is pure and beautiful and he chooses to turn his back on the toxic masculinity that can so easily be avoided but so many choose not to do it.
Kenan is an example of a humanitarian heart.
Now let me explain the thing with the love stories:
1) Girl meets boy or boy meets girl, either way, they both meet and fall in love, slowly.
The love story between Salama and Kenan seems star-crossed but destined to happen. Even though the circumstances look fatidical, you know they are soulmates through and through and following their sweet and slow falling for each other you will end up rooting for them with everything you have.
2) The family bond between the characters is so strong that it looks like a love story.
And it is one! All the characters in this book love their given and chosen families fearlessly and this is a powerful aspect of this book.
3) There is a real love story between the characters (the people) and the ancient land of Syria.
And I would like to state that, out of all this story, the conclusion goes like this: you may take the Syrians out of Syria, but you will never take Syria out of the Syrians' hearts.
This book is soul-crashing and heart-shattering and it's so beautiful in its unique sadness that will grip you and make you live with the characters, taking breaths with them and rooting for their happiness while suffering their drama with each of your heartbeats.
Maybe to some, this book seems childish at first, but to me, it is not. It is powerful and sensible and it also brings together the beauty of Jane Austen romances with an Arab twist and the little magical realism you will probably find in Bulgakov's Master and Margarita when your subconsciousness is so powerful that it materialises into your own reality.
IT FINALLY HAPPENED: I cried because of a book. Which I haven't done in a veeeeery long while, so long I thought I became immune to tear-jerkers.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a beautiful and aesthetic book starting from the melodicity of the title to the visual impact of that stunning cover to the love stories happening inside the book. Yes, stories. Plural. Because there isn't only a boy and a girl falling in love. But I will get to that later.
Right now, I want to focus on the plotline, setting, time, and main characters.
In this story, we find ourselves in a real place, Homs, Syria. This city has been shattered by the Civil War that started in Syria as a revolution in 2011. And that is also the time when the action of the book happens - at the dawn of said revolution. That's when Salama, an eighteen-year-old pharmacy student finds herself in the position of a war nurse, trying to help the victims of terrorism still have a chance to live in sordid times and hazards.
The story is brute, cruel and extremely sad, from the very first pages you can see that the atmosphere is going to be charged and heavy. And this is because the author intentionally placed everything in such a vulnerable part of the Syrian modern history.
The main purpose of this book is to raise awareness. Awareness of a reality that happens at the same time as our reality but it's completely different, like a world apart.
At the same time, the author tries to destroy the stereotypes that seem to constantly be associated with the Muslim culture: her heroines are free and brave and unafraid to express themselves and dream big while also, yes, they wear hijabs. Because guess what? Wearing a hijab doesn't stop them from being free to express themselves.
And also, another beautiful thing that the author created: Kenan and his martyr spirit, his loving heart and lucid mind. The way Kenan loves his family is pure and beautiful and he chooses to turn his back on the toxic masculinity that can so easily be avoided but so many choose not to do it.
Kenan is an example of a humanitarian heart.
Now let me explain the thing with the love stories:
1) Girl meets boy or boy meets girl, either way, they both meet and fall in love, slowly.
The love story between Salama and Kenan seems star-crossed but destined to happen. Even though the circumstances look fatidical, you know they are soulmates through and through and following their sweet and slow falling for each other you will end up rooting for them with everything you have.
2) The family bond between the characters is so strong that it looks like a love story.
And it is one! All the characters in this book love their given and chosen families fearlessly and this is a powerful aspect of this book.
3) There is a real love story between the characters (the people) and the ancient land of Syria.
And I would like to state that, out of all this story, the conclusion goes like this: you may take the Syrians out of Syria, but you will never take Syria out of the Syrians' hearts.
This book is soul-crashing and heart-shattering and it's so beautiful in its unique sadness that will grip you and make you live with the characters, taking breaths with them and rooting for their happiness while suffering their drama with each of your heartbeats.
Maybe to some, this book seems childish at first, but to me, it is not. It is powerful and sensible and it also brings together the beauty of Jane Austen romances with an Arab twist and the little magical realism you will probably find in Bulgakov's Master and Margarita when your subconsciousness is so powerful that it materialises into your own reality.
September 4, 2024
it鈥檚 the way I have ptsd from reading this- yet I still reread <3
December 29, 2023
"to all the Syrians who loved, lost, lived, and died for Syria. we will come back home one day."
salama and kenan are precious and simply everything to me. THAT PLOT TWIST. my heart was completely shattered and then that epilogue healed me 馃崑
rtc if and when i can stop sobbing <3
June 7, 2023
DNF at 75%, How I wish I loved this one as much as everybody else does!!
As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow is no doubt a very important story; anything that sparks awareness in people (especially young people) when it comes to tragedies in our modern world is a net positive in my eyes, so my issues lie solely in how this was written and executed.
I know this is YA so I鈥檒l try to cut it some slack, but I found the writing here to be quite juvenile and downright cringy at times. Of course there are going to be books in the genre that lean a bit younger / towards middle grade, but our protagonist is 18 so that doesn鈥檛 exactly add up for me.
As for the romance鈥� I鈥檓 so sorry but you鈥檇 have to try HARD to write something more corny. From the cookie cutter perfect love interest who can鈥檛 make a mistake to save his life, to the many declarations of love without any actual chemistry, to the fact that it took up sooooooo much of the story, I was sick of it.
The rest of the plot (sans the romance) I found to be lacking as well. The same few conflicts repeated themselves over and over with hardly any variation, and while I get that it probably makes for a more realistic depiction of the real life events the novel is based on, it鈥檚 very annoying to read.
I will say the plot twist was well-written and did surprise me (though I didn鈥檛 feel enough attachment to the characters to actually鈥� care, unfortunately), and Khawf as a character was definitely one of, if not the most, compelling part of the book as a whole. Another thing I really enjoyed was how important religion was to these characters, and how they never strayed from it even when things like a blossoming romance could鈥檝e gotten in the way of their values. That鈥檚 something I think we鈥檙e seeing a lot less often in YA as time goes on, and it was really refreshing to read as a young person who wants to be more religious!
Overall I didn鈥檛 HATE this, but the writing style and execution ended up not being my cup of tea, and that鈥檚 okay!! Life is too short to finish books you aren鈥檛 enjoying.
As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow is no doubt a very important story; anything that sparks awareness in people (especially young people) when it comes to tragedies in our modern world is a net positive in my eyes, so my issues lie solely in how this was written and executed.
I know this is YA so I鈥檒l try to cut it some slack, but I found the writing here to be quite juvenile and downright cringy at times. Of course there are going to be books in the genre that lean a bit younger / towards middle grade, but our protagonist is 18 so that doesn鈥檛 exactly add up for me.
As for the romance鈥� I鈥檓 so sorry but you鈥檇 have to try HARD to write something more corny. From the cookie cutter perfect love interest who can鈥檛 make a mistake to save his life, to the many declarations of love without any actual chemistry, to the fact that it took up sooooooo much of the story, I was sick of it.
The rest of the plot (sans the romance) I found to be lacking as well. The same few conflicts repeated themselves over and over with hardly any variation, and while I get that it probably makes for a more realistic depiction of the real life events the novel is based on, it鈥檚 very annoying to read.
I will say the plot twist was well-written and did surprise me (though I didn鈥檛 feel enough attachment to the characters to actually鈥� care, unfortunately), and Khawf as a character was definitely one of, if not the most, compelling part of the book as a whole. Another thing I really enjoyed was how important religion was to these characters, and how they never strayed from it even when things like a blossoming romance could鈥檝e gotten in the way of their values. That鈥檚 something I think we鈥檙e seeing a lot less often in YA as time goes on, and it was really refreshing to read as a young person who wants to be more religious!
Overall I didn鈥檛 HATE this, but the writing style and execution ended up not being my cup of tea, and that鈥檚 okay!! Life is too short to finish books you aren鈥檛 enjoying.
August 31, 2023
I thought my fake scenarios were concerning but then BOOM I met Salama 馃槶馃槶馃槶
This is, of course, a little joke, as harmless as possible given the fact that this book is extremely sad and it carries a beautiful and important message.
I've been wanting to read this book for the longest time. C'mon, the cover is beautiful, the title is interesting, it's a romance book set in Syria during the war (I'm often in a mood for a good cry if you can't tell). I've searched local bookstores and finally I purchased it.... and the reviews were right!
This is one of the most unique and creative stories I've ever read (it'll STICK in my mind).
Props to the author for giving us something so moving and emotional on so many levels, but at the same time, extremely HOPEFUL. Hope was the driving force of this story and the one ingredient that kept the characters moving, trying, living. Maybe that's why I didn't cry while reading this (which kind of surprised me because I cry all the time... yes, if the plot twist is good, I'll need tissues!!!).
I was introduced to an amazing cast of characters, I loved Salama and Kenan individually and as a couple. Salama was an interesting and well-rounded protagonist, her (damaged) mind was a PERFECT choice for telling this story. Studio Ghibli mentions melted my heart!!! I'm a huge fan of those movies and them as a bonding point for Salama and Kenan was right about the sweetest thing I've ever seen! However, Salama reminding me that she loves Studio Ghibli on EVERY SINGLE PAGE (I kid you not) did get a bit annoying after some time.
The reason why I didn't rate this book 5 stars was the writing. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty decent, but lacking when it comes to telling a story as deep and sad as this one. At times, the writing style seemed way too simple to provoke an emotional reaction.
Another thing that irked me was the medical stuff. I'm pretty sure the author is a pharmacist (just like Salama in this book), but, as a medical student, I've seen some concerning "doctor oopsies" that were hard for me to overlook. I'm not a fan of self-inserts in books usually, and this book was no exception. I feel like Salama's work and profession could've worked much better and been more realistic if her role was toned down slightly.
I'm glad I've read this book! It educated me on many things and reminded me once again of the things in life we take for granted! Even though this book is a work of fiction, it isn't very hard to imagine women around the world currently, under different names and circumstances, going through similar traumatic events as the characters. Peace is the only answer!馃挅
This is, of course, a little joke, as harmless as possible given the fact that this book is extremely sad and it carries a beautiful and important message.
I've been wanting to read this book for the longest time. C'mon, the cover is beautiful, the title is interesting, it's a romance book set in Syria during the war (I'm often in a mood for a good cry if you can't tell). I've searched local bookstores and finally I purchased it.... and the reviews were right!
This is one of the most unique and creative stories I've ever read (it'll STICK in my mind).
Props to the author for giving us something so moving and emotional on so many levels, but at the same time, extremely HOPEFUL. Hope was the driving force of this story and the one ingredient that kept the characters moving, trying, living. Maybe that's why I didn't cry while reading this (which kind of surprised me because I cry all the time... yes, if the plot twist is good, I'll need tissues!!!).
I was introduced to an amazing cast of characters, I loved Salama and Kenan individually and as a couple. Salama was an interesting and well-rounded protagonist, her (damaged) mind was a PERFECT choice for telling this story. Studio Ghibli mentions melted my heart!!! I'm a huge fan of those movies and them as a bonding point for Salama and Kenan was right about the sweetest thing I've ever seen! However, Salama reminding me that she loves Studio Ghibli on EVERY SINGLE PAGE (I kid you not) did get a bit annoying after some time.
The reason why I didn't rate this book 5 stars was the writing. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty decent, but lacking when it comes to telling a story as deep and sad as this one. At times, the writing style seemed way too simple to provoke an emotional reaction.
Another thing that irked me was the medical stuff. I'm pretty sure the author is a pharmacist (just like Salama in this book), but, as a medical student, I've seen some concerning "doctor oopsies" that were hard for me to overlook. I'm not a fan of self-inserts in books usually, and this book was no exception. I feel like Salama's work and profession could've worked much better and been more realistic if her role was toned down slightly.
I'm glad I've read this book! It educated me on many things and reminded me once again of the things in life we take for granted! Even though this book is a work of fiction, it isn't very hard to imagine women around the world currently, under different names and circumstances, going through similar traumatic events as the characters. Peace is the only answer!馃挅
November 20, 2023
5/5
I鈥檓 speechless. It was absolutely amazing. I finally found a book that I could proudly recommend to everyone if they asked me for a book recommendation. This is this type of story which will stay with you for a long time, and I simply think that everyone should read it.
The main character Salma which deserves the whole world and more, Kenan and his siblings, the powerful message this story carries, the astronomical amount of tears I shed while reading it. Seriously, I cried at almost every chapter, but it was so worth it at the end. A very satisfying end.
I don鈥檛 even know what else to say, it was just beautiful. I can't wait for this book to get the more recognition it deserves.
I鈥檓 speechless. It was absolutely amazing. I finally found a book that I could proudly recommend to everyone if they asked me for a book recommendation. This is this type of story which will stay with you for a long time, and I simply think that everyone should read it.
The main character Salma which deserves the whole world and more, Kenan and his siblings, the powerful message this story carries, the astronomical amount of tears I shed while reading it. Seriously, I cried at almost every chapter, but it was so worth it at the end. A very satisfying end.
鈥淲hatever happens tomorrow, we鈥檒l be okay. Even if鈥︹€� He takes in a deep breath and presses his forehead against mine. 鈥淜now that even in death, you鈥檙e my life.鈥�
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 hurt for you to think about your future. We don鈥檛 have to stop living because we might die. Anyone might die at any given moment, anywhere in the world. We鈥檙e not an exception. We just see death more regularly than they do.鈥�
I don鈥檛 even know what else to say, it was just beautiful. I can't wait for this book to get the more recognition it deserves.
December 6, 2023
鈥渁s long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
heartbreaking, gut wrenching, soul crushing. but undoubtedly one of the best books i have ever read.
set in syria during the country鈥檚 civil war and following 18 year old salama kassab as she navigates life under a cruel and unforgiving dictatorship, as long as the lemon trees grow is a story about people鈥檚 undying love for their country and the hope they hold in their hearts that gives them reason to go on even when life seems utterly bleak. this book, though fiction, documents the lives of so many syrians who lost everything they had and somehow found it in themselves to keep fighting, to keep surviving. it is a reminder that happiness can be found even in times of pain and agony and hardship. it is a reminder that good still exists in a world of evil. it is a reminder that even when you think all hope is gone, there鈥檚 still a little flicker to light the way.
鈥渘othing lasts forever. not even our pain.鈥�
鈥渢his blanket of darkness isn鈥檛 our forever. their evil isn鈥檛 forever. not as long as we have our faith and syria鈥檚 history running in our veins.鈥�
鈥渋鈥檝e been force-fed oppression, but i will no longer swallow its bitter taste. no matter what.鈥�
salama鈥檚 story is one i will carry with me for the rest of my life. she is so incredibly brave, so selfless, so loving. she made some decisions that she came to regret deeply, but i don鈥檛 blame her for anything. she鈥檚 human, and her choices prove that. desperate situations call for desperate measures. i loved everything about salama, from her commitment to her family and faith to her determination to help the injured despite the danger it put her in.
i鈥檓 so glad kenan and salama found each other. they鈥檝e been through so so so much and they deserve all the happiness in the world and i鈥檓 so glad they鈥檙e finally getting that 馃ス鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩� i know this book isn鈥檛 really about the romance but their love story is everything i love them so much.
鈥渉e and i are owed a love story that doesn鈥檛 end in tragedy.鈥�
鈥渟alama, love of my life. my sky, my sun, my moon, and my stars, would you grant this mortal wish of mine?鈥�
鈥渒now that even in death, you鈥檙e my life.鈥�
this is one of those books that i think everyone should read and i will recommend it until the end of time. it is painful, but it is worth it. i promise you.
heartbreaking, gut wrenching, soul crushing. but undoubtedly one of the best books i have ever read.
set in syria during the country鈥檚 civil war and following 18 year old salama kassab as she navigates life under a cruel and unforgiving dictatorship, as long as the lemon trees grow is a story about people鈥檚 undying love for their country and the hope they hold in their hearts that gives them reason to go on even when life seems utterly bleak. this book, though fiction, documents the lives of so many syrians who lost everything they had and somehow found it in themselves to keep fighting, to keep surviving. it is a reminder that happiness can be found even in times of pain and agony and hardship. it is a reminder that good still exists in a world of evil. it is a reminder that even when you think all hope is gone, there鈥檚 still a little flicker to light the way.
鈥渘othing lasts forever. not even our pain.鈥�
鈥渢his blanket of darkness isn鈥檛 our forever. their evil isn鈥檛 forever. not as long as we have our faith and syria鈥檚 history running in our veins.鈥�
鈥渋鈥檝e been force-fed oppression, but i will no longer swallow its bitter taste. no matter what.鈥�
salama鈥檚 story is one i will carry with me for the rest of my life. she is so incredibly brave, so selfless, so loving. she made some decisions that she came to regret deeply, but i don鈥檛 blame her for anything. she鈥檚 human, and her choices prove that. desperate situations call for desperate measures. i loved everything about salama, from her commitment to her family and faith to her determination to help the injured despite the danger it put her in.
i鈥檓 so glad kenan and salama found each other. they鈥檝e been through so so so much and they deserve all the happiness in the world and i鈥檓 so glad they鈥檙e finally getting that 馃ス鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩� i know this book isn鈥檛 really about the romance but their love story is everything i love them so much.
鈥渉e and i are owed a love story that doesn鈥檛 end in tragedy.鈥�
鈥渟alama, love of my life. my sky, my sun, my moon, and my stars, would you grant this mortal wish of mine?鈥�
鈥渒now that even in death, you鈥檙e my life.鈥�
this is one of those books that i think everyone should read and i will recommend it until the end of time. it is painful, but it is worth it. i promise you.
August 30, 2022
The Book Thief + Salt to the Sea ft. hijabi girls, halal romance, and a soft boi LI
ps : there's a screamed love confession !!!
I've been waiting for this book since the day it was announced, you can imagine how much my expectations have built up, so when I got an arc I was both excited and scared it won't live up to my extremely high expectations, but I was also like "I have never cried reading a book, so I don't think I'll cry" hihi she has no idea she's gonna be sobbing by chapter 5
1) The writing
From the very beginning the opening scene is one of my favourites, it's so nostalgic and in my opinion the most perfect way to start Lemon Trees
In the book Ghibli is a recurring theme and its influences show beautifully through Zoulfa's writing (romanticizing the small things etc)
Like just read this how magical ?
he'd be standing in front of me now, holding up two fresh halloumi mana'eesh, the melted cheese on the warm bread seeping through the paper wrapping, while supporting two cups of zhoorat tea, the mint leaves filling the air with their freshness.
There are so many other quotes but I don't want to spoil anything so you can experience it fully yourself,
absolutely loved the writing it was so stunning
(I can't believe I still didn't watch Castle in the Sky let me go fix that real quick)
2) The line that had me sobbing
"Auntie-don't cry-when I go to heaven-I'll tell God-everything," he chokes out.
Tell me you can read this scene without getting goosebumps.
I only cried once but I held back tears so many times. Everyone needs to read this book.
"These stories have happened. And are still happening as you read these words." (from the author's note)
3) The Muslim rep
Hijabi girls, halal romance, they pray, they read Quran, literal perfect depiction of Islam
It makes the book so much stronger in its impact, but also gives it peace in the losses (you'll know what I'm talking about when you read)
I really don't know if you get what I mean but I've never read historical fiction with Muslim rep before and it's just so powerful
"If you're meant to be in Munich, you will be, even if the whole military rips this place apart. And if you're not, not even a private plane landing in the middle of Freedom Square to whisk you away will do that."
Definitely need to reread when it comes out because apparently there are little things I missed (you wouldn't believe it, her mind !!)
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a digital arc
ps : there's a screamed love confession !!!
I've been waiting for this book since the day it was announced, you can imagine how much my expectations have built up, so when I got an arc I was both excited and scared it won't live up to my extremely high expectations, but I was also like "I have never cried reading a book, so I don't think I'll cry" hihi she has no idea she's gonna be sobbing by chapter 5
1) The writing
From the very beginning the opening scene is one of my favourites, it's so nostalgic and in my opinion the most perfect way to start Lemon Trees
In the book Ghibli is a recurring theme and its influences show beautifully through Zoulfa's writing (romanticizing the small things etc)
Like just read this how magical ?
he'd be standing in front of me now, holding up two fresh halloumi mana'eesh, the melted cheese on the warm bread seeping through the paper wrapping, while supporting two cups of zhoorat tea, the mint leaves filling the air with their freshness.
There are so many other quotes but I don't want to spoil anything so you can experience it fully yourself,
absolutely loved the writing it was so stunning
(I can't believe I still didn't watch Castle in the Sky let me go fix that real quick)
2) The line that had me sobbing
"Auntie-don't cry-when I go to heaven-I'll tell God-everything," he chokes out.
Tell me you can read this scene without getting goosebumps.
I only cried once but I held back tears so many times. Everyone needs to read this book.
"These stories have happened. And are still happening as you read these words." (from the author's note)
3) The Muslim rep
Hijabi girls, halal romance, they pray, they read Quran, literal perfect depiction of Islam
It makes the book so much stronger in its impact, but also gives it peace in the losses (you'll know what I'm talking about when you read)
I really don't know if you get what I mean but I've never read historical fiction with Muslim rep before and it's just so powerful
"If you're meant to be in Munich, you will be, even if the whole military rips this place apart. And if you're not, not even a private plane landing in the middle of Freedom Square to whisk you away will do that."
Definitely need to reread when it comes out because apparently there are little things I missed (you wouldn't believe it, her mind !!)
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a digital arc
December 15, 2024
this is such a topical read. if you don鈥檛 like this, i don鈥檛 like you. i will never be the same. who and where can i send my therapy bills to?
January 1, 2025
鈥淣o one will remember our names. No one will know our story.鈥�
This brought tears to my eyes for Salama & the people of Syria. It was incredibly well written & is an accessible read for all ages. This is a heavy book and does not shy away from the devastation occurring in Syria following the revolution in 2011. Make sure you have some tissues handy if you pick this one up.
鈥淏ury me before i bury you, please.鈥�
The story follows 18 year old Salama and her pregnant sister-in-law Layla as they navigate the world without their family. Salama is grappling with significant losses, while also giving a helping hand to those in need at the local hospital. This is all while knowing each day could be her last as the conflict continues to spiral out of control.
鈥淲e are stripped from our choices, so we latch onto what will ensure our survival.鈥�
While I did predict the plot twist, it didn鈥檛 take away from the heartbreak. Trauma affects people in many ways and this book demonstrates the scars it leaves behind. I cannot imagine what it is like to live with a constant fear of dying and without simple things we take for granted. The sheer loss of innocence depicted with Katouh's storytelling affected me deeply.
鈥淭ime is the best medicine to turn our bleeding wounds to scars, and our bodies might forget the trauma, our eyes might learn to see colours as they should be seen, but the cure doesn't extend to our souls.鈥�
Aside from all the tragedy occurring, the beautiful halal love story was a beacon for me. Kenan and Salama made me so emotional. Their love was so innocent and pure and a symbol of hope. This a reminder to look for the colours when things seem hopeless.
鈥淗e and I are owed a love story that doesn't end in tragedy.鈥�
Reading the author鈥檚 note at the end obliterated whatever was left of me as after finishing the story. To know that there was a real child that uttered 鈥渨hen I die, I'm going to tell God everything鈥� broke me, as if the quote in the book didn't shock me to my core enough.
鈥淲e held our heads high and planted lemon trees in acts of defiance, praying that when they came for us, it鈥檇 be a bullet to the head. Because that was far more merciful than what awaited in the bowels of their prison system.鈥�
This book will stay with me, in the back of my mind for a long time.
鈥淚t reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
This brought tears to my eyes for Salama & the people of Syria. It was incredibly well written & is an accessible read for all ages. This is a heavy book and does not shy away from the devastation occurring in Syria following the revolution in 2011. Make sure you have some tissues handy if you pick this one up.
鈥淏ury me before i bury you, please.鈥�
The story follows 18 year old Salama and her pregnant sister-in-law Layla as they navigate the world without their family. Salama is grappling with significant losses, while also giving a helping hand to those in need at the local hospital. This is all while knowing each day could be her last as the conflict continues to spiral out of control.
鈥淲e are stripped from our choices, so we latch onto what will ensure our survival.鈥�
While I did predict the plot twist, it didn鈥檛 take away from the heartbreak. Trauma affects people in many ways and this book demonstrates the scars it leaves behind. I cannot imagine what it is like to live with a constant fear of dying and without simple things we take for granted. The sheer loss of innocence depicted with Katouh's storytelling affected me deeply.
鈥淭ime is the best medicine to turn our bleeding wounds to scars, and our bodies might forget the trauma, our eyes might learn to see colours as they should be seen, but the cure doesn't extend to our souls.鈥�
Aside from all the tragedy occurring, the beautiful halal love story was a beacon for me. Kenan and Salama made me so emotional. Their love was so innocent and pure and a symbol of hope. This a reminder to look for the colours when things seem hopeless.
鈥淗e and I are owed a love story that doesn't end in tragedy.鈥�
Reading the author鈥檚 note at the end obliterated whatever was left of me as after finishing the story. To know that there was a real child that uttered 鈥渨hen I die, I'm going to tell God everything鈥� broke me, as if the quote in the book didn't shock me to my core enough.
鈥淲e held our heads high and planted lemon trees in acts of defiance, praying that when they came for us, it鈥檇 be a bullet to the head. Because that was far more merciful than what awaited in the bowels of their prison system.鈥�
This book will stay with me, in the back of my mind for a long time.
鈥淚t reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
April 5, 2024
This Book is Fiction, but believe me it is MORE THAN REAL
Excuse me if this review is a bit all over the place. My emotions are raw and through the roof and i just want to write freely how i feel.
As long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a compelling, soul crushing novel following 18 year old Salama who is a pharmacy student, but after losing her parents and brother when the Syrian Revolution breaks out, she is now volunteering at her local hospital performing as a doctor undertaking surgeries and trying to keep innocent wounded Syrians alive.
Salama is torn from wanting to leave her country to provide a better life for her pregnant Sister in Law Layla and wanting to stay in Syria and be loyal to her country while trying to survive.
I can admit and put my hands up that although i has somewhat of an awareness of the atrocities/ problems going on Syria, I didn't deeply deep think about the affects it was having to the people of Syria and truly how bad it was. We are told about tragedies going on all over the world just about all the time, that for me selfishly because of my mental health, I've become somewhat disassociated.
This book WOKE ME TF UP, that although my privilege allows me to do so. The people of Syria cant do this and have to live in fear every minute every single day.
Reading Salama journey put me in the forefront and really opened my eyes to the utter inhumane suffering happening in that country.
I cant properly articulate what this book has done to me, but i know i will never forget Salama's story. As far as i am concerned this is a non fiction for me as I'm sure this book is realistic and very much true to so many Syrians.
Salama is a warrior. Her determination, drive, strength, courageous, empathy, kindness in such a hopeless situation knocked me off my feet.
Khawf (in English means 'Fear') was such a perfect addition to the book and i love how author formatted the character of him as a physical embodiment of Salama's fear. Through blurry eyes, his wit and no nonsense attitude had me smiling. Only Khawf can make me Laugh-Cry so horribly.
Kenan was honestly a Godsend for Salama. Aside from being able to witness the beauty of their relationship (which i absolutely loved) his bravery for recording the war trying to show the rest of the world what is happening in Syria was remarkable. He really risked his life while also being a protector for Salama and his siblings. Speechless.
Thank you to the author for opening my eyes and showing me what's really happening in this country that the media probably wouldn't show. I would highly urge everyone to read this book at least once in their life. It is labelled as a YA but every reader of all ages should read this.
鈥淚t reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
鈾撅笍ININITY STARS鈾撅笍 猸愨瓙猸愨瓙猸�
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
鈰嗭健掳鉁㏄RE REVIEW 鈰嗭健掳鉁�
EVERY REVIEW I have seen of this book, you have all collectively said, it made you SOB!!
I have my tissues and I think I'm ready for this book to alter my brain chemistry. 馃ぇ馃挃馃挃
Excuse me if this review is a bit all over the place. My emotions are raw and through the roof and i just want to write freely how i feel.
As long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a compelling, soul crushing novel following 18 year old Salama who is a pharmacy student, but after losing her parents and brother when the Syrian Revolution breaks out, she is now volunteering at her local hospital performing as a doctor undertaking surgeries and trying to keep innocent wounded Syrians alive.
Salama is torn from wanting to leave her country to provide a better life for her pregnant Sister in Law Layla and wanting to stay in Syria and be loyal to her country while trying to survive.
I can admit and put my hands up that although i has somewhat of an awareness of the atrocities/ problems going on Syria, I didn't deeply deep think about the affects it was having to the people of Syria and truly how bad it was. We are told about tragedies going on all over the world just about all the time, that for me selfishly because of my mental health, I've become somewhat disassociated.
This book WOKE ME TF UP, that although my privilege allows me to do so. The people of Syria cant do this and have to live in fear every minute every single day.
Reading Salama journey put me in the forefront and really opened my eyes to the utter inhumane suffering happening in that country.
I cant properly articulate what this book has done to me, but i know i will never forget Salama's story. As far as i am concerned this is a non fiction for me as I'm sure this book is realistic and very much true to so many Syrians.
Salama is a warrior. Her determination, drive, strength, courageous, empathy, kindness in such a hopeless situation knocked me off my feet.
Khawf (in English means 'Fear') was such a perfect addition to the book and i love how author formatted the character of him as a physical embodiment of Salama's fear. Through blurry eyes, his wit and no nonsense attitude had me smiling. Only Khawf can make me Laugh-Cry so horribly.
Kenan was honestly a Godsend for Salama. Aside from being able to witness the beauty of their relationship (which i absolutely loved) his bravery for recording the war trying to show the rest of the world what is happening in Syria was remarkable. He really risked his life while also being a protector for Salama and his siblings. Speechless.
Thank you to the author for opening my eyes and showing me what's really happening in this country that the media probably wouldn't show. I would highly urge everyone to read this book at least once in their life. It is labelled as a YA but every reader of all ages should read this.
鈥淚t reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.鈥�
鈾撅笍ININITY STARS鈾撅笍 猸愨瓙猸愨瓙猸�
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
鈰嗭健掳鉁㏄RE REVIEW 鈰嗭健掳鉁�
EVERY REVIEW I have seen of this book, you have all collectively said, it made you SOB!!
I have my tissues and I think I'm ready for this book to alter my brain chemistry. 馃ぇ馃挃馃挃
April 30, 2025
I wish I could love this book as much as others did, but there were many aspects of it that didn't sit well with me. I like how this book illustrates the way civilian lives are impacted while the nation is in a war zone, since it's critical to raise awareness about this matter. Therefore, my problem is not with the concept, but rather with how this book was written and carried out.
I found the entire book to be full of repetitive situations. The author should have mentioned or depicted the numerous concerns regarding the aftermath of war/on going war issues that the media ignores in the present world here rather than just repeating the same scenarios in the book. The chemistry between the primary protagonists was nonexistent, and the plot was clearly lacking. The writing lacked depth and it was too juvenile to depict the torture the civilians went through.
Apart from few terrifying scenes, nothing else was presented. I could have discovered more context about the challenges Syria faced on Google than what little information the author provided over here. The main focus of this book should have been on the affected civilians' lives in Syria, yet the author spent the majority of the book focusing only on the female lead's grief and how she coped with it.
The concept is really heartbreaking, and I don't hate this book, I just wish the author had handled it with more nuance and focused on many other real war-related concerns that syria faced rather than filling this book full of the same, repetitive scenarios, each of which lacked significant depth.
I found the entire book to be full of repetitive situations. The author should have mentioned or depicted the numerous concerns regarding the aftermath of war/on going war issues that the media ignores in the present world here rather than just repeating the same scenarios in the book. The chemistry between the primary protagonists was nonexistent, and the plot was clearly lacking. The writing lacked depth and it was too juvenile to depict the torture the civilians went through.
Apart from few terrifying scenes, nothing else was presented. I could have discovered more context about the challenges Syria faced on Google than what little information the author provided over here. The main focus of this book should have been on the affected civilians' lives in Syria, yet the author spent the majority of the book focusing only on the female lead's grief and how she coped with it.
The concept is really heartbreaking, and I don't hate this book, I just wish the author had handled it with more nuance and focused on many other real war-related concerns that syria faced rather than filling this book full of the same, repetitive scenarios, each of which lacked significant depth.
March 19, 2024
饾悇饾惎饾悶饾惈饾惒 饾惀饾悶饾惁饾惃饾惂 饾惏饾悽饾惀饾惀 饾悰饾惈饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悷饾惃饾惈饾惌饾悺 饾悮 饾悳饾悺饾悽饾惀饾悵 饾悮饾惂饾悵 饾惌饾悺饾悶 饾惀饾悶饾惁饾惃饾惂饾惉 饾惏饾悽饾惀饾惀 饾惂饾悶饾惎饾悶饾惈 饾悵饾悽饾悶 饾惃饾惍饾惌.
i think i was eleven or twelve when the first syrians came to my country. that means for more than half of my life i鈥檝e been living with them and i got used to it. the war become an afterthought, i stop thinking about how hard it must be to leave their homes, i thought it must be nice to live here. so i forgot that there was a war going on not so far from here, i forgot that leaving their country wasn鈥檛 a choice but a necessity, i forgot that they had hopes and dreams and plans, until they were taken from them. now i remember.
this book will stay with me. i will remember salama and kenan. layla and hamza. lama. yusuf. dr ziad. i will remember all.
饾殰饾殜饾殨饾殜饾殩饾殜
馃崑 鈥淚nsh鈥橝llah, we will come back home. We will plant new lemon trees. We鈥檒l rebuild our cities, and we will be free.鈥�
my brave girl. i wish i had half of her courage. the things she saw, the things she had to do for survival鈥he was all alone for so long and yet she was always helping others, fighting on her own way.
i know there are many people like her in the world. i think about the things i would worry about when i was her age. i think about how small they were actually. i know Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear but how did she survived all of this馃挃
饾殧饾殠饾殫饾殜饾殫
馃崑 鈥滻鈥檇 be cutting out my heart by leaving. This land is me and I am her. My history, my ancestors, my family. We鈥檙e all here.鈥�
my sunshine boy. in the middle of the war, in the middle of all this darkness he was still so bright. his love for his country, his siblings, his salama鈥ll of it was burdening on his shoulders but he would still smile, he would still make silly jokes to make salama laugh馃ス
his efforts made me think of the photographers in gaza. the way he tried to show the truth of protests to the people around to world.馃挃
饾殰饾殜饾殨饾殜饾殩饾殜饾殧饾殠饾殫饾殜饾殫
馃崑 We live a long life together, partners in crime, until our souls meet their Creator.
But that is not reality.
i love them so much. if i could pick only one couple to give happy ending, it would be them. they deserve every happiness in the world. nothing can make up for the time or the people they lost but i would give them everything. i will give them a life in Japan, i will give them their book, i will give them Studio Ghibli movies, i want to believe that they never had any bad day ever again, they only had happiness after everything they went through.
馃崑 鈥淒o you see the colors, Salama?鈥� Kenan whispers.
鈥渊别蝉,鈥� I breathe. 鈥淵es.鈥�
饾殨饾殜饾杀饾殨饾殜饾殤饾殜饾殩饾殻饾殜
my thirteenth reason鉁嬸煆� i don鈥檛 want to talk about them because i just stopped crying and i don鈥檛 want to start again. i just want to say that i love them so much.
馃崑 鈥滲ury me before I bury you.鈥�
please read this.
~~~~~~
reading first book from my ramadan tbr with simra 馃 hope i won鈥檛 cry much because i鈥檓 already dehydrated 馃様
(we cried but at least i had simra馃)
i think i was eleven or twelve when the first syrians came to my country. that means for more than half of my life i鈥檝e been living with them and i got used to it. the war become an afterthought, i stop thinking about how hard it must be to leave their homes, i thought it must be nice to live here. so i forgot that there was a war going on not so far from here, i forgot that leaving their country wasn鈥檛 a choice but a necessity, i forgot that they had hopes and dreams and plans, until they were taken from them. now i remember.
this book will stay with me. i will remember salama and kenan. layla and hamza. lama. yusuf. dr ziad. i will remember all.
饾殰饾殜饾殨饾殜饾殩饾殜
馃崑 鈥淚nsh鈥橝llah, we will come back home. We will plant new lemon trees. We鈥檒l rebuild our cities, and we will be free.鈥�
my brave girl. i wish i had half of her courage. the things she saw, the things she had to do for survival鈥he was all alone for so long and yet she was always helping others, fighting on her own way.
i know there are many people like her in the world. i think about the things i would worry about when i was her age. i think about how small they were actually. i know Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear but how did she survived all of this馃挃
饾殧饾殠饾殫饾殜饾殫
馃崑 鈥滻鈥檇 be cutting out my heart by leaving. This land is me and I am her. My history, my ancestors, my family. We鈥檙e all here.鈥�
my sunshine boy. in the middle of the war, in the middle of all this darkness he was still so bright. his love for his country, his siblings, his salama鈥ll of it was burdening on his shoulders but he would still smile, he would still make silly jokes to make salama laugh馃ス
his efforts made me think of the photographers in gaza. the way he tried to show the truth of protests to the people around to world.馃挃
饾殰饾殜饾殨饾殜饾殩饾殜饾殧饾殠饾殫饾殜饾殫
馃崑 We live a long life together, partners in crime, until our souls meet their Creator.
But that is not reality.
i love them so much. if i could pick only one couple to give happy ending, it would be them. they deserve every happiness in the world. nothing can make up for the time or the people they lost but i would give them everything. i will give them a life in Japan, i will give them their book, i will give them Studio Ghibli movies, i want to believe that they never had any bad day ever again, they only had happiness after everything they went through.
馃崑 鈥淒o you see the colors, Salama?鈥� Kenan whispers.
鈥渊别蝉,鈥� I breathe. 鈥淵es.鈥�
饾殨饾殜饾杀饾殨饾殜饾殤饾殜饾殩饾殻饾殜
my thirteenth reason鉁嬸煆� i don鈥檛 want to talk about them because i just stopped crying and i don鈥檛 want to start again. i just want to say that i love them so much.
馃崑 鈥滲ury me before I bury you.鈥�
please read this.
~~~~~~
reading first book from my ramadan tbr with simra 馃 hope i won鈥檛 cry much because i鈥檓 already dehydrated 馃様
(we cried but at least i had simra馃)
Read
May 13, 2025one of the few books that i think everyone should read.
September 3, 2024
'every lemon will bring forth a child and the lemons will never die out.'
this was such a beautiful, heartfelt story.
i felt everything while reading this, i felt all the difficult decisions they had to make, all the pain they had to endure, and all the love they gave each other.
i think i highlighted the entire book. the writing was so poetic. the way she spoke of fear, hope, and faith. how she had to be brave and endure the pain in order to help others.
'even though the memories ache, it's the only way we get to see our loved ones 鈥� replaying their words to us, letting our imaginations magnify or soften their voices however we please.'
each character had a lesson to give and each lesson will be engraved in my heart. these characters were so real in every way. the difficult decisions they had to make and the consequences that come with each choice.
salama, 馃尦
鉁� as a pharmacy student with some medical knowledge, she had to volunteer at the hospital to heal and help injured people. she teaches you to fight your fears no matter how persistent and real they seem. she teaches you that you can eventually heal from the pain and trauma and if not, you can still find love and happiness.
'i was supposed to be a pharmacist. i wasn't supposed to cut into children's stomachs in their homes.'
i am a girl, severed from her home, broken into pieces and put back together.
kenan, 馃崑
鉁� the sweetest character. he made a million studio ghibli movies <3 he teaches you to fight for what you believe in, to fight for your country and your people. but he also teaches you that love for your family can overpower the love for your country and to not feel guilty about it because you can carry the love with you wherever you go.
he knows that a desolate future awaits him if he doesn't leave. he's not a fool. but his heart overflows with so much love for his country he's willing to let it drown him and his loved ones.
"salama, i love you so much it physically hurts. i look at you and i can't believe you're with me. that you're mine."
layla, 馃柤
鉁� love how she taught salama that there is more to life than fear. that hope and faith is enough to have happiness and love. love how she always reminded her that her life is also important and that she doesn't have to stop living and loving.
we don't have to stop living because we might die. anyone might die at any given moment, anywhere in the world. we're not an exception. we just see death more regularly than they do.
.路:*篓 篓*:路.
kenan & salama <3 and their love for studio ghibli, their country, their people, and themselves. how they stayed so courageous during all the pain they endured is so admirable.
I don't care about whatever uncertainties lie in our future. All I know is that I love him and that even in the darkness surrounding us, he's been my joy. In the midst of all the death, he made me want to live.
gut wrenching quotes that i will forever cherish <3
鉃� "Bury me before I bury you, please."
鉃� "I'm sure our souls met way before they found their way into our bodies. I think that's where we know each other from."
鉃� 'It's as if we're molded for one another. That even if we'd been born on opposing poles of the world, the strings of fate would have drawn us together, intertwining, evermore intertwining.'
鉃� 'Time is the best medicine to turn our bleeding wounds to scars, and our bodies might forget the trauma, our eyes might learn to see colours as they should be seen, but that cure doesn't extend to our souls. Time doesn't forgive our sins, and it doesn't bring back the dead.'
鉃� 'We held our heads high and planted lemon trees in acts of defiance, praying that when they came for us, it'd be a bullet to the head.'
鉃� "Because I see the love you have for me. I see your sacrifices and your kindness. I focus on the hope rather than counting my losses. I have love in my heart because of you."
鉃� "Salama, we'll have that knafeh. If not in Germany, then in Heaven."
鉃� 'He means so much more than that one four-letter word 鈥搇ove鈥� but there's no other way to describe what I feel about him. And so i'll have to be content with it; find a way to carve a whole universe into its letters 鈥� an infinity. Be thankful that through him, I'm blessed enough to know the meaning of it at all.'
鉃� 'This is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here for centuries, spilled blood won't stop us. I have God, he'll protect me. I've been force fed oppression but I will no longer swallow its bitter taste."
the message is hope. and i hope you carry it in your heart.
May 9, 2024
鈽呪槄鈽呪槄鈽� - 4 stars
Insh鈥橝llah, we will come back home. We will plant new lemon trees. We will be free.
a touching story about hope, longing, and freedom. as long as the lemon trees grow is easily the most beautiful book i鈥檝e ever read.
as stated in the authors note, the Syrian Revolution is often overlooked and the deaths are only seen as numbers. this novel forces readers to pay attention, showing just how cruel the world can be. it鈥檚 absolutely painful to read about the innocent lives that were taken.
the writing in this book is easy to understand, yet still so meaningful. i could visibly picture the Syrian Revolution, and how it ravaged through the streets of Salama鈥檚 hometown. there are so many lines that touched my heart.
Zoulfa Katouh鈥檚 purpose in writing this book was to let the Syrian voices be heard. not only is awareness important, but so is taking a stand. Salama and Kenan did their part, and that鈥檚 what matters. if humankind all does their part, no matter how big or how small, we can conquer the monsters of this world.
Salama was such a wonderfully written character. i felt so deeply connected to her. i felt her emotions, i heard her thoughts, all as i am reading ink on paper. my heart breaks into a million pieces for the horror she, and many others, had to endure. i was not expecting the hallucinations she had, but PTSD is a real thing, and i admired her strength throughout the book. having to go in the hospital each day and see the devastation caused is no small feat. we need more people like her.
Kenan was the most heartwarming character ever. his hope and pride in his country were powerful, and so was the love for his family. we as a society don鈥檛 think much of the media posted and how dangerous it is. Kenan put himself at risk to protest the revolution, whether the rest of the world cared or not. many people cower in fear and watch everything unfold, but there are a select few such as Kenan who make it their mission to rise up. it was incredibly meaningful to read about.
i also wasn鈥檛 expecting the addition of a love story between the two. but it was everything. we as humans are made to love, and it鈥檚 a beautiful thing. Kenan and Salama鈥檚 connection with each other made me believe in hope again and every piece of my heart goes out to them.
i highly recommend this book to everyone. no matter what age you are, this novel will open up your mind to the ugliness in the world and what a small amount of love can do for it.
quotes
鈥漈his is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here, spilled blood won鈥檛 stop us.鈥�
The storm will bellow and tear across the waves and no one will be there too witness it. Or maybe it won鈥檛. Maybe the clouds will break free and the sun will shine.
buddy read with echo!!
Insh鈥橝llah, we will come back home. We will plant new lemon trees. We will be free.
a touching story about hope, longing, and freedom. as long as the lemon trees grow is easily the most beautiful book i鈥檝e ever read.
as stated in the authors note, the Syrian Revolution is often overlooked and the deaths are only seen as numbers. this novel forces readers to pay attention, showing just how cruel the world can be. it鈥檚 absolutely painful to read about the innocent lives that were taken.
the writing in this book is easy to understand, yet still so meaningful. i could visibly picture the Syrian Revolution, and how it ravaged through the streets of Salama鈥檚 hometown. there are so many lines that touched my heart.
Zoulfa Katouh鈥檚 purpose in writing this book was to let the Syrian voices be heard. not only is awareness important, but so is taking a stand. Salama and Kenan did their part, and that鈥檚 what matters. if humankind all does their part, no matter how big or how small, we can conquer the monsters of this world.
Salama was such a wonderfully written character. i felt so deeply connected to her. i felt her emotions, i heard her thoughts, all as i am reading ink on paper. my heart breaks into a million pieces for the horror she, and many others, had to endure. i was not expecting the hallucinations she had, but PTSD is a real thing, and i admired her strength throughout the book. having to go in the hospital each day and see the devastation caused is no small feat. we need more people like her.
Kenan was the most heartwarming character ever. his hope and pride in his country were powerful, and so was the love for his family. we as a society don鈥檛 think much of the media posted and how dangerous it is. Kenan put himself at risk to protest the revolution, whether the rest of the world cared or not. many people cower in fear and watch everything unfold, but there are a select few such as Kenan who make it their mission to rise up. it was incredibly meaningful to read about.
i also wasn鈥檛 expecting the addition of a love story between the two. but it was everything. we as humans are made to love, and it鈥檚 a beautiful thing. Kenan and Salama鈥檚 connection with each other made me believe in hope again and every piece of my heart goes out to them.
i highly recommend this book to everyone. no matter what age you are, this novel will open up your mind to the ugliness in the world and what a small amount of love can do for it.
quotes
鈥漈his is my land, and just like the lemon trees that have been growing here, spilled blood won鈥檛 stop us.鈥�
The storm will bellow and tear across the waves and no one will be there too witness it. Or maybe it won鈥檛. Maybe the clouds will break free and the sun will shine.
buddy read with echo!!
September 20, 2023
I am broken and in pieces but also so grateful to have read this book. Definitely one of the most important and emotionally devastating books I have ever read.
RTC when I can actually function and form coherent thoughts again.
Finally built up the courage to start this heartbreaking book but I have all the emotional support bc I am reading with my girls Deema and Hannah!! Pass the tissues, I am READY! (not really but let's do this anyway)馃槶馃槶馃槶
RTC when I can actually function and form coherent thoughts again.
Finally built up the courage to start this heartbreaking book but I have all the emotional support bc I am reading with my girls Deema and Hannah!! Pass the tissues, I am READY! (not really but let's do this anyway)馃槶馃槶馃槶
February 24, 2022
Ahhh i can't wait to hug this book that i doodled hearts and crying faces and wrote "FINALLY [we see this truthfully told!]" and "YES ALL THE SOBBING" all over the manuscript. I await the actual book eagerly (HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE COVER?) after devouring it last year. Please do yourself a favor and get this book and read this book and, after finishing it and sighing while clutching it to your heart with love, recommend it to everyone else. The world is in dire need of its beauty.
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