What would you bring?

There was one part of the book that really made me think about how a war would affect my own life. In chapter three on pages 29-34, Irena talks about all of the stuff that she packed when she was forced to leave her house, which included some of her favorite magazines and clothes. Then, on page 33, she says, "Now she was carrying the contents of her life, so incompletely accounted for in a gym bag". She also makes reference to the Holocaust victims who were forced to carry everything that was important to them. That made me think - if I had to leave my home and everything I knew and pack it all into one gym bag, what would I bring? Would I pack pictures? Movies? Favorite books? Would it even matter if there was a war going on? What do you guys think? What would you bring with you? - Chelsea

The Sniper by Liam O'Flagherty

Hi all! Has anyone ever read the short story, "The Sniper," before? If not, it's definetly a great one - and a quick read. It deals with the conflict in Ireland, but is relevant regardless of the place and time. Please read and comment! Click here for the story. -Colleen

If you like Pretty Birds...

Here's another book that looks like it might be similar (female perspective on the war, etc.). I've never read it, but might be something to check out! Click on the picture for more info on the book.

-Colleen

Hi everyone. I was reading some of the things people have posted and came across this picture, which seems (at least to me) to relate to what some of you have thought about. There are so many victims in this book - here's one for real: (Colleen)


Saima, a woman in Sarajevo, holds a photograph of her daughter Fadila, who was killed during the Bosnian conflict in 1996. A 48-year-old pediatric dentist conscripted into battlefield surgery, Fadila was shot by a sniper while she was hanging her uniform on a line to dry. This picture was taken on the first anniversary on her death. From The Pain of War, an exhibition at the Mead Art Museum. Photo by Frank Ward, gelatin silver print, 1996, Mead Art museum, museum purchase

So because I'm addicted to YouTube, I decided to look up videos about Sarajevo and the War in Bosnia. I dont know if anyone else likes the videos on YouTube or not, but if you just search there are a ton that do a really good job of showing the city and the damage. I added the link to this post from one I watched on the site. It was just weird seeing the damage and imagining Irena there walking around and living the war. Check it out if you feel like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDAw9JnZ4g&mode=related&search=

I think I was shocked

So, when I first started reading, I was sort of shocked with all the responsibility Irena was taking on as a high schooler. I don't know about you but when I was in high school I only had to worry about sports, school work, and my friends. When I realized Irena was the same age, playing sports like I did, yet becoming a sniper I couldn't quite take it in. When I think of snipers I think about movies and how they are always old guys dressed in black...never do I think of a 17 year old who plays basketball and is into Madonna! What did everyone else think about this? Was it hard for anyone else to believe that even during war a seventeen year old was doing such dirty work!?

~Jessica

View U2's Miss Sarajevo Performance

Click here to view U2 and Luciano Pavorotti's performance of "Miss Sarajevo." This video also includes footage from post-war Sarajevo. A must see!