An American Mom in Asia

Apparently, formerly Soviet nations fighting for independence with a coming-of-age memoir is my new favorite genre. Because after loving my reads for Albania and Azerbaijan, I absolutely loved The Cat I Never Named – A True Story of Love, War, and Survival by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess as well.

Amra Sabic-El-Rayess is a Bosnian Muslim teen, trying to finish high school and figure out her future in the midst of the Serbian war. While bombs rain down, Amra tries to finish her math exams. While her friends are getting shot, Amra falls in love. And while her country is being destroyed, Amra is finding out how strong she truly is. Throughout Amra’s account of survival, she tells of the story of a stray cat that not only made its home in her house, but also in her heart.

The Cat I Never Named – A True Story of Love, War, and Survival is an amazing book and should be required reading for anyone learning about European history. I remembered so little about this conflict as a kid in the 1990’s, but this book brought the history to life. I am so glad I read it.

⭐️ My rating: 5 stars of 5