Read This Book

I say, "Read this book!"

Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala

On the morning of December 26, 2004, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Sonali Deraniyagala lost her parents, her husband, and her two young sons in the tsunami she miraculously survived. In this brave and searingly frank memoir, she describes those first horrifying moments and her long journey since.

This book is sad. I mean, like super sad. If you aren't ready to cry, don't read this. And not just crying while reading (although that definitely happened...a lot) but crying while trying to fall asleep and just thinking about the book, or crying while listening to a particular Smiths song the author mentions, crying while riding the bus. Seriously, this book is sad. 

This is the story of a woman who loses everything in the space of a few minutes. The story of a woman who's entire family is ripped from her in a freak tragedy that she somehow survives. It's riveting and harrowing and don't forget, super sad. But, hold on. I know you're saying to yourself, "why would I read such a sad book?" Well, this book is also the remarkable story of a woman who loses everything worth living for, and who chooses to live anyway. Grief, love, hope, loss...yeah, that's all there. But it's the quiet strength of the author that had me entranced and left wondering, would I be that strong? 

Beautifully written and well worth the tears