This is a powerful collection of essays written by Palestinian (and specifically by Palestinians from Gaza) writers and artists discussing the history of Gaza and modern life there. There are discussions about the restriction of movement and the limited access to medical supplies and education/books. The collection is harrowing and so important.

The audio narration by Amin El Gamal and Hanne Rickert was well done, though I found having an ebook copy (generously made free by the publisher in October 2023) to go back to while listening was helpful. Whether via audio or digitally or physically, I highly recommend this collection!

Unfortunately I did not finish it as I had to put it down when life came in between and didn't manage to get back to it. What I did read had some very interesting stories that definitely expanded my knowledge on the situation in Gaza. I appreciated the stories I did read, and the narration was very well done.

This book was so heartbreaking and yet beautiful to read, even more so given the current genocide occurring in Gaza. To hear these stories and poems and essays and know that many of the people who wrote them have been murdered was devastating. The pieces in this collection were at turns beautiful, stirring, rage-inducing, informative, and hopeful for a better world in the future. As hard as it feels to hold on to that hope at the current moment, I still do. I have to. Because the roses are still shouldering up.
Free Palestine. End the genocide.

Simultaneously raw and heartbreaking, as well as uplifting and clear. I loved this collect of stories that gave small insights in the Gazan's attempt to live a normal and profound life while being forced to struggle against oppression. These will live with in my mind for a very long time.

Audiobook ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

This one was incredibly narrated. It’s heartbreaking and eye opening to what is happening. Definitely worth reading if you are wanting learn and know the what and why’s of what is going on in Palestine.

I find it appropriate to start this review with the words of Refaat Alareer, in this chapter : Gaza Asks: When Shall This Pass? :
"Listener, as you peruse these chapters, what can or will you do, knowing that what you do can save lives and can change the course of history? Listener, will you make this matter?"

To be honest, I don't even know what to write here, so I'll just go with my gut and wipe the tears away.

This book is one everyone should read. It's a collection of life stories, poems and essays written by Palestinian authors and centered around the Gazan experience.
It's a read that will shake you to your core at times, will make you reflect on your place in this world and what you can do to leave it better place. It's also a book that will educate you, on the daily lives of Gazans, on their traditions and their culture - their relationship to the land, the olive trees, the agriculture. On how they have to fight for their education. On what it feels like to consistently see drones in the sky. On what it's like to live as a Gazan.

This was a hard read, especially considering the genocide happening right now. But it makes it even more important.

"Knowledge is Israel's worst enemy. Awareness is Israel's most hated and feared foe." - Refaat Alareer
We have a duty to pick a book, to listen to a podcast, to watch a documentary. ANYTHING to educate ourselves and do our part. It's the least we can do.
Refaat Alareer was murdered months ago, but his words and legacy live on.

"Gaza needs life" ~ Basman Alidrawi

Free Palestine. End the occupation.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and the authors for this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audiobook of this book. It was definitely difficult to listen to all the stories, especially knowing what is going on right now. I loved the variety of the essays. They went from emotional and personal to factual and academic. I think this is a really good book for getting a view of Gaza from people who have experince and attachment with and in Gaza. Recommend this one.

An important read as always. I really enjoyed the variety of topics and formats covered in this book. It’s crazy to me that I can read so many books about the occupation in Palestine and still learn something new or terrible.

Light in Gaza | ✒️Edited by Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing &Mike Merryman-Lotze |🎙️Amin El Gamal & Hanne Rickert |⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Under any given circumstances, this collection is a most essential exposition of a specific and unbelievably atrocious side of human experience that most of us are oblivious to.

But given the current political scenario, it's an utmost requirement to understand the people, history, culture, society, fears and dreams of Palestinians through anecdotes and individual history because when we hear about the harrowing tragedies on evening news, it reduces the loss of lives and humanity to mere statistics.

I am not going to say much beyond that this anthology of people's life experiences made me tear up and gasp on every single page. This was an extremely difficult read which made me recoil and flinch on every other line. It doesn't make it any easier to know that some of the contributors of this anthology have been martyred by the latest strikes.

I would also like to emphasize that the sensitive tonality and compassionate elucidation of the voice artists further enlivens the text.

There are times when certain events in history don't remain within the confines of political thoughts and opinions.
There are dark times when all of humanity is at stake and history might look back upon our neutrality and silence with utter contempt and regret.

This book makes you realise how it's not about war, politics, being rightist, leftist, neutral, anymore.

How it's about the basic right of every person to call a place home, for every person to not live in constant fear, for every child to be born to have hopes and dreams and the right to grown up to live a full life.
How it's about respecting the value of life and the living.

Beyond the realms of race, religion and nation, it's time to wake up to humanity. And Light in Gaza is definitely a resounding wake-up call.

Read this if only to know and understand how our fellow brethren are being hunted and obliterated every single day while we turn a blind eye and live peacefully in our perfect little bubble.

Heartbreaking big incredibly important book that I would recommend to anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about Palestinians and Palestine.
Thank you for the arc .

This was a great and necessary read. I read this on audio and I was captivated from beginning to end. I learned a lot and I can't lie, it horrified me. I just think everyone should read this. All the voices truly complimented each other and it was so interesting. They all had different specific topics and it was so well documented and explained. Some parts were truly horrifying and made me so mad but I'm glad to have learnt about it. I honestly don't know how to review this, it's so hard to express anything about it, especially since it was written a few years ago and how bad things have now gotten... The end message of the book is hope but it's hard to see that now... Anyway, everyone should read this.

This audiobook is recently released but the book itself was published in 2022. It was so hard listening to the introduction, knowing all of the pain that is to come for Gaza in its near future. A collection of essays and poems by Gazans, I highly recommend this to show what it was like to live in Gaza shortly before the current tragedies that are occurring.

Free Gaza.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Some people do not understand our language or our culture, but the expressions and the strength of the faces are enough to understand our suffering. the faces do not need an interpreter."

This is deeply heartbreaking. So many of the entries are hoping for a better future in 2022, yet here we are witnessing a genocide.
I had to stop listening after each story/poem and just sit with what is happening still. 70 plus years and still Palestinians are fighting just to live.
A necessary read for anyone wanting to learn more. It's dense but so very important.
"The basic right to live safely in your home and your homeland is meant to be universal, not exclusive to the powerful or the rich."

This is such an amazing read. i encourage everyone to listen/read this! it gives such an amazing sight into what’s been happening for the last 75+ years. It’s an important book that needs to be everywhere and be accessible to everyone and i’m so grateful to netgalley for giving me this as an arc.

This is an essay collection by many Palestinian authors. This is a book that talks about so many various aspects of what the siege has been like for Palestinians in Gaza and goes into details so we the readers can understand. It talks about agriculture, architecture, education, travel, libraries, impact on families, and so much more. I highly recommend this book to people trying to understand more in depth about the ways culture and daily life is impacted and stripped from them while living under a brutal occupation.

I care about what is happening in Gaza. I am glad to see writing about it coming out. I requested this book to be further informed. It is very informative, and needed information in our world right now.

This was a truly wonderful read. It's a collection of essays and poetry by Palestinians, both in and out of Gaza, and it really captures their immense heartbreak.

The audiobook narration was absolutely beautiful. I feel so honoured to have gotten this.

This book explores the heartbreaking realities faced by those living in the Gaza strip, detailing military actions, drones, physical violence, and cultural repercussions by the Isreali government. It emphasizes the desire for basic rights and the right to live peacefully. The narrative aims to showcase the people of Gaza as individuals who value books and family, seeking to change misconceptions and foster understanding. Solutions are proposed throughout the book, leading to a simple yet impactful conclusion that highlights the need for ongoing efforts to bring peace and life to Gaza.

Free Palestine.

Thanks to Negalley and the publisher for sending this to me!

Light in Gaza is a collection of essays, poetry and other writings from various Palestinians. It is powerful, well-written and a compelling read. Told through multiple narrators, the advanced listening copy of ‘Light In Gaza’ moved me to tears multiple times. Highly recommend to any and all readers.

This is such a powerful book. I'm ashamed to admit that before October 2023, I knew very little about what was happening in Gaza. Originally published in 2022, this book offers insight into what like is/was like for people living in Gaza under Israeli occupation.

This anthology is an important collection of Palestinian voices sharing their lived experience and I absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in educating themselves more about life in Gaza.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this audiobook.