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morethanthepages's review against another edition
5.0
This is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read. Sofija is excellent at describing the way her young self thought and rationalized (even if it didn't make sense) which I can completely relate to. It's funny and sad and completely encompasses the feeling of finding yourself in surrounding and trying to feel acceptance while also staying true to who you are and where you come from. This is one I'm going to be giving to people as gifts because everyone needs to hear her story and the story of the wars in Yugoslavia and what may differ from what people seem to know from what the news showed. Anyone who cares about perspectives and learning different points of views should 100% read this book. Not to mention Sofija is crafty with her humor and strong in her writing to make you cry. I felt that I was with her in Belgrade and in the Melbourne suburbs. READ THIS and share the story. And Payton Turner (co-founder of Girls at Library) did the awesome cover art for the US edition.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book! Being born in 1982 too, I definitely recognised some references, and I found Sofija's voice to be a very interesting (and entertaining) one.
In my head we would be friends.
In my head we would be friends.
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
miss ex-yugoslavia is an informative memoir that explores the life of an immigrant that straddles multiple places and cultures - that tricky space of feeling like one never quite belongs anywhere - as well as shedding light on the yugoslav wars.
i like the way stefanovic narrates many of the realizations in her younger yrs abt the larger world, how it's more complex than she initially thought and how things nevertheless often get overly simplified, in addition to her painfully relatable and honest childhood + teenage inner thoughts and qualms. however, the book failed to retain my attention at points bc of the pacing - sometimes it's slow and way too detailed that it needs to be - thus making it a task to slog thru. for that, i cant fully say that i 'like' this book but it's a not-bad read anyway.
i like the way stefanovic narrates many of the realizations in her younger yrs abt the larger world, how it's more complex than she initially thought and how things nevertheless often get overly simplified, in addition to her painfully relatable and honest childhood + teenage inner thoughts and qualms. however, the book failed to retain my attention at points bc of the pacing - sometimes it's slow and way too detailed that it needs to be - thus making it a task to slog thru. for that, i cant fully say that i 'like' this book but it's a not-bad read anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Genocide and Violence
ajlaaap's review against another edition
5.0
I usually never write reviews, but I felt it was important to address. Having immigrated to the US from Bosnia because of the war, I related to much of this bookâStefanovic really hones in on the diaspora experience, which was both funny and heartbreaking. Growing up in post-war Bosnia and having family members who lived in Bosnia during the war, I was skeptical about reading this book as it was from the POV of a Serbian author, and I wasn't sure which retelling of history I would read. However, Stefanovic does a great job at recognizing the past histories and even acknowledges the brutalities that were being done around her. Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and appreciated her witty Balkan sense of humor.
_jm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
anneke_b's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book! Being born in 1982 too, I definitely recognised some references, and I found Sofija's voice to be a very interesting (and entertaining) one.
In my head we would be friends.
In my head we would be friends.
lauraa06's review against another edition
3.0
I read this based on a bookseller's recommendation, and I'm glad I did. The title is kind of misleading -- the book is really about a girl/woman who was born in Serbia before the war, moves to Australia as war ramps up, returns to Serbia after the war, and finally returns to Australia. I love reading about lives in countries I know little about, and this was a thoughtful look at what it means to not belong anywhere and to have your home country change so drastically (and frankly it was a reminder that not all Serbians were fans of Milosevic). Overall, it was an interesting look at a country I've actually visited but knew very little about.
ramona_lane's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Best memoir I've ever read, and one of my favorite books.