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brianchristensen's review against another edition
Great story and conviction to welcome the immigrant/refugee.
Quite a story from both sides of the story.
Convicting without condescension but with humility.
Quite a story from both sides of the story.
Convicting without condescension but with humility.
gaylerobertson's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and I think everyone needs to read it and gain true perspective on what it’s like for refugees and immigrants who have made it safely to our country.
kmhoffman45's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the perspective, and feel like I really got to know this amazing family of Syrian refugees through Shawn’s writing. The media has so contributed to dropping all different people into one category or another based on a couple things, and it only seems to encourage stereotyping. The stories of individuals change the narrative and help build empathy. I really enjoyed the story!
nicoletwalters's review against another edition
5.0
Shawn Smucker unfolds the story of his friendship with Mohammad, a refugee from Syria, with the same ease and grace of a leisurely afternoon having coffee with a friend. In this beautiful true story, we get to be the witnesses of a life slowing down, a perspective changing, and a conviction to love deepening. It is a vivid and inspiring story of embracing the diversity that challenges our biases. It is a call to slow down and see others, to love. I received an advance copy from the publisher (and was so glad I could read it and hope you do too).
kara4's review against another edition
5.0
Shawn has a beautiful and gentle way of telling this story of an unexpected friendship. This is a needed read in our continued environment of division. A reminder that we are all people in search of community with stories to share, and good friends are hard to find. This is the second book of Shawn’s I’ve read recently with another waiting. I greatly enjoyed this personal story, and will be passing it along for others to read.
lmbartelt's review against another edition
5.0
Does friendship matter? Can it change the world? What does it mean to be a friend?
This book about a Lancaster, Pa. native and a Syrian refugee who resettled to the area addresses these questions in an honest story of making time and room for people in our busy lives.
Once We Were Strangers isn't overtly dramatic or adventurous and friendship between these two men might not seem like anything significant. But that's exactly why it's the perfect book for the times we live in. Shawn doesn't set out to "save" his friend Mohammed from his circumstances, and the world doesn't noticeably shift because of their relationship. But these two men are changed, and how their relationship developed is accessible to all of us. We can all befriend someone with whom we have nothing in common simply by showing up and listening. (And repeating that process often.)
If you can't imagine ever becoming friends with a Syrian refugee, I encourage you to read this book. If you don't understand why people flee their home countries, I encourage you to read this book. The chapters about Mohammed's family's exit from Syria are some of the hardest to read. If you fully support the resettlement of refugees in the United States, I encourage you to read this book.
Disclosure: I read an advance copy of the book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group. Review reflects my honest opinion.
This book about a Lancaster, Pa. native and a Syrian refugee who resettled to the area addresses these questions in an honest story of making time and room for people in our busy lives.
Once We Were Strangers isn't overtly dramatic or adventurous and friendship between these two men might not seem like anything significant. But that's exactly why it's the perfect book for the times we live in. Shawn doesn't set out to "save" his friend Mohammed from his circumstances, and the world doesn't noticeably shift because of their relationship. But these two men are changed, and how their relationship developed is accessible to all of us. We can all befriend someone with whom we have nothing in common simply by showing up and listening. (And repeating that process often.)
If you can't imagine ever becoming friends with a Syrian refugee, I encourage you to read this book. If you don't understand why people flee their home countries, I encourage you to read this book. The chapters about Mohammed's family's exit from Syria are some of the hardest to read. If you fully support the resettlement of refugees in the United States, I encourage you to read this book.
Disclosure: I read an advance copy of the book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group. Review reflects my honest opinion.
littledreamer7's review against another edition
5.0
A nice reflection on how we treat each other, how to make time and how valuable that little time we take for others is. How we understand others and how we can be better neighbors. It makes me want to open my doors more and start a coffee stop (and I don’t drink coffee!)
abiggal's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
“In America, we value independence for so long that we haven’t recognized the gradual slipping into loneliness. Now we fend for ourselves, depending on no one, asking nothing, and because of that receiving so little.”
The writing technique used was not my favorite, but the message was important; how little love could do so much for our world.
The writing technique used was not my favorite, but the message was important; how little love could do so much for our world.
jen_newendyke's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book - honestly, more than I thought I would! Once We Were Strangers is an authentic, vulnerable story about friendship: the sacrifice it requires, as well as the meaning it brings to our lives. It's a beautifully written account of two strangers learning what it means to be friends and neighbors.
There were so many things that could have kept Shawn and Mohammad from ever becoming friends - cultural differences, language barriers, different religious backgrounds - but they chose not to remain strangers. This book reminds us that, even though it's hard, loving our neighbors is worth it. That is a timely message that we all need to hear.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Revell!
There were so many things that could have kept Shawn and Mohammad from ever becoming friends - cultural differences, language barriers, different religious backgrounds - but they chose not to remain strangers. This book reminds us that, even though it's hard, loving our neighbors is worth it. That is a timely message that we all need to hear.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Revell!
danielharding's review
4.0
Not the book I thought it would be but in the end it was the book I needed to read. Coffee. Time. Quiet. Conversation. These are what make is neighbors; and the world needs neighbors.
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