****City of Jasmine by Olga Grjasnowa

An intensely moving novel that shares the fictionalized experiences of individuals who live and lived under Assad in wore-torn Syria. The violence, despair, ruined dreams, escape experiences, and then their lives as refugees is nothing less than horrifying.  Ms. Grjasnowa’s writing style is unpretentious and direct, yet not overbearing. She writes with fluidity and care.  This is a relevant read considering today’s national and international political climate. City of Jasmine is an interesting, well thought out novel, that tells a story and informs.