Out With The Old, In With The New

As 2020 is drawing to an end, I always look for hope going forward into 2021. For what's a new year if not not a chance for a new beginning?

I'm excited to announce the re-release of my first novel Shadows of Damascus through a new publisher, Rose Gold Publishing, LLC in a new cover design available in e-book and paperback editions from Amazon and Barnes & Noble

The Monster Above the Boy's Bed

Boom! I am a monster, bellowed the monster above the bed

     I am not afraid, says the boy with dry eyes

But it's my job to scare you, says the monster

     Who gave you this job? Asks the boy

My creator, answers the monster. He made you, too.

     Why? Asks the boy

So I would have someone to scare, answers the monster

     Who did He make first, me or you? Asks the boy

Me, of course, huffs the monster. I am mighty. I am older and bigger than you.

     But you do not scare me, says the boy. Your job is useless.

Why do you not fear me? Asks the monster

     Because He spoke to me, this Creator, answers the boy

When? Asks the monster

     When you turned my home into dust and mixed it with my blood, answers the boy

What did He tell you? Asks the monster

     He said once I have seen who is stronger than you, I should not fear you, says the boy

Who is stronger than me? Huffs the monster

     Him, cries the boy


Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards  and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.

Dear Bretha Von Suttner: Wake up!

Today, I made it to the Peace Palace in The Hague, The Netherlands. Though the building itself is impressive, the mission behind it is vital, I found myself in turmoil once I learned about its major founder. Bertha Von Suttner was the mother of the peace movement. In 1905, she was the first woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Czech-Austrian pacifist and novelist spent her life advocating for the construction of the Peace Palace and the establishment of the International Court of Justice for the settlement of conflicts threatening peace. The palace opened in 1913 with most world leaders attending on the premise that justice leads to peace, and peace leads to justice.

Bertha died of cancer in June 1914, a few weeks before World War I broke out. She witnessed the build up to the conflict and continued to advise against international armament to her last breath. I can't get past thinking how she must have felt seeing all her dreams, efforts, and life's work literally go up in flames, worldwide.

If Bretha, the author of Lay Down Your Arms, somehow comes back to life and travels to the future - our present - what would she say?
How would she feel?
Could she hurt more?
Would she hope less?
Would she forsake her dreams?
Would she call our tremulous state World War III?
Would she write another pacifist novel?
And more importantly, would we read it?



Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards  and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.

The Toddler And The Sea

So I’m two years-old and, because I’m special, I was given a miracle: I can tell you my thoughts. I don’t know where I’m from, or where I am now, or where I’m going. I can only tell you what I’ve experienced so far.

Are you ready?

Here we go:

I filled my stomach on my mother’s milk when I was smaller. It was warm and plenty.

I slept on my father’s shoulder when I was too tired to walk. It was comfortable and wide.

I smelled my grandmother’s breath when she kissed me every morning. It was fruity and sweet.

I bounced on my grandfather’s lap when he tried to stop my crying. It was soft and a bit awkward.

I popped soap bubbles my older brother blew in my face when we bathed. It was fun and magical.

I kicked a football around and didn’t fall on my face for the first time. Everyone clapped for me.

I danced with my cousins to derbakkeh drums and oud strings. I liked the way their music moved my body.

I heard noises coming from the sky. They sounded like thunder, but were not followed by rain, only ash and cement chunks. It was too loud.

I hid in a closet to wait for the man with the heavy boots and long shiny rifle to leave our house. It was scary.

I crawled under metal wire with sharp spikes. They hurt when my skin caught on them.

I felt the sun burn too close, too hot. The only moisture came from my mother’s eyes.

I saw my uncle lie very still in the street, a circle of red paint spread around his head.

I bobbed up and down on a boat. I was sick. I only saw water.

I slipped through my father’s hands. I didn’t float.

I heard him cry. His voice went hoarse.

I swallowed water. It was too salty.

I breathed sand through my nose.

I am cold, very cold.

I’ve arrived.


Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards  and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.

Thoughtful

An extremely thoughtful reader left this Amazon review for Shadows of Damascus:

"If you do not read this book you are missing a remarkable 'works from the heart.' This is a 'first-hand' account. Here we have the clear opportunity to follow the prior life based logical reasoning of a young woman who's entire life is blown to bits by a war and then counter-war in her middle-east country. How she is saved from those that would 'use' her and, her attempts to conform to a western civilization culture are the underlying themes of the book, but in addition there is another theme that everyone needs to read and absorb, which is the cultural difficulties which she AND her associates must go through. I will say no more other than I found it gripping, enlightening, sometimes difficult to understand the emotional stances of the characters, but in the final analysis I found this a very strong 5 star book. I only wished I understood more about the fundamentals of middle east thinking. You will find yourself caring very much about the destinies of the principal characters."

For a writer dipping her toes in the published world like myself, it's very rewarding to see that my intentions for writing this story came through the script.

Update to Gaza Sisters Story

My family and I took a quick trip to Palestine in August. I was fortunate enough to meet with a doctor in Jerusalem, who was given permission to go into Gaza during the ceasefire that held for 5 days before the fighting resumed, and then ended with the permanent ceasefire agreement. I asked the doctor to try to find out about the Gaza sisters, Hala and Fatimah. The instant I gave her their family name, she winced and said in not so many words that the news would most likely not be good. That family was hit hard, the doctor explained.

And so, I waited. I went through the rest of my tour in Palestine and left without hearing a word from the doctor. The instant I landed in the airport coming back home, I received this very short email:

"The news is good, they had evacuated their home but they are fine and are now back in their home apparently, I got this through the coordinator who was responsible for them form PCRF."

A sigh of relief, and a quick prayer for this favorable outcome carried me through the rest of my day. And then I looked at the date: August 19st. The fighting had resumed. 

Two days later, on the morning of August 21st, I got another email from the doctor:

          "Hope we will get to see you again, the situation is Gaza is pretty dire today."

That was the last I heard. I keep waiting for more news. Nothing so far!


Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards  and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.