The Broken Circle: A Memoir of Escaping Afghanistan by Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller

This is a very heart-wrenching account of one family's multi-year escape from Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation and war. There are some lovely descriptive passages and references to the poetry this family share with so much pleasure. Unfortunately, it is narrated by an 8-10-year-old girl and appears at times to be too informed by adult perspectives to be natural and the very difficult journey through the mountains and weeks of enforced hiding in rural Afghan villages becomes somewhat repetitive. Nevertheless, there is a visceral experience for readers that provides an important understanding of the horrors that many refugees suffer escaping from the endless wars taking place around our world. 

The Puma Years by Laura Coleman

This memoir is a very graphic account of time spent working in an animal sanctuary in the Amazon jungle. The living conditions are harsh and primitive but the author conveys the passion she developed for a rescued puma she took care of in an intense daily regime for three months. The impact of this initial experience becomes a lifelong commitment to rescuing and protecting animal victims of the exotic pet trade.