I’ve read two books in my entire life: that one where Macauley Culkin gets stung by a bee, and Nicole Richie’s partially fabricated autobiography, The Truth About Diamonds.
Even in high school I would fake book reports and just hope for the best, but now I have a 3rd book to add to my repertoire.
A House In The Sky by Amanda Lindhout.
So why this book?
Early last year, I booked a photo shoot for a fashion story to appear in print and online. My co-model?
I had no idea who this woman was.
What I did know was that she was sweet, engaging, and fun to be around. That day, I had the time of my life!
Then later that month our paths crossed once again and like the first time, we all laughed the day away!
I knew her as Amanda; an empowered woman making a difference in the world as the executive director of the Global Enrichment Foundation. But her past was about to come at me like a train barreling down the tracks with the release of her book.
As a person who doesn’t typically watched the news or involve myself in world affairs, I’ve kept my head buried in a world of sunshine and rainbows; but Amanda Lindhout has done just the opposite. Her dreams of exploring the world and sharing the stories of cultures so far from our own had left her a victim of a 15 month kidnapping in Somolia.
Something I could have only imagined happening in Hollywood movies, had been a real life occurrence for her.
A House In The Sky made me hold my breath and shed tears as if I were about to jump off the highest peak; the unimaginable for me was indeed a reality for Amanda.
. 
The book will capture your attention within the 3 page prologue, and will have you taking a full journey to far off places with her.
It is so well written, I feared for MY safety, and found myself praying with her to Allah for her safe release.
I had no idea that the person I met just over a year ago had been though what she has. How a person could learn to forgive, love, and move forward to do all she’s doing now is nothing less then saintly.
A House In The Sky, as of yesterday, is available for purchase in Canada.
Mr. Fab
Just finished reading this book. I think this was the hardest book i have ever read. It am still in shock that this happened and to a fellow Canadian. I found your post because i was near the end and thought i need to see the face that belonged to this story. It really makes you grateful for what you have and thankful to live in a Free Country and without the chaos that occurs in Somalia.