A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout

When I was in my 20's and 30's I was all about traveling to distant and exotic locations.  Same thing with Amanda, but she takes it a step too far.....

Amanda writes this memoir about a very specific time in her life, her 20's. She wasn't motivated to attend college.  After her high school graduation she moved to Calgary and started waitressing.  It was there that the travel bug hit!  I am envious of most all of the places she visited.

In 2008 she traveled to Somalia, one of the most dangerous places on earth.  She had a "gig" as a journalist and really appeared to be well-prepared.  Security, guides, a "safe" hotel in Mogadishu..... it would appear that she covered all her bases.  Unfortunately, on the way to interview at a camp  for "displaced persons", she and her traveling companion, Nigel, were kidnapped.

The kidnappers demanded millions from the families;  money they certainly did not have.  As negotiations dragged on over 15 months, Amanda and Nigel did whatever they could to keep their sanity,even converting to Islam.  As Amanda said, "They can't kill us if we convert."  Amanda bore the brunt of the rebel's anger and brutality.  She is lucky to be alive.  If you read her story I think you will agree!