Lilas Taha – författare

The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of a doomed love and a young man’s education in hope.In the crowded streets of a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, Waseem has learned to navigate life with quiet resilience. Born with a disability that leaves him largely unable to speak or walk, Waseem’s world is shaped by the small, intimate details of camp life.For years, Waseem has shared a deep, unspoken bond with Ameena, his best friend and the girl he has silently loved from afar. Ameena, a fierce and compassionate spirit, has always been there for Waseem, supporting him through every challenge. The friendship is both fueled and challenged by their secret ambition––to travel to Palestine, their beloved but unreachable ancestral home.Waseem is in turn a tear-wrenching and hilarious journey of friendship, love, and exile. It explores the intersections of physical and emotional healing, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Waseem's story is one of determination and transformation—a testament to the power of love and the unbreakable connection to one's roots, no matter how distant they may seem.

Omar is an orphaned Palestinian born into chaos, displaced by violence, and driven by forces beyond his control to find his place in the world. He only has one thing to hold on to: a love that propels him forward and gives him hope. Nadia is maturing into womanhood in a refugee community in Damascus. She tries hard to cope with the tough realities of her world, but is confronted with a cruel load thrust upon her by a selfish brother. Can she break out of her traditional social mold to create her own destiny? Heart-breaking and moving, Bitter Almonds is about displacement and exile, family duty and honour, and the universal feelings of love and loss.