Across Many Mountains by Yangzom Brauen

Title:  Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family’s Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom
Author:  Yangzom Brauen (http://www.yangzombrauen.com/)
Length: 320 pages
Loved it!

When choosing my first read of 2012, I thought that I was potentially choosing my last read of 2011.  I began this book during the last week of December, but then I turned into the laziest sloth of a woman and spent most of my time watching The Tudors on Netflix, so I didn’t finish this before New Year’s.  I’m happy for this, though, because reading this memoir is the perfect type of read to kick off a new year.

I was drawn to this book mainly because I adore Tibetan culture and religion.  I cannot eloquently explain why, but I first became enamored with learning as much as possible about the Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and Tibet’s history/culture around my freshman year in high school.  I was potentially influenced by all of the Free Tibet rallies and concerts that were televised on MTV at the time, which leaves me thankful that I grew up during a time where MTV had some semi-educational stuff on-air.

I fell in love with this book for the three women’s lives that are the focus – Kunsang, Sonam, and Yangzom.  Three generations of Tibetan women, each with very different childhood experiences, and all struggling with the cultural diaspora that resulted from the Chinese occupation of their country since the 1950s.  We are given an honest look at Tibetan culture, both pre and post Chinese occupation, as well as a small glimpse into what it was (and probably still is) like for those who fled to India.

The stories shared with readers in this book are both incredibly sad and inspirational.  It makes me feel like I need to go and do something more with my life.  I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Tibetan culture, strong and creative women, or to anyone who just really needs a wonderful and inspirational read.
Check out Across Many Mountains on Amazon.