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Remember Me
At the innocent age of fifteen, Selma is just beginning to experience the power of her first love. Unfortunately, living in Bosnia in 1992, Selma and her parents soon find themselves targets of the Bosnian War, and her father is arrested by the Serb Army and held for questioning. In an attempt to protect her daughter, Selma's mother sends Selma to stay with her aunt, but that seems to be a mistake. Days after arriving, the city is attacked, her family members are murdered before her eyes, and Selma is thrown into a concentration camp where she lives out her worst nightmare. After losing nearly all those she loves, being abused by those whom she once trusted, and witnessing prejudice at its ugliest, Selma isn't sure she even wants to stay alive. Will Selma ever escape from room ten alive? And if she does, will her broken spirit ever recover? Will she have any family to return to? Will she ever find love again? Follow Selma Jovanovic's journey through love, despair, hope, and peace in author Sanela Jurich's Remember Me. Experience the brutality of the Bosnian Genocide, but see how God's hand restores Selma's life tenfold. Understand the courage it takes to face your attackers and relive the pain in the name of justice. Discover whether love can blossom from beneath the rubble of war.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2011
5 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Sanela Ramic Jurich
5 books45 followersWinner of the 2025 International Impact Book Awards!
Sanela Ramić Jurich is a distinguished author and accomplished public speaker with a compelling background. Hailing from Prijedor, Bosnia, she entered the world in 1976, just as the complex tapestry of the Yugoslav war began to unfold in the early 1990s. Precociously navigating the challenges of those tumultuous times, Sanela was merely fifteen years old when the conflict erupted.
Her literary contributions, exemplified by notable works such as "Remember Me" and "Haunting from the Past," stand as poignant testaments to her lived experiences during the war. These masterfully crafted books not only showcase her prowess as an author but also serve as powerful conduits through which she shares her personal recollections of the era.
Currently residing in the vibrant city of Chicago, Sanela Ramić Jurich has established a harmonious life alongside her two cherished sons. Her journey from the ravages of conflict to her present abode is a testament to resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit. Through her words and public addresses, she continues to captivate audiences, shedding light on her remarkable narrative and the broader lessons that can be gleaned from her compelling journey.
Sanela Ramić Jurich is a distinguished author and accomplished public speaker with a compelling background. Hailing from Prijedor, Bosnia, she entered the world in 1976, just as the complex tapestry of the Yugoslav war began to unfold in the early 1990s. Precociously navigating the challenges of those tumultuous times, Sanela was merely fifteen years old when the conflict erupted.
Her literary contributions, exemplified by notable works such as "Remember Me" and "Haunting from the Past," stand as poignant testaments to her lived experiences during the war. These masterfully crafted books not only showcase her prowess as an author but also serve as powerful conduits through which she shares her personal recollections of the era.
Currently residing in the vibrant city of Chicago, Sanela Ramić Jurich has established a harmonious life alongside her two cherished sons. Her journey from the ravages of conflict to her present abode is a testament to resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit. Through her words and public addresses, she continues to captivate audiences, shedding light on her remarkable narrative and the broader lessons that can be gleaned from her compelling journey.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 19, 2025
CRIED. i feel like i have no words. this was beautifully written and i couldnt put it down. i cant believe i haven't read this until now. i always knew what happened in the war, but never have i heard it in such personal and detailed description. i never wanted to ask anybody about it because it still feels too fresh. it's hard to stomach what my family and thousands of others experienced and i can't even imagine living through this. my family are the strongest people in the world and i am so saddened but proud of their resilience. i wonder how many i never got the chance to meet and i'll think on that often now.
such a beautiful read. a reminder that there is always hope and as long as there is someone left to fight against it, hatred can never win
sorry for the bummer review but i couldn't read this book without feeling sad. this book was very sobering and visceral and i feel changed having read it. i am so grateful my family made it through so much trauma and heartbreak and it was so brave for my cousin to sit down and write this
its hard to visit bosnia and travel through it without seeing constant reminders of the war and what it took away, but at the same time, it is evidence of strength and a determination to live and thrive and be seen. I LOVE BOSNIA 🇧🇦🇧🇦🇧🇦🇧🇦
February 4, 2012
Remember Me by Sanela Jurich is a gripping story of love, pain, and endurance. Selma, once a typical teenager, tells her story of tragedy and triumph. Her world, as she knew it, changed when the Bosnian war broke out in the 1990s. Instead of going to school, Selma was taken to a concentration camp. The evil done to her there was unthinkable. She saw family members murdered, and was even betrayed by people she knew all her life.
How Selma survived this period in her life was amazing. Best of all, she came out a winner showing everyone that her spirit might have been marred (temporarily), but in the end it would not be broken!
I was hooked on Jurich's story from the beginning, especially when I realized, that though her story is fiction, much of what took place really happened to her or to people she knew. I highly recommend this book!
How Selma survived this period in her life was amazing. Best of all, she came out a winner showing everyone that her spirit might have been marred (temporarily), but in the end it would not be broken!
I was hooked on Jurich's story from the beginning, especially when I realized, that though her story is fiction, much of what took place really happened to her or to people she knew. I highly recommend this book!
August 12, 2013
this story had me hooked! could not put it down! so interesting! a must read!
February 8, 2013
Credible, Compassionate, and Courageous
Be ready to cry when reading this exquisitely written story. War is a tragic scourge on humanity, damaging all that is good. The conflicts that occurred in the former Yugoslav Republic beginning with Slovenia, then Croatia, and into Bosnia Herzegovina ruined the lives of so many innocent people.
Jurich's appropriately titled novel "Remember Me," written in the first person is told from the point of view of protagonist Selma Jovanovic, who details what happened in the Balkans in the early 1990s. In particular, Selma's story reads as a first hand account of an ordinary teenaged girl growing up in a Bosnian village. Her life and the lives of families around her were forever impacted by what happens when human beings intentionally mean harm.
In the story's beginning, Selma shares her hopes and dreams. Hers were no different than any teenaged girl's would be while coming of age, but in May of 1992 in Bosnia Herzegovina and the village of Prijedor, where Selma grew up, everything changed. People changed. The neighbors whom she trusted and went to school with took sides. People were abused and murdered for reasons that even they couldn't understand.
When the conflict was over, the damage left in its path remained. "Remember Me" is an important story that fortunately at the end, left me with a warm feeling of hope. In the story, Selma makes decisions in her life that caused me to think differently about innocence and justice. This story needed to be told so that people throughout the world would know why it is so important to remember who gets hurt when government fails and nations fight. Readers will discover that Jurich writes with the credibility and authenticity of a person who witnessed and experienced what took place in the Balkan countries during the 1990s.
Be ready to cry when reading this exquisitely written story. War is a tragic scourge on humanity, damaging all that is good. The conflicts that occurred in the former Yugoslav Republic beginning with Slovenia, then Croatia, and into Bosnia Herzegovina ruined the lives of so many innocent people.
Jurich's appropriately titled novel "Remember Me," written in the first person is told from the point of view of protagonist Selma Jovanovic, who details what happened in the Balkans in the early 1990s. In particular, Selma's story reads as a first hand account of an ordinary teenaged girl growing up in a Bosnian village. Her life and the lives of families around her were forever impacted by what happens when human beings intentionally mean harm.
In the story's beginning, Selma shares her hopes and dreams. Hers were no different than any teenaged girl's would be while coming of age, but in May of 1992 in Bosnia Herzegovina and the village of Prijedor, where Selma grew up, everything changed. People changed. The neighbors whom she trusted and went to school with took sides. People were abused and murdered for reasons that even they couldn't understand.
When the conflict was over, the damage left in its path remained. "Remember Me" is an important story that fortunately at the end, left me with a warm feeling of hope. In the story, Selma makes decisions in her life that caused me to think differently about innocence and justice. This story needed to be told so that people throughout the world would know why it is so important to remember who gets hurt when government fails and nations fight. Readers will discover that Jurich writes with the credibility and authenticity of a person who witnessed and experienced what took place in the Balkan countries during the 1990s.
March 19, 2012
Fifteen year old Selma is a normal teenager until her world is torn upside down when the Bosnian war begins. After her father is arrested her Mum sends Selma away to stay with her aunt in the hope she will be safe but the city is attacked and Selma watches helplessly as her family are murdered before her eyes. Dragged away to a concentration camp Selma suffers physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her captors and starts to believe death would be the easier option.
Sanela Ramic Jurich paints us a vivid picture of the horrors that took place during the Bosnian war allowing the reader to put themselves in the place of the characters, feeling their pain and terror. The book felt more like a biography than a novel so the depiction of the soldiers raping Selma and the other young girls was just one of many very disturbing scenes to read. A lot of the book has a darkness to it that I found very depressing, this is not the type of escapism I enjoy but it does help to occasionally read this type of book to remind ourselves how lucky we are to live in a peaceful time and place.
Selma realised that even in her darkest hour there was room for hope and eventually after she moved to America with her mother and son her dreams were realised. This turns out to be a sweet love story with a happy ending which helps to put to the back of our minds the horrible stuff that came at the start. I found this to be a very touching and heartfelt story. Kudos to the author for having the strength to draw on her own experiences to write this fictional book and remind us that every war has its share of innocent victims. Many of us choose to ignore or forget this fact in our need for ‘power’ or what we believe is ‘right’.
Copy supplied for review
December 25, 2024
Listening to Remember Me by Sanela Jurich was an emotional rollercoaster that left me feeling shaken, heartbroken, and deeply moved. From the very start, I was drawn into Selma’s world, a young girl whose first love is abruptly overshadowed by the horrors of the Bosnian War. As her life crumbles, I was overwhelmed by the raw pain and despair she endured. The narrator is absolutely amazing and she made every moment feel personal, amplifying the anguish and helplessness that seemed to seep through the story, and I found myself holding my breath, hoping for a glimmer of relief. At some point I wasn't even sure whether this was a real story or a novel.
Yet, amid the brutal violence and heartbreak, I also felt moments of hope and strength that kept me going. Selma’s journey through trauma, loss, and unimaginable suffering is gut-wrenching, but her resilience left me with a sense of awe. By the end, I was left emotionally drained but inspired, contemplating the healing power of love and faith. This audiobook was not just a story—it was an experience that stays with me long after the final words, forcing me to reflect on the strength it takes to survive and rebuild after such devastation.
Yet, amid the brutal violence and heartbreak, I also felt moments of hope and strength that kept me going. Selma’s journey through trauma, loss, and unimaginable suffering is gut-wrenching, but her resilience left me with a sense of awe. By the end, I was left emotionally drained but inspired, contemplating the healing power of love and faith. This audiobook was not just a story—it was an experience that stays with me long after the final words, forcing me to reflect on the strength it takes to survive and rebuild after such devastation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2025
Remember Me by Sanela Jurich Ramich is a heartfelt and beautifully written novel that captivates from start to finish. What sets this book apart is its authenticity, with the author's Bosnian cultural influence adding a rich and distinctive layer to the storytelling. The attention to detail and cultural nuances make it both unique and memorable.
This is a story that lingers in your heart long after the final page—a must-read for anyone who appreciates a compelling tale of love, resilience, and healing.
This is a story that lingers in your heart long after the final page—a must-read for anyone who appreciates a compelling tale of love, resilience, and healing.
March 30, 2012
This story has hooked me from page 1!
Want to read
March 18, 2016Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2016/03/...
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2016/03/...
January 17, 2023
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Remember Me 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sanela Ramic Jurich ✍️
.
.
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Remember Me is a historical fiction written by the author Sanela Ramic Jurich. The main character of the story is Selma Jovanovic. In the year 1992, war broke out in Bosnia. Selma's father was arrested by the Serb army and held for questioning. The guy named Johnny whom Selma loved was also held for questioning but she was informed about that a month later.
Selma's mother sent her to Kozarac so she could be safe at Aunt Minka's place. Soon, Serb forces attacked Kozarac. Selma was thrown into a concentration camp and was abused there. Read this story to find out will Selma ever unite with her family. Will she meet Johnny again?
The plot of the story is intriguing. The cover photo of the book is nice and the title couldn't have been better than this. The characters are written well by the author and would stay in my head for a long time. Sanela has done great work in this novel. I am definitely interested in reading more books by her.
• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5
★ Book Is Available On Amazon
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sanela Ramic Jurich ✍️
.
.
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Remember Me is a historical fiction written by the author Sanela Ramic Jurich. The main character of the story is Selma Jovanovic. In the year 1992, war broke out in Bosnia. Selma's father was arrested by the Serb army and held for questioning. The guy named Johnny whom Selma loved was also held for questioning but she was informed about that a month later.
Selma's mother sent her to Kozarac so she could be safe at Aunt Minka's place. Soon, Serb forces attacked Kozarac. Selma was thrown into a concentration camp and was abused there. Read this story to find out will Selma ever unite with her family. Will she meet Johnny again?
The plot of the story is intriguing. The cover photo of the book is nice and the title couldn't have been better than this. The characters are written well by the author and would stay in my head for a long time. Sanela has done great work in this novel. I am definitely interested in reading more books by her.
• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5
★ Book Is Available On Amazon
May 19, 2013
Growing up in Bosnia, Selma was a typical teenager. She got good grades. For the most part, she was a dutiful daughter. She had a close-knit group of friends. Selma even had a boyfriend named Johnny, whom she tried to hide from her parents. But Selma's adolescence took a horrific turn in 1992 -- the start of the Bosnian War.
Remember Me by Sanela Ramic Jurich paints a horrific portrait of the war. People were raped, murdered, and tortured for no reason other than their religious beliefs or that they dared to talk back. I was 10 years old at the start of this war, old enough to remember this time period but honestly I don't. There were some passages in this book that I stared at in shock and with wide eyes. Why? I just couldn't believe how cruel some people could be. This is a fictional story, but I'm sure plenty of people who survived the war can see themselves in Selma.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Remember Me by Sanela Ramic Jurich paints a horrific portrait of the war. People were raped, murdered, and tortured for no reason other than their religious beliefs or that they dared to talk back. I was 10 years old at the start of this war, old enough to remember this time period but honestly I don't. There were some passages in this book that I stared at in shock and with wide eyes. Why? I just couldn't believe how cruel some people could be. This is a fictional story, but I'm sure plenty of people who survived the war can see themselves in Selma.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews