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A Story About Acceptance

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A deeply personal memoir about love, loss, and the power of acceptance, where every challenge becomes a lesson and every moment of pain transforms into growth.

Life is unpredictable. It tests us in ways we never expect, pushing us toward crossroads we never imagined. A Story About Acceptance is more than a memoir, it is an intimate journey through resilience, love, and the pursuit of inner peace.

In this powerful and heartfelt book, Nader Soubra invites readers to walk beside him through the defining chapters of his life. From the innocence of childhood and the chaos of war to heartbreak, purpose, and renewal, every page is a window into the soul of a man learning to accept, heal, and grow. His story is not one of perfection, it’s one of humanity.

Nader shares moments of unbearable grief, separation, and struggle, yet through them, he reveals a universal that acceptance is not surrender, but strength. Through his eyes, we see how pain can evolve into wisdom, and how faith, family, and perseverance can light even the darkest paths.

Through raw honesty and emotional depth, this memoir

The impact of childhood memories and how they shape our understanding of love, loss, and hope.

Family, sacrifice, and belonging, and how those bonds define us across distance and time.

Grief, healing, and self-discovery, showing how acceptance can lead to profound transformation.

Resilience in adversity, proving that even in life’s darkest hours, we can find strength, compassion, and peace.

This is a story for those who have loved deeply and lost painfully. For those who have questioned life’s
meaning and sought purpose amid chaos. For those who understand that healing is not forgetting, it’s learning to live again.

Every chapter carries emotion, reflection, and truth. Readers describe it as a mirror for the soul, a work that speaks to anyone who has ever faced heartbreak, uncertainty, or the challenge of moving forward.

A Book with

Every word in A Story About Acceptance comes from the heart, but its purpose extends beyond the page. All book sales are donated to charity, turning this journey of self-reflection into a journey of giving. This story not only inspires but actively helps others rebuild their lives, creating a ripple of hope and kindness in the world.

If you’ve ever stood at life’s crossroads, uncertain of what comes next, this memoir will remind you that you are not alone. It’s a gentle hand on your shoulder, a whisper that you can still find beauty in brokenness.

Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to accept what we cannot change. But in doing so, we discover our greatest strength, our truest peace, and the freedom to become who we are meant to be.

Proudly cataloged in the most prestigious university libraries in the world , MIT & Pratt Institute Library collection, standing among works that celebrate human resilience, artistic depth, and the power of storytelling.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2025

3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read

About the author

Nader Soubra

4 books29 followers
Nader Soubra is an interior architect & internationally acclaimed author whose work has been recognized by global platforms such as ArchDaily, Amazing Architecture, and the Harvard, MIT, Yale, Pratt, CCA, SCAD, RSID, UCL, Columbia, & New York School of Interior Design university libraries. With over ten years of expertise in transforming interior and architectural spaces into functional, inspiring works of art, Nader approaches design as more than surface aesthetics, he believes every space should tell a story and create a deep emotional connection with those who live and move within it.

With a meticulous eye for detail and a clear understanding of how design shapes our daily lives, he blends timeless design principles with cutting-edge technology to craft environments that are both beautiful and meaningful.

Beyond his design work, Nader is a published author whose books span design innovation and deeply personal storytelling. His debut title, The Future of Interior Design, explores where the field is headed and how emerging technologies are shaping creative practice. His memoir, A Story About Acceptance, is a heartfelt narrative about growth, loss, resilience, and the search for peace, with all proceeds donated to charity. His architectural expertise continues in his latest work, The Future of Architecture, expanding on his vision for the built environment of tomorrow.

With plans to publish more titles covering design, self-discovery, and human connection, Nader uses both pen and pencil to inspire. Whether crafting impactful spaces or writing transformative narratives, he is committed to elevating the human experience, through design and storytelling.

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 22, 2025
Life is rarely what we expect it to be. It surprises us, challenges us, and sometimes breaks us in ways we never imagined. But within those moments of uncertainty and pain lies the seed of growth. It’s in the cracks that light finds its way through. And it’s in those cracks that we discover who we truly are.

Call it a memoir or simply diary entries, this collection of moments of joy and turmoil; of happiness and grief takes one on a journey of self- discovery; a defining journey in search of identity, exploring the lessons learnt, wounds mended, struggles overcome and memories etched on one’s heart and soul.

When peace and fulfillment are on the line where peace and fulfillment are nigh impossibilities, it’s difficult to stay positive and see the glass half full.
It takes perseverance and courage, embracing the fact that not everything would go the way we dream and not every person we meet is good and life isn’t all rises and no falls.
I can relate to the author’s experiences because I have lived some of the memories shared in the book; moments that have stayed with me and shaped my future.

I still remember the impact of the bomb that killed Hariri on our balcony door…the sound, the vibration, the aborted phone calls and the constant fear and anxiety that another explosion could happen any minute.
I remember the following assassinations… The cars being checked for bombs…
I remember reading Don Quixote during the Israeli-Hezbollah war in 2006, sitting in a corner, trying to ignore the booms of the bombs.
The Beirut Port explosion in 2020…so many innocent lives lost; so many homes destroyed.
I remember all and this bittersweet book made me realize that I wasn’t alone in feeling lost and stressed and hopeless.
And yes, some of the streets in Beirut are really, devastatingly narrow! 😊

I want to thank the author for reminding me of some of the good memories and also for sharing his book with me.
Here’s to hope. Here’s to life. Here’s to acceptance.

Profile Image for Hannah.
2,257 reviews472 followers
June 17, 2025
Overall, the book was very good. There were a couple of issues with the writing for me:

* In some spots, the timelines jumped quicker than I was ready for
* In other places, the transitions between events were a little glitchy for me
* I wish some of the events were explained in more detail or excluded entirely since they didn't necessarily add to the value of the book
* And while it was true, it seemed a lot of chapters ended with the announcement that the other shoe was about to drop, and it felt repetitive.

These were all relatively minor, and for the most part, I really enjoyed the story. It was the second book I'd read about Lebanon and also the second book I'd read where it was set (partially) in Saudi Arabia. These are countries I'd really like to learn more about, especially because I had to laugh at my own ignorance - for some ridiculous reason, it never occurred to me that anyone in Saudi Arabia could be any less than a double/triple digit millionaire. (I am really embarrassed to admit that!). So even that little bit felt like good education for me.

The main reason I liked this book is that it's the first one I've read about The Israel-Hamas War (the current one that's been raging against Gaza since October 2023). Previously, I'd read about other war stories between Israel and Gaza, but this is the only firsthand account I've read about this war (it was the impact to those in the region outside of Gaza - I actually didn't know that the war was waged against the neighboring countries too). My only real complaint about the book, especially this part of it, is that it was too short. Only having read about it online from biased news sources and social media and this being more authentic, it started to validate some of my prior conclusions.

Author went through a lot in his life, and he seems to have written this from an optimistic place, even through all the tragedies and traumas. I think Soubra might've benefited from a better editor, but it's a strong book in general. I think most readers will really enjoy it - to the extent someone can enjoy tragedy and trauma.

Rounding up to 4.
Profile Image for Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs.
1,270 reviews18.4k followers
April 22, 2025
Wow. This miraculous work SPEAKS to me in words that are indicative of a young soul who is wise - Far beyond his traumatic Youth.

My own mature wisdom finally came in my seventies!

You know, here in the West we are coddled by the Machine into enthusiastic hopelessness. Now I know this doesn't quite jive with Soubra's Acceptance, but here it is the unfortunate norm.

However, perhaps it DOES fit. What if maturity is presented by the Machine as an ideal, to be slowly attained?

To Soubra it's real Now.

As is the case with me. In my childhood I was Really Coddled. Spoiled rotten. But at the onset of puberty my enthusiasm Cracked.

Whereas this inspiring youngish author had little, he expected no more: I, being autistic, expected endless bells and whistles till I died.

Who was right?

I'll let YOU judge.

Five Solid Stars: and a FREE Book to Kimdle Umlimited members!
Profile Image for Khurram.
2,368 reviews6,692 followers
August 20, 2025
This is an amazing book and amazing story. This is Nader Soubra's journey through life. The good, the bad, the hardships, the betrayals, the unity, and the victories. Part of the point of this book is that no stage lasts for long. Life keeps moving, and we must all learn the lessons we can and move with it.

The book covers many things we can all relate to and some that I hope nobody has, but sadly, I know many people will have to endure. Acceptance and endurance are what we all need. However , most of the time, the hardest lessons to learn and carry on with.

To call this book a pageturner is an understatement. As I was reading, I felt the raw feelings and emotions of every situation. Of course, I felt more about that situation closest to my frames of reference that I had been in. This is another message in this book. Though every person is unique, we share more experiences than not. What we have not experienced, we can empathise and learn from others as they can from us. I defy anyone to read this book and not find at least a situation they have been in, bad or good. I honestly wish the Nader and his family all the best and prey for them.
Profile Image for TheConnieFox.
449 reviews
May 6, 2025
This personal memoir was very inspirational and encouraging! I found it to be well written, full of emotions and reflective! I recommend this book to anyone that loves to read uplifting memoirs! This is available on Kindle Unlimited right now!

It is a a short, but powerful read! The author requested for me to read and share my honest opinions on this book. I give this beautiful memoir a 4 out of 5 stars rating!
Profile Image for Nivsreview.
163 reviews37 followers
July 2, 2025
This personal memoir focuses on compassion, kindness and hope. it explains about the moments how sometimes you can be going through unwanted things and still finding courage to keep going.
it's a short one I would've enjoyed more if it includes more details regarding the incident which took place in it.

but one thing is promised this is written really well with emotions and highly reflective to someone who's looking for a book to uplift themselves.

the author requested for me to read and share my honest opinions on this book. I give this a 3 stars ratings.

hope you enjoy reading it too...
Profile Image for Sollenbum.
81 reviews4 followers
July 20, 2025
Acceptance in the face of adversity is a true test of character. It is more easily said than done but “A Story of Acceptance” (2025) by Nader Soubra demonstrates that it is possible to show grace in the face of life´s many set-backs. The book is a memoir of his childhood and adolescence in the shadow of war and financial troubles. Through it all, he finds strength in the love of family and the companionship of friends.

The book opens with a description of Soubra´s happy childhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where anecdotes with cats cement the carefree existence of his family and show how they both love each other and as well as other creatures. This is a period of his life where he enjoys the freedom of a young boy but which comes to an abrupt end when his family decides that he and his sister will attend school in Lebanon, where his mother has family.

This decision lays the foundation for a life back and forth between Riyadh and Beirut, which splits the family up but allows the youngest children to receive an education. The dilemma is that the family desperately miss each other but are determined to give their children a good future, which means school. This section of the book is full of school challenges and friendships, some of which last into adulthood. The geography of the story may be in the Middle East but the experiences of childhood are universal.

The death of his father is the beginning of many challenges faced by Soubra, who is only 13 years old at the time. Such a loss at a young age becomes foundational for his character and shapes the young man into which he will grow. This is sadly followed by the death of his grandmother some years later so death is a constant companion. Added to these personal tragedies are the consequences of 9/11 and various wars in the region. The explosion at port of Beirut in 2020 adds to the feeling that life is fragile.

At its heart the memoir is apolitical; Soubra experiences these events at a human level and describes his emotional reaction in universal terms. It is not necessary to understand the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics or take sides in the escalating accusations in the region; everyone can empathize with a family whose life is exposed to danger because of the decisions made by others. This point is made explicit when Soubra describes how his Crohn´s disease is diagnosed and treated in the middle of a war zone. This autoimmune disease is bad enough on its own but in the light of the casualties of war, it allows Soubra to transcend his own suffering. The main thrust of the book is to help others deal with difficulties in whichever shape they may manifest in their own lives. By sharing his own life story, Nader Soubra hopes to help others in their struggle.


Disclosure: Nader Soubra kindly made the book available to me. All opinions are my own.

Availability: The book is independently published and available for free to Kindle Unlimited members. Any earnings will be donated to charity.
Profile Image for Kirsten.
308 reviews25 followers
June 13, 2025
A reflective and emotional memoir. I really enjoyed reading Nader’s journey as he comes to find peace and acceptance after a turbulent childhood. I enjoyed his reflections on growing up in more simpler times in Riyadh with his family before having to move to Lebanon to study and have his family separated. My heart broke with him as experienced the loss of many close to him. His journey with Crohn’s disease and diagnosis helped me understand the impact of this disease on people. I also enjoyed learning more about the Gulf War and issues in Lebanon, whilst being aware of these events it was interesting to set insight from someone who had actually lived through them. His personal life was bookended with some inspirational and reflective thoughts on acceptance which really resonated with me and gave me a sense of hope. I loved the beautiful illustrations throughout the novel. A short but powerful memoir.

Profile Image for Sierra.
724 reviews42 followers
May 5, 2025
Nader Soubra writes with the wisdom of someone who has lived lifetimes in just a few decades. His voice carries the weight of pain, resilience, and profound self-awareness. Try reading this book and not identifying with at least one part of it - I dare you.

Thank you, Nader, for giving the world your story and providing me with a copy so I can read it over and over again. Friends, this book is free to Kindle Unlimited members - take advantage of it!
3 reviews
May 1, 2025
A Story About Acceptance by Nader Soubra is more than just a memoir, it's a soul-stirring journey through the complexities of life, loss, and healing. As I turned each page, I found myself deeply moved, not only as a reader, but as a sister, a fellow traveler in this unpredictable life. Even though I live day by day beside my loved ones, reading this book made me FEEL those moments, moments of love, pain, and acceptance, as if I were experiencing them for the very first time.

Many of the incidents shared in this book touched me in ways that words can barely describe. I cried again and again, not just out of sadness, but because the emotions were so raw and real. Nader writes with such honesty and vulnerability that you don’t just read his story.....you live it. His experiences echo the silent struggles we all go through, often hidden beneath the surface of daily life.

This book is an invitation to pause. To breathe. To reflect on the phases we go through as we grow, and more importantly, to ACCEPT them. It’s a reminder that life will break us at times, but within that breaking is the space where transformation happens.

To anyone who needs to reconnect with their own story, or who feels stuck in a moment they cannot understand, this book will hold your hand through it. It is a testament to the resilience of the human heart, and a reminder that acceptance isn’t giving up, but it’s moving forward with grace.

I am deeply grateful to the author for sharing something so personal, and for turning his journey into something that gives back both emotionally and tangibly, with all profits going to charity. This book doesn't just inspire; it uplifts, heals, and gives hope.

Thank you brother for this book!!
Profile Image for Abhay Singh.
995 reviews62 followers
April 7, 2025

⚫️Nader Soubra's memoir, A Story About Acceptance, is a deeply moving and heartfelt exploration of life’s unpredictability. With a blend of honesty, compassion, and unwavering optimism, Soubra manages to create a narrative that feels both intensely personal and universally relatable.

⚫️At its core, this book delves into the idea of embracing change rather than resisting it. Through raw storytelling and genuine vulnerability, Soubra opens up about his life sharing memories from his childhood, the painful sting of loss, the weight of disconnection and conflict, and the quiet strength that emerged from his darkest moments. Each story resonates with authenticity, making it easy for readers to connect with his experiences on a deeply human level.

⚫️What sets A Story About Acceptance apart is its steadfast focus on growth through adversity. It confronts grief and hardship head-on, yet it doesn’t linger in despair. Instead, Soubra guides us through the emotional landscapes of sorrow, hope, forgiveness, and ultimately, peace. His powerful message is clear: acceptance isn’t about giving up; it’s about finding freedom. Through acceptance, we can begin to heal, grow, and live more fully.

⚫️This memoir is more than just a personal account it's a meaningful gift. Not only does it offer profound wisdom, but all proceeds go to charity, adding an extra layer of purpose to this already impactful work.

⚫️Whether you’re navigating your own struggles or simply looking for a story that resonates, A Story About Acceptance will make you feel understood, uplifted, and inspired to approach life with renewed courage. It’s a beautiful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, one that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Happy reading ❤️✨
3 reviews
April 22, 2025
Amazing book i think it gives people motivation to always look forward ,always to think front .
the book touched my soul ,,
Personally this stories proves to me that everything we do has an impact on someone else no matter how small or big it is … ❤️
all the best to the writer..
Profile Image for Jay.
75 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2025
If you're looking for a book that hits you right in the feels—like, ugly-cry-on-the-subway level—this one’s for you. It’s not just a memoir; it’s a raw, honest journey through love, loss, war, and the kind of resilience that makes you rethink your own struggles.

Nader shares moments from his life—some beautiful, some absolutely heartbreaking—and walks you through how he learned to accept things he couldn’t change. It’s not one of those “toxic positivity” books. It’s about real struggles—war, grief, separation—and how, even in the darkest times, you can find peace if you stop fighting life and start flowing with it.

What hit me the hardest were his memories of growing up in Beirut. The explosions, the fear, the uncertainty... I could feel the tension in those pages. And yet, he still found little pockets of hope—through family, through reflection, through just surviving another day.

He talks about how our childhood shapes us, how grief never fully goes away, and how true strength isn’t about being tough all the time—it’s about being okay with not being okay.

Also, major respect to him: all the proceeds from this book go to charity. So you’re not just reading something meaningful—you’re supporting something meaningful too.

By the end of the book, I just sat there quietly, thinking: Damn. I’m not the only one who’s felt lost, broken, or confused about life. And somehow, that made me feel less alone.

So yeah—if you’re going through something, or have gone through something, or just want to read something that’ll touch your heart—pick this up.
Profile Image for Silvia  RoMa.
1,034 reviews7 followers
May 20, 2025
This is a very well written memoir. Extremely personal and powerful, the author takes us on his journey through life, reminding us that no matter what happens life keeps moving and we need to adapt to every change if we want to prevail.

I've absolutely loved reading this story, as it's written with a special light that makes it imposible for the reader not to identify with some of the things the author is going through. All the journey as a chronically illness person is so powerful and heartbreaking that it made me stop reading for a day to reflect on how difficult to do some simple things everyone is doing can be for others.

It is without doubt a powerful, moving and inspirational memoir that everyone should read.

Thank you for sharing your journey and providing me with a copy so I can read it.
I recommend this novel to everyone who wants to read an uplifting memoir. This book is free on KU, go read it! You're missing out!
3 reviews
April 24, 2025
This book is a masterpiece of raw emotion and relentless dedication. It’s clear that the author poured his heart and soul into every word, creating something that is not only beautifully written but profoundly impactful. The way he explored the complexities of acceptance, with such honesty and vulnerability, is nothing short of remarkable. It’s evident that this wasn’t just a book to our champ Nader, it was a labor of love, a work of deep emotional resonance that required true courage to write. It moved me in ways I can’t quite describe, and I’ll forever be grateful for the effort and heart that went into crafting this beautiful piece of art.
Must read 🔥 this book is "nader" = unique
Profile Image for Fady Awad.
1 review
April 22, 2025
A spectacular peek into one's valiant efforts at retaining sanity and holding onto hope, in an otherwise insane and hopeless world.

I would like to start off by commending the author for his adamant bravery to pour his deeply personal experiences on paper for everyone to read, and setting a fair example that harboring emotion is courage, not weakness, rather than tending to the overbearing general stereotypes that plague modern-day society.

A Story About Acceptance is a skillful, balanced display of storytelling and personal insight. The author's self-recollection of major personal events, both within and beyond his control, is ultimately a canvas on which he attempts to paint a clearer picture of the outlook of his own journey through life, while simultaneously parting some solid inspirational motivation to his readers; motivation that also instils a sense of relation and understanding, and that we, collectively speaking, are all susceptible to the same pains he had endured.

The author had purposely set the book's starting point within his childhood days, highlighting a rather important element that most of us tend to bury in our subconscious, for fear of harboring feelings of weakness, inaptitude, and prejudiced invalidation: because we all yearn to re-live our innocent childhoods throughout our lives, to varying degrees. The author had made peace with that thought throughout his book, and urges his readers to not invalidate that feeling, because what truly makes us happy is only found within our own selves; and it is a strong, foundational statement that enlightens the individual as to why we may always be lacking that simple feeling of happiness, no matter our success in worldly matters.

Another crucial element that gets predominantly featured in the book is the strength of genuine familial bonds. At its core, the unity of family is what builds futures and dreams, and is the single biggest motivational factor for any of us to set ambitious goals, and then carve our way through to reach them, no matter how jagged the road may be; and that we easily mistake our individual paths as a race against everyone else to the bottom, while in reality, no one's racing anybody: it's all external perception, an unnecessary burden of prejudice that inevitably snakes its way into our daily lives.

We all fight different battles, and no two roads are the same. At the time of writing his book, the author may have graduated from legalized institutions and gained a clearer perspective on the ugliness of the real world around him, yet he remains a student of life itself, as we all are; it is a life-long process of acceptance, where one never stops learning; and this book is a solid anchor in the right direction of true individual insight.

A selfless, valiant effort at showing others that deep down, we are all the same, and that we slowly learn how to return to our shared roots. A must-read.
Profile Image for Hala Al Chattat.
1 review
May 1, 2025
This is the book I didn’t know I needed to read.
Nader’s personal story hit close to home — as a Lebanese, as a parent, and as someone still processing life’s unseen battles.
Thank you, Nader, for this raw and beautiful reminder to embrace life as it is.
While it’s Nader’s personal narrative, it deeply resonated with me as a Lebanese citizen. Revisiting the events that shook Lebanon since 2005 — events I thought were long buried in the back of my mind — brought tears to my eyes. The way these moments resurfaced reminded me of what we’ve endured, and the silent weight so many of us carry.
As a parent, I was especially touched by the chapters about his family’s struggles — the helplessness his parents felt in the face of illness and life’s hardships, and their determination to keep going for the sake of their children. That’s a reality so many of us relate to, yet rarely speak about.
The book also opened my eyes to the invisible stories people carry. We meet people every day without ever knowing the depth of their pain, the battles they’re quietly fighting — and that thought alone reshapes how we connect and empathize.
But most of all, the book’s message about acceptance hit me hard. It helped me reflect on my own battles and losses, and gave me a renewed perspective: to stop fighting what’s out of my control, and instead embrace life as it is — with all its beauty, uncertainty, and mess.
Thank you, Nader, for this gift.
1 review
July 28, 2025
**A Profound and Soul-Stirring Memoir**

"A Story About Acceptance" by Nader Soubra is a deeply inspiring and emotionally moving memoir that speaks to the heart of every reader. With remarkable honesty and simplicity, the author opens up his personal journey of self-acceptance, transforming his life through vulnerability, reflection, and strength. What makes this book truly special is its universal message — no matter who you are or where you come from, there is something in this story that will resonate with you.

Nader’s words are raw yet graceful, and his storytelling touches the soul. Whether you are facing personal doubts, identity struggles, or simply navigating the highs and lows of life, this book offers a mirror to reflect, a hand to hold, and a spark to reignite your inner power.

It beautifully showcases the transformative power of accepting oneself fully — flaws, past wounds, and all — as a foundation for growth, peace, and resilience. It’s more than just a memoir; it’s a life lesson.

Thumbs up to the author for his courage in sharing such a personal and powerful story. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, healing, and clarity. If you're looking to reflect on life and embrace your own truth, this book is a must-read.

Solid 5 stars!
3 reviews
April 21, 2025
This book touched my soul in ways I can’t fully explain. I found myself crying multiple times, not just out of sadness, but because of how deeply real and human it all felt. Every page carries raw emotion, pain, and strength. It’s more than just a story, it’s a journey through life’s hardest moments, and somehow, it reminds you of your own. I felt the love, the loss, the hope… and by the end, I was left in tears, but also with a strange sense of peace. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you close it.
434 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2025
Emotional and Inspiring

I typically don’t read memoirs like this one with so much heartbreak and hardship so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. You can’t read this book and not get a little emotional. At the same time there is an underlying message regarding persevering, pushing through, never giving up and resilience that is so important.
3 reviews
April 24, 2025
Touching, real, and special memoir from a special person
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