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Hane Selmani

@haneselmani

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Chapter 1: SHATTERED ILLUSIONS
How it begins….

link to Amazon and bio ♥️ by @haneselmani

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2 months ago

February 21, my sister‘s birthday, pre-orders of A Country Called Brooklyn? were available on my website. May 1, my birthday, the book went live on Amazon.

By the end of June 848 books were sold.

Thank you!
🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️

Link in bio. by @haneselmani

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23 days ago

My family’s Bajram: Chapter 49 “The Tombstone” from my memoir A Country Called Brooklyn (link in bio).

We often went to visit Xharije in her new home-a lump of dirt-and took solace in the belief that she was with the best company of all-Baba.
Twice a year, during the holy Bajram Holidays, while other Moslems went to pray at the mosque, my entire family, babies and all, went to the cemetery. We planted rose bushes on Baba’s and Xharije’s grave so they’d have an endless supply, and bought fresh bouquets each time we visited. On Xharije’s grave, we’d place three blooms close together, as if they were kissing, to symbolize the love she had for her children.

A COUNTRY CALLED BROOKLYN
Link in bio by @haneselmani

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2 months ago

When I first read this review, my first thought was, “He’s a much better writer than I am.” 😊

I never thought about the story this way.

Doug described being drawn into the tiny Brooklyn apartments and the intimate details of everyday life, and suddenly I could see those scenes almost like a film.

Sometimes readers show us things about our own work that we never knew were there.

I’m incredibly grateful Doug took the time to put those thoughts into words. 🙏♥️ by @haneselmani

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2 days ago

Sometimes the greatest compliment isn’t a review—it’s a DM or a comment.

Knowing someone intentionally made space in their life so they could give my book their full attention was humbling. I could only hope it would meet her expectations.

Then learning it has become something she and her husband were experiencing together…

WOW. ❤️

@lejlaelmazaj by @haneselmani

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6 days ago

I’m honored to be one of the featured storytellers at The Ideasmyth Salon on Tuesday, July 21 at Pangea in New York City.

I’ll be sharing a reading from A Country Called Brooklyn—the true story of my family’s immigration to Brooklyn, my sister’s murder, and my thirty-year search for the truth.

📖 Bring your book if you have one, and I’ll gladly sign it after the event.

I hope you’ll join me for an unforgettable evening of stories.

🎟️ Tickets are available through the link in my bio. taken in Pangea by @haneselmani

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13 days ago

Thank you to the readers who take the time to write a review. 🙏

If you’ve read A Country Called Brooklyn, I’d be so grateful if you left an honest review. It truly helps other readers discover the book. ♥️♥️♥️ by @haneselmani

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14 days ago

Fifty years ago, I watched the Bicentennial fireworks from Brooklyn, just beyond the Verrazzano Bridge, with my sister Xharije.

During America’s 250th anniversary, I watched the fireworks from the other side of the Hudson.

Some moments become more meaningful with time. What once felt like an ordinary summer night now reminds me how precious those memories were.

American Summer is a chapter from A Country Called Brooklyn that captures what it felt like to be a young Albanian immigrant during the summer of 1976.

Those memories—and so many others—live on in A Country Called Brooklyn.

✨ Link in bio.

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day. by @haneselmani

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20 days ago

What happened on Sunday was about so much more than a book.

Four organizations came together to make this event possible:
@shoqni_aawc
@shoqatabesi
@shoqatakraja
@shoqatamuriqi
Even @aawomotratqiriazi came in solidarity ♥️

Seeing women sitting side by side, sharing stories, asking questions, laughing, crying, and connecting reminded me why I wrote A Country Called Brooklyn.

If this book can help bring people together across organizations, generations, and experiences, then it is already accomplishing more than I ever imagined.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who organized, supported, and attended this beautiful event. May this be only the beginning of many more conversations that unite us.

special thanks to Servete for putting this video together. @servie.dz by @haneselmani

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23 days ago

Finding your tribe through stories, laughter, reflection, and a few photobooth moments we'll cherish. ✨📚🤍
Shout out to beautiful ladies at @flashandfunfotobooth for your support and incredible service at our event!
#KafeAndMuhabet #ACountryCalledBrooklyn #BookTok #FoundMyTribe #CommunityThroughBooks taken in Trattoria Ora Wine Bar by @haneselmani

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23 days ago

“What would be your sister’s favorite chapter?” Suzy asked.
“I never thought of it before. Maybe Angel wings.”
I walk into today’s event that was hosted by the wonderful women from:
@shoqni_aawc
@shoqatakraja
@shoqatabesi
@shoqatamuriqi
and see photos and candles, and printed with the words from Angel Wings. 🥹🙏 by @haneselmani

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a month ago

As Voltaire wisely said, “Let us read, let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” That spirit was beautifully reflected in our latest Kafe & Muhabet gathering.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our book signing, meet & greet, and discussion of A Country Called Brooklyn. Your thoughtful conversations, reflections, and shared experiences made the event truly special and reminded us of how the power of stories bring people together.

A heartfelt thank you to the brilliant author, @haneselmani for sharing her story with our community. We are also grateful to @trattoria_ora for welcoming us into such a warm and inviting space, to @laura_loves_crafting for the custom candles, and to @flashandfunfotobooth for capturing the memories and adding an extra touch of joy to the day.

A special thank you to our co-hosts @shoqatakraja @shoqatabesi and @shoqatamuriqi whose support and partnership helped make this gathering possible.

Thank you all for making this Kafe & Muhabet so meaningful. May we continue to gather, converse, and celebrate together for many more events to come. ☕📚🤍

Photo/video cred: @servie.dz by @haneselmani

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25 days ago