Visit Books Inc. Campbell for an author event with Aida Sibić reading from her book Luck Follows the Brave!
As a teenager in Bosnia, Aida Šibić witnesses the horrors of war.
She and her family leave loved ones behind as they flee religious persecution and ethnic cleansing, escaping to refugee camps, then fleeing to America. They must live on government assistance while learning to communicate and support themselves. Aida soon discovers her love of technology, which paves the way to her financial independence and successful career in cybersecurity.
But Aida's personal dreams-a happy family, a loving husband-often feel out of reach. In the U.S., she laughs again, experiences romance, and travels. With war seemingly behind, Aida recounts the long-term effects trauma left on her family. As a domestic and emotional abuse survivor, Aida fights to provide safety and stability for her two children. She writes about the tragic loss of a close family member to suicide, sharing vital information about suicide prevention and helping other survivors feel less alone.
Aida's story demonstrates Bosnian "Inat," a term for stubborn and determined desire to persevere despite all obstacles. Ultimately, she lifts up her family, celebrates her Islamic heritage, and lives a life of strength and joy. Readers will be amazed by this profound, heartwarming portrait of courage. If you like inspirational stories of strong women, Luck Follows the Brave tells a triumphant story of surviving and thriving amid extreme adversity.
"This sensitive memoir about the war in Bosnia in the 1990s will quickly make readers think about the current conflict in Ukraine: stories of families torn apart by the horrors and atrocities of war; the miracle of love finding new hope in mountains of despair. Aida Sibic's war tragedy, Luck Follows the Brave, recalls another Bosnian writer, Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andric, who, in fiction, crafted sensitive portraits from the galleries of Bosnian history. Sibic draws deep from her own well of experience to paint an accurate portrait of contemporary Bosnian history. Read it to weep. Read it to learn. Read it to find your own pathway through life's trials to dreams of hope." --B. William Silcock, PhD, Emeritus faculty and former Assistant Dean for International Programs at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University
"Luck Follows the Brave will remind readers of frightening current events now repeating themselves in Ukraine. As an immigrant myself, I deeply felt Aida Sibic's pain, cried alongside her over losing loved ones, and laughed at the crazy immigrant jokes. Despite being robbed of her childhood, getting divorced, being a single mom with two young children, and losing her mom, she still managed to make peace with the past, becoming grateful for the life she lives today. "There are no knights in shining armor that will ride in and rescue the princess in distress," she writes. "The princess rescues herself and writes her own happy ending."" --Maria Jones Esq., Founding Attorney and CEO of Maria Jones Law Firm, author of Deportation Impossible, Former Chair of the Immigration Section of the State Bar of Arizona
"It's unimaginable that one woman could not only survive multiple traumas but also rise above her experiences with courage and resilience. As a fellow survivor of suicide loss, I could identify with Aida's story. It resonated with me. By telling our stories, we can heal and, in turn, inspire others to not give up, regardless of the circumstances. Aida's love for her children reminded me of my own motivation to keep going, despite the emotional turmoil. I highly recommend Luck Follows the Brave. You will be touched, moved, and inspired." --Cathie Godfrey, author of Your Suicide Didn't Kill Me: Choosing to Love and Live Again After Loss
"Aida Sibic's Luck Follows the Brave is a well-written book that includes important life events from the genocide in Bosnia, though difficult to read at times. Anyone like me, and the millions of others who have survived genocide or violence in any form, will find it comforting to read about someone who has gone through a similar experience. Aida's memoir proves that life doesn't have to be only about pain. While sorrow is essential to human life, it can, and should be, overflowing with joy. Aida's life is a living witness to that possibility. --Oksana Kushaliieva, from Ukraine, Crimea; BA in international studies with a minor in French from Brigham Young University Idaho
Aida Sibić survived the genocide in Bosnia to become a Muslim refugee in the United States where she earned a degree in computer science and is finishing a degree in computer information technology. While working her way up the corporate ladder, she became a certified project management professional, eventually responsible for implementing multimillion-dollar strategic integration initiatives with a Fortune 500 FinTech company. Currently, Aida works as Senior Director of a corporate cybersecurity program. She lives with her two teenagers in Phoenix and volunteers for organizations that provide education and services to the homeless, veterans, single moms, children, and domestic abuse survivors.
