Hostage ordeal taught One Book author about ‘strength of spirit’

Amanda Lindhout's harrowing experience of being held hostage in Somalia for over a year was extreme, but she said there are still lessons anyone can take from her memoir.
"We all suffer and go through struggles and they take different forms," Lindhout said.
She hopes people will be inspired by her story of survival, and learn about strength of spirit and resilience.
"People can apply that to their own challenges in life."
Lindhout's bestselling book "A House In The Sky," co-written with journalist Sara Corbett, is this year's pick for One Book, One Community, now in its 15th year in Waterloo Region.
"It is beyond amazing to be asked to be a part of One Book, One Community," Lindhout told a group gathered for the kickoff event at the Waterloo Region Record on Monday morning.
Lindhout also spoke in Waterloo at the Knox Presbyterian Church on Monday evening, and she has several stops throughout the region this week.
The last three years since her book was published have been a whirlwind said Lindhout, who now travels the world as a speaker and philanthropist.
"You hold your breath and you put it out into the world and you don't know how people will respond to it," said Lindhout, 35.
She told the group it's heartwarming "to see it received with such compassion and understanding," and the writing itself was healing as she recounted her abduction and captivity.
Lindhout, born in Red Deer, Alta., was in Somalia as a freelance reporter when she was kidnapped by insurgents in August 2008 with an Australian photographer, and local translator and driver. She was released 15 months later.
"It takes the reader to places they might not normally elect to go," said Melinda Marks, editor-in-chief of The Record.
While this year's selection is a more difficult read than some previous titles for One Book, One Community, Marks said it was tough to put down.
For Regional Chair Ken Seiling, the book is a glimpse into the often harsh reality of what's going on in parts of the world today.
"It's a reminder there's a lot going on in this world that isn't very nice," Seiling said.
And, he added, that's why it's vital to try to do good in the world.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic agreed Lindhout's experience is a reminder of "why it's so important we continue to build ties in other parts of the world."
"Amanda learned firsthand what some of those risks are," Vrbanovic said.
Lindhout herself considers the book a coming of age memoir. Although she is sorry for the heartache her family endured during her captivity, Lindhout said she is grateful for all she learned during that time, including a deep compassion and greater understanding of the human spirit.
"These are great gifts and I feel really lucky to have experienced them, even in the darkness of that context."
The book's title is a nod to the place she escaped to every day in her mind while being held captive — "where I imagined the life I hoped I would go on to have," Lindhout said.
"It saved me."