Between the Two Rivers is a candid and moving account of the real-life saga of Ms. Kouyoumjian’s mother Mannig, who as a young girl was one of a small minority of Armenians who survived the massacre and deportation from the Ottoman Empire during and after World War I. Historians estimate that 1.5 to 2 million Armenians perished.

In ForeWord Digital Reviews, Elissa Mugianis writes, “With this writing, Kouyoumjian joins authors Thea Halo and Peter Balakian, whose finely penned accounts of family members’ survival of the Ottoman atrocities are essential reads for the understanding of these genocides.”

The first event on April 21st (7 p.m.) is sponsored by the Armenian Cultural Association. It will take place at the NW Arts Center, 9825 NE 24th, Bellevue, Washington. Aida will be one of seven participants. The others are either singing, reciting poetry or playing musical instruments. There will also be speeches about how the Armenian Community in the Diaspora is gaining recognition for the Genocide. For more information, please visit ACAWA on Facebook.

The second event on April 24 (7 p.m.) will be held at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Seattle, 11505 Redmond-Woodinville Road, NE, Redmond. Aida will discuss how her book ties into the Armenian Apostolic tradition. Both events are free.

The first edition of Between the Two Rivers won first place (Washington State) in the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) At-Large Communications Contest in the nonfiction: history category.

Orphaned by the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Mannig and her sister Adrine struggle to stay alive in what is now eastern Iraq. Mannig lives on the streets and trades camel dung for bread; her sister works as a servant for an Arab family. With the help of Barone Madiros, a wealthy philanthropist, Mannig and Adrine eventually find their way to an orphanage for surviving Armenian children. In this refuge, after years of hardship, the two sisters find compassion, joy, safety ... and love. Told by Mannig’s daughter, Between the Two Rivers is a candid and moving account of a mother’s triumph over adversity.

Aida Kouyoumjian was born in Felloujah and raised and educated in Baghdad, Iraq. In 1952 she came to Seattle to attend the University of Washington on a Fulbright Scholarship. Aida married an American and eventually settled in Mercer Island. You can find Aida online at www.ArmenianStory.coffeetownpress.com.

Island Books of Mercer Island carries the second edition of Between the Two Rivers. It is also available in Kindle ($6.95) and print editions on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, and Amazon Japan. Wholesale customers can order through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, or by contacting info@coffeetownpress.com. Libraries can also contact Follett Library Services or Midwest Library Services.

Aida Kouyoumjian is available to speak at civic and community organizations’ meetings.

ABOUT Coffeetown Press—Based in Seattle, Washington, Coffeetown Press has been publishing the finest fiction and nonfiction since 2005.