21 ratings | 3 reviews | avg rating:5.00

Lara’s Year In Books

Lara’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Lara’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Lara’s 2024 Year in Books

Lara Gelya’s Followers (21)

Lara’s Bookshelves

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Lara’s Friends (14)

Andrew Baltasar

807 books | 1,678 friends

Christina Bosworth

2,326 books | 54 friends

Iva Dimitrova

48 books | 162 friends

Jaden John

182 books | 266 friends

Sharon Hart-Green

138 books | 4,980 friends

Muriel Akroyd

1,383 books | 25 friends

Kevin Moore

217 books | 109 friends

Liam Gregory

291 books | 196 friends

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Lara Gelya

Goodreads Author

Born

Ukraine

Website

https://www.laragelya.com

Twitter

lgelya

Genre

Memoir, History, Nonfiction

Member Since

April 2022

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Born in Ukraine and going to school there, Lara Gelya spent the next two decades in the Kyzylkum Desert of the Republic of Uzbekistan, working at geological sites and expeditions of the Mining Industry. At that time Ukraine and Uzbekistan were parts of one country -- the Soviet Union.

In 1989 Lara left the Soviet Union, lived in Austria and Italy before she, at last, found her way to the United States in 1990. Starting her life from ground zero again, and trying on so many hats, she was able to make a lengthy professional career that led to her eventual retirement on the shores of sunny Florida.

Now, enjoying her retirement, Lara fills her days with enriching activities like writing, creating videos and pictures, reading, gardening, cooking, ...more

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Combine Editions
Lara Gelya’s books

Average rating: 4.73 · 95 ratings · 79 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors

	Camel from Kyzylkum 4.73 avg rating — 95 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Camel from Kyzylkum: A Memoir of My Life Journey by Lara Gelya (Goodreads Author), Beth Deehan (Narrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

9 posts
Lara Gelya's Blog

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year to All! Peace and Love from our home to yours!

As the old year gives way to the new, remember—you are the author of your own story.

Each new year brings the exciting promise of fresh starts and new beginnings. Perhaps that’s why we look forward to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with such anticipation. Whether you have specific goals for the year ahea Read more of this blog post »

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Published on December 24, 2024 09:56

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Lara’s Recent Updates

Lara Gelya made a comment on Adam Judy’s review of Camel from Kyzylkum " Thank you, Adam, for your review, it is greatly appreciated! "
Oct 10, 2025 07:57AM · see review
Lara Gelya liked Adam Judy's review of Camel from Kyzylkum: "Camel from Kyzylkum is a beautifully written and deeply moving memoir about courage, hope, and the search for freedom. Lara’s journey, from Ukraine to Uzbekistan, then across Europe to America, captures the struggles and sacrifices that come with sta" Read more of this review »
Oct 10, 2025 07:54AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lara Gelya made a comment on Janvi Santwani’s review of Camel from Kyzylkum " Thank you for your review, it is greatly appreciated! Lara Gelya Camel from Kyzylkum laragelya.com "
Sep 25, 2025 10:59AM · see review
Lara Gelya liked Janvi Santwani's review of Camel from Kyzylkum: " Camel from Kyzylkum: A Memoir of My Life Journey by Lara Gelya instantly captures attention with its heartfelt storytelling and deep emotional pull. From the very first page, the memoir feels raw and real, drawing you into the author’s incredible jou" Read more of this review »
Sep 25, 2025 09:55AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lara Gelya made a comment on Scotliteboost’s review of Camel from Kyzylkum " Thank you for your review, it is greatly appreciated! "
Aug 13, 2025 12:36PM · see review
Lara Gelya liked Scotliteboost's review of Camel from Kyzylkum: "Camel from Kyzylkum is an unforgettable memoir that beautifully captures the essence of courage, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. From the very first chapter, Lara’s journey pulls you in not just because of the sweeping landscapes" Read more of this review »
Aug 13, 2025 12:35PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lara Gelya rated a book it was amazing Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What an honest and captivating account of a daring escape from Soviet tyranny to freedom! From the moment I opened this book, it was a page-turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. Even knowing that everything turned out well (since it's the author ...more
Jul 30, 2025 08:14PM · 2 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Camel from Kyzylkum by Lara Gelya <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lara Gelya is now following Mark Haddon Author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Jul 24, 2025 10:25AM · 1 like · like
Lara Gelya is now following Readbyheart 's reviews
Jul 21, 2025 04:37PM · like
Lara Gelya made a comment on Zowie Norris’s review of Camel from Kyzylkum " Thank you, Zowie! Readers like you give me the strength to keep going and to share my refugee story with the world — especially now, in light of everyt ...more "
Jul 07, 2025 05:17AM · see review