Monday, June 29, 2015

The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis

Raring: 1.0

This is written from the perspective of the SS Officers in Auschwitz. This is a dark comedy about their lives and how they viewed the camp. I 'get' what the author was trying to show but found it too distasteful to be able to read. This author is known for controversial books and this definitely fits the bill. I guess I am naive enough to think that the Germans saw that it was 'people' in the camp and hopefully had a difficult time executing their orders rather than laughing and joking around.


I only got 18% of the way in but that was enough for me to know this book is not for me.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Raring: 4.2

A grumpy but lovable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.  At first I thought this felt fluffy and I wasn't going to enjoy it.  Boy was I wrong! He is a lovable curmudgeon, especially when you understand his story.  By the end of this, I was ready for it to be done but, overall it was an enjoyable read.



Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 4.9

I don't read a lot of Jodi Picoult but, when I saw the rave reviews, I put this in my queue and I am so glad that I did. A woman who works at a bakery befriends a 94 year old German man who is very beloved in the community.  One day, he asker to kill him.  She is shocked and refuses.  He confesses his darkest secret—he deserves to die, because he was a Nazi SS guard. Complicating the matter, Sage's grandmother is a Holocaust survivor.



This is not just another book about the Holocaust but, caused me to see so many things from different angles. An excellent read.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

My Rating: 1.0

I couldn't get in to this book as it is written in verse. It may be the best book out there but, I won't be able to say as I just couldn't get past the way it was written.
.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

Rating: 3.2

Two horrific events in New York – one in 1911 and one in 2011 – are connected together by more than a beautiful scarf that has been passed through the generations.

This felt a bit fluffier than what I prefer but I did enjoy the 1911 portion of the story and getting a glimpse into how Ellis Island worked as a hospital.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 4.9

Two sisters in WWII France.  One sister complies with the Nazi's thinking the war will be over soon. The other sister joins the Resistance.

This is about women, the role of women in the WWII, sisters, family and more.  I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

My Summer Reads - please share yours!

Here are my summer reads:

1.     The Nightingale by Kristin HannahI am already reading this one and loving it.  Two sisters in WWII France.  One sister complies with the Nazi's thinking the war will be over soon.  The other sister joins the Resistance.



2.     A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - A grumpy but lovable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.




  3.     A Fall of Marigolds by Susan MeissnerTwo horrific events in New York – one in 1911 and one in 2011 – are connected together by more than a beautiful scarf that has been passed through the generations.



 4.     At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen -  Although I didn’t care for her other books, I loved Water for Elephants and I wanted to give this book a try.  I have heard it described as "Scottish Downton Abbey".



5.     Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath– I recently read Orhan’s Inheritance so I hope that it isn’t too soon to read another book on the Armenian Genocide but this one looks really good.



I am not sure if I am more concerned if the ones I have on hold at library will come in quickly or if I will get these all read!

Please share what books you are planning on reading for the summer as I am always looking for reading ideas.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke

My rating: 4.9


Where to start. This is about the life of Weldon Holland.  Yes, he happens to meet Bonnie & Clyde when he is a teenager but that was only a very small portion of this book.  This richly told tale is about Weldon surviving the Battle of the Bulge, saving the lives of his Sergeant Hershel Pine and his future wife Rosita and how their lives unfold from there.


This epic novel is about American history, love and a thriller all wrapped up in to one.  For me, it also had a feel of a Western.  Brilliant writer.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Single or multiple books?

Do you read single or multiple books at once?  If multiple books, how do you keep them straight?

Amelia V emailed me the first question and I thought it would make a great discussion.  I added the second part of the question as I want to know.  :-)

I read two books at once - one on my kindle and one on my iPod (for in the car).  I think if I read more than that, I would get the plot lines confused.  I do feel like I am in 'book limbo' when I finish a book on either device and don't enjoy the lull while I start a new book, only to find it doesn't grab me, and then try another.  I also try to have different plot lines on each device (i.e., I don't read two books on WWII at the same time) so I don't confuse the books/characters and it usually isn't a problem