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.

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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.

My Summer Reads - please share yours!

Here are my summer reads:

1.     The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - I 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 Meissner - 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.

 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.

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.

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

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

My rating: 4.8

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. Popular girl, Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape Indiana and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries. Witty dialogue, solid characters and wonderful writing made me fall in love with this book.  I will be reading more by this author.

CAUTION: This book deals with mental illness & suicide.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

My rating: 4.8

Carrie McLelland is writing about 1708 when an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers are after claiming the exiled James Stewart's crown.

Carrie settles into Slain Castle and creates a heroin to center her story around...only to find that her novel is more fact than fiction.

This story that flashes between modern day and 1708 is a lot of history, a little bit of romance and thoroughly enjoyable.

Shadow of the Wind/Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

My rating: 1.0

I have heard about this book for years so, I was excited to finally move this book to the top of my queue. I listened to it on my ipod (audio from my library...of course!) and the narration was wonderful.  The writing was wonderful.....for the first 75 pages. 

It quickly felt that the writer was using the overblown prose again and again and again.  The overuse of the flowery metaphors got old very quickly.  I realized that this book felt cumbersome and not enjoyable and I knew it was time for me to move on and put this in my cemetery of forgotten books.

Freeman by Leonard Jr. Pitts

My rating: 4.8

This story of three people, Sam Freeman, Tilda and Prudence, takes place right after the Civil War and shows how the fighting doesn't end when the war is over. This book was about prejudice, slavery, civil rights, love and so much more. 

This Pulitzer Prize winning author captured so much pain, beauty, love and despair. This is a heavy emotional book that will stay with me for a long time. An amazing piece of historical fiction.

Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian

My rating: 4.9

This is the story of Orhan, whose Dede/grandfather Kemal has just died, and Seda, an 87 year old woman in a Los Angeles Armenian retirement community.  The story moves back and forth in time between the last years of the Ottoman Empire and the 1990's.  

I loved this book on so many levels - the wonderful writing, the characters, the plot and for the education on a piece of history that I was mainly unaware of.  This is definitely going to be featured in my May Favorites.

Descent by Tim Johnston

My rating: 4.6

The story of a young family from the plains taking a last summer vacation before their daughter begins college. For eighteen-year-old Caitlin. Caitlin and her younger brother, Sean, go out for an early morning run and only Sean returns.

This is more than just a mystery thriller as it also deals with family relationships.  Most people seem to be a love or hate this book and I was in the 'definitely liked it' camp but not a love.  It will stay with me for a while which I always view as a sign of a good book.