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One of the most exciting challenges I signed up for this year was the War Through the Generations Reading Challenge, concentrating this year on WWII. As you all know, I'm a WWII buff, and never tire of reading about the different aspects of this time period. Many say they can't stomach the topic. For me, though, from the ashes of tragedy arise stories of hope, survival, love and forgiveness. The fact that these little rays of sunshine force their way through such a dark time in history makes this the most rewarding of all genres.
The challenge is sponsored by Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Anna of Diary of an Eccentric. They do an excellent job of posting all challenge reviews at the War Through the Generations blog site here.
I enthusiastically signed up to read 10 books for this challenge. Here they are, with links to my reviews:
Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky
The challenge is sponsored by Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Anna of Diary of an Eccentric. They do an excellent job of posting all challenge reviews at the War Through the Generations blog site here.
I enthusiastically signed up to read 10 books for this challenge. Here they are, with links to my reviews:
Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Annie Barrows
Resistance - Owen Sheers
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel - Louise Murphy
Night - Elie Wiesel
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
Every Man Dies Alone - Hans Fallada
Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
The Spies of Warsaw - Alan Furst
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford (review coming 8/20)
You probably wouldn't be at all surprised to know that there a few titles that are still on my list, some of them which are sitting on my shelf screaming for attention. It is my intention to still read them as soon as humanly possible:
The Naked and the Dead - Norman Mailer
The Naked and the Dead - Norman Mailer
Guernica - Dave Boling
Keeping Hannah Waiting - Dave Clarke
The Mascot - Mark Kurzem
Fugitive Pieces - Anne Michaels
What are your favorite WWII novels? Have you read any of them that I have listed above?
14 comments:
Congrats on finishing the challenge, Sandy! Well done!
I have only read one book from your list: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed that book!
I have The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (gosh, I love this title!) and The True Story of Hansel and Gretel in my pile as well. I can't wait to dive into them!
Congratulations! I'm not sure it was much of a challenge for you though!
I think my favourite WWII books are: The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Book Thief.
I'm looking forward to your review of Hotel on the Corner. I can't believe how far in advance you plan these things!
Isn't your review of RAOHL coming up tomorrow? I've been waiting very patiently!!
Does that count as a WWII book? If so, that is my favourite!
Melody - There wasn't a bad read in this bunch of books, but Guernsey will be one of my favorite reads of the year! Once you start it, you won't be able to put it down.
Jackie - I know, I'm pretty far out right now, but I'm going to need it, as I just started The Fiery Cross on audio...almost 50 discs. Wonder how long its going to take me? Yes! RAOHL is coming up tomorrow! I'm sitting here thinking, but I believe that was all WWI, so I can't count it!
Congrats! That's awesome! If you read other WWII books this year, keep sending us the links and we'll add them to the site. :)
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Wow, Sandy! I finished up my goal of 5 books for the challenge this week, but there are so many others on my shelf to read. I may just keep going.
I really loved The Guernsey book, and I tool out Tall Grass from the library...that's next on my list to read.
Thanks for participating and talking up the challenge. Please do continue to send links to reviews for the challenge.
Anna and Serena, the WWII goddesses! Yes, I suspect I will not be stopping at 10. But having never participated in challenges before, I tried to be cautious and set goals I could achieve! I'm funny about stuff like that.
You've read lots of very good stuff for this challenge so far. I just posted my review of Every Man Dies Alone, wonderful book. It may very well make my top ten reads list this year. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Have you read Gone To Soldiers? It is quite long, and gets quite steamy in parts, but overall it is the fictional story of the WW2 experience through the eyes of a collection of women (and a few men) from all walks of life and spread out from the US to Europe.
Congratulations on completing this challenge! You really did a great job. I'm guilty of being one who is squeamish on the topic--but I've read four of the books on your list(not all of them recently). Man's Search for Meaning is staring at me from the top of the pile...I hope you get a chance to read Fugitive Pieces & would love to know your thoughts on it. Again, well done!!
Congratulations on finishing the challenge!!
Lezlie
I keep trying to get to Resistance, and never quite make it. But what a list you have made it through here! Congrats. You have returned from vacation with a vengeance. I know not all of these have just been read, but you are really knocking out some books lately. Uber reader Sandy!
Congratulations Sandy! Well done!
Congrats Sandy! How awesome that you finished the challenge. I'm doing horribly on it. lol. Story of my challenge life. Oh well, it's fun joining them anyway.
Congrats on finishing!! I'm running a little behind on mine...As we've talked about before, Guernsey was wonderful. I also really enjoyed Hotel and Night.
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