It's interesting how our reading tastes evolve as we become adults and grow older. If you had told me when I was in high school that I'd fall in love with historical fiction, particularly World War II novels, I would have scoffed. I had no interest in reading about history, which I equated to dull and dry "serious" books. I'm not sure which book swayed me to change my opinion, but this genre is now one of my favorites and one that has taught me so much about that era.
You can find my reviews for the above novels* (plus one nonfiction favorite that I couldn't omit) by clicking on the links below. While I have several remaining unread WWII books on my shelf, I'd love to hear about some of your favorites.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (5/5)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (5/5)
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult (4.75/5)
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (4.5/5)
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell (pre-blogging)
City of Thieves by David Benioff (5/5)
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave (4/5)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (4.75/5)
The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean (4/5)
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (3/5)
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (4/5)
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian (3.5/5)
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (4.75/5)
The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons (4.5/5)
Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas (3.5/5)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (4/5)
Maus I by Art Spiegelman (3.5/5)
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole (3.5/5)
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Gutterson (4.5/5)
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson (nonfiction) (5/5)
*How could I forget to include Atonement by Ian McEwan??
Great list. I believe I've read 6-7 of these. I thought I read ALL of Bohjalian's books book Skeletons at the Feast doesn't sound familiar.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane! I thought it was a good novel, but it's not one of my favorites in this genre. There are still several of Bahjalian's that I've yet to read.
DeleteHistorical fiction is such a wonderful genre and there are a plethora of books out there on WWII, but you've hit some of the greats. I tried reading The Book Thief and All the Light We Cannot See and couldn't get through them, which is very un-me. I have promised myself I will try them again (soon) since I haven't heard a bad thing about either of them.
ReplyDeleteThe Nightingale, Maus, and Between Shades of Grey are some of my all-time favorites with The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet coming in close behind.
Oh, I do hope you give The Book Thief and All the Light We Cannot See another chance. I remember that The Book Thief took me a few tries before I finally got hooked. Death as a narrator is quite unusual, but so well done! I want to eventually reread both of these novels.
DeleteThere are many of your list I have loved, too: Snow Falling on Cedars, City of Thieves, and The Guernsey Literary and a Potato Peel Pie Society, in particular. Several others you have here I have not read, like The Nightingale (!), and The Madonnas of Leningrad which I would like to someday. Also, I would like to discover Christ Bohjalian’s work. It’s a good thing I’m retired now!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how our tastes grow and change. I always loved translated literature, but they were once only a random dish instead of now, when they are constant fare! My problem is that so many American books seem to reiterate the same story, and here I guess I’m referring mostly to thrillers, which are another beloved genre when they’re done well.
It still is lovely to see what you read, Lesley, like it always has been for m since we began blogging.
Meredith, I hope you get a chance to read The Nightingale. I still think about the characters in that novel. I may read it again before the release of the movie next year.
Deletep.s. Atonement! Now, there’s a love/hate relationship with me. I still suspect I’d like to smack Briony if I reread it even now.ðŸ¤
ReplyDeleteMeredith, I reread Atonement a couple of years ago and was so disappointed that it didn't live up to my first reading. It went from a 5-star rating down to 2 stars. Yes, Briony deserves a few smacks for her abhorent behavior.
DeletePhew! You’re one of the few who agree with me about her; most people say that she was just a young thing who didn’t know any better. But, I think a person who manipulates others always knows it. On some level.
DeleteMeredith, I remember when you wrote about Briony in a comment somewhere a long the way (my blog, your blog, someone else's?) and I disagreed with you. But when I read the book the second time, I changed my opinion and was in complete agreement with you. Yes, she was young, but she knew what she was doing.
DeleteAwesome list! Many here that I have loved as well (about 8). In recent years, I have started to love historical fiction more & more too ... and I never did before. But now I seem to learn so much from them. And the storytelling is usually very good & vivid. Pachinko is another WWII one. Atonement is a must on the list. But you have the essentials ! Suite Francaise? and the Warsaw ghetto books ... yikes scary. The Diary of a Young Girl!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan! I did read Pachinko (3/5), but didn't love it. I'm not even inclined to watch the tv series. I meant to include Atonement in the collage, but somehow forgot all about it. I've read it twice and sadly the second reading was a huge disappointment. I have read Suite Francaise but it didn't resonate with me as it did with other readers. Oh, yes! The Diary of a Young Girl should also be on my list. Oops! And, Elie Wiesel's Night.
DeleteLes, I've also developed a taste for historical fiction. It's so different from the dry, boring, recitation of dates and events that we were forced to learn in school! You've given me many ideas for more books to read here (I've only read a handful).
ReplyDeleteJust last night I finished listening to Elizabeth Berg's "Dream When You're Feeling Blue." I'm wondering if you've read it since you have a particular interest in WWII. Much of the story is told through the correspondence of soldiers and their loved ones at home. It is personal, beautiful and wrenching...and timely, given the current world situation. On a side note, I realized that I have come to appreciate Berg as a reader. I'm not sure why I didn't care for her at first, maybe because I was coming from "Where The Crawdads Sing," which was exquisitely read. Anyway, don't hesitate to listen to Berg read her own books! (PS, for some reason, I am not able to post this as usual, just with my name. But you know who I am. :-))
Laurel, I read Dream When You're Feeling Blue in 2007. Sadly, I didn't enjoy it as much as you did. It has a wonderful cover, though. :) Here's a link to my review.
DeleteMy book group at the library loves WWII fiction. I think I need to pass along your list to them!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I hope they find some winners that they haven't yet read.
DeleteHere are some WWII books I've read that are not on your list: Slaughterhouse 5; Night; Unbroken: In the Garden of the Beasts; Salt to the Sea.
ReplyDeleteI've read Night and Unbroken, but they didn't make the final cut. I plan to read In the Garden of the Beasts in November for the nonfiction reading challenge. I'll have to look up Salt to the Sea and Slaughterhouse 5. I've heard of the latter, but no nothing about it.
DeleteThanks for the recs, Deb!
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