Unbroken

Seabiscuit author, Laura Hillenbrand, brings us another amazing story about a remarkable runner in Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.  This story left me speechless.

Louie Zamperini was a trouble maker as a boy, headed down the wrong track until his brother introduced him to running.  He was famous during his time at USC before heading off for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.  He placed 7th, met Hitler, and even stole a Nazi flag from the Reich Chancellery.

Louie had his heart set on the 1940 Olympics, where he knew the gold medal would be within his reach.  Those Olympics were moved from Tokyo to Helsinki because the Japanese government decided they could no longer support the Olympics.  When the Helsinki Olympic Stadium was destroyed in bombing raids, the 1940 Summer Olympics were canceled altogether.

Louie found himself in the Army Air Force as a bombardier, and while stationed in Oahu, was engaged in the fight over Nauru.  His plane made it back to base with 594 holes in it, and one crew member receiving fatal injuries.

A few weeks later, the remaining crew members were given replacement crew and sent out on a search and rescue mission.  It was this mission that was the start of Louie's incredible journey to get back home. 

Unbroken is an epic story that every American should read.  When you've finished this book, go find yourself a veteran, hug them, kiss them, and thank them for all they've sacrificed for you.  Then, hug and kiss your family, and fully appreciate how lucky you really are.

Up Next: The Chronicles of Narnia - The Magician's Nephew

Crave

Crave is the recently released, second book in J.R. Ward's Fallen Angels series.  As Jim Heron is awaiting instructions about his next soul to save, he works on a personal project - Isaac Rothe.

Isaac Rothe is an old buddy of Jim's from XOps.  Jim had called in for a favor from his old boss, Matthias.  He was given the information he requested, but in order to keep up his end of the bargain, Jim was to kill Rothe for going AWOL.  At some point, Jim decides that Isaac deserves to live, and instead of killing Isaac, Jim decides to help him hide. 

Jim is busy trying to keep Isaac alive when he becomes aware that Rothe is the next soul on his list to save.  He does everything he possibly can to keep Isaac safe from the demon, Devina, only to realize that it was not Rothe's soul that was in jeopardy.

Up Next: Unbroken

Half-Broke Horses

 Half Broke Horses author Jeannette Walls comes from an interesting family, to be sure.  She introduced us to her mother in The Glass Castle, and now we get the honor of meeting her grandmother.

Lily Casey survived floods, tornadoes, droughts, and the Depression.  She learned out to break horses and how to fly.  Her life was an uphill battle, and she made it through some heartbreaking blows along the way.

I don't know who's luckier - Jeannette Walls for having known such characters as Lily and Rosemary; or Lily and Rosemary who have a granddaughter/daughter who has been able to tell their stories so well.

Up Next: Crave

Suite Francaise

I came across this title when doing some research after reading Sarah's Key.  Suite Francaise is written by Russian/French author Irene Nemirovsky.  She had intended this to be a 5 book series, but was unable to finish the last three books.

The book tells the stories of several different families & individuals from June 4, 1940 until July 1, 1941 when the Nazis invaded and occupied France.  At first, I was concerned that there were too many different people to keep track of, but Nemirovsky writes in a way that makes it easy to keep everyone straight, and keep the book interesting.

As a bit of a history buff, I have read many books about the WWII era, both fictional and non-fictional.  Never have I felt anything but disgust for the German soldiers...until the second part of Suite Francaise.  I found myself wishing the Third Reich Lieutenant well, and I find it remarkable that, given the author's fate, Mlle. Nemirovsky was able to create these emotions for me.

Not only do I recommend this book, but I strongly recommend reading both appendixes at the end.

Up Next: Half-Broke Horses

The Glass Castle

The plan was to read Half-Broke Horses next. Then I found out Jeannette Walls had written another memoir first, and since I like to read books in order, I quit HBH about 20 pages in, and picked up The Glass Castle.

I honestly didn't know if I should laugh or cry, be horrified or amused.   Jeanette Walls takes us on a journey through her childhood that makes her readers feel as if we are on the journey with her.  Rose Mary and Rex Walls are the parents of 4 children, and it's a miracle those kids survived into adulthood.  Rex was an alcoholic whose money-making schemes almost always resulted in the family having to sneak out of town in the middle of the night.  Rose Mary has an interesting outlook on life, but has never grown up.  She's more concerned with not wanting to prove her mother right than she is with the welfare of her children.  I hated Rex and Rose Mary for the way they neglected their kids, but as I read how their lives turned out, I realized that I had inexplicably fallen in love with them.

Jeanette and her sisters and brother are an intelligent, resilient, and admirable group of people who survived incredibly depressing childhoods.  I have a feeling that The Glass Castle is just a quick overview of what their lives were like growing up, and they could each fill an entire library with their stories.

Read the book, thank your parents, and hug your children.

Up Next: Suite Francaise

Sarah's Key

My God. That is the one thought went through my head over and over during the three hours it took me to read Sarah's Key.  This is by far one of the best, and possibly the most heart-wrenching stories I have ever read, and it was impossible for me to put the book down till I had finished it.

This book is not a historical work, and the characters are fictitious, but the events are based on real events that took place during the summer of 1942 in France.  It begins on July 16/17, 1942 in Paris when 10-year-old Sarah is brutally forced from her home with her mother and father.  Her 4-year-old brother is spared only because he is able to convince Sarah to lock him in their secret cupboard.  Thinking they'll only be gone for a few hours, she promises to come back for him before nightfall.  He has his teddy bear, flashlight, book, and enough water to last him several hours, maybe even a day or two.

Then there's Julia, an American journalist living in Paris with her French husband and their daughter.  When she is assigned to write a piece about the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup, she uncovers a dark secret her father-in-law has been keeping for 60 years.

Sarah's Key bounces back and forth between Sarah and Julia until their two worlds collide, and it makes you hunt for the same closure that Julia is searching for.  This is an excellent book, and my praise can do it no justice.

Up Next: The Glass Castle

Sizzling Sixteen

She's back! In Sizzling Sixteen, Stephanie has to rescue her cousin, and boss, from a most unpleasant fate.  With the help of Connie and Lula (and with Ranger stepping in when she gets in over her head), Stephanie manages to save Vinnie twice by coming up with some crazy schemes.

I have mixed emotions about this book.  While I still enjoyed it very much and it was nice to see more of Vinnie and Connie, I do think that it's time for Evanovich to bring Stephanie into the 21st century.  I could have done with a little less Lula (I love her, but sometimes she can be too much) and a little more Morelli.

As always, this series had me laughing almost all the way through, even (perhaps especially?) with the crazy alligator and hobbit appearances.  If you're looking for a fast, easy, and fun read, this is a good option.

Up Next: Sarah's Key