Search
Search results
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Sea Before Us (Sunrise at Normandy, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
No matter how many books I read (Fiction and Non Fiction), there is always an aspect of WWII that I have yet to discover. The Sea Before Us is the perfect example. While I KNEW the Navy was heavily involved in D-Day, I have never thought about them doing much more than ferrying the men across the channel to Normandy. Sarah Sundin approaches D-Day from a new perspective.
It was fascinating and intense to read about this historic invasion of WWII form the sea. I stayed up waaaaay too late and at one point had to put the book down because my eyes would NOT stay open any longer...RIGHT in the middle of D-Day! I told the husband, "You KNOW I am tired when I put a book down in the middle of D-Day!"
If you have read any of Sarah's novels, you know that her research, quality, and characters are exceptional! You won't want to miss out on this brand new series centered around D-Day.
I received a complimentary copy of The Sea Before Us from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
It was fascinating and intense to read about this historic invasion of WWII form the sea. I stayed up waaaaay too late and at one point had to put the book down because my eyes would NOT stay open any longer...RIGHT in the middle of D-Day! I told the husband, "You KNOW I am tired when I put a book down in the middle of D-Day!"
If you have read any of Sarah's novels, you know that her research, quality, and characters are exceptional! You won't want to miss out on this brand new series centered around D-Day.
I received a complimentary copy of The Sea Before Us from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in Books
Aug 30, 2017
Sweet tale, fluffy though some disturbing themes
I rather enjoyed this tale of back and forth letters between a journalist, her friends and the people on the island of Guernsey. It is lighthearted for the most part, though it describes the harrowing story of Elizabeth who was taken to a concentration camp during WWII and never returns. But the story centres around the main journalist who falls in love with the people and the island, and how she attempts to write an honest book about them. There's not much else to it, but it's a nice easy read.
b.Young (97 KP) rated The Book Thief in Books
May 8, 2018
When I read this book, I was deep in the throes of my WWII obsession. I was reading every book I could find, fiction and non-fiction that had to do witht the subject.
This book is narrarated by Death and I found that rather unique and something that I was not expecting.
I typically do not leave reviews that contain spoilers, and I cannot properly review this book without them, so I will leave on this note: prepare yourself for a marvelously written heart-breaking tale that will leave you contemplating your life alongside an empty box of tissues.
This book is narrarated by Death and I found that rather unique and something that I was not expecting.
I typically do not leave reviews that contain spoilers, and I cannot properly review this book without them, so I will leave on this note: prepare yourself for a marvelously written heart-breaking tale that will leave you contemplating your life alongside an empty box of tissues.
Ana Cristina (9 KP) rated Code Name Verity in Books
Mar 1, 2019 (Updated Mar 1, 2019)
code (1 more)
rereadable
Code Name: Couldn't put it down
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wow, I could not put this book down! Code Name Verity is the story of two girls who become best friends while serving their country in WWII. Without spoiling too much (ok, just a little) you read both of the friends' accounts of the same few weeks. But one you reach part two, you discover that you can't trust everything your read in part one. It's about war and flying, it's about friendship and family, it's about secrets, lies, and truth. Read it, tell all your friends about it, read it again.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Conversations with Amelia in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Conversations with Amelia] by [Kathleen Schmitt] cover both the history of one of the greatest women, Amelia Earhart, but also the growing pains of a family after WWII. All seen through the eyes of Hannah, who is very naive in the beginning. Her confidant is an imaginary Amelia who gives her good advice and keeps her "flying right".
I have been looking forward to reading this book because Amelia Earhart is one of my favorite figures in history. I was not disappointed. It is well written and interweaves the history with the events happening in the story so that it has a really nice flow. I highly recommend reading this book.
I have been looking forward to reading this book because Amelia Earhart is one of my favorite figures in history. I was not disappointed. It is well written and interweaves the history with the events happening in the story so that it has a really nice flow. I highly recommend reading this book.
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated At the Stroke of Nine O'Clock in Books
Oct 5, 2020
On the 12th of August 1949, Big Ben was prevented from chiming at 9pm by four and a half minutes because a flock of starlings perched on the minute hand. This event initially panicked the British public, who didn’t know that it was only birds that stopped the clock. In Davis’ new novel, this is not only a starting point for her story, but also a metaphor for the lives of three fictional women living in post-WWII era London, whose lives are about to intersect. My #bookreview of this newly released novel is on my blog here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/07/14/four-and-a-half-minutes/
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Nightingale in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Wow! Just wow! This book was beautifully written. It is so full of heartbreak & evil but in the end the fact that love is what remained makes it beautiful. It felt so real, I don't doubt that there are women out there that did what Vianne & Isabelle did. They are 2 brave sisters who risk everything to help make the world a better place despite being surrounded by all the horrors of WWII. It has been a long time since I cried like I did at the end of a book. I'd have to stop reading several times in the last few chapters because I was so moved. What a beautiful story!
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Lottery and Other Stories in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Jackson is the queen of turning normal people's lives into a horror show. This short story is dark, disturbing and chilling.
Written and published just after WWII, this clearly sends out as message to all those involved in the Holocaust. Just because something is being done by the masses, and has become a sort of tradition, doesn't mean its moral and right. This message translates to today's times too. As another reviewer perfectly put it, "there is value in tradition but beware blind faith".
This in no way surprised me, it's not that I've seen spoilers for it, I just happened to get it very early on, but that doesn't take away the effect of the horrific ending.
Written and published just after WWII, this clearly sends out as message to all those involved in the Holocaust. Just because something is being done by the masses, and has become a sort of tradition, doesn't mean its moral and right. This message translates to today's times too. As another reviewer perfectly put it, "there is value in tradition but beware blind faith".
This in no way surprised me, it's not that I've seen spoilers for it, I just happened to get it very early on, but that doesn't take away the effect of the horrific ending.
Ali A (82 KP) rated The Bletchley Riddle in Books
Oct 14, 2024
Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his fourteen-year-old sister, Lizzie, share a love of riddles and puzzles. As WWII gets closer and closer to Britain, the siblings find themselves amongst the greatest secrets of all - Britain’s codebreaking facility at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins the country’s top minds to crack Nazi’s Enigma cipher, Lizzie transfers notes between departments in the park and tries to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother in her off time.
While the Novis siblings work hard on their tasks, messages and codes begin to arrive under their doorstep. It doesn’t help that while they try to figure out if the messages are truly for them (and possibly from their mother), that there is an inspector lurking outside the gates of the park, watching Jakob and Lizzie’s every move. They must figure out a way to put their bickering aside and work together to decipher the clues if they want to uncover the answers to the puzzle.
As usual, I will pick up anything Ruta Sepetys touches and learn about a part of history I hadn’t known about before I read the book. This book is no exception as we take a deeper dive into the codebreakers Bletchley Park during WWII. I knew there were codebreakers during WWII, but what I didn’t realize is that they consisted of mathematicians, chess champions, and librarians (which, as a librarian, this absolutely makes sense why they were needed!).
Though this book is aimed at middle grade, I will say it felt like it would be more for upper middle grade / younger high school age. Lizzie is fourteen and Jakob is nineteen so their voices were a little older, but nothing major or graphic happened that would make the novel need to be young adult.
Even as an adult, when it came to the description of the codes’ breakthroughs or the ins and outs of the Enigma machines, I would get lost, but overall I just assumed the characters knew what they were talking about and trusted them.
Overall, I loved the twists and turns that kept the pages moving for me. I know I had a hard time as an adult solving the clues, so young readers who like spies and code cracking, are sure to love this too.
*Thank you Viking Books for Young Readers and BookishFirst for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
While the Novis siblings work hard on their tasks, messages and codes begin to arrive under their doorstep. It doesn’t help that while they try to figure out if the messages are truly for them (and possibly from their mother), that there is an inspector lurking outside the gates of the park, watching Jakob and Lizzie’s every move. They must figure out a way to put their bickering aside and work together to decipher the clues if they want to uncover the answers to the puzzle.
As usual, I will pick up anything Ruta Sepetys touches and learn about a part of history I hadn’t known about before I read the book. This book is no exception as we take a deeper dive into the codebreakers Bletchley Park during WWII. I knew there were codebreakers during WWII, but what I didn’t realize is that they consisted of mathematicians, chess champions, and librarians (which, as a librarian, this absolutely makes sense why they were needed!).
Though this book is aimed at middle grade, I will say it felt like it would be more for upper middle grade / younger high school age. Lizzie is fourteen and Jakob is nineteen so their voices were a little older, but nothing major or graphic happened that would make the novel need to be young adult.
Even as an adult, when it came to the description of the codes’ breakthroughs or the ins and outs of the Enigma machines, I would get lost, but overall I just assumed the characters knew what they were talking about and trusted them.
Overall, I loved the twists and turns that kept the pages moving for me. I know I had a hard time as an adult solving the clues, so young readers who like spies and code cracking, are sure to love this too.
*Thank you Viking Books for Young Readers and BookishFirst for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Sarah's Key in Books
Jan 15, 2018
The first wors that pops into my head as I sit here trying to think of what to write is moving. I don't know what else to say about this book. I love reading anything about the Holocaust (The Book Theif being another favorite.) I wasn't sure about this one just from reading the back cover. I'm thrilled however that I didn't let that deter me from reading this book.
There are so many twists and turns. The past is firmly and solidly entwined with the present. I love that this book was able to teach me more about occupied France during WWII. Most books focus on Poland or Germany. I like that this book captivated without being too familiar.
There are so many twists and turns. The past is firmly and solidly entwined with the present. I love that this book was able to teach me more about occupied France during WWII. Most books focus on Poland or Germany. I like that this book captivated without being too familiar.