Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce

  When I think of historical fiction set during the Second World War, I anticipate a generally serious tone throughout the entire book.  I do not expect to be reading something that can make me laugh, cry, and change my perspective in a single chapter. In her debut novel however, A. J. Pearce has presented... Continue Reading →

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Everyone’s familiar with the fate of the Titanic, but very few have heard of the wreck of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the greatest maritime disaster ever in terms of lives lost on a single vessel. As the Red Army advanced through Prussia in 1945, the desperate Germans planned a naval evacuation of refugees and personnel across... Continue Reading →

Book Thief by Markus Zusak

    “The Book Thief” is a title you have probably heard of within the past few months. Markus Zusak’s 2005 novel won awards and critical acclaim when first published, and had a second wave of attention with the 2013 film adaptation last year. I did not know what to expect when I first opened... Continue Reading →

Sophie’s Choice, by William Styron

Who could forget Meryl Streep’s Academy Award-winning role in Sophie’s Choice? Having literally begged for the part, she didn’t disappoint her audience. Her dedication and mimicry of the perfect Polish accent is renowned. You’ll love the book. Be warned, though, it’s of epic proportions: I nibbled at it for over a month, but enjoyed every... Continue Reading →

Night Over Water by Ken Follett

Some books are just great summer reads and this is one of them. "Night over Water" is part spy thriller, part adventure story and part Agatha Christie style mystery.  It's September, 1939 and war has just been declared in Europe when a huge luxury Clipper airplane leaves England carrying a mixed passenger list of the... Continue Reading →

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