In addition to my love of sweets and watching movies, I am an avid reader. This is the one thing I carve time out of my day for. I'm sure there are more important things to do, like feed my children, but I just have to read! (Just kidding - I do feed my children. Please don't call CPS!). More likely, the housework does not get done. My favorite genre is historical fiction but I’m starting to get more into nonfiction, which I was always afraid of in the past – not sure why. Maybe it was flashbacks of textbooks I avoided reading in college (and I double-majored in history!). But, alas, there are some good ones out there (see my list at the end of this post). As long as I can pick up a book, escape to another place, get lost in the narrative and feel for the characters, then we’re winning! (ugh - sorry for the Charlie Sheen reference)
I’ve read some enjoyable books this past year but nothing has come close to the emotions and passion that I felt after reading The Help (can’t wait until the movie – love Emma Stone) until I picked up Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Our latest book club selection, Unbroken is the true story about Louie Zamperini – a troubled child, Olympic runner, and finally a WWII Army hero. This man endured more in his lifetime than what is beyond capacity to imagine. Throughout the book, I felt joy in his accomplishments, panic in his adventures, and heartache in his encounters. But overall, this book is about hope amid the despair – a theme we could all learn from.
Hillenbrand brings to life what our soldiers experienced and brings it close to home for me. My own grandfather saw heavy combat in the Pacific theater during WWII – same as Zamperini – and again surges in me the thankfulness of what he did for our country – as well as all the other soldiers who have served, given their lives, and who are currently serving.
Okay…now on to some lighter stuff. Here are some non-fiction books that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed:
Into Thin Air, Into the Wild, and Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (His newest book, In the Garden of Beasts, is on my list)
Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Do you have any favorite non-fiction books?
I read and enjoyed The Happiness Project recently. Lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteI've been threatening to read Malcolm Gladwell's books for months but keep picking up fiction instead. Maybe it's finally time!!!
Thanks for the Unbroken recc. I think my hubby would REALLY enjoy it!