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Michael wrote: "I guess you could consider the Treaty of Versaille..."

That is accurate, but I think I would consider the start when the Axis nations began to take over other countries, because that was really war and it was lead to the world war.

Tomorrow is the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Interesting that WWII ended up being February's tag.

Michael wrote: "I guess you could consider the Treaty of Versaille as the beginning of the war. --Just kidding. The aftermath of the war still legitimately deserves the tag too, e.g. James Jones' Whistle, Arendt's Eichmann in Jeruslem, Levi's The Reawakening."

I guess you could consider the Treaty of Versai..."

Ha! You have a point, but I meant specifically the invasions and attacks made by the Axis nations.

Regina wrote: "Tomorrow is the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Interesting that WWII ended up being February's tag."

I just listened to a story about that on NPR and guess who I thought of when I heard it? You!

My main suggestion is A Farewell To France by Noel Barber. He was a journalist, as is the protagonist, but he lived during the time and was even wounded as a journalist in one war (not this one), so he writes from an experience many WW II novelists don't. Plus the writing is good (I read this one twice), and in addition to being about WW II in France, you learn things about wine making and the wine making region of France.

I'm not yet sure what I'm going to read, but am going to re-view the suggestions here and also check my tbr.

Based on the conversation above about when World War II started, I will be reading The Bible. ;)

Nicole wrote: "Based on the conversation above about when wars start, I will be reading The Bible. ;)"

How about The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome. It's written for adults and also bright high schoolers. There's plenty about wars there. I didn't finish it, so didn't give it stars, but given that I got my eldest to read all of it when she was lazy and still homeschooling and what I read I'd give it between 4 & 5 stars. it's a different sort of look at history in some ways. If you like it, there are more in the series.

But neither of these books covers WW II :).

Thought this list might be helpful:

Sara wrote: "Denizen wrote: "Do we date the start of WW II by the standards of the country we are reading about?"

My thoughts about it are fairly similar to Regina's. All of these events that individually were..."
Agree

Nicole wrote: "Based on the conversation above about when World War II started, I will be reading The Bible. ;)"

Bahahaha!

In the beginning....

Booknblues wrote: "Regina wrote: "Tomorrow is the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Interesting that WWII ended up being February's tag."

I just listened to a story about that on NPR and guess who I t..."


Awwwww! Thanks for thinking of me. Thanks for sharing!

Linda wrote: "Thought this list might be helpful:

"

These are great suggestions. I am, however, of Spymistress. Vera had a very complicated history and did a lot to try to cover her steps. Any "authorized" biography gives me pause. I do plan to read it eventually. But, strongly suggest reading a different work first such as A Life in Secrets: Vera Atkins and the Missing Agents of WWII.

Cora wrote: "My top recommendation is The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly.



Other 5 star reads I tagged World War II:
[book:Slaughterh..."

I'm reading that one as well as it's been sitting on my shelf for awhile.

Regina wrote: "Linda wrote: "Thought this list might be helpful:

"

These are great suggestions. I am, however, of Spymistress. Vera had a v..."

Looks like there is a word or two missing? Skeptical? Leery? Wary?

For the February challenge I will read Corelli's Mandolin.

Sushicat wrote: "My number one recommendation would be The Complete Maus. I read this eons ago (or so it feels). One of the first graphic novels I read that blew away the boundaries of "comics".

Or [b..."

I've seen you recommend The Complete Maus several times so I ordered it. I don't normally read graphic novels but this looks very interesting.

Lynn wrote: "For the February challenge I will read Corelli's Mandolin."

I enjoyed this book a lot, Lynn. Hope you do too! It's not the fastest paced, but the writing is beautiful.

Olivermagnus wrote: ".I've seen you recommend The Complete Maus several times so I ordered it."

YAY! I just got my copy yesterday so sounds like we will be reading buddies for February! I've never read a graphic novel before so this should be interesting.

For Olivermagnus and Anita plus anyone else reading The Complete Maus.

I want to hear what you guys think of The Complete Maus. I've avoided it so far. I'm worried graphic novels will not be my thing.

Lynn wrote: "I'm worried graphic novels will not be my thing...."

I do not read many graphic novels and prefer ones that are limited in editions and not some unwieldy, neverending story of related characters. That blows my mind.

But, I have read some pretty good ones. They are definitely different than books and I always have to stop and remind myself to look at the images and really see what they are depicting instead of relying on the words. It is always an exercise for my brain! lol.

Man- just finished Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption this month. Could have saved it for this Feb! But, I read quite a bit of WWII books as it weirdly fascinates me just like many others.

Accordingly to my goodreads shelf, I've been "reading" The Diary of a Young Girl since 2014 when I borrowed it from the library, started, returned and never finished it. Maybe this will give me incentive to finish this one. If I have extra time I'll probably finally read The Book Thief. Somehow, I'm 103290 years behind and haven't read this yet.

Anita wrote: " Olivermagnus wrote: ".I've seen you recommend The Complete Maus several times so I ordered it."

YAY! I just got my copy yesterday so sounds like we will be reading buddies for February! I've neve..."

I read these in college on the recommendation of a friend and really liked them. I hope you do as well.

I'm going to reread one of my all time favourite novels, Snow Falling on Cedars although I have toyed with the idea of rereading the one I recommended, A Farewell To France

I was all excited to read The Girl You Left Behind only to discover that it's WWI, not 2.

I've been wanting to read:
A God in Ruins or
The Invisible Bridge (really long)
Slaughterhouse-Five (re-read)
The Diary of Anne Frank (PBT NF100)

Many of my favorite WW2 have already been mentioned and by now most have picked out their reads. I do really recommend the Night Soldier series by Alan Furst. You can read in any order. They shed light on the resistance in many of the countries (axis and allies). There are some reoccurring characters which loosely connect the books.

JoLene, I just finished A God in Ruins and it was great!

Nicole wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I'm worried graphic novels will not be my thing...."

I do not read many graphic novels and prefer ones that are limited in editions and not some unwieldy, neverending story of related..."

Nicole wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I'm worried graphic novels will not be my thing...."

I do not read many graphic novels and prefer ones that are limited in editions and not some unwieldy, neverending story of related..."
Maybe an upcoming tag can be graphic novels. I know I'll have to take the plunge sometime.

Lynn, I keep hoping graphic novels will be a tag at some point, but I'm not sure how many people vote for it when it comes up as an option.

JoLene wrote: "...I've been wanting to read: A God in Ruins or
The Invisible Bridge (really long)..."

I found that The Invisible Bridge didn't feel long. It's the kind you don't want to end. It had such a great balance, not too much romance and not too much drama and intrigue. It felt less "about the war" than about the purpose of life and civilization. I have been wondering where the successor book is, and her years of work on another book is expected to reach fruition.

Wise words about Furst. He is balanced too in terms of stromg characters and not so excessive in the romance and intrique department, as one might expect from the espionage elements. Such a great time machine with his atmospherics.

Michael wrote: "JoLene wrote: "...I've been wanting to read: A God in Ruins or
The Invisible Bridge (really long)..."

I found that The Invisible Bridge didn't feel long. It's the kind you don't want to end. It ha..."

Great to know tow of my picks are recommended :-D

@Michael, you are right -- Furst is the master of the mood. I actually do feel that his books are a slow for me. They are so immersive, and I think I savor them

LibraryCin wrote: "Lynn, I keep hoping graphic novels will be a tag at some point, but I'm not sure how many people vote for it when it comes up as an option."

I'd vote for it!! I'm actually in a graphic novel book club -- we just started it. Graphic novels have evolved way beyond super heroes and the Archie universe :-). I'm happy a couple of them are included in the PBT NF-100.

Has anyone read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel? Looks like an interesting spin on WWII.

Joi wrote: "Has anyone read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel? Looks like an interesting spin on WWII."

I am pretty sure that Anita read this at one point. I have looked at it several times and think it was based on her recommendation...

JoLene wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Lynn, I keep hoping graphic novels will be a tag at some point, but I'm not sure how many people vote for it when it comes up as an option."

I'd vote for it!! I'm actually in a ..."

What a fantastic idea! Have you all started selecting novels? I would love to see a list of what you pick for the year.

I am pretty sure that Anita read this at one point. "

Yes! I have read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel. And I did think it was very good. I would love to share my review with you, but it is somewhere in the morass of my Shelfari stuff. Sigh. I'll see if I can dig it up and add it to my shelf so you can see it!

UPDATE: I found my review, and it was five stars and a heart, Joi. I copied it onto my shelf, so you should be able to read my thoughts if you look at the book detail page.

Thanks, Anita! Put my request in a the library, I may be reading this one instead/in addition to my other plans.

Sara wrote: "What a fantastic idea! Have you all started selecting novels? I would love to see a list of what you pick for the year. "

They get picked monthly -- so we only have 4 so far. You can go to my shelf and see, the shelf is bc-wwi (bookclub - women with issues)

Joi wrote: "Has anyone read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel? Looks like an interesting spin on WWII."

Yes .. 5-star read for me.
You can read My Review HERE

JoLene wrote: "I'd vote for it!! I'm actually in a graphic novel book club -- we just started it. ..."

Oh, that sounds fun!!!

Joi wrote: "Has anyone read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel? Looks like an interesting spin on WWII."

I've read it, but to be honest, I don't recall much about it.

ETA: Ok, this is a portion of my review:
3.75 stars

I quite liked this. There were some parts that I wasn't as interested in (for example, when the story followed the father and stepmother), but I really enjoyed how the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale was worked into the story. I definitely found the children's story the most interesting in the book, but I also enjoyed following Magda (the "witch") and her family, as well. I think this is a really interesting way to do a WWII story, a little different, and especially enjoyable for those of us who also enjoy fairy tales.

My recommendations are The Hiding Place and Suite Française.

I plan on reading Atonement and Miracle at St. Anna. I'm trying to only read books on my physical shelf this year and I happen to have these on hand.

Denizen wrote: "Charlie wrote: I am going to try to read three books this month. They are as follows:

- City of Women
- The Blue Star
- City of Thieves

I'll be watching for your review of The Blue Star

I just posted my review in the February folder. I liked it, it was a sweet story. A quick read. Not sure I'll go backward to read Jim the Boy but I will probably read the next book (assuming Early picks the story back up again). If he does, I wonder if it would be Jim at War or Post War Jim.

Linda wrote: "Regina wrote: "Linda wrote: "Thought this list might be helpful:

"

These are great suggestions. I am, however, of Spymistres..."

Sorry, yes, skeptical.

Joi wrote: "Has anyone read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel? Looks like an interesting spin on WWII."

I did and hated it. But, I'm the odd person out. I was really just so mad with the author because she included an over the top element in the story and didn't give an author's note to say that it was pure fiction. I get really angry when an author does that. If you read it for the pure story, most people seem to enjoy it.

Charlie wrote: "Denizen wrote:
I'll be watching for your review of The Blue Star

Thanks, Charlie! I saw it!

In reading Book Lust To Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers I found this book (diary) written by the Norwegian Nobel Prize Winning author about her escapre from Norway after it was invaded by the German Army in WWII if anyone would like to read it for the tag. Return to the Future

Kristel wrote: "In reading Book Lust To Go I found this book (diary) written by the Norwegian Nobel Prize Winning author about her escapre..."

Her original Book Lust has a line of fiction and non- fiction recommendations barely touched in our listings so far. It's just a large sphere of writing. Army combat, aviation battles, and naval fighting are more a male interest and rarely reach the status of fine literature. I am not about to read The Naked and the Dead, but I have in mind an action tale in the form of Alistair Maclean's The Guns of Navarone.

And there is Tales of the South Pacific by Michener set on the New Hebrides during WWII.

Kristel wrote: "And there is Tales of the South Pacific by Michener set on the New Hebrides during WWII."

Oh, I love Michener . . .and don't think I've read this one. Everytime I read this thread, I'm tempted by more and more books. Sigh.

Anita wrote: "Oh, I love Michener . . .."

Okay, seriously, I am going to get to Michener this year. I have never read him but have wanted to read Hawaii FOREVER.

Nicole wrote: "
Okay, seriously, I am going to get to Michener this year. I have never read him but have wanted to read Hawaii FOREVER."

I encourage you to read Michener, but as much as I absolutely loved Hawaii, you may want to start with Chesapeake as I think it would align more with your interests, and I loved it just as much as Hawaii.

I do think you will like Michener a lot. However, to forewarn you, the first chapter of Hawaii is not representative of the book. It's a natural history, and if you take your time, it is quite interesting, but it isn't a story . . .which can be offputting.