I love to recommend books to people. But not books that I just read and now I’m telling everyone that they should read it. I like figuring out what books people have enjoyed in the past, what genres they like and what they’re looking for in their next read before I suggest a book.
For that reason, I really utilize the ‘shelf’ feature on Goodreads. I like to tag each book I read with plenty of indicators, so that when someone asks for a recommendation I can find them the perfect book. It brings me great joy.
I was recently perusing my shelves and noticed that one of my biggest shelves is tagged WW2. I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you. I skipped over things like Number the Stars, The War That Saved My Life and the Geurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. I wanted to offer you some suggestions that maybe you haven’t already read.
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell
This book feels like it is about a moment in time, as opposed to a character. It hops back and forth between many characters in a town in Italy during the war. It is tragic and heartbreaking while being redemptive and hopeful. I really loved it. It’s one of those books that makes you feel like a better person because you read it.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
This is Kate Morton’s best book. Although it jumps around in time, London through the War is a main setting. There’s a mystery, there’s romance, there’s twists. I loved this book.
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
This book is about UK citizens living in Malaya during the War. The novelty of its setting made it stand out to me. It’s kind of in two parts, the second part taking place back in Australia after the War. That part didn’t interest me as much as the first bit in Malaya. I love the depiction of women coming together from different backgrounds to help each other through hard times. It was written back in 1950 and has some odd bits of sexism and racism but it’s not pervasive. It would make a fabulous book club book.
In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
You knew I was going to throw a nonfiction in didn’t you? I couldn’t resist. This is the shockingly true story of the US ambassador to Hitler’s Germany and how his daughter became caught up in the romance of the Third Reich. You will not be able to put it Win. Train-wreck style.
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
I include this one because it discusses the war in Russia. It is controversial. I really loved it, but some people feel that it’s less legitimately moving than it is emotionally manipulative. A fine line for sure. This book discusses the trauma of war and the permanent scar it leaves on those who get caught up in it.
