I just finished reading Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken and I am still quite speechless. Granted, it probably was not the most advisable thing for me to be reading a book in which engines start to fail and the plane goes down while I am 35,000 feet above land in tiny seat 24D. (Note to self: do not read books about planes going down while on a plane.) While I would not describe Unbroken as a light summer read for lounging at the beach, I definitely recommend reading this book. Hillenbrand, who wrote the bestseller Seabiscuit, is an unbelievably talented historian and writer. Her ability to dictate true life events in such a detailed yet immensely readable way is impressive. You are truly held captive by her words throughout the entirety of the book.
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| Louis Zamperini |
The Amazon review notes: "Unbroken is the inspiring true story of a man who lived through a series of catastrophes almost too incredible to be believed. In evocative, immediate descriptions, Hillenbrand unfurls the story of Louie Zamperini--a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero. During a routine search mission over the Pacific, Louie’s plane crashed into the ocean, and what happened to him over the next three years of his life is a story that will keep you glued to the pages, eagerly awaiting the next turn in the story and fearing it at the same time. You’ll cheer for the man who somehow maintained his selfhood and humanity despite the monumental degradations he suffered, and you’ll want to share this book with everyone you know."
I lend my agreement to this praise as I am still in awe of the story I just finished. At times I found it difficult to read only because the capability of people to evoke such evil and inhumane brutality onto another human being is utterly unfathomable to me. However, amidst such an insurmountable evil of war remains a breathtaking strength, goodness, and compassion that is sincerely remarkable. Zamperini's whole story will blow you away.
Given my long travel days of this past weekend I was able to finish Unbroken and was thus in need of a Summer reading list. Here what I have put together so far:
Summer Reading List 2011 :
Once Upon A River [Bonnie Jo Campbell] The description had me at "female Huckleberry Finn"
An Optimist's Tour of the Future [Mark Stevenson] Heard this was as interesting as it was funny
An Optimist's Tour of the Future [Mark Stevenson] Heard this was as interesting as it was funny
In the Garden of Beasts [Erik Larson] I was a big fan of Devil in the White City & now on a WW2 kick
The Fear [Peter Godwin] For my love of Zimbabwe, left over from my Spring Reading List
The Fear [Peter Godwin] For my love of Zimbabwe, left over from my Spring Reading List
Lonesome Dove [Larry McMurty] I somehow missed the boat on this one, catching up
Cutting for Stone [Abraham Verhgese] I love books that move through different countries
What are People For? Essays [Wendell Berry] Can't get enough of W. Berry these days
What's on your summer reading list?
Any recommendations for me?
"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself
a refuge from almost all miseries of life."
[w. somerset maugham]
Cutting for Stone [Abraham Verhgese] I love books that move through different countries
What are People For? Essays [Wendell Berry] Can't get enough of W. Berry these days
What's on your summer reading list?
Any recommendations for me?
"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself
a refuge from almost all miseries of life."
[w. somerset maugham]
7 comments:
oooh thanks so much for the recommendations/review. I am always looking for good books. I just finished the maze runner, which was on my "summer reading list" but not sure if I'd recommend it, it was a fast, fun read, but not really one of those good, deep, inspiring kind of reads!
Oye-plane going down story in a plane would absolutely TERRIFY me! You're one brave reader!
I love your reading list, and might just have to add a few of those titles to my own. Things I've read recently and loved: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Zeitoun and American Wife.
great list, lady. I particularly want to read once upon a river!
I second Lena...LOVED American Wife.
Thanks for the suggestions! I just finished reading Saving CeeCee Honeycott- cute story and yet thought provoking at the same time.
Tales of a Female Nomad is what I'm reading now. Great so far.
Loving Frank- the depiction of love yet in a relationship that is not committed and with an artist who can't define his life. I got so wrapped up in it that I got frustrated!!! Now thats a good book!
I am so checking out this list of books. The only one I've really wanted to read (and I think I'll be listening to the audiobook on my ride) is A Discovery of Witches.
I'd recommend Anna Karenina and Count of Monte Cristo if you have lots of time! Otherwise, I can't get enough of the trashy chick flick books :p It's nice to read mindless books like that sometime! And thanks for the suggestion, that book looks great! Definitely not on airplanes though :)
Star Hughes Living
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