What books have you just finished? > Likes and Comments
date
newest »
newest »
I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by Rudolf Vrba and "Escape from Hell: The True Story of the Auschwitz Protocol" by Alfred Wetzler.Written in completely different styles, the two books tell the stories of the two men who escaped Auschwitz in April 1944. Both are riveting.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Vrba-Wetzler Report, it was one of the most important eyewitness accounts of Auschwitz. It described what was happening there and warned the world about what the Nazis planned to do to the Jews of Hungary.
Thank you for reporting. I already had both your books listed on my to read list (& waiting on holds). I agree that it is important to hear the first person accounts.
Finished Daniel Victor's newest book "Out from Under".Quite long and havent rated it or reviewed it yet. There are many current and relevant topics throughout this book. Out of all of them, one I thought I was familiar with took on a
new definition. "Falling off the derech". A phrase people refer to only regarding those of the Orthodox sect; meaning abandoning or straying from their strict religious observance, but not as a sudden break.
The cliff note version is the author explains there is more than one "derech" in the jewish religion, not only Orthodoxy .
Sherwin wrote: "I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by Rudolf Vrba and "Escape from Hell: The True S..."Have you read Jonathan Freedland's The Escape Artist? I read it in conjunction with Vrba. If you haven't read it, you might find the perspective interesting.
Deena wrote: "... Have you read Jonathan Freedland's The Escape Artist? I read it in conjunction with Vrba. If you haven't read it, you might find the perspective interesting."I've read it, Deena. And doesn't seem to be on our bookshelf. If that's right, I think I'll make it our Moderator's Choice for June. You've given me the idea to do that.
Deena wrote: "Sherwin wrote: "I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by Rudolf Vrba and "Escape from ..."Hi! Thanks for the suggestion. Believe it or not, I’ve deliberately avoided reading a lot of Holocaust-related material while writing my family’s story, because I didn’t want to inadvertently absorb or echo someone else’s descriptions.
Now that I’ve finished that work, I’m beginning to read more first-person accounts like Vrba’s and Wetzler’s, mainly so that when people deny what happened or try to minimize the scale of it, I can respond with more than just my own family’s documentation.
Next up for me are "Story of a Secret State: My Report to the World and The Auschwitz Volunteer: Beyond Bravery. The Escape Artist does sound like something I should add to the list.
Deena wrote: "Sherwin wrote: "I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by Rudolf Vrba and "Escape from ..."I read it. Full of unknown info.
Sherwin wrote: "Deena wrote: "Sherwin wrote: "I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by Rudolf Vrba and..."Sherwin,
What you wrote is very humbling.
Jan wrote: I've read it, Deena. And doesn't seem to be on our bookshelf. If that's right, I think I'll make it our Moderator's Choice for June. You've given me the idea to do that.Glad to have contributed something. I'll try to remember enough about the bok to join the conversation, lol
Sherwin wrote: "Deena wrote: "Sherwin wrote: "I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by Rudolf Vrba and..."No, I can well understand wanting to avoid something that could negatively impact work of your own.
I've been meaning to read Karski for some time now, but haven't gotten to him yet, and I've heard of Pilecki - that one sounds very interesting as well. Someone ought to pay us to sit around reading all the books that interest us, otherwise we will never have the time!
Deena wrote: "Sherwin wrote: "Deena wrote: "Sherwin wrote: "I just finished "I Escaped from Auschwitz: The Shocking True Story of the World War II Hero Who Escaped the Nazis and Helped Save Over 200,000 Jews" by..."That’s what Shabbat is for! Though even then, the list keeps growing faster than I can read.
I finally just finished this one: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...The length of time it took me is a reflection on life, not the book, which was quite interesting. Not unlike Barbara Winton's book about her father, rescuer Sir Nicholas Winton, a significant part of the book is Kundanlal's life before & after the rescuing bits, in an attempt to understand his motivations. It also has some history of the independence & partition that may be unfamiliar to Westerners. On the whole, the book is more about the man than the rescues, per se, but still an important addition to the canon, and worth reading if you can track down a copy.
Deena wrote: "I finally just finished this one: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...The length of time it took me is a reflection on life, not the book, which was quite interesting...."
So many life changing stories we would not of known without books. Who will write our own.
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/hist...I have read extensively on the Holocaust, but was repeatedly and initially, inexplicably drawn towards Chelmno nad Nerem.
Then, as if by chance, I discovered that my Polish patrician ancestors had lived in a village not far from either Chelmno or the 2nd largest Polish ghetto- Łódź. This revelation led to my first novel.
Alan wrote: "I have read extensively on the Holocaust, but was repeatedly and initially, inexplicably drawn towards Chelmno nad Nerem. Then,..."
Uncanny! But, Alan, please tell us about your own work over at Authors Announcing their Work. Thanks!
I just finished "Visitation" by Jenny Erpenbeck. Found the subject to be very interesting. Its on Amazon.
5*Finished the "The Last Restaurant in Paris". Great story with many topics.
The Last Restaurant in Paris
A woman opens a restaurant in an offbeat area of Paris for "personal reasons". Its not what you may assume when reading the synopsis.
Some articles have said this novel is based on a true story. Other articles differ.
I must admit at failing to write a short summary for this book.
No wonder Im not an author. :)
Stacey B wrote: "5*Finished the "The Last Restaurant in Paris". Great story with many topics.
The Last Restaurant in Paris
A woman opens a restaurant in an offbeat area of Paris for "personal reas..."
You may not have given us a summary but you kindly gave us the link. 😊 Thanks, Stacey.
Jan wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "5*Finished the "The Last Restaurant in Paris". Great story with many topics.
The Last Restaurant in Paris
A woman opens a restaurant in an offbeat area of Paris f..."
Jan,
Even though it wasnt a happy book, the mystery within was intriguing; as to "why".
Stacey B wrote: "... Even though it wasnt a happy book, the mystery within was intrigui...T."Stacey, that's sort of related to category I want to request nominations for: "a book in which I found wisdom," or, "searching for wisdom." What do you think?
I just finished reading Porcupines, by Fran Fabriczki. It is a very funny novel about Sonia, young illegal immigrant from Hungary living in California, and her young daughter, Mila. Sonia left Hungary as an 18-year-old to visit her sister and overstayed her visa. In Hungary, her family led a very secular life, but her sister has become very Orthodox in the United States. After she becomes pregnant, Sonia cuts herself off from her family.New to America and new to motherhood, Sonia navigates live in California, while concealing her past.
This was a quick and funny novel.
Hahtoolah wrote: "I just finished reading Porcupines, by Fran Fabriczki. It is a very funny novel about Sonia, young illegal immigrant from Hungary living in California, and her young daughter, Mila. Sonia left Hung..."Sounds like you found one to carry you away for a while, Hahtoolah. 👍
Hahtoolah wrote: "I just finished reading Porcupines, by Fran Fabriczki. It is a very funny novel about Sonia, young illegal immigrant from Hungary living in California, and her young daughter, Mila. Sonia left Hung..."I read that Hahtoolah. I agree with you.
Did you sign up for Nu Reads? Porcupines was the book they sent before "Homebound". Havent read that yet.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I've read it a long time ago. This time I listened to the unabridged version. A German family that did not fall for the Nazis' propaganda and hatred of Jews. They hide a Jew despite helping Jews being highly Dangerous.
Behira wrote: "The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I've read it a long time ago. This time I listened to the unabridged version. A German family that did not fall for the Nazis' propaganda and hatred of Jews. They hi..."I read it as well.
Sadly, most "followed orders". :(
Highly recommend Yasha's Amazin' Bar Mitzvah - Check out my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Liza wrote: "Highly recommend Yasha's Amazin' Bar Mitzvah - Check out my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Always nice to see you on here.
Thank you for this post Liza. I read the review you wrote.
You had me at bullying- and of course a boy unable to have a Bar-Mitzvah. Im going to buy this, read it, and then drop it off
at the school around the corner from me.
Stacey B wrote: "Liza wrote: "Highly recommend Yasha's Amazin' Bar Mitzvah - Check out my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Always nice to see you on here.
Thank you ..."
The book is fabulous - he does have a bar mitzvah, but he gets a lot of cultural pressure. I love that he "twins" with a Soviet boy who can't have a bar mitzvah. Love the historical details!!! Enjoy!!!
I just finished The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love. Lovely set of heartfelt essays by people who loved their dogs. Informative introduction by Alice Hoffman that sets the stage and addresses the issue at the core of us dog lovers heart; what happens to the dogs. I identified with a number of similar experiences for myself and friends. While I am usually quite a crier when it comes to my dogs and friends dogs and all dogs, these stories brought more smiles, laughs and joy than tears. Recommend to everyone who enjoys stories about dogs from many perspectives and all about the way dogs enhance our lives.
Beryl wrote: "I just finished The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love. Lovely set of heartfelt essays by people who loved their dogs. Informative introduction by Alice Hoffman that sets the st..."Loved this one.
Ah Beryl; you have great taste:)
How is everything going? Does your sister live near you?
Thanks. When I asked my Da when I became a dog lover he told me that I was a dog lover when I was born :-)Actually we come up in summer to be near her and her family in central NY. So yes for now. I’m struggling with her not wanting me with her. I’m here but feeling alone & helpless even though she says so much to do. Which I know. She’s just with her son & daughter which I understand. Still it’s my challenge and I know this is about her & her irrevocably changed life.
I was going to recommend this book to her. I was just reading about some grief books. I know now is not the time. I hope I’m able to help her somehow. This weekend my husband heads back out to help his mother. This time the separation will be more difficult.
Appreciate you asking. 💜
I just finished "The Anti-Semite Next Door by Mark M. Bello. (mystery, if you will)
Not knowing of this author, I was surprised to see he has written many books.
Also finished "All Afternoon" by Susan Kleinman and
"According to Isaac" by Marc Simon.