2013 May Reading Challenge

[Ann]

May is National Military Appreciation Month, so in honor of our troops this month let’s read a book that has a soldier or former soldier as a character in the book. There are tons of fiction books with soldiers or former soldiers in them, both contemporary and classics, and for those in a non-fiction mood books about soldiers and military history abound.

[Becky]

I think I will read either Home by Toni Morrison or Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.

[Bawissa]

Sounds like a good time to read Summer of my German Soldier again. It is a book I've enjoyed multiple times since a friend recommended it to me over ten years ago.

[Jennie]

I recommend a new book I just finished reading, Sworn Enemy by A. L. Sowards. This book is well written and researched and it involves the Eastern European front and includes the fact that many eastern Europeans feared Russia and the communists as much as they did the Nazis. If you like a really good World War II romance, it is hard to beat The Last Waltz by GG Vandagriff. There are a number of great series too, one by Dean Hughes and one by Sandra Gray.

[Nora]

I am re-reading Survivor in Death. Unfortunately, the ex-military characters are the bad guys...!

[Becky]

Becky wrote: "I think I will read either Home by Toni Morrison or Major Pettigrew's Last Stand."

I would NOT recommend Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I personally thought it was a waste of time.

[Becky]

Becky wrote: "Becky wrote: "I think I will read either Home by Toni Morrison or Major Pettigrew's Last Stand."

I would NOT recommend Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I personally thought it was a waste of time."

Oh, good to know! Thanks...life's too short to read bad books!!

[Britt, Book Habitue]

See, I actually really enjoyed Major Pettigrew... and it's not even my style!

[Dustin]

If you're looking for great fiction, I recommend the Scot Harvath Series by Brad Thor. The first novel, Lions of Lucerne, opens here in Utah.

If you want an autobiography, I recommend American Sniper by Chris Kyle. Navy Seal Chief Kyle had retired from the Navy and was looking for ways to help his fellow veterans struggling with PTSD and other psychological injuries sustained in the two wars when he was shot and killed last year at his home shooting range by a veteran he was trying to help.

[Karen]

Becky wrote: "Becky wrote: "Becky wrote: "I think I will read either Home by Toni Morrison or Major Pettigrew's Last Stand."

I would NOT recommend Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I personally thought it was a wa..."

Well we all have different tastes, I personally enjoyed Major Pettigrew. It is a lovely tale and I love British characters and this was a sweet story and I wouldn't call it a waste of time. But give it a try for yourself, after all you can return it if you don't care for it.

[Ann]

I’ve found an intriguing book that I’m going to read for this month's challenge: I'll Pass For Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War by Anita Silvey.

I had heard about women acting as spies during the American Civil War, but never about them posing as men so they could serve as soldiers. This should be an interesting read! (There are some excellent pictures included in this short book too.)

[Debbie]

I have finished reading Winter's Heart, the 9th book of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. There are several groups of soldiers of different countries in the book, including some who can wield magic.

[Jackie]

I forgot what this month's challenge was, but I am glad to say the book I am reading now fits the bill. I am reading "The Light Between Oceans", set just after WWI, so the main character is a veteran. So far, it is good.

Finished, and highly recommended to those looking for a book about choices and what effect they have on others. Very well written.

[Jackie]

P.S. Becky, we read "Major Pettigrew" for book club, didn't we?

[Becky]

Jackie wrote: "P.S. Becky, we read "Major Pettigrew" for book club, didn't we?"

No, we didn't unless you all have "secret book club" without me! ;) BTW, Code Name Verity would also fulfill this challenge.

[Jackie]

Woohoo! Do I get bonus points for two?

[JoAnn]

I read The Defenders, which is a Cold War Sci FI where The US and USSR employ robots to fight their war while humans hide underground.
I just finished The Wanderer, which has the French Revolution as its setting and the Admiral as one of its most surprising characters. LOVED IT!!!!!

[Ann]

Becky wrote: "Jackie wrote: "P.S. Becky, we read "Major Pettigrew" for book club, didn't we?"

No, we didn't unless you all have "secret book club" without me! ;) BTW, Code Name Verity would also fulfill this c..."

Seeing your reference to Code Name Verity reminded me of all the talk I've heard about this book. I did a little searching around and looking at reviews and came away thinking, wow! So many people really seem to love it, but it also sounds kind of intense. I'm curious, what did you think of it?

[Becky]

Ann wrote: "Becky wrote: "Jackie wrote: "P.S. Becky, we read "Major Pettigrew" for book club, didn't we?"

No, we didn't unless you all have "secret book club" without me! ;) BTW, Code Name Verity would also ..."

I really liked Code Name Verity, so much so that I picked it for our book club this month. We'll see what everyone thinks at the end of the month.

[Jackie]

Becky wrote: "Ann wrote: "Becky wrote: "Jackie wrote: "P.S. Becky, we read "Major Pettigrew" for book club, didn't we?"

No, we didn't unless you all have "secret book club" without me! ;) BTW, Code Name Verity..."

Ha! She can't say much more about it right now, as it would spoil it for book club. The gals see this sight.
I bet it is killing her not to discuss it!

[Jenny]

I'm 2/3 of the way through Code Name Verity, and I'm really enjoying it. It is pretty intense in some parts but no more intense than many other WWII or other war books.

And Jackie, you're right. Becky probably wanted to say much more. :) I'm looking forward to our discussion...I have a question that hasn't been answered yet...although maybe it will be before the end.

[Maria]

I read A Man Without Breath by Philip Kerr. While I have read a lot of WWII books from US or British points of view this is the first one I have read from a German point of view. Bernie Gunther is a German investigating war crimes. He finds it difficult and hypocritical to overlook the German crimes while focusing on other crimes. In this book he is focusing on investigating the Katyn Forest Massacre where 14,500 Polish soldiers were killed and buried by Russian forces. While the book is a historical fiction, it follows true events and gave me a new perceptive that history teachers completely overlooked.

[Nora]

I really enjoyed Code Name Verity. So much so that I am considering buying a copy! It is set in WW2 France where 2 friends--a Brit & an American are stuck. They were sent to deploy the Brit as a spy with the American the pilot, but the plane crashes & neither knows the other survived. The Brit is captured by the Gestapo & the American ends up working with the underground. It is a beautiful story of friendship.

[Jackie]

Maria wrote: "I read A Man Without Breath by Philip Kerr. While I have read a lot of WWII books from US or British points of view this is the first one I have read from a German point of view. Bernie Gunther i..."

I often wonder about those German boys who got wrapped up in all the fury and at the same time feeling pained by the things that they were doing. But, I guess that could apply to the rest of us in wartime. It must have been very hard to do things that were against your values or beliefs.

[Debbie]

I have read two more books which qualify under out topic for the month:
1919 by John Dos Passos (Book 2 of his USA trilogy) deals with things in and surrounding World War I.
Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner about two cities of rats, one of which has a Kill Army and the other is out to destroy the soldiers of that Kill Army.

[Becky]

I ended up reading both Home and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I liked Major Pettigrew, liked the British-ness of the book and the story. Home was not my favorite Toni Morrison book, but was okay.

[Jenny]

I finished Code Name Verity and really enjoyed it.

[Ann]

I just finished I'll Pass For Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War, which was super interesting and a quick read.

I enjoyed finding out some of motivations women had for enlisting under the guise of men and also how they managed to pass as men. (Apparently, in the 1800's pants and short hair were enough to convince most people than an individual was a man.)

[Kira]

I readMogadishu Diaries- Bloodlines which was funny as well as enlightening about military life. It takes place from 1992 to 1993 in Somalia right about the time there was a lot of strife going on there. Based on a true story, the guy tells about his experiences of being a support staff member from another unit despite his Gunnery Sargeant rank, having to deal with a unsupportive commander, and having to learn to balance the needs of the people with military orders. Reminded me a bit of M.A.S.H without the medical background. I'd give it 4.5 stars.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Kira wrote: "I readMogadishu Diaries- Bloodlines which was funny as well as enlightening about military life. It takes place from 1992 to 1993 in Somalia right about the time there was a lot of strife going on ..."
Reminded you of MASH because it's funny?
I love MASH....

[Ann]

I've just posted this summer's Reading Challenge. The Summer Reading Theme is "groundbreaking reads," which has allowed us to branch out into a lot of different directions with the Summer Reading Challenge. Take a look and enjoy!

[Brenda]

I am reading Bashar; BluePrint for Change.
ISBN 1562841130 (ISBN13: 9781562841133) original title Bashar: Blueprint for Change : A Message from Our Future

"Be the living example that allows them to see in you that it might be worth while to choose the ideas that you are living. But be allowing at the same time because you know, that whatever they choose, they need to learn something from what they have chosen. "___ Bashar

"Circumstances do not determine your state of beging. Your state of being determines your circumstances. Circumstances do no M-A-T-T-E-R. Do not MATERIALIZE things. Only you state of being MATTERS. Brings energy into MATTER.Materializes things." __ Bashar

[Kira]

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Kira wrote: "I readMogadishu Diaries- Bloodlines which was funny as well as enlightening about military life. It takes place from 1992 to 1993 in Somalia right about the time there was a lot of str..."

Kira wrote: "I readMogadishu Diaries- Bloodlines which was funny as well as enlightening about military life. It takes place from 1992 to 1993 in Somalia right about the time there was a lot of strife going on ..."

It did. I loved the military humor in both and the not so straight-laced approach to trying to relieve stress.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Kira wrote: "Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Kira wrote: "I readMogadishu Diaries- Bloodlines which was funny as well as enlightening about military life. It takes place from 1992 to 1993 in Somalia right about the..."

Well then I will definitely have to put it on hold then, because I LOVE MASH!!! :)

[Britt, Book Habitue]

I read Family Secrets by Deborah Cohen (which was FASCINATING) and one of the sections talked about men in India having a "family" there and then coming home to have a "real" family.
Not really military, but I'm throwing it out there because the book was SO GOOD! (And I put in a purchase request that was accepted, so if it's not in the library system yet it will be.)
But I also read Mysterious Affair at Styles, which is narrated by Hastings, who is in England recuperating from his tour... wherever it was the English were fighting at the time. lol

[Ann]

Debbie won this month's reading challenge drawing. She read .Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan, 1919 by John Dos Passos, and Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner.

[Jackie]

Congrats, Debbie! Totally deserve it, reading three books. :0)

[Jenny]

Congrats, Debbie!

[Debbie]

Woo Hoo! Thanks!