Task #14: Read a book about war

[Laura]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... An incredibly brave woman who sadly died recently.

Such an amazing story that I can't wait to learn more about.

[Kaa]

I have Redeployment and a couple other nonfiction or realistic fiction books about wars that really happened on my shelf right now, but I actually think I'm going to go with a fantasy novel - The Winged Histories, by Sofia Samatar. I've been meaning to read since it came out, and based on the synopsis, it sounds like it should count.

[[deleted user]]

Just missed #7 with this one (a book between 1900-1950), but I just finished reading The War of the Worlds by HG Wells. It is about a war, albeit between humans and Martians.

I have read a lot of books about wars and would highly recommend these for those looking: To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918, The Forever War (about the Iraq War), A Farewell to Arms, Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Flyboys: A True Story of Courage, We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese

[Nancy]

Allie wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I may force myself to read Redeployment. I'm not keen on war stories, so despite the excellent reviews this collection has gotten, I've never read it. I have read a couple of the book..."

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "I read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson for this one. It takes place in two different war eras - WWI and WWII.

I was disappointed..."

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "I read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson for this one. It takes place in two different war eras - WWI and WWII.

I was disappointed..."

Allie wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I may force myself to read Redeployment. I'm not keen on war stories, so despite the excellent reviews this collection has gotten, I've never read it. I have read a couple of the book..."
I read Girls of Atomic City a couple of years ago and liked it. I never would have thought of it for this challenge! I also read Life After Life, which has been mentioned as well, and again it never crossed my mind. It's good to read these posts and get some new ideas.

[Elyse]

My plan is to read Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption or Ravensbrück: Life and Death in Hitler's Concentration Camp for Women even though I've tentatively used Code Name Verity for this task.

[Tanya C.]

Just finished The Fire by Night by Teresa Messineo. It follows two American nurses during WWII. (Also a debut novel). Enjoyed it a lot.

[Rosie]

I'm reading Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It also works for a book that takes place more than 5,000 miles away from me! I'm almost done; it's excellent.

[Yrinsyde]

I read the Wives of Los Alamos last year and enjoyed the read. It's about the wives living on base while not knowing their husbands were working on building the atom bomb. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Elyse]

Yrinsyde wrote: "I read the Wives of Los Alamos last year and enjoyed the read. It's about the wives living on base while not knowing their husbands were working on building the atom bomb. https://www.goodreads.com..."

That sounds fascinating!

[Andy]

I can't recommend The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien highly enough. Great collection of stories about Vietnam vets. If you are into audiobooks, as a bonus, there is a version of this book read by Bryan Cranston that is simply amazing.

[Pam]

My English teacher friend recommended Johnny Got His Gun published in 1939. It may get three categories, 1900 - 1950, book about war, and frequently banned or challenged (maybe not frequently).

[Julia]

Pam, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo used to be banned or challenged a lot. I think it's fallen out of favor with English teachers, which is why it's not so commonly banned anymore. (It was widely read during the end of the Vietnam War, I believe.) Also, the author himself was banned by House UnAmerican Committee and served time in jail for having unpopular opinions, at the time. He was mostly a Hollywood screenwriter and couldn't write under his own name for several years. This is the subject of the Philip Seymour Hoffman movie "Trumbo."

[Elyse]

Julia wrote: "Pam, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo used to be banned or challenged a lot. I think it's fallen out of favor with English teachers, which is why it's not so commonly..."

Bryan Cranston movie.

[Julia]

Bryan Cranston movie.

Of course it is. I don't know where that came from, I was picturing Cranston as I wrote. And also Hoffman playing "Capote?"

[Elyse]

Julia wrote: "Bryan Cranston movie.

Of course it is. I don't know where that came from, I was picturing Cranston as I wrote. And also Hoffman playing "Capote?""

haha yes, that's what I think you confused it with!

[Audra]

Dead Center: A Marine Sniper's Two-Year Odyssey in the Vietnam War

The Fire Dream

[Anna]

Jessica wrote: "Does WALTZ WITH BASHIR count toward this prompt? I'm not sure if graphic novels are allowed when a prompt doesn't specify."

When the prompt doesn't specify, you can use whatever you like! (And FWIW, I think "Waltz With Bashir" is an excellent choice.)

[Lauren]

Sandra wrote: "My bookclub recently read Girl at War by Sara Novic - it would be a great choice for this challenge (also a first novel)"

I picked this for my "Postal" book club - I loved it and I can't wait to see what the others thought of it.

[Nikki]

Anyone looking to fill this challenge with YA fiction could consider the Tomorrow, When the War Began series. Set in Australia, it fills my Over 5000 Miles Away option but I realized it could fit this, as well.

[Nina]

I received an ARC of War Spies & Bobby Sox by Libby Fischer Hellman, which is 3 short stories. It was a new look at the war genre, ordinary Americans caught up in events. Pre order of the Kindle version is $.99 on Amazon

[Pat]

reading a j liebling's THE ROAD BACK TO PARIS

[Rebecca]

Just finished Ashley's War by Gayle Lemmon about the first female Special Ops teams in Afghanistan- fascinating read and finished in 2 sittings. Highly recommended.

[Sherrita]

Would The Monuments Men work for this task?

[Cindy]

I finished Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathan Philbrick. I really like his writing. It was some fascinating stuff that really added to my understanding of the American Revolution.

[Elyse]

Sherrita wrote: "Would The Monuments Men work for this task?"

Absolutely! I suggest the audiobook, the writing is rather dry.

[Arlene]

My husband is looking to read a non fiction book about Malta's role in WW2 for this challenge, does anyone have any recommendations?

[Kristine]

Arlene wrote: "My husband is looking to read a non fiction book about Malta's role in WW2 for this challenge, does anyone have any recommendations?"

Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave has a good depiction of WWII in Malta, but it's fiction :(

[Ashley]

Currently listening to the audiobook of Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War and loving it. Mary Roach has such a distinct writing style; I can't help but enjoy her books!

[Colleen]

I read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Very good!

[Brooke]

Colleen wrote: "I read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Very good!"

I read that last year and really enjoyed it! I might get to the sequel Rose Under Fire this year.

[Arlene]

Kristine wrote: "Arlene wrote: "My husband is looking to read a non fiction book about Malta's role in WW2 for this challenge, does anyone have any recommendations?"

Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave has ..."

Sounds good,could be an ideal accompaniment to a nonfiction book. Thanks!

[Jessica]

Would The Book Thief count?

[Elyse]

Jessica wrote: "Would The Book Thief count?"

Yes

[Elyse]

Colleen wrote: "I read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Very good!"

I listened to the audiobook last month, very good!

[Tania]

Elyse wrote: "My plan is to read Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption or Ravensbrück: Life and Death in Hitler's Concentration Camp for Women even..."

I thought Unbroken was amazing in a very heartbreaking way

[Tania]

I have quite a few war books on my TBR this year, the one I chose for the challenge was fiction and also a reread, and very good - Ordinary Heroes by Scott Turow (set during WWII).

A few others I've read recently and highly recommend:
- Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua by Stephen Kinzer (the journalist lived in the midst of the events he wrote about, and effectively presents all sides of this complicated story)
- Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow (set after the war, but shows how slowly war ends for the people, not just something you can yell "cut" and its over)
- Winter Men by Jesper B Kold (I thought this was a little slow in parts, but it is a careful look at how easy it is to believe that you are not causing harm in playing your part until it is too late, some really chilling scenes sprinkled throughout)
- The War in Nicaragua by William Walker (I'm still reading this one but it has started off interesting)

[Connie]

Currently reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West, sort of wish I've never picked up this book because the stories are so horrible and sad.

At least I can add the book to the "A book about a difficult topic" in the popsugar challenge.

[Courtney]

I just finished All the Light We Cannot See, and I found it absolutely engrossing!

I loved the use of different perspectives, especially the side of the story told from young german boys perspective. In reading it, it reminded me a lot of Dan Brown's books in their cadence, which is perfect for reading on the subway in the city.

7 tasks down, 17 to go

[Jen]

Megan wrote: "My book club read The Summer Before the War this month, which begins in 1914 just before England enters WWI. The story proceeds through England's official entry into the war and sho..."

I just finished reading this book that I picked up just because I was in the mood for this type of book. However after finishing it I was thinking it could work for this category. What do people think? Is it not enough about war?

[Marie]

Jen wrote: "Megan wrote: "My book club read The Summer Before the War this month, which begins in 1914 just before England enters WWI. The story proceeds through England's official entry into t..."

I think this works. It's not like it simply alludes to war - the last section of the book takes place on a battlefield.

[Jessica]

I just finished The Book Thief.

Wow, it was amazing and heartbreaking. This is the kind of book that will stay with me for a while.

[Debbie]

I definitely recommend NightingaleThe Nightingale. It is about 2 sisters and their children in occupied France during WWII.

[Simant]

I'll go with The Book Thief

[Marjorie]

The Chilbury Ladie's Choir by Jennifer Ryan --- debut and war

[Marjorie]

make that 'The Chilbury Ladies' Choir' .....

[Amanda]

Would News of the World count? I am reading it now and , though it set just after the civil war, there are several flashbacks to the war, and the recent war is a looming present, but not sure it counts.

[Megan]

Jessica wrote: "I just finished The Book Thief.

Wow, it was amazing and heartbreaking. This is the kind of book that will stay with me for a while."

I had to put it down at one point and just cry. Absolutely heartbreaking.

[Kristin]

Stina wrote: "I guess I'm having a hard time with the phrase "about war." My first thought was to finish reading Thank You for Your Service, but while it's about soldiers, it's about their strugg..."

I think it is. The aftereffects of war are even less talked about than the effects of war. Imo.

[Nina]

Reading "No Man's Land" by Simon Tolkien.

[Amanda]

Re-asking if News of the World would count. The aftermath of the Civil War is the backdrop, and there's a lot of discussion about the war, and the main character's experiences in the war. But technically, it takes place after the war, so I'm not sure it counts.