All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

[Monica (Tomes Project)]

I have heard magnificent things about this book, so I bought it about a week ago. I cannot wait to read it, and this is the perfect time to read through 530 pages of World War II historical romance.

[Michelle, Mod Assistant]

Ugh, super jealous! I hope I get around to reading it sometime this year. I've heard nothing but excellent things about it. I'm eager to hear your thoughts when you finish it.

[Taylor]

This book is one of the top books on my recommendations page. Let me know how you like it.

[Jessica]

This is why I like this group. You meet so many different people who enjoy so many different things! History? Romance? No thank you! Lol I'll stick to my Scifi aliens ;)

[Alma]

i gonna start read this... mind check me up next week? i can be easily distrackted sometimes. Also pardon my grammar, active engliah is a bit difficult for me

[Megan]

I'm starting this one! I cannot wait. I've read tons of good reviews.

[Megan]

How are you guys liking the book so far? I'm loving it!

[KP]

I'm starting this one too! Everyone I've talked to has LOVED it, so it's a good way to kick off 2015!

[Amber]

Thanks for the recc, going to start it tomorrow!

[Annie]

Starting this one tonight. Can't wait to see what everyone thinks of it.

[Amber]

Just finished it, I really enjoyed it! Off to a good start, but romance is next :/

[Kim]

Anyone still reading this book? I am about half way through and I am not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. :-(

[Claire]

Just finished. I really liked it.

[[deleted user]]

I read this book over Christmas. A beautiful story - unique perspective that demonstrates how circumstances affect lives.

**SPOILER** Seems the blue diamond's curse was real. I wish the author would have continued the development of that arc a bit more and I was completely bummed when 'he' dies at the end...

[Brittany]

I'm running a little behind with the challenges as I just joined the group but this is my "500 Pages or More" book and I'm about 50% through it right now. It took me a few chapters to get into it but I'm liking it so far.

[Jenni]

Kim wrote: "Anyone still reading this book? I am about half way through and I am not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. :-("

I'm not really enjoying this book as much as I thought I would either. It's been really hard for me to get into it. I only read a little bit at a time because it doesn't hold me captive like some other books do where I can't put them down.

[Brittany]

Thank goodness I had today off of work because 5 hours later, I have finished this book! Challenge Number 1, DONE.

I understand what everyone is saying about either not liking it or it being hard to get in to. It took me about three days to get 30% of the book read. I had to force myself to sit down today and finish it so I could catch up with the challenge. I thought the writing was fabulous and the plot was refreshing, considering how many novels there are about WWII these days, but at times I did find it a bit slow or drawn out. I would definitely consider it the kind of book that burns slowly in the beginning and the middle, but towards the end it blazes! After (view spoiler)[ Werner escaped from the wreckage and ran to save Marie-Laure (hide spoiler)] I had to slow myself down because I wanted to know what happened to everyone. So, overall, I enjoyed it, but so it is not the best book I have read in the last few months.

[Maple]

I'm finally coming back around to give week 1 a second try. I quit my first book after finishing 25% of it, so I'm being a lot more selective this go round. I kept hearing great things about this one and the premise looks great, so I've settled to make this my new week 1 choice. At first glance, I was surprised by the size of the chapters. They all seem to be 1-3 pages in length each. It should make the reading seem like it'll go by quicker. We'll see how this plays out.

[Michelle]

I finished this one last week - am reading out of order. A first I thought I didn't like it and didn't want to pick it up again after a short break, I.e to make tea, but I found it stayed with me when I wasn't reading it. After a while When I was reading it I was enjoying it, interested in the characters, but it took a while to get into.

Overall I enjoyed it, it is really lyrical description. I think my favourite part was the radios and her developing relationship with her great uncle and how he changed because of her. I was so disappointed (view spoiler)[that Werner didn't make it, I kept hoping he would turn up lost with amnesia but I guess that would be too cutesy (hide spoiler)].

I think this is a slow burn book and once you're hooked, you're hooked.

[Maple]

I finished late last night. I loved it a lot more than I thought I would. It took me longer to read than normal, but for the first time in a long time I had a book where I felt the need to significantly slow down my reading pace and savor ever single word. It is truly beautifully written. I struggled getting into it in the beginning because the chapters where so short and each chapter was a new character or event that it was a little off-putting (confusing), but it didn't take long for me to immerse myself in it. The relationship between Marie and her grandfather was one of my favorites, and I loved Werner's story line, especially in regards to his relationships with Frederick and Volkheimer.

It was nice to read a story about WWII that was not about someone in a concentration camp, or a Jewish person in hiding. Though it is a work of fiction (from what I know) it is historically relevant/accurate, and addresses the lives of a young blind French girl in a city being fought in, and a young man who is forced into what is essentially the Hitler Youth school, and forced to the front lines when he is too young. I am happy that I chose this book.