For some reason, while compiling a list of great books I've been reading lately, I realized that most of them fell in some sort of history or historical fiction category... Not sure how that happened! Either way, I would still definitely recommend each of these books as a good, clean read. (With the only small exception on "clean" being a few small things in the book "Code Name: Lise"... read that description below to learn why.)
"A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
Children's Historical Fiction
This book is an easier, quicker read that's definitely worth checking out. The story follows the life of a young orphan named Tree-Ear and his determination to learn to make a pot from the master potter, Min. This story is a wonderful tale of bravery and integrity in the face of hardship.
"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown
Young Adult History
It wasn't until I was half way through this book that I realized I was reading the version for young readers and it was only half the length of the original... Oops! That being said, it was still a great book! And it gave me the chance to review it for the "Children's Book and Media Review" website put out through Brigham Young University.
This book would definitely be described as inspirational as most of it follows a main character that has had a string of hardships in his life. Despite all the trials of the times (it takes place during the Great Depression), the boys on the rowing team make it to the Olympics! In the end, for many of these boys it was the hard work and trials that gave them a strong will and the ability to row the boat to victory.
"Code Name: Lise" by Larry Loftis
Adult History
Fair warning: This book is the true story about a WW2 spy who got captured. As such, it had about 6 bad words in it and got a little intense at a few parts (like WW2 violent/torture intense) but it didn't seem overly graphic in telling what happened.
That being said, it was still a really well written and good book. It held my attention the entire time and would definitely be considered a "page turner." Although it would be in the "history" genre, it isn't written like a textbook and is easy to read and follow.
While reading this book, I had such a strong love and admiration for those people in the world that are willing and able to do incredibly hard things for the cause of good. It's brave people like Odette (the main character in the book), that help many of us in the world enjoy the freedoms and happy lives we have.
"Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" by Marc Twain
Adult Historical Fiction
Important Note: This book is listed as historical fiction because of the way Twain chose to narrate it. He did, however base this work on his 12 years of research and preparation in Joan of Arc's history.
Although most people know Marc Twain from his more popular books (staring Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn), this book is actually the one he was most proud of. And after reading it for myself, I can see why. Once again, like many of the books I've listed in this post, the author did a wonderful job of teaching you the history of a person or place without it feeling like a boring history textbook you had to push through.
This book was a great read and really made me see Joan of Arc in a different light. Although she is often portrayed as a tough military leader, she was actually a much more soft tempered and quiet person. I was impressed by her determination and strength to do something that was incredibly difficult even though she didn't actually want to do it. She yearned for a simple life, but knew that leading the army was something she had to do. She was an amazing, courageous person and this book was definitely my favorite one on this list.
And with all of these books read, I currently have too many books checked out from the library to finish on time again... I may need to just keep a "to read" list instead of checking them out when I see them! But for now, you know what I'll be doing if I have any free time!
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