oceanwriter's reviews
589 reviews

Maximilian Kolbe: A Saint in Auschwitz by Jean- Francois Vivier

adventurous dark informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

A short summarized depiction of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life as told in his final days in Auschwitz. Wonderful artwork and such a heartbreaking yet inspiring true story.

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The Twins of Auschwitz: The inspiring true story of a young girl surviving Mengele's hell by Eva Mozes Kor, Lisa Rojany Buccieri

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

Years ago I watched the viral video of Eva Mozes Kor talking about her Auschwitz survival story. Her message of forgiveness has stuck with me. I later learned she’d written this memoir.

Straightforward yet impactful, the pages of this book are filled with the horrifying experiences Eva and her twin sister Miriam faced at the beginning of the war, in Auschwitz, and in particular, with Josef Mengele. Eva also discusses her life after the war and the impact of being imprisoned under such terrible conditions.

While the book ends on notes of forgiveness, Eva in no way condones the atrocities committed by the Nazis, rather, she elaborates that for her own freedom, she found forgiveness was the only way to escape the clutches of her memories. I’ve found her story and outlook on life inspiring.

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The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood

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sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

I could barely get through this book, unfortunately. Despite being based on a true story, both the story and the writing felt romanticized. I’ve struggled in the past with similarly toned books and have regretted my attempts to overlook the uneasiness I’ve felt about them due to a high rating average. This kind of World War II fiction just isn’t for me.

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In The Moon's House by Mary Robinette Kowal

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I love the Lady Astronaut universe, but I didn’t feel this added much to the main series. Might have made more sense if I’d read the first three books more recently.

A Nurse's Tale by Ola Awonubi

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emotional informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Royalty and war are always interesting mixes in a book, particularly when it's based on a true story. Typically in World War II fiction, the royal focus is on the British Royal Family. In A Nurse's Tale, our hero is a Nigerian Princess.

Princess Adenrele Ademola trains in London to become a nurse. When the war breaks out, she stays behind and eventually goes on to become a midwife. Eighty years later, Ade's great-niece, Yemi, goes to England and meets a doctor who is trying to trace his roots having been born in an orphanage. The two of them start to realize the connections they have.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Nigerian culture and history, especially where the characters are based on real people. This was my biggest takeaway. I didn't find myself engaged with the story as a whole. Even still, I applaud what a standout it is.

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Mistletoe Kisses by Jessica Baker

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Mistletoe Kisses is a new contemporary/sweet romance from Jessica Baker. Though it’s a venture into a new genre, it has the same charm and feel as her previous books, particularly An Invitation to Tea.

Zoe Bennett is getting married and her childhood best friend Holly anticipates the role of maid of honor. To her disappointment, she instead finds herself on the staff.

Instead of facing a wedding laced with complete misery, Holly reconnects with her long-distance pal Zach (Zoe’s brother and Holly’s childhood crush). The two of them come up with a fake relationship plan to get through it all.

I am such a sucker for the fake dating trope and it’s done wonderfully here. Holly and Zach are charming characters. The entire book has that cozy Hallmark Christmas movie feel to it. It’s a perfect Christmas in July treat!

The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.

It’s all right, I’m just not feeling it right now. The voice is younger than I’d prefer.

A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A Stranger in the Family is the 11th book in the Maeve Kerrigan series, however, it stands strong on its own. I went into the book with no former knowledge of the series and was able to keep track of the characters.

The book begins with the disappearance of the Marshall’s young daughter Rosalie. Jumping to the present day, Helena and Bruce Marshall are found dead. At first look, it appears to be a murder/suicide, but Maeve Kerrigan thinks otherwise and begins her and Josh Derwent’s investigation.

As I said, despite being so deep into a series, this novel can standalone. I did feel a lack of connection to the characters though as I’m assuming most of the personalities have been established previously in early books, making the book dialogue/plot heavy. For that, I would recommend reading at least the first book. Otherwise, it was a solid mystery. (And the book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger!)

A huge thanks to Harper360 for sending me an ARC of the book to read and review!

Content Warnings

Auschwitz Lullaby by Mario Escobar

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I’ve been trying hard to make my way through my physical TBR. I’m not sure how long I’ve had this book, but it’s certainly been a while. However long it’s been, I wish I’d picked it up sooner!

Based on a true story about a German woman who followed her husband and children into Auschwitz, this book follows Helene. Married to a Gypsy man, she chooses to follow him and their five children when they are arrested and taken to Auschwitz. There, her husband is separated from her and the children, however, Helene is permitted to stay with the kids in a special barracks. Being German, she is also granted other privileges, granted, life is still a nightmare.

Finding favor with Josef Mengele (sadly in part due to her twins), Helene is permitted to operate a nursery/school for the Gypsy children. This provides her and her children with slightly better living conditions, giving Helene the hope and strength she needs to take on each day.

At first, I wasn’t sure I was liking the direction the book was taking with Helene. It felt as though she was absolutely clueless about her surroundings. Of course, she would not have gone in with the knowledge we know now, but at the very beginning, it felt she was incapable of putting two and two together. As the book went on, I felt a shift in her character and I became far more invested. An emotional read, but a worthwhile one.

Content Warnings

The Queen's Secret: A Novel of England's World War II Queen by Karen Harper

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.

The voice feels super inauthentic for the time period. It should be a lot more interesting than it is.

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oceanwriter's reviews 589 reviews

oceanwriter's reviews
589 reviews