Like most of you, I prefer fiction books for my reading
pleasure, but I’ve read some non-fiction books that have left a lasting
impression on me. Sometimes a true story
can be unimaginable and chilling. I want
to tell you about three such books here.
Tales from a
The book is
about growing up in Vietnam
during the war when a change of government turns the life of one family upside
down. Soldiers move into their home burn
their books and take over the neighborhood.
This story is about a young girl growing up under the communist
regime. The family tries to hang on to
their traditions, their hometowns and provinces, but the pervasiveness of the
communist value system eventually drives them to suicide or exile.
The Black Wall by Jiazhen Qi
This story
is a full account of a family in China during the rise of
communism. This powerful story is told
by one of the daughters in the family who is imprisoned at the age of twenty
under a charge of being a counterrevolutionary.
Her father is already serving a sentence for the same crime. The remaining family must scrape by selling
what they can to buy food to survive.
They under constant surveillance and not allowed to leave the house unless
it is to go to the communist school or to buy food. As you can imagine, prison life is no
better. Conditions are deplorable
there. At times, this book is graphic
and the things these people endured are beyond imagination. This story is one you won’t forget.
The book is
about a family living in FL. The father
discovers he has a brain tumor at age 50.
Glioblastoma gives no warning until it’s too late. The diagnosis leaves his wife and two
daughters stunned, but they don’t let go of hope as they struggle for a cure
and survival against all odds. Southern
black caregivers move into the home to aid the family around the clock. After all avenues are exhausted, they must
accept what’s coming.
The second
half of the book is about how the family copes with his loss and shows them
that sometimes there are second chances at happiness. Love can come disguised and when least
expected.
Have you read any memorable books?
The Memoir Perfection has stuck with me for a long time!
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
DeleteI haven't heard of that one. I'll have to look it up. Thanks for that tidbit. I love good books.
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
Sunni
I mostly read non-fiction whether it be film books, art books or history. Since I love film I have read a number of biographies. "The Moon's a Balloon" is written by David Niven and it is often a very humorous take on life in Hollywood. he had great flair. "Dark Star" is written Leatrice Joy Gilbert Fountain. Her father was the great John Gilbert who was the biggest star in the 1920's and discusses his horrible childhood, rise to fame and decent into alcohol with the help of Louis B Mayer
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit,
DeleteMore nice book suggestions to look up. Thank you and for reading and leaving a comment.
Sunni
I mostly read non-fiction whether it be film books, art books or history. Since I love film I have read a number of biographies. "The Moon's a Balloon" is written by David Niven and it is often a very humorous take on life in Hollywood. he had great flair. "Dark Star" is written Leatrice Joy Gilbert Fountain. Her father was the great John Gilbert who was the biggest star in the 1920's and discusses his horrible childhood, rise to fame and decent into alcohol with the help of Louis B Mayer
ReplyDeleteI have seen the last one on multiple blogs. I am interested now...
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
Hi Tarka,
DeleteYou really saw the last book on several blogs? That's interesting. It's a good book, will make you laugh and cry.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Sunni
I prefer fiction, as well, but it's nice to shake things up with a bit of nonfiction now and then. I've mentioned two on my blog this month as part of my 1940's A to Z theme: Letters Home and Summer at Tiffany (It's not my "S" but I used it for a quote today about nylons of all things!)
ReplyDeleteShonna,
DeleteThanks for reading and the comment with names for some NF books. I'll check them out and your blog too.
Sunni
These look interesting; I'm keeping a list of the books people have been highlighting during the challenge and plan to read a lot afterwards. I do prefer fiction, but these three here that you listed do sound interesting, especially the last one.
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty,
DeleteI just finished the last one before the challenge started. It's a fast read because it's written in a style that's really interesting. Plus it's a good story.
Thanks for reading.
Sunni
I like a mix of both fiction and non-fiction, although I find fiction to be a quicker read.
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
DeleteI think fiction probably is a quicker read most of the time, but the books here are very interesting and hard to put down.
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Sunni
I love non-fiction, I will add all these to my Goodreads list. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang is an excellent read too.
ReplyDeletePilch,
DeleteThanks for that book suggestion. I'll have to look for it. I normally read fiction but if it's an engrossing book, I enjoy non-fiction.
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Sunni