This weekend I read four different books, four books with four very different views, styles, and themes that all made my 5 star review list. I'd like to talk about each in turn:
First: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
July 16, 1942?
Anyone?
Does anyone even know what happened on this date? I like to consider myself as something of a history buff and I had no idea. I have taken numerous world history classes and not once have I heard of this event.
So naturally reading this book I turned to the internet and researched it.
This is the date of the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup of the Jews in Paris, France. This tragedy was instigated by the Germans, but the French were only too happy to comply. Ignoring the order only to take grownups, thousands of children were taken too.
On this day the French police rounded up 13, 152 Jews and took them to the Vel' d'Hiv stadium and left them there for weeks before shipping them out to concentration camps in Germany and ultimately the gas chambers. Nearly all of the children taken were killed.
The French president finally apologized for this atrocity in 1995, over fifty years later.
This act is poignantly painted in Sarah's Key and this all-too possible tale broke my heart. This story is one that will leave you crying and deep in reflection about the world we live in. What killed me was I had never even heard of this before? Had you?
This is a beautiful book....one that I recommend to all of you.
Second: Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Third: Now They Call Me Infidel by Nonie Darwish

I read this book and was absolutely enthralled as Nonie Darwish shared her life's story and her views regarding the Islamic faith. A read that is both educational and informative. This is a must read for all history buffs and those who just love learning about the world around them.
I found this book enlightening and it exposed me to different cultures and viewpoints. In fact, this book went against a lot of my beliefs and opened my eyes to the other side of this issue. A must-read just to have this educational, eye-opening experience.
And Fourth: While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

That automatically kicks this up to 5 stars just for that. This book once again reminded me that Christian and Jewish beliefs are actually very similar. I loved that this book delved into the life of Jews. I love books that make me do some soul searching and question my beliefs...this book fit that description.
A great book for those seeking an eye-opening experience.
Concluding thoughts:
These books all resulted in some deep soul searching and reflection and have stuck with me even days after I read them. All of these books are beautifully written centered around all-star characters/people, an intriguing plot/story, and caused me to question my beliefs.
Read these books, you won't be disappointed.