2009 Recommended Books

Although I can't believe I have never read this book for school, I am sort of glad. I doubt I would have been able to appreciate it when I was younger. This book absolutely blew me away, i just loved it. There was a little bit of everything. I am so excited to be reading Rhett Butlers PEople next, so i don't have to give up these character just yet!

I thought this book was excellent. The ethical and moral dillemas the author posed for post war Germans were thought provoking. Would make for a great conversation at book club!

Fascinating stuff! I keep quoting things from the book!

Wow, what an incredible story. The author uses such beautiful descriptions and imagery of her early life in Egypt, that I can see a movie reel running through my head of what it must have been like. Contrast that to her family's exile to America and the bleak exitence they lived there. This book, more than any other in a while, made me think long and hard about my own familys exile (i am the grandchild of holocaust surivors). The story was heartwrenchingly sad, the kind of sadness that sits in you for a long time after you are done reading.

I thought this book was exquisitely written. Sheff tells this deeply moving story with such beautiful prose, I often re-read passages. I connected with this story much more so than with his son's book (Tweak). It is defintely a heavy read, but I highly recommend it.

Best book I've read in a while. The writing had me engaged right from the beginning. There are many surprises that kept me reading til 3 am. I was slightly dissappointed with the ending though, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars.

I didn't know anyting about the Vel D'Hiv and as the descendant of surviors i am horrified that i didn't. The juxtapostion of the two stories made it so incredibly interesting it felt like a true story. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I had preconceived notions about how I would feel about the topic. Somehow, the author drew me in a way that left me questioning all my beliefs about this. Really, really well done. I had to call a friends up and ask her to read it right away so that I could have someone to discuss it with!

Wow, what a book. They voice of narration (Death) and the foreshadowing make this story unique in its class. I was mezmerized and will not ever forget it.