World War II
January 19, 2024
This curated booklist is filled with compelling titles set against the backdrop of World War II, transporting readers to a tumultuous era of history. These books promise a journey through evocative storytelling that captures the essence of the time, offering readers a window into the human experience during this pivotal period in history.
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Marie-Laure, a young blind girl, lives with her devoted father in Paris, where he works as the master of locks at the Museum of Natural History. When the Nazis occupy Paris, Marie-Laure and her father flee to the walled city of St. Malo, where her uncle lives. Unbeknownst to Marie-Laure, her father brings a potentially valuable item with him.
In a small town in Germany, a boy called Werner and his sister have endured life in an orphanage. Werner enjoys tinkering with radios, eventually becoming an expert at building and fixing them. His skills earn him a place at a Hitler Youth academy and a job tracking the resistance, which brings him to St. Malo, where he and Marie-Laure’s paths collide.
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen
Erik Larsen uses his incredible storytelling abilities to transport us back to wartime Britain. Winston Churchill faces the seemingly impossible task of holding Britain together during an intensive bombing campaign, while building up Britain’s air force and naval strength, thwarting Nazi invasions, and convincing President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally. This riveting look at Churchill covers only one year of his term as Prime Minister, but gives an intimate glimpse into the workings of his war room, his private life, and his personality.
The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn
When a whale washes up on the beach of Dorset, Cristabel Seagrave, a twelve-year-old orphan, hatches an ingenious plan to build a theatre from the enormous ribcage. She enlists the help of her sister Flossie, her brother Digby, the maid Maudie Kitcat, and a traveling artist called Taras. This proves to be just what Cristabel needs to bring her imagination to life and escape the drudgery of her reality. When World War II begins, Cristabel and Digby are called upon to use their acting skills in circumstances with much higher stakes.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
There are many books about heroism in the Second World War, but not all are as astonishing as Beneath a Scarlet Sky. This book is based on the true story of Pino Lella, a young Italian man who, despite wanting nothing to do with the war, ends up using his exceptional climbing and skiing skills to help Italian Jews escape to Switzerland. After being forced to enlist as a soldier in the German army, he shows incredible courage by becoming a spy for the allies from inside the German High Command, risking his own life and everything dear to him.
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
The U.S. is at war, and Anna Kerrigan’s father has vanished. While working as a diver for the Navy, repairing ships, she meets her father’s former boss, Dexter Styles. She becomes involved with him and is plunged into the underground world of gangsters. Over time, she begins to understand what must have happened to her father, and what she must do.
The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan
Hearts are breaking in the charming village of Chilbury, England. Sons and husbands are leaving to go to war, and on top of that, the vicar has announced that the choir will close until the men return. Singing is exactly what the ladies need to lift their spirits, so they set about forming their own choir. In doing so, they discover a way to forget their troubles and learn the true value of friendship.
Midnight in Broad Daylight by Pamela Rotner Sakamoto
This is the epic true account of a Japanese-American family that found itself on opposing sides during World War II. Three Brothers, Harry, Frank, and Peirce, who were born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, move back to their mother’s homeland of Japan. Harry ends up returning to the States, while his brothers remain there. When war breaks out, Harry is sent to an internment camp, but is released to fight for the U.S. army. Meanwhile, his brothers enlist in the Japanese Imperial Army. Alternating between the brothers’ perspectives, we witness the horror of the bombing of Hiroshima from both sides of the war. This heartbreaking story takes us on a rollercoaster of love, loss, and reconciliation.